Emerald Fennell’s bold adaptation of Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights reimagines the gothic romance with Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi as Cathy and Heathcliff in a tale of intoxicating passion and madness. Set for a Valentine’s Day release on February 13, 2026, the film promises a modern, visceral take on forbidden love amid the moors.
Release Date
Wuthering Heights hits theaters on February 13, 2026, distributed by Warner Bros. Pictures nationwide, with international rollout starting February 11. Announced after a bidding war won by Warner Bros., it aligns perfectly with Valentine’s Day for maximum romantic impact.
Marketing kicked off with a teaser in September 2025 and a full trailer in November, building anticipation through moody visuals and Charli XCX’s original songs.
Plot Synopsis
A “bold and original imagining” of Brontë’s 1847 novel, the story follows Catherine “Cathy” Earnshaw and the orphaned Heathcliff, whose deep bond spirals from romance to obsession, revenge, and tragedy across two families on the Yorkshire moors. Fennell’s vision amps up the lust, love, and madness, hinting at shocking set design and provocative elements like a possible dog collar.
Trailers tease epic intensity: “Drive me mad” and “Inspired by the greatest love story of all time,” focusing on their forbidden passion turning toxic.
Cast & Characters
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Margot Robbie as Catherine “Cathy” Earnshaw; Charlotte Mellington as young Cathy.
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Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff; Owen Cooper as young Heathcliff.
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Hong Chau as Nelly Dean; Vy Nguyen as young Nelly.
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Shazad Latif as Edgar Linton.
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Alison Oliver as Isabella Linton.
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Martin Clunes as Mr. Earnshaw.
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Ewan Mitchell as Joseph.
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Fennell cast Elordi for matching her childhood book illustration of Heathcliff.
Director & Crew
Written and directed by Emerald Fennell (Promising Young Woman, Saltburn), from Brontë’s novel. Produced by Robbie, Josey McNamara, and Fennell under LuckyChap Entertainment, with MRC financing; executive producers Tom Ackerley and Sara Desmond.
Crew highlights: Cinematographer Linus Sandgren, production designer Suzie Davies, editor Victoria Boydell, composer Anthony Willis, and costume designer Jacqueline Durran. Features original songs by Charli XCX.
Trailers
The official teaser (September 2025) sets a haunting tone with “Drive me mad,” showcasing windswept moors and intense stares between Robbie and Elordi. The full trailer (November 2025) dives deeper into their epic, lust-fueled saga, urging pre-orders for Charli XCX’s tied-in album.
Both are available on YouTube, praised for their atmospheric pull and Fennell’s signature edge.
Why It’s Generating Buzz
With Fennell’s track record, Robbie and Elordi’s chemistry (post-Saltburn), and a fresh spin on a literary classic, Wuthering Heights is poised as a prestige event film blending gothic horror with steamy romance. Early hype centers on its R-rated runtime (2h 10m), visual shocks, and star power, potentially earning Oscar nods.
