‘Wuthering Heights’ Surges to $82 Million in Global Box Office Sales

Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of “Wuthering Heights” has made a significant splash at the global box office, raking in $82 million during its debut weekend. The film, released by Warner Bros., generated approximately $40 million from North American ticket sales and an additional $42 million internationally.

Box Office Performance

“Wuthering Heights” quickly became the top film over the holiday weekend, which included Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day. It reported impressive audience demographics, with about 76% of viewers identifying as female and 68% as white. Despite its success, the film received a modest B grade in CinemaScore exit polls.

Production Background

The film, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, comes after Fennell’s earlier works, which paved the way for her unique style. Warner Bros. invested around $80 million in its production, excluding marketing expenses. Interestingly, Netflix had offered approximately $150 million for the project, but Fennell chose Warner Bros. for its commitment to a wide theatrical release.

Leadership and Representation

Emerald Fennell is part of a small group of women directors in Hollywood receiving substantial support. Her previous film, “Promising Young Woman,” was acclaimed and earned her an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. However, it only brought in $6.5 million in the U.S. due to the pandemic’s impact on theaters.

The Wider Industry Context

• Women represented 13% of directors in the top 250 films in 2022, down from 16% in 2024, according to research by Martha Lauzen.
• Overall box office revenues were about $8.9 billion in North America in 2025, reflecting a 2% increase from the previous year.
• Despite this growth, box office totals remain approximately 20% lower than pre-pandemic figures.

Upcoming Releases

Next month, Warner Bros. will release “The Bride!” directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal, further demonstrating its support for female directors amidst a shifting industry landscape.

Conclusion

“Wuthering Heights” stands as a testament to emerging female talent in Hollywood and highlights the crucial need for continued support of diverse voices in filmmaking. As the film industry evolves, it is essential to recognize and nurture new perspectives that can reinvigorate storytelling in cinema.