Emerald Fennell's audacious reimagining of Emily Brontë's 1847 classic has stormed into theaters, and the results are as tempestuous as the Yorkshire moors themselves. Released on February 13, 2026—strategically positioned as the "anti-Valentine's" film—Wuthering Heights starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi opened to a global box office haul of $82 million against its $80 million production budget. But the film's financial success tells only half the story.
A Bold Vision That's Splitting Audiences
The Academy Award-winning filmmaker behind Promising Young Woman has delivered what critics are calling either a "resplendent" masterpiece or an "emotionally hollow misfire". The Telegraph's Robbie Collin awarded it 5 stars, praising it as "resplendently lurid, oozy and wild," while The Guardian's Peter Bradshaw countered with just 2 stars, calling it a "bodice-ripping misfire" with "relentless silliness".
The polarization extends to aggregate scores: Rotten Tomatoes currently shows the film at 71-73% "Fresh," with Metacritic landing at approximately 60/100. These numbers mirror the divisive reception of Fennell's previous film Saltburn, cementing her reputation as a provocateur who inspires passionate debate rather than consensus.
Chemistry and Controversy
At the heart of the discourse lies the central pairing of Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Elordi as Heathcliff. Variety highlighted the "intense chemistry" between the leads, noting that Fennell amplifies the passionate, sensual elements often understated in previous adaptations. Rolling Stone's David Fear endorsed this approach, stating:
"Go all out or don't bother. Fennell opts for the former, and whether it has its flaws or not, this intoxicated take is all the more enjoyable for it".
The 2-hour, 10-minute R-rated spectacle features cinematography by Oscar-winner Linus Sandgren, costumes by Jacqueline Durran, and original songs by Charli XCX. It's a visual feast designed for IMAX screens, with Fennell working alongside frequent collaborators to craft what supporters call a "fever-dream adaptation".
Box Office Reality Check
Despite strong international numbers—$42 million from 76 markets—the domestic opening of $33 million from 3,682 theaters fell slightly below projections. The film will likely depend on overseas audiences and sustained theatrical legs to justify its substantial production and marketing investment. With President's Day weekend boosting the four-day total toward $40 million domestically, Wuthering Heights faces stiff competition from animated feature GOAT ($26 million).
The Verdict for American Audiences
Whether you view Fennell's adaptation as a brilliant subversion or a literary betrayal may depend on what you seek from cinema. Purists lament the loss of Brontë's gothic tragedy and social critique, while modernists celebrate a visceral, unapologetically sensual interpretation. As Empire Magazine's Beth Webb notes, it's a film that "tantalizes the senses" even when its "electrifying erotic energy" doesn't sustain throughout.
This Valentine's season, Wuthering Heights offers American moviegoers something Hollywood rarely delivers: a big-budget, auteur-driven literary adaptation that refuses to play it safe. Love it or loathe it, you won't forget it.
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