‘Wuthering Heights’ achieves strong global box office debut despite mixed reviews

Emerald Fennell’s reinterpretation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel ‘Wuthering Heights’ has launched to impressive box office success, earning US$76.8 million in its opening weekend, making it the biggest debut of 2026 so far. The Warner Bros. romantic drama, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, earned US$34.8 million domestically and US$42 million internationally, with numbers expected to rise further due to the President’s Day long weekend and upcoming releases in Japan, Vietnam, and China. Notably, the film has nearly recouped its $80 million production budget within its first weekend, though marketing costs are not included. Australia emerged as a key market, generating A$6.07 million (US$4.3 million), aided by the local popularity of the lead actors. Despite the financial success, the adaptation has polarized critics and audiences alike, holding a 63% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a B CinemaScore, and a 51% definite recommendation from viewers. Audience demographics reveal a gender split, with women dominating North American viewership while men lead overseas attendance. The film continues Warner Bros.’ streak of No. 1 openings and demonstrates that even controversial interpretations can attract large audiences, highlighting the balance between creative risk and commercial performance in cinema.