The highly anticipated film adaptation of Wuthering Heights, directed by Emerald Fennell and featuring stars Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie, is expected to achieve a significant box office impact this Valentine’s weekend. Early projections indicate that the film could earn between $70 million and $80 million globally during its opening weekend.
The film is set to debut in 3,600 North American locations, aiming for a domestic four-day Presidents Day weekend total of $40 million to $50 million. Additionally, it is projected to garner around $30 million from 11,600 screens across 79 international territories, according to Deadline. The global rollout covers approximately 18,000 screens in key markets including the UK, France, Korea, Germany, Italy, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, and Spain.
Strategic Release Timing and Audience Appeal
The release aligns with Jacob Elordi’s recent Oscar nomination for his role in Netflix’s adaptation of Frankenstein, further enhancing the film’s visibility. This marks the first wide studio release from Fennell, known for her critically acclaimed film Promising Young Woman. In terms of audience demographics, the film shows particularly strong interest among women over the age of 25, with younger females closely following in both awareness and preference metrics. These figures align with successful benchmarks from similar films, such as Fifty Shades Darker, which earned $46.6 million, and It Ends With Us, which brought in $50 million.
Critical Reception and Production Insights
As of now, Wuthering Heights holds a 71% “fresh” rating on Rotten Tomatoes, a favorable indicator for its potential success. U.S. previews are set to begin at 15:00 on Thursday for this adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel. Warner Bros. acquired the film from MRC for $80 million, having outbid Netflix, which had offered $150 million.
International comparisons offer additional insights, with the South Korean film The Housemaid, which debuted with $34.8 million and eventually grossed over $350 million worldwide. Last weekend, the film’s early previews in the UK generated $1.8 million, setting a promising tone ahead of its wider release. The production team filmed in the picturesque Yorkshire Dales, providing a stunning backdrop for the romantic retelling of the tumultuous relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff.
As audiences prepare to experience this timeless tale, the combination of star power, strategic timing, and strong early projections suggests that Wuthering Heights is on track to achieve remarkable box office success.
