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Emily Brontë published only one novel before her life was cut short, a stark contrast to the more prolific outputs of her sisters, Anne and Charlotte. Yet, that single work defied the odds to become one of the most enduring and beloved cornerstones of English literature. It is a story that refuses to be forgotten, haunting the canon much like Catherine’s ghost haunts the moors.
At its heart, "Wuthering Heights" explores the epic romance — or toxic situationship, depending on your perspective — of Catherine and Heathcliff. It is a brutal study of obsession and the way generational trauma can ripple outward, inflicting scars on everyone within its radius. Because the source material is so visceral, it has remained a magnet for filmmakers since the very dawn of cinema, appearing relentlessly on both the large and small screen.
In director Emerald Fennell's "Wuthering Heights," which stars the powerhouse duo of Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, the moors are calling once again. Whether you prefer your gothic drama gritty and naturalistic or polished with Hollywood glamour, it’s the perfect time to look back at the best "Wuthering Heights" movie adaptations.
7. 'Wuthering Heights' (2011)
Director Andrea Arnold was always going to put her own idiosyncratic spin on the material, and in this film, she leans heavily into the novel’s raw, naturalistic elements.
The 2011 version earns major bonus points for being a rare "Wuthering Heights" adaptation that actually addresses Heathcliff’s ambiguous racial background. By casting James Howson to play the role opposite Kaya Scodelario’s Catherine, Arnold adds a necessary layer of social subtext. The result is a rugged, gritty production that feels as wild and untethered as the moors themselves.
Watch free on Pluto TV
6. 'Wuthering Heights' (1998)
Arriving just a few years after the big-budget theatrical version starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche (see further down this list), this adaptation opted to get back to its roots. Robert Cavanah and Orla Brady take the lead roles here, sparking a fiery chemistry that anchors the drama.
What truly elevates this version, however, is the unusually solid supporting cast: Crispin Bonham-Carter (aka Mr. Bingley in the "Pride and Prejudice" miniseries opposite Colin Firth's Mr. Darcy) plays Edgar Linton, while a young Matthew Macfadyen (aka Mr. Darcy in the 2005 film) delivers a standout performance as the rough-but-proud Hareton Earnshaw.
Watch on Prime Video
5. "Wuthering Heights" (2005)
To say the 2026 version of "Wuthering Heights" is divisive would be a massive understatement. In fact, calling it an adaptation of Emily Brontë’s novel might even be going a little far. Director Emerald Fennell certainly draws inspiration from the page, but this is very much her own creation, as evinced by the fact that she puts the title in quotation marks in the film’s promotional materials.
Although this version starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi may not be everyone’s cup of tea, we admire the fact that it swings for the fences, attempting to do something new with the material, even if every choice doesn’t necessarily land.
Now playing in theaters
4. 'Wuthering Heights' (1967)
The casting of Heathcliff is a make-or-break decision for any production of "Wuthering Heights." It’s the central role, the one that is most difficult for audiences to connect with, and the most obvious place for missteps.
But in this 1967 TV adaptation, they nail it by casting a young Ian McShane. His brooding malevolence makes him one of the best interpretations of the famously controversial character, and turns an otherwise fairly ordinary BBC production into something incredibly special.
3. 'Wuthering Heights' (2009)
Out of all the "Wuthering Heights" adaptations, this one feels as though it balances both generations’ stories with equal resonance. Perhaps it accomplishes this by restructuring the novel, only flashing back to Heathcliff and Catherine instead of telling their story chronologically.
It puts Tom Hardy in the lead role of Heathcliff, and he acquits himself admirably, starring opposite his real-life wife Charlotte Riley. Their relationship is a bit more romantic here than perhaps it should be, but it’s nonetheless a compelling miniseries.
Watch on BritBox
2. 'Arashi ga Oka' (1988)
The reach of "Wuthering Heights" isn’t limited to just English-speaking countries—there have been versions made all around the world, and one of the absolute best is "Arashi ga Oka" from Japan. In the hands of Yoshishige Yoshida, it isn’t just a gothic story; it’s basically a horror film.
It embraces all the darker aspects of Brontë’s original text and is never afraid to take things in a disturbing direction. Heathcliff is depicted practically as a demon, and in creating an unconventional version that leans into traditional Japanese elements, it arguably gets the closest to the spirit of the novel.
Watch on Prime Video (Japan)
1. 'Wuthering Heights' (1939)
The earliest surviving adaptation of "Wuthering Heights," the 1939 version stars Merle Oberon and Laurence Olivier as Catherine and Heathcliff, using every ounce of classic Hollywood style to bring the gothic tale to life. With two of their generation’s most talented and popular actors in the lead roles, the film was more or less guaranteed to be a success.
But it’s really the cinematography and art direction that steal the show here, with moody outdoor sequences that capture the wild energy of the moors. "Wuthering Heights" was nominated for eight Academy Awards, ultimately taking home a win for Best Cinematography.
Watch on HBO Max
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