Wuthering Heights Rakes in $77 Million at Global Box Office in Opening Weekend

The latest film adaptation of Wuthering Heights has stormed into cinemas worldwide, earning an impressive $77 million in its opening weekend and marking one of the strongest debuts of the year for a literary-based drama. The film’s success has surprised many industry analysts who had predicted a modest performance due to its dark themes and tragic storyline.
Directed by acclaimed filmmaker Emerald Fennell, the new adaptation offers a bold and visually striking interpretation of the classic novel. Starring Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, the film combines sweeping landscapes with intense emotional performances, appealing to both fans of classic literature and younger audiences drawn by the star-studded cast.
North America contributed nearly $30 million to the total opening figures, while international markets added another $47 million. The United Kingdom, where the novel has deep cultural roots, recorded particularly strong ticket sales, with the film topping the box office charts on its release day. Significant earnings were also reported in Europe, Australia, and parts of Asia, where interest in English-language literary adaptations remains high.
Critics have offered mixed but largely positive reviews. Many praised the film’s cinematography and haunting musical score, which captures the bleak atmosphere of the Yorkshire moors. Reviewers also highlighted the intense chemistry between the lead actors, noting that their portrayal of the tortured relationship between Catherine and Heathcliff brought renewed emotional power to the familiar story.
However, some critics questioned the film’s modern stylistic choices and deviations from the original text. Director Emerald Fennell defended her creative direction, saying the goal was not to replicate previous adaptations but to explore the psychological depth of the characters for a new generation. “This is a story about obsession, grief, and the cost of revenge,” she said in a recent interview. “Those themes are timeless, and I wanted them to feel raw and contemporary.”
The strong opening weekend performance reflects a growing appetite for prestige dramas in cinemas, a genre that had struggled in recent years against superhero franchises and streaming platforms. Industry observers suggest that audiences are increasingly looking for films that offer emotional depth and artistic value, especially when supported by recognizable talent and powerful marketing campaigns.
The studio behind the film invested heavily in its global promotion, launching trailers that emphasized romance and tragedy rather than focusing solely on the novel’s darker elements. Social media campaigns also targeted younger viewers, introducing them to the story through short clips and behind-the-scenes content. This strategy appears to have paid off, as a large portion of ticket buyers were under the age of 30.
Financial analysts estimate that the film’s production budget was around $50 million, excluding marketing costs. With $77 million already earned, the film is expected to become profitable within its first two weeks of release. If strong word-of-mouth continues, it could cross the $200 million mark globally, an extraordinary achievement for a period drama.
Beyond box office numbers, the film’s success is also sparking renewed interest in Emily Brontë’s original novel. Bookstores in several countries reported increased sales of Wuthering Heights following the movie’s premiere, while online searches for the novel surged over the weekend. Teachers and literary scholars have welcomed this trend, saying it could inspire a new generation of readers to explore classic literature.
Awards season speculation has also begun. While it is too early to predict nominations, some critics believe the performances and visual style could place the film in contention for major international film awards later in the year.
As the film continues its theatrical run, its opening weekend success stands as a reminder that classic stories can still captivate modern audiences when reimagined with ambition and care. With strong international support and growing cultural buzz, Wuthering Heights has proven that literary adaptations can thrive at the global box office in an era dominated by franchises and sequels.