The film 'Wuthering Heights', directed by Emerald Fennell, has stirred up discussions since its debut, yet it is reaping the rewards of its investments. In its opening weekend, the film collected a staggering $82 million globally, with 49% of this total, approximately $40 million, coming from the United States, while the international box office contributed 51%, approximately $42 million. This strong showing reflects the anticipation and interest surrounding this new adaptation of the classic novel by Emily Brontë.

Moreover, the film set a record for the best opening weekend in the U.S. for the year thus far, accumulating $40 million in just the first four days of release. This success positioned it at the top of the box office, outperforming other new releases. In contrast, the animated feature 'Good Ball Goat' took the second spot with $26 million, and the crime drama 'Paths of Crime', featuring stars like Chris Hemsworth and Mark Ruffalo, followed with $15 million.

Emerald Fennell's take on 'Wuthering Heights,' which stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, has been highlighted as both innovative and controversial; it stands as the latest installment in the director's line of critically acclaimed projects, including 'Promising Young Woman' and 'Saltburn'. The reception to this adaptation, specifically how it diverges from traditional portrayals of the source material, has ignited conversations about its artistic direction and audience reception, making it a noteworthy entry in this year's film landscape.