Los Angeles, California – Jacob Elordi Wuthering Heights, directed by Emerald Fennell, captivated audiences across North America this Presidents’ Day weekend, generating an impressive $40 million in ticket sales, industry insiders announced Sunday. This passionate adaptation of Emily Bronte’s classic novel stars Elordi alongside Margot Robbie, drawing remarkable attention over the four-day holiday period.
The movie portrays the intense romance between Cathy and Heathcliff, enhanced by a soundtrack featuring original songs from Charli XCX. The film has particularly resonated with female viewers, who flocked to theaters during Valentine’s and Presidents’ Day celebrations, helping boost its substantial opening numbers.
Strong Reception Highlights Romantic Film Success
David A. Gross, an analyst with Franchise Entertainment Research, praised the film’s debut, stating,
“This is an outstanding opening for a romance film. The weekend figure is four times the average for the genre.”
He added,
“The classic material, good-looking actors, and steamy treatment are connecting,”
underlining the powerful combination that drew moviegoers to the theaters.
Animated Feature GOAT Raises the Bar in Second Place
Taking the runner-up spot at the box office, Sony’s animated family film GOAT earned $32 million in the US. Produced by NBA star Stephen Curry, the story revolves around an undersized goat determined to join a basketball-like sport called roarball. Curry also lends his voice to the cast, which includes Caleb McLaughlin, David Harbour, Gabrielle Union, and country singer Jelly Roll.
Gross commented on GOAT’s performance, noting,
“This is an excellent opening for a family animation picture, at well above average levels for a single-episode film,”
while highlighting the positive critical reception the movie has received.
Additional Films Contribute to President’s Day Box Office
Rounding out the top five were several other notable releases. Amazon MGM’s heist thriller Crime 101, featuring Chris Hemsworth, Halle Berry, and Mark Ruffalo, secured third place with $17.8 million, according to Exhibitor Relations. This tense drama added diversity to the weekend’s lineup.
In fourth place, 20th Century’s horror film Send Help earned $10.7 million. The story follows Rachel McAdams and Dylan O’Brien as they struggle to survive on a deserted island after a plane crash.
Completing the list at fifth was Angel Studios’ romantic comedy Solo Mio, starring Kevin James as a groom abandoned at the altar in Italy. The film attracted $7.5 million in ticket sales, providing lighter fare for audiences.
Jacob Elordi Wuthering Heights has set a promising tone for romantic cinema this year, reflecting audiences’ appetite for passionate storytelling combined with familiar literary foundations. As holidays continue to offer prime opportunities for blockbuster releases, the film’s strong debut may encourage studios to explore similar heartfelt projects moving forward.
