‘Wuthering Heights’ storms to $82 million debut as casting backlash grows

Emerald Fennell’s reimagining of Wuthering Heights has surged to an estimated $82 million global debut, topping the holiday box office while fuelling mounting backlash over casting and adaptation choices.

The literary drama opened to roughly $40 million in the United States and Canada, with a further $42 million overseas, delivering a strong worldwide launch for the period romance.

The film rolled out across 18,028 theatres globally over a holiday frame that included Valentine’s Day on February 14 and Presidents’ Day on February 16, giving it a strategic boost at launch.

With an estimated production budget of around $80 million, excluding substantial marketing costs, the project represents a major studio gamble on a classic novel. The filmmakers reportedly declined a significant upfront streaming offer in favour of a full theatrical release, a move that appears to have paid off with a robust opening weekend.

Exit polling awarded the film a B grade, with early data indicating a predominantly female turnout. It secured the No. 1 spot at the box office during the extended holiday frame.

Casting backlash gains momentum

The film, led by Margot Robbie opposite Jacob Elordi, has sparked intense reaction online and at screenings.

Supporters have praised its heightened romanticism, sensual tone and Charli XCX-backed soundtrack, calling it a bold and modern interpretation of Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel. Critics, however, argue that the adaptation softens the book’s darker themes of obsession, coercion and intergenerational trauma.

Particular scrutiny has centred on the depiction of Heathcliff, with some commentators suggesting that elements of his original literary portrayal have been simplified in the cinematic retelling.

Debate has unfolded across social media, film forums and literary circles, with long-time admirers of the novel questioning whether the film captures the moral complexity of the source material or reshapes it into a more conventional romance.

A high-stakes moment for women directors

Beyond its box-office performance, the film has become part of a wider industry conversation about gender parity in Hollywood.

Fennell is among a relatively small number of women to secure substantial studio backing for large-scale projects early in her directing career. Her earlier feature won an Academy Award for original screenplay and earned a directing nomination but faced pandemic-era theatre closures that limited its commercial impact.

Industry research continues to show that women direct a minority of major studio releases each year. Advocates argue that sustained financial success for female-directed projects could influence future green-light decisions.

With global ticket sales still rebuilding compared to pre-pandemic highs, analysts say the strong debut of a female-directed literary adaptation could signal appetite for prestige-driven theatrical releases, even amid controversy.

For now, Wuthering Heights stands as both a commercial success and a cultural flashpoint, underscoring how bold reinterpretations of classic material can drive box office momentum while igniting passionate debate.