Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi’s Wuthering Heights tops Thursday previews with $3M and is projected to lead the Valentine’s–Presidents’ Day box office.
Strong Preview Start for a Bold Literary Reimagining
February 15, 2026: The new adaptation of Wuthering Heights, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, has taken an early lead at the box office, earning $3 million in Thursday preview ticket sales and topping a crowded preview slate. The performance marks a notable opening signal for a literary adaptation that departs from traditional retellings of the classic novel.
The film is directed by Emerald Fennell, known for stylized, auteur-driven storytelling, and represents another high-profile creative gamble by Warner Bros. Pictures leadership. Industry watchers say the preview win positions the film as the likely leader heading into the long Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day holiday weekend.
Current projections estimate a $40 million to $50 million four-day domestic opening, which would place the film well ahead of typical expectations for a period literary adaptation.
A Risky Adaptation Strategy — and Early Signs It’s Working
Emily Brontë’s original novel is widely regarded as a literary classic, but also as a challenging property to adapt for modern mass audiences. This new version reportedly takes a more stylized and psychologically intense approach rather than a strictly faithful period retelling.
That creative direction reflects Fennell’s signature tone — visually bold, emotionally sharp, and structurally unconventional. Studio decision-makers Pamela Abdy and Michael De Luca have built a recent reputation for backing distinctive filmmaker-driven projects rather than purely formulaic releases.
Box office analysts note that preview strength suggests curiosity and strong early turnout among:
- Younger adult audiences
- Prestige-film followers
- Fans of the lead actors
- Viewers drawn to darker romance themes
- Director-driven film fans
Early attendance patterns often indicate whether a non-franchise film can break beyond niche appeal.
Image Credit: Deadline
A Key Moment in Margot Robbie’s Post-Blockbuster Phase
The film is also being closely watched as a career barometer for Margot Robbie following her era-defining blockbuster success in recent years. Transitioning from global commercial hits to prestige-driven literary material can be a pivotal move for A-list actors.
Industry observers say this release functions as a test of Robbie’s draw in:
- Non-franchise roles
- Dramatic literary adaptations
- Director-led projects
- Romance-drama hybrids
Strong preview numbers suggest her audience is willing to follow her into more experimental and darker-toned material.
Robbie has increasingly balanced commercial scale with creative risk, and this project fits squarely into that strategy.
Jacob Elordi’s Momentum Continues
Jacob Elordi’s casting adds additional commercial and demographic pull. His recent run of high-visibility dramatic and genre roles has expanded his audience beyond teen and young-adult fandom into prestige film circles.
Market tracking shows Elordi has become a measurable driver among:
- Under-35 ticket buyers
- social-driven film audiences
- fashion and culture followers
- streaming-to-theater crossover viewers
Pairing him with Robbie created one of the more talked-about casting combinations for a literary adaptation in years.
Image Credit: Variety
Holiday Timing Boosts Romantic Drama Prospects
The Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day corridor has historically favored romance-driven and emotionally intense films, especially those aimed at adult audiences. While franchise releases often dominate summer and winter, this February window can reward counter-programming.
Advantages of the release timing include:
- Date-night audience turnout
- Extended four-day frame
- Awards-season spillover interest
- Lower direct franchise competition
- Adult-skewing moviegoer availability
If word-of-mouth holds, the film could sustain momentum beyond opening weekend through relationship-themed seasonal appeal.
Auteur Direction as a Studio Strategy
Warner Bros.’ continued willingness to fund director-driven projects has become a notable studio strategy shift. Rather than relying exclusively on established IP formulas, leadership has recently greenlit projects centered on distinctive creative voices.
Emerald Fennell’s involvement signaled early that this adaptation would not be conventional. Her prior work established a reputation for tonal boldness and subversive character framing — qualities that align with a darker interpretation of Brontë’s story.
Film business analysts say auteur branding can meaningfully affect:
- Early ticket curiosity
- critic engagement
- festival circuit interest
- premium format attendance
- repeat viewing potential
Preview strength suggests that branding is resonating with early adopters.
Image Credit: What’s Trending
Literary Adaptations and Modern Audiences
Literary adaptations face a unique box office challenge: high name recognition but variable commercial conversion. Success often depends on whether the film feels like homework — or like an event.
Modern adaptations that perform best typically offer:
- Strong visual identity
- recognizable lead actors
- tonal reinvention
- marketing clarity
- emotional intensity
Early audience chatter suggests this version is being perceived as a reinterpretation rather than a museum-piece retelling — a key distinction for younger viewers.
What Preview Wins Usually Signal
Winning the Thursday preview race does not guarantee weekend victory — but it is a strong indicator of opening momentum. Preview leaders often convert to weekend leaders when paired with:
- strong social buzz
- premium screen placement
- positive early reactions
- clear audience targeting
Tracking models now weigh preview performance heavily because advance ticketing behavior has increased across the industry.
Image Credit: The Hollywood Reporter
The Weekend Test Ahead
The next key metric will be Friday-to-Sunday hold strength and audience score stability. Literary adaptations can be more review-sensitive than franchise films, making early viewer response especially important.
If the projected $40–$50 million four-day range holds, the film would rank among the stronger modern openings for a non-franchise period adaptation — and validate the studio’s creative risk approach.
FAQs
How much did Wuthering Heights make in Thursday previews?
The film earned about $3 million in Thursday preview ticket sales.
Who stars in the new adaptation?
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi lead the cast.
Who directed the film?
It was directed by Emerald Fennell.
What is the projected opening weekend total?
Current projections estimate $40–$50 million over the four-day holiday frame.
Why is this release considered a test for Margot Robbie?
It measures her box office draw in a prestige literary drama following major blockbuster success.
