Wuthering Heights Tops Global Box Office
The literary adaptation *Wuthering Heights* earned $4.6 million this week to lead the global box office again. The repeat performance highlights strong audience interest in classic stories reimagined for the big screen and suggests period dramas continue competing with big-budget blockbusters in 2026.
- This adaptation of Emily Brontë's 1847 novel is written and directed by Emerald Fennell, who previously won an Academy Award for Best Original Screenplay for "Promising Young Woman" (2020). Her prior films, "Promising Young Woman" and "Saltburn" (2023), had significantly smaller theatrical releases and box office takes. - The film was produced with a budget of approximately $80 million and, as of February 20, 2026, has earned $126 million worldwide. Its global opening weekend alone was estimated at $82 million, surpassing its production cost. - The movie's international box office is robust, with the United Kingdom leading with $16.9 million in its first week, followed by Italy ($6.7 million) and Australia ($6 million). The film has yet to open in major markets like Japan, Vietnam, and China. - Starring Margot Robbie as Catherine and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, the film generated considerable online buzz prior to its release. This is the third collaboration between Fennell and Robbie's production company, LuckyChap Entertainment. - Critical reception for the film has been deeply divided. It holds a "B" grade from audiences polled by CinemaScore and a 63% score from critics on Rotten Tomatoes, while the audience score is a more positive 84%. - The release was strategically timed for Valentine's Day weekend, where it competed against the animated film *GOAT* and the thriller *Crime 101*. - The South Korean historical drama *The King's Warden* has also been a recent box office success in the period genre, surpassing 4 million viewers in its home country within 15 days of its February 4th release.
