Wuthering Heights Leads Field Workplace With $40M Debut

Emerald Fennell’s daring reimagining of “Wuthering Heights” introduced crowds of girls to film theaters this weekend.

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The street to this second was something however typical. Netflix reportedly supplied $150 million for Fennell’s gothic reimagining, but the filmmaker, alongside producers together with Margot Robbie, opted for a conventional theatrical launch with Warner Bros. as a substitute. That call meant much less upfront safety and much larger threat. Nevertheless, it additionally meant possession of the cultural second. And, at the very least for now, the gamble is paying off.

Warner Bros. now celebrates its ninth consecutive No. 1 debut, extending a streak that has turned 2026 right into a surprisingly regular yr for exhibitors. In an period the place streaming premieres can really feel disposable inside days, Wuthering Heights is deliberately designed as an event, one thing meant to be skilled in a darkish theater, collectively.

Wuthering Heights Opinions 

The components itself wasn’t sophisticated: basic literary IP, two of essentially the most photogenic stars working immediately (Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi), and a advertising and marketing marketing campaign that leaned into sensuality reasonably than status stiffness. Greater than 75% of opening weekend audiences have been girls, successfully making it the Valentine’s Day vacation spot movie, the sort of film you propose a night round.

CinemaScore audiences awarded it a “B,” suggesting reactions which are engaged reasonably than euphoric. However that could be a part of the attraction. This isn’t passive viewing; it’s dialog gasoline. And internationally, dialog typically sustains momentum.

With an $80 million manufacturing funds excluding advertising and marketing, abroad efficiency might finally decide how triumphant this run turns into. For now, although, Wuthering Heights is profitable, and doing so loudly.

‘GOAT’ Gallops Into Second

Trailing behind, but removed from faltering, is Sony Footage Animation’s GOAT, which opened to $26 million over the weekend and is eyeing $32 million throughout the four-day vacation. Worldwide markets added one other $15.6 million, bringing its worldwide debut to $47.6 million. In immediately’s unpredictable animation local weather, the place even Pixar has struggled to launch unique properties, these numbers register as respectable. Not explosive. Not disappointing. Respectable.

Directed by Tyree Dillihay and produced by NBA champion Steph Curry, GOAT follows an underdog anthropomorphic goat chasing greatness in a basketball-inspired sport known as Roarball. Households confirmed up, and extra importantly, they authorised. The movie earned an “A” CinemaScore, signaling sturdy word-of-mouth potential.

If Wuthering Heights is the dramatic headline, GOAT could properly turn into the slow-burn success story. With no important household competitors till Pixar’s Hoppers arrives in March, the runway seems clear for regular legs. It might not be main the weekend, however it’s strategically positioned to linger.

‘Crime 101’ Journeys Out of the Gate

Then there’s Crime 101, the smooth, R-rated heist thriller starring Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Halle Berry, and Barry Keoghan, which opened softer than anticipated. The Amazon MGM manufacturing pulled in $15.1 million over the three-day weekend and tasks $17.7 million by way of Monday. Internationally, it added one other $12 million. For a modestly budgeted grownup drama, which may qualify as stable.

Nevertheless, Crime 101 reportedly value $90 million to supply,  and that adjustments the equation totally. Directed by Bart Layton, the movie earned optimistic important evaluations however solely a “B” CinemaScore from audiences. The problem doesn’t look like high quality; it’s scale. With theaters retaining roughly half of ticket income, profitability calls for sustained momentum. In the intervening time, the movie feels prefer it’s chasing buzz reasonably than producing it. On a weekend outlined by emotional depth and spectacle, cool precision struggled to ignite urgency.

‘Ship Assist’ Hold the Lights On

Additional down the chart, survival thriller Ship Assist added $9 million in its third weekend, lifting its home whole to $48 million and $72 million globally in opposition to a $40 million funds. Quietly worthwhile. Quietly constant. 

Angel Studios’ romantic comedy Solo Mio rounded out the highest 5 with $6.2 million for the weekend and $18 million after two weeks, modest however reliable counterprogramming.

In the meantime, the sci-fi comedy Good Luck, Have Enjoyable, Don’t Die opened to $3.6 million, and Neon’s limited-release mockumentary Nirvanna: The Band The Show The Movie impressed with $1.2 million from simply 365 screens, a reminder that area of interest audiences nonetheless reply when focused exactly.

A Weekend That Indicators Momentum