5 Other Versions of ‘Wuthering Heights’ to Watch After Emerald Fennell’s Controversial Adaptation
Emerald Fennell’s adaptation of Wuthering Heights is set to take movie theaters by storm this Valentine’s Day weekend.
The Saltburn director’s take on Emily Bronte’s classic gothic novel stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as the doomed and dysfunctional Cathy and Heathcliff, whose intense romance plays out against the moody backdrop of the English moors. The movie has generated plenty of buzz as well as no shortage of controversy, with some criticizing the costuming (not historically accurate) and the casting of both Robbie (too old) and Elordi (too white to play a character described in the book as a “dark-skinned gypsy”). Despite – or perhaps because of – the outcry, Wuthering Heights is poised to take in $TK at the box office in its opening weekend.
Love it or hate it, Fennell’s latest film is sure to inspire many viewers to revisit other takes on the iconic story of Cathy and Heathcliff. Here’s where to stream some other notable version of Wuthering Heights.
‘Wuthering Heights’ (1939)
Merle Oberon and Laurence Olivier play Cathy and Heathcliff in William Wyler’s 1939 movie Wuthering Heights. It’s a classic old Hollywood take on the story and sands down some of the rougher edges of the original story but remains a must-watch for fans of the book. It’s streaming on Hoopla, Kanopy, and HBO Max.
‘Wuthering Heights’ (1992)
Bronte’s novel is a multi-generational saga that explores the story of both Cathy and Heathcliff as well as the subsequent generation, including the children of Cathy, Heathcliff, and Cathy’s brother Hindley. Most filmed versions omit the second half of the book, but this 1992 version includes both. It stars Juliette Binoche as both Cathy and her daughter and Ralph Fiennes as Heathcliff. It’s streaming on Kanopy and Hoopla.
‘Wuthering Heights’ (2003)
Part of a wave of modern retellings of classic stories in the late ‘90s and early 2000s (see also: Clueless, 10 Things I Hate About You, and Cruel Intentions), this 2003 TV movie stars Erika Christensen, Mike Vogel, Christopher Masterson, and Katherine Heigl. It’s also a musical. Experience it for yourself on Paramount+.
‘Wuthering Heights’ (2009)
Charlotte Riley plays Cathy and Tom Hardy plays Heathcliff in this two-part TV adaptation, which aired on PBS in the U.S. It also covers the second half of the story. It’s streaming on BritBox, PBS Passport, and the PBS Masterpiece channel on Prime Video.
‘Wuthering Heights’ (2011)
Andrea Arnold directed an atmospheric 2011 adaptation of Wuthering Heights. Unlike many versions of the story, this one features an actor of color (James Howson) in the Heathcliff role. It’s streaming AMC+, Kanopy, Hoopla, Pluto TV, and The Criterion Channel.
For more news and exclusive interviews, follow Showbiz Cheat Sheet’s Instagram.
