Love was messy, toxic — and extremely profitable — over Valentine’s Day weekend.
Wuthering Heights, the steamy adaptation starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, stormed into theatres with a strong global debut, proving that romance still sells when paired with star power and bold storytelling.
💋 A Passion-Fueled Opening
Directed by Emerald Fennell, the R-rated drama debuted to $33 million in North America from 3,682 theatres and is projected to hit $40 million through the President’s Day holiday.
Internationally, the film outperformed domestic expectations, pulling in $42 million overseas for a worldwide launch of $82 million.
With a reported production budget of $80 million — excluding its lavish global promotional tour — the film will likely depend on sustained overseas momentum to secure long-term profitability.
Industry analysts note that the film’s combination of classic literary material, glamorous leads, and a provocative tone has resonated strongly, particularly with female audiences, who made up more than 75% of opening weekend ticket buyers.
🎥 A Risk That Paid Off (So Far)
The adaptation of Emily Brontë’s novel marks Fennell’s third feature after Promising Young Woman and Saltburn. Netflix had reportedly offered $150 million for the project, but Fennell and producers — including Margot Robbie — opted for a traditional theatrical release through Warner Bros.
So far, that gamble appears to be paying off.
Still, audience reaction has been mixed. The film received a “B” CinemaScore, suggesting word-of-mouth could determine its staying power in the weeks ahead.
🥈 GOAT Scores Strong Family Turnout
Coming in second, Sony Pictures Animation’s GOAT opened with $26 million over the weekend and is expected to reach $32 million through Monday.
Produced by NBA champion Stephen Curry, the $80 million animated sports adventure follows an anthropomorphic goat chasing basketball greatness. Families responded positively, awarding the film an “A” CinemaScore — a promising sign for long-term box office legs.
With minimal kid-friendly competition until Pixar’s Hoppers arrives in March, GOAT could enjoy steady momentum.
🥉 Crime 101 Struggles to Break Out
The heist thriller Crime 101, starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, and Barry Keoghan, debuted to $15.1 million over the weekend.
While not disastrous, the opening is modest given its reported $90 million production cost. The film earned a “B” CinemaScore, indicating lukewarm audience reception.
For Amazon MGM, theatrical performance may matter less than its eventual streaming life on Prime Video — though those metrics remain largely undisclosed.
📉 Holdovers Round Out the Top Five
- Send Help slid to fourth with $9 million, bringing its domestic total to $48 million.
- Solo Mio, starring Kevin James, landed in fifth with $6.2 million for the weekend.
Meanwhile, Gore Verbinski’s sci-fi comedy Good Luck, Have Fun, Don’t Die opened quietly in seventh place.
Final Words
This Valentine’s Day belonged to brooding romance.
With $82 million globally, Wuthering Heights has proven there’s still appetite for sweeping, stormy love stories — especially when backed by A-list talent and bold direction.
The real test now? Whether audiences keep embracing Heathcliff and Catherine beyond the holiday glow.
Love may be complicated — but at the box office, it’s clearly still powerful.
