'Wuthering Heights' box office: Women drive Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi film to No. 1 spot

Emerald Fennell’s reimagining of “Wuthering Heights” dominated the box office this weekend, earning $34.8 million in its first three days in North American theaters. The film, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, drew a largely female audience, with approximately 76% of ticket buyers identifying as women.

A Weekend Driven by Romance

The Warner Bros. Release topped the box office charts, marking the year’s biggest opening to date. The film’s success was particularly notable on Saturday, Valentine’s Day, where it earned $14 million. “Wuthering Heights” is also performing strongly internationally, with expectations of an additional $42 million from 76 territories.

Did You Know? The film’s production cost was reported at $80 million, not including marketing and promotional expenses.

The film’s opening weekend performance positions it for a strong global debut of approximately $82 million. Further international releases are planned for Japan and Vietnam on February 27th, and China on March 13th.

Competition at the Box Office

“Wuthering Heights” outperformed other new releases, including the animated “GOAT,” which earned an estimated $26 million, and the heist thriller “Crime 101,” which brought in $15.1 million. “GOAT” was the only new release to receive an A CinemaScore from audiences.

Expert Insight: The strong performance of “Wuthering Heights,” particularly its appeal to female audiences, demonstrates the continued power of romantic dramas to draw crowds to theaters, even amidst competition from other genres.

Rounding out the top five were “Send Help” with $9 million and “Solo Mio” with $6.4 million. “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and “Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die” also secured spots in the top ten, earning $3.3 million and $3.6 million respectively.

Warner Bros. And the Broader Industry

The success of “Wuthering Heights” marks Warner Bros.’ ninth consecutive No. 1 opening. This comes at a time when the studio’s future is uncertain, as Paramount continues its efforts to acquire it amidst a potential bidding war with Netflix. The Walt Disney Studios also reached a milestone this weekend, surpassing $1 billion at the global box office in 2026, largely due to the success of “Avatar: Fire and Ash” and “Zootopia 2.”

Looking Ahead

While the weekend’s box office results were down compared to the same period last year, when “Captain America: Brave New World” debuted, industry analysts suggest that upcoming releases like “Scream 7” and “Project Hail Mary” could revitalize ticket sales. The first quarter of the year has been relatively slow, but there is potential for growth.

Top 10 movies by domestic box office

According to Comscore, the top 10 movies at the domestic box office this weekend were:

“Wuthering Heights,” $34.8 million
“GOAT,” $26 million
“Crime 101,” $15.1 million
“Send Help,” $9 million
“Solo Mio,” $6.4 million
“Zootopia 2,” $3.8 million
“Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die,” $3.6 million
“Avatar: Fire and Ash,” $3.3 million
“Iron Lung,” $3.1 million
“Dracula,” $3 million

Frequently Asked Questions

What percentage of the opening weekend audience for “Wuthering Heights” was female?

Approximately 76% of those who purchased tickets to see “Wuthering Heights” during its opening weekend were women.

What is the projected global opening for “Wuthering Heights”?

The film is projected to have a global opening of around $82 million.

Which film came in second place at the box office this weekend?

“GOAT,” an animated film produced by Stephen Curry, came in second place with an estimated $26 million in ticket sales.

Given the film’s strong opening and international appeal, what impact do you think “Wuthering Heights” will have on the broader romantic drama genre?

‘Wuthering Heights’ box office: Women drive Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi film to No. 1 spot