Wuthering Heights reimagined: coming to screens Valentine's Day 2026

Get ready for a serious dose of drama, because a brand new film version of Wuthering Heights is officially on its way. And the team bringing this classic, stormy story to life is pretty incredible. Warner Bros. Pictures has announced that the filmmaker behind massive hits like Saltburn is taking on the project, with two of the biggest stars on the planet playing the famous, complicated couple at its centre. This isn't just any old book adaptation; it's shaping up to be a huge cinematic event.

A director with a very particular style

So, who’s in charge of this whole thing? None other than Emerald Fennell. If that name sounds familiar, it should. She’s the Academy Award and BAFTA-winning filmmaker who wrote and directed Promising Young Woman and, more recently, had everyone talking with Saltburn. Her films are known for being sharp, a bit dark, and always stylish. She’s not just directing this new version of Wuthering Heights; she’s also written the screenplay herself, which means her unique vision will be all over it.

For anyone who hasn’t had to study it in school yet, Wuthering Heights is a classic novel about intense love, revenge, and families falling apart on the windy, wild moors of England. It’s super dramatic. Giving a story like this to Emerald Fennell seems like a perfect match. She’s brilliant at showing characters who are beautiful on the outside but a total mess on the inside. This film production is definitely in creative hands. The film comes from a production team that includes Lie Still and LuckyChap Entertainment, with backing from MRC and distribution by Warner Bros. Pictures, so it has some serious power behind it.

The perfect Cathy and Heathcliff?

Now for the really juicy bit: the cast. Playing the two main characters, Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff, are two massive stars. Academy Award and BAFTA nominee Margot Robbie will be taking on the role of Cathy. Fresh off the unbelievable success of Barbie, it’s exciting to see her stepping into a role that’s the complete opposite of pink and perfect. Cathy is a character who is wild, passionate, and makes some pretty bad decisions that affect everyone around her.

And opposite her, as the brooding and vengeful Heathcliff, is BAFTA nominee Jacob Elordi. Everyone knows him from Euphoria and, of course, from working with Emerald Fennell on Saltburn. He’s got the whole tall, dark, and handsome thing down, which is basically Heathcliff’s entire vibe. Seeing Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi face off as these iconic, tortured lovers is a pairing that will get everyone into theatres. The chemistry is bound to be electric, and it's a major reason this new take on Wuthering Heights is already so highly anticipated.

An incredible supporting cast

It’s not just about the two leads. The film is packed with other amazing actors who will be bringing the rest of the story to life. A brilliant cast can make a good film great, and this production has gathered some seriously talented people. Have a look at who else is joining the project:

• Oscar nominee Hong Chau
• Shazad Latif
• Alison Oliver
• BAFTA winner Martin Clunes
• Ewan Mitchell

That’s a seriously strong lineup. Hong Chau is an incredible actor who was a nominee for an Oscar for her role in The Whale. And Martin Clunes is a household name and a BAFTA winner, famous for shows like Doc Martin. With rising stars like Alison Oliver and Ewan Mitchell, who made a big impact in Saltburn and House of the Dragon respectively, the cast is a fantastic mix of celebrated veterans and exciting new talent. The film’s production is clearly focused on quality acting across the board.

The team making it all happen

Behind every great film is a great team, and this one is no exception. The producers are people who know how to get big, interesting films made. Josey McNamara, an Oscar nominee and BAFTA award winner, is producing alongside Emerald Fennell and Margot Robbie herself. This is a common setup for Robbie, whose own production company, LuckyChap Entertainment, is one of the key players here. LuckyChap Entertainment also produced hits like I, Tonya, Promising Young Woman, and Barbie, so they have a track record of backing female-led stories that are a bit different.

The executive producers are Sara Desmond and another Oscar nominee, Tom Ackerley, who is also a co-founder of LuckyChap Entertainment with Robbie and McNamara. The whole project is a collaboration between Warner Bros. Pictures, MRC, A Lie Still production, and LuckyChap Entertainment. It’s a group of people who have won or been a nominee for some of the biggest awards in film, including a BAFTA. With this team, the new Wuthering Heights is set up for success.

So, when can you see it?

Okay, time to get the calendar out. The film is still a little while away, but there is an official release date to look forward to. Warner Bros. Pictures will be releasing Wuthering Heights in theatres nationwide on Friday, February 13, 2026. For international audiences, the wait is even shorter, with the film rolling out in some territories from February 11, 2026. A Valentine's Day week release for one of the most famously tragic love stories ever written? A bold and brilliant choice. This is one film that will have people flocking to the theaters for a big-screen experience. The countdown to 2026 begins now!