- Primary Subject: The most notable film and television adaptations of Emily Brontë's Wuthering Heights
- Key Update: Following the release of Emerald Fennell’s latest cinematic take on Wuthering Heights, this guide identifies the best adaptations to watch next and where they are currently streaming.
- Status: Confirmed
- Last Verified: February 16, 2026
- Quick Answer: You can stream classic Wuthering Heights adaptations on Prime Video, HBO Max, and BritBox.
After watching Emerald Fennell's Wuthering Heights on the big screen, you might be in the mood to watch another adaptation of the classic Emily Brontë novel and see other interpretations or perspectives on Heathcliff and Catherine's tragic love story.
Here is our guide on the other Wuthering Heights adaptations that you can watch and where you can stream them.
William Wyler's 1939 Adaptation
The first major Hollywood adaptation of Wuthering Heights arrived in 1939, directed by William Wyler and starring Golden Age icons Laurence Olivier and Merle Oberon. This version is a sweeping epic that captures the lush, high-drama aesthetic of classic cinema, transforming the gritty moors into a sophisticated silver-screen dreamscape.
While it has remained a staple for generations of film lovers, modern audiences might find its polished tone a bit dated compared to the raw intensity of more recent versions. It’s also important to note that this adaptation takes significant liberties with the source material; it famously cuts the entire second half of Emily Brontë’s novel to focus solely on the tragic, unconsummated love between Heathcliff and Cathy.
Where You Can Stream: Prime Video, HBO Max
1992 Movie Adaptation Starring Ralph Fiennes and Juliette Binoche
The most enduringly popular version of Wuthering Heights for many fans remains the 1992 film, which famously paired a then-newcomer Ralph Fiennes with Juliette Binoche. This production marked the first of their iconic big-screen collaborations, predating their reunion in The English Patient.
While many adaptations struggle to capture the novel's sprawling timeline, this version is often celebrated for its atmospheric focus on the central, haunting romance between Heathcliff and Catherine. Although it moves quickly through the complex second-generation subplot involving the characters' children, the film remains a definitive watch for those who want to see the story’s dark, obsessive passion brought to life by two legendary performers.
Where You Can Buy or Rent: Apple TV, Amazon Video, Fandango at Home
1998 TV Movie Adaptation
The 1998 TV movie adaptation has earned a devoted following, largely due to the electric chemistry between Robert Cavanah and Orla Brady. This version distinguishes itself by shifting the lens primarily toward Heathcliff’s perspective, portraying him as a man consumed by a formidable, calculated drive for revenge.
It is also a notable entry for featuring a young Matthew Macfadyen in one of his earliest roles. Even as a newcomer, Macfadyen delivered a performance that signaled his burgeoning talent; many fans speculate that his work here paved the way for his iconic turn as Mr. Darcy in Pride & Prejudice years later.
Where You Can Stream: Prime Video
2009 TV Series Adaptation Starring Tom Hardy
Before he became a global superstar, Tom Hardy took on the brooding role of Heathcliff in the 2009 two-part miniseries produced by ITV. Starring alongside Charlotte Riley as Catherine, Hardy brought a raw, magnetic energy to the screen that remains a fan favorite to this day. While critical reception was somewhat divided at the time, the adaptation is widely praised for its rare commitment to the source material.
Unlike many feature films that condense the plot to fit a two-hour runtime, this television event utilized its longer format to cover the novel’s full scope, including the often-ignored second generation. It remains an essential watch for those who want to see the complete, dark arc of the Brontë classic through the lens of Hardy’s charismatic performance.
Where You Can Stream: BritBox
Andrea Arnold's 2011 Movie Adaptation
Before Fennell stepped behind the camera, the last major English-language film adaptation arrived in 2011, directed by Andrea Arnold. Her version was praised for its gritty realism and for casting a non-white actor as Heathcliff, a choice many scholars argue aligns more closely with Brontë’s original descriptions of the character as "dark-skinned."
Despite its critical acclaim for being visually and thematically bold, Arnold herself has complicated feelings about the project. Years after its release, she admitted the production was a grueling ordeal. "I don't like that movie... It was a difficult experience making it, for various reasons. I find it hard to look at it," she revealed in 2016.
Where You Can Stream: AMC+, Disney+
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