Emerald Fennell’s highly anticipated adaptation of Wuthering Heights has stormed into theaters with a promising start, securing $3 million in Thursday night previews alone. This impressive initial haul sets the stage for a lucrative Valentine’s Day weekend as audiences flock to see the gothic romance reimagined for a modern era.
Headlined by box office heavyweights Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, the film serves as the primary romantic offering for couples and cinema lovers alike during the holiday frame. Their star power, combined with Fennell’s distinctive directorial style, has evidently generated significant buzz and anticipation leading up to the film's wide release.
Warner Bros. and MRC have launched the picture in approximately 3,000 locations across North America, ensuring a massive footprint for its opening debut. Industry analysts are closely monitoring these early numbers to see if the film can sustain its momentum throughout the competitive holiday corridor.
While period dramas often face an uphill battle at the modern box office, this stylized interpretation appears to be breaking the mold by appealing to a younger, social-media-savvy demographic. The $3 million preview figure compares favorably to recent romantic dramas, suggesting that the marketing campaign successfully positioned the movie as a must-see theatrical event.
Fennell, known for her provocative storytelling in Promising Young Woman and Saltburn, brings a unique and often polarizing vision to Emily Brontë’s classic literary masterpiece. This bold creative direction seems to be paying off financially, as early word-of-mouth indicates a strong curiosity factor driving ticket sales.
With Valentine's Day falling on a Saturday this year, projections for the three-day weekend remain optimistic, with some experts predicting a total haul exceeding $30 million. If the film meets these expectations, it will solidify Robbie and Elordi as one of the most bankable on-screen pairings in recent memory.
The film faces competition from holdover blockbusters, but its specific appeal as a date-night feature gives it a distinct advantage during this specific holiday window. Theater owners are banking on the chemistry between the leads to drive concession sales and repeat viewings throughout the remainder of the month.
As the weekend progresses, final box office tallies will determine if this adaptation can join the ranks of successful literary blockbusters or if it will remain a cult favorite. For now, the strong Thursday performance indicates that audiences are eager to return to the moors for a tale of passion and revenge.