“Wuthering Heights” has claimed the top spot at the box office. Directed by Emerald Fennell, this fresh take on Emily Brontë’s classic has drawn in $38 million over the Presidents’ Day weekend in North America, plus an impressive $45 million internationally. That makes for a grand total of $83 million worldwide, which slightly exceeds initial estimates.
While the domestic earnings were below expectations, the film performed better than predicted overseas. With U.S. ticket sales weaker, it seems the movie will need its international audience for a longer run. Warner Bros. put up $80 million to make this film, not including the hefty sums spent on marketing.
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi star as the troubled lovers, Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff. This romantic drama quickly became the perfect choice for Valentine’s Day, attracting a crowd that was over 75% female.
This success marks the ninth consecutive No. 1 debut for Warner Bros., following a series of hits like “A Minecraft Movie” and “Final Destination Bloodlines.” Interestingly, back in 2024, Netflix had offered a staggering $150 million for Fennell to create this version for their platform. Instead, she and Robbie opted for a theatrical release with more substantial marketing support.
During the same weekend, “Wuthering Heights” easily outperformed other new releases: Sony’s animated film “GOAT” and the heist thriller “Crime 101.” “GOAT” took second place with $35 million over the four days, making it the largest debut for an original animated film since Pixar’s “Elemental.” Most viewers were families, and the film scored an “A” on CinemaScore, hinting at positive word-of-mouth potential.
“Crime 101” came in third, with $16.3 million. Despite strong reviews, its performance was underwhelming for an R-rated film, especially since it had a hefty $90 million production cost. It might struggle to justify that budget without a strong theatrical run.
Overall, the box office is doing well, about 8% ahead of last year, according to Comscore. However, attendance is less than stellar compared to 2025, when “Captain America: Brave New World” opened with a stunning $100 million. The next major release is Paramount’s “Scream 7” on Feb. 27. For now, “Wuthering Heights” and “GOAT” will hopefully keep theaters bustling.
For reference, you can find more about movie trends and statistics from Comscore here.
Source link
Wuthering Heights
