The February air carries a distinct chill that feels curated by Emerald Fennell herself. Her latest provocation, the Warner Bros. backed Wuthering Heights, has claimed the global box office throne with a staggering $82 million opening. It is a victory for theatrical purism over streaming giants. Fennell famously walked away from a $150 million Netflix offer to ensure her vision lived on the big screen. The move has paid off in cultural capital and cold, hard cash.
This R-rated reimagining of Emily Brontë’s novel is less a literary adaptation and more a visceral exploration of tactile obsession.
Starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, the film secured $40 million domestically over the President’s Day weekend. Another $42 million flowed in from 76 international territories, with the United Kingdom leading the charge at over $10 million. Despite mixed word-of-mouth regarding its "moist" aesthetic and lack of traditional repression, the financial momentum is undeniable. Fennell has traded Brontë’s cold ruins for a world of red lacquer floors and plaster-hand fireplaces. It is an aesthetic choice that prioritizes the lizard brain over the intellect.
The craft here is undeniable. The textures are everything to Fennell.
Costume designer Sophie Canale has draped Robbie in billowing silks and heavy red skirts that feel both period-accurate and strangely modern. Elordi’s Heathcliff arrives out of the mist like a high-fashion Darcy with a single gold hoop. The silhouettes are aggressive. They define the power dynamics of the Earnshaw household more clearly than the dialogue. The film's $80 million production budget is visible in every stitch of gauze and every drop of candle wax on the dining table.
While Warner Bros. celebrates an $80 million production that is already recouping its costs, Sony is finding steady ground with GOAT. The animated sports comedy earned $47.6 million globally. It targets a family demographic that has been underserved since the holidays. Sony is playing the long game here. They are betting on the endurance of the family market. Family audiences have been starved for content since Zootopia 2 arrived around Thanksgiving. GOAT provides a welcome relief before Pixar’s Hoppers debuts in March.
Amazon MGM’s Crime 101 sits in third place. Despite the star power of Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo, the $90 million thriller opened to a soft $29.7 million global total. It is a reminder that adult-oriented action requires more than just big names to cut through the noise. The film features Hemsworth as a jewel thief navigating the Los Angeles freeway system. It is a decent launch for an R-rated title. However, the high price tag necessitates a long theatrical life to achieve profitability.
Fennell’s direction is undeniably polarizing. Critics have noted the film's "smooth-brained" approach to the source material. It strips away the second generation of the novel to focus entirely on the toxic core of Cathy and Heathcliff. This is a movie that understands the power of a visual punchline. From a mushroom phallus scrapbook to a scene where Elordi hoists Robbie up by her corset laces. It is cinema as a music video.
The soundtrack, curated by Charli XCX, adds a layer of synth-pop gloss to the 18th-century setting. It is a sister to her True Romance era. The music serves as a bridge between the historical setting and the contemporary angst of the characters. It works. The lush synths twinkling over horse-riding sequences create a dreamlike state that excuses the film’s narrative shortcuts. Fennell uses sound to create a world where logic is secondary to feeling.
The audience for Wuthering Heights skewed heavily female. PostTrak data suggests 76 percent of ticket buyers were women. This demographic has become a powerhouse at the box office. They are drawn to Fennell’s specific brand of high-gloss provocation. Warner Bros. seems to understand this market better than most. They are following this success with Maggie Gyllenhaal’s The Bride! next month. It is another $80 million gamble on a female-led vision.
Wuthering Heights is a triumph of style. It may not satisfy the Brontë purists who crave cold-blooded revenge and Victorian denial. However, as a piece of commercial filmmaking, it is a masterclass in how to package high-culture IP for a modern audience. Emerald Fennell has proven that she is a director who can command both the conversation and the coin. The moors have never looked quite so fashionable or quite so damp.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the opening weekend box office for Wuthering Heights?
Wuthering Heights debuted at No. 1 globally with $82 million. This includes $40 million from the domestic market and $42 million from international territories.
Who are the main stars and director of the 2026 Wuthering Heights?
The film was directed by Emerald Fennell. It stars Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff.
How did the animated film GOAT perform at the box office?
GOAT earned $47.6 million worldwide in its opening weekend. It secured the second spot on the global charts despite not yet opening in 40 percent of its planned overseas markets.
What is the plot of Crime 101 starring Chris Hemsworth?
Crime 101 is a thriller about an elusive jewel thief plotting high-stakes heists across the Los Angeles freeway. It stars Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo and is directed by Bart Layton.
Why did Emerald Fennell choose Warner Bros. over Netflix?
Fennell rejected a $150 million offer from Netflix because the streaming service would not commit to a wide theatrical release. Warner Bros. promised and delivered a global theatrical launch in over 18,000 theaters.
What is the age rating and production budget for Wuthering Heights?
The film is rated R and had a production budget of approximately $80 million. This figure does not include the significant marketing expenses incurred by Warner Bros.
Which international markets were the most successful for Wuthering Heights?
The top overseas markets were the United Kingdom with $10.3 million, followed by Italy with $4.4 million and Australia with $4.3 million. It has yet to open in China or Japan.
Who composed the music for the Wuthering Heights soundtrack?
The soundtrack was curated and features music by Charli XCX. She has described the sonic landscape of the film as a sister to her debut album True Romance.
