A romantic literary adaptation unexpectedly dominated the Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day moviegoing window, as Wuthering Heights opened at the top of the North American box office and delivered a solid global debut.
The film — starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi — generated about $37.5 million across the four-day domestic holiday frame, complemented by $45.5 million from international territories, giving it a worldwide start of roughly $83 million. With additional weekday revenue included, early global earnings climbed closer to $88.5 million, underscoring steady audience interest despite cautious projections heading into the weekend.
Expectations vs. Reality
Studio forecasts had initially aimed slightly higher in the U.S., with internal estimates circling the $40 million mark and some tracking services projecting even more optimistic numbers earlier in the campaign. As release approached, however, shifting audience sentiment and lukewarm critical reactions tempered expectations. Ultimately, the film’s debut landed just below the most bullish predictions — but still proved strong enough to secure first place.
The project marks director Emerald Fennell’s latest stylistically bold interpretation of classic material, reimagining Emily Brontë’s iconic 19th-century novel for modern audiences. It also represents Robbie’s first major studio leading role since the massive theatrical success of Barbie, further amplifying public attention.
Competitive Weekend Landscape
Close behind in second position was the animated newcomer GOAT, which delivered an impressive start of around $35 million domestically — outperforming many industry forecasts. The family-focused feature also launched internationally and received enthusiastic audience feedback, signaling strong word-of-mouth potential for the coming weeks.
Meanwhile, the crime drama Crime 101 opened in third place, drawing approximately $16.4 million in North America and launching globally with a modest start. The heist-driven story, featuring a star-heavy cast, appeared to resonate more strongly with older moviegoers and couples looking for alternative holiday viewing.
Further down the chart, several holdover titles continued contributing to overall ticket sales. A trio of releases from Disney-affiliated banners remained within the top ten rankings, helping push the company past $1 billion in worldwide box office revenue for 2026 — a milestone reached earlier in the year than usual.
Audience Trends and Reception
Demographic breakdowns suggest Wuthering Heights attracted a largely female audience, with younger viewers making up a substantial share of ticket buyers. Marketing campaigns targeting Gen Z and younger millennials appeared to pay off, though studios may still look to broaden turnout among older audiences in the weeks ahead.
Critical and audience reactions have been mixed. Professional reviews remain divided, while general viewers have shown stronger enthusiasm online — reflecting a pattern often seen with bold reinterpretations of well-known literary works. Despite polarized opinions, curiosity and star power appear to have fueled ticket sales during its opening frame.
Industry Takeaway
The holiday weekend results highlight how recognizable source material combined with prominent casting can still draw crowds, even when expectations fluctuate. They also show the continued competitiveness of original animated projects and mid-budget adult dramas in a crowded theatrical marketplace.
With awards-season contenders, franchise titles, and fresh originals all vying for attention early this year, the coming weeks will reveal whether Wuthering Heights maintains momentum — or whether strong audience-scoring rivals close the gap.