Warner Bros.’ lavish new adaptation of Wuthering Heights embraced audiences around the world over Valentine’s Day weekend, opening to an estimated $82 million globally and giving the studio one of its strongest starts of the year.
The Emerald Fennell-directed romantic drama launched with $40 million domestically and $42 million internationally, with Warner Bros. highlighting the worldwide figure as the film’s defining benchmark. Industry rivals projected the North American four-day total slightly lower, in the mid-$30 million range, but strong overseas turnout helped push the movie comfortably into blockbuster territory.
The opening marks a major career milestone for star Jacob Elordi, representing his biggest box office debut ever both in the U.S. and worldwide. Elordi’s previous films, including Priscilla and Saltburn, were more arthouse-oriented releases. For Margot Robbie, the domestic debut ranks as her fourth-highest opening, behind Barbie, Suicide Squad, and Once Upon a Time in Hollywood.
Valentine’s Day proved to be a key driver at the box office overall, with moviegoing surging across the top 10. Wuthering Heights rose 31% on Saturday compared with Friday in the U.S., benefiting from couples and date-night crowds.
Internationally, the film played in 76 territories across more than 14,000 screens, with the United Kingdom leading all markets at $10.3 million. The UK campaign was particularly aggressive, and the opening outpaced the first Downton Abbey film’s debut there.
Source: Deadline