AceShowbiz - After nearly two weeks in theaters worldwide, director Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights is on track to exceed $200 million globally at the box office. The film, which sparked controversy with its polarizing reviews, managed to recoup its reported $80 million production budget during its opening weekend alone. Since then, it has doubled that amount but will need to reach approximately $350 million worldwide to break even. This target accounts for an additional $100 million spent on marketing, part of a deal between co-producer and star Margot Robbie and Warner Bros.

Robbie opted for Warner Bros.’ lower bid over Netflix’s offer, continuing a longstanding partnership with the studio that has produced hits like Suicide Squad, The Legend of Tarzan, and the blockbuster Barbie. The studio has been positioning itself as a leader for visionary filmmakers after a turbulent period that included losing Christopher Nolan to Universal. In 2025, Warner Bros. released several successful films such as Sinners, One Battle After Another, Weapons, F1, and Superman.

Wuthering Heights opened to mixed critical reactions and currently holds a 58% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The aggregator’s consensus states: "Liberally adapting Emily Brontë’s classic story with a heavy dose of carnality and chic stylization, Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights might not be the stuff of high literature, but it is a visually vibrant pleasure." Despite its divisive nature, the film has outperformed several older period dramas at the box office.

One notable film it has surpassed is George Clooney’s World War II drama The Monuments Men, which starred Matt Damon, Bill Murray, Cate Blanchett, and John Goodman. The movie followed a group of soldiers tasked with securing priceless artworks from Nazi-occupied Germany. Produced on a budget reportedly similar to Wuthering Heights, The Monuments Men earned a lifetime global total of $156 million but currently holds a low 30% score on Rotten Tomatoes. The site’s consensus reads: "Its intentions are noble, and its cast is impressive, but neither can compensate for The Monuments Men’s stiffly nostalgic tone and curiously slack narrative."

While Wuthering Heights is still working toward its break-even point, its box office success represents a major win for Warner Bros., which has been redefining its identity as a home for ambitious filmmakers. The film’s financial performance demonstrates how a polarizing title with a strong visual style and star power can capitalize on audience interest despite mixed reviews.

Fans can currently watch The Monuments Men at home, while Wuthering Heights continues to play in theaters. As the box office race unfolds, industry watchers will be keeping a close eye on how Emerald Fennell’s adaptation fares against other period dramas and the broader market.

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