All Wuthering Heights Adaptations Ranked

The best Wuthering Heights movie is hard to determine, as the classic Emily Brontë novel has been adapted several adaptations over the years. As one of the most famous love stories of all time, the source material continues to draw storytellers in with the challenge of adapting the timeless story. Part of the challenge of bringing Brontë’s book to the screen is the sprawling nature of the novel, both in terms of space and time. The story follows two families over two generations. However, the best Wuthering Heights movie adaptations usually skimp out on one of the storylines.

When it comes to the best Wuthering Heights movie, it ultimately depends on viewer preference, as each adaptation differs in style and the plot points borrowed from the 1847 novel by Emily Brontë. Nonetheless, in terms of overall quality, there are ways to pinpoint which among these adaptations is the best Wuthering Heights movie or series. As different as they are, like all the Wuthering Heights references in Twilight reveal, these movies prove how deeply Brontë’s work remains embedded in the cultural zeitgeist.

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11 Wuthering Heights (2003)

A Musical Version Of Wuthering Heights From MTV

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The 2003 adaptation is generally considered to be the least appreciated of the Wuthering Heights movies. The basic premise is the same: a young woman named Cate accepts a marriage proposal from Edward, but remains in love with another man, Heath, after she’s married. This movie introduces a musical aspect as the characters sing original songs throughout, but the effort ultimately wasn’t successful.

Though it’s far from being the best Wuthering Heights movie, the songs are great, which makes this MTV-produced adaptation unique. Most of the songs are performed by Erika Christensen (Julia from Parenthood), who plays Cate, and Mike Vogel (Barbie from Under the Dome), who plays Heath. The charm of the songs comes from the fact that executive producer Jim Steinman produced the album, and he credits the book, Wuthering Heights, for his power ballad, “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now,” which Celine Dion covered.

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Wuthering Heights (2003) PG-13DramaMusical

This made-for-television film adaptation of Wuthering Heights adds a contemporary twist to the classic story, incorporating musical elements while staying true to Emily Brontë’s work. The adaptation explores the deep, almost savage love between Heathcliff and Catherine amidst the social expectations of 19th-century England.

Director Suri Krishnamma Release Date September 14, 2003 Cast Erika Christensen , Mike Vogel , Christopher Masterson , Johnny Whitworth , Katherine Heigl , John Doe , Aimee Osbourne Runtime 90 minutes

10 Wuthering High (2015)

A Made-For-TV Drama Adaptation Set In A California High School

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2015’s Wuthering Heights Lifetime movie adaptationre-imagines Cathy and Heathcliff as two California high school students. The teenage Heath is adopted by the wealthy and prominent Earnshaw family and begins a romantic relationship with his new step-sister. The basic premise is there, but this falls far from what viewers would expect from an adaptation of Wuthering Heights.

It never connected as an adaptation of the source material or as a movie standing on its own.

A more teen-based drama, the 2015 Wuthering Heights movie stars James Caan as the patriarch of the Earnshaw family, easily the most recognizable face in the entire film. This Wuthering Heights adaptation received no critical review average on Rotten Tomatoes, but the low 31% rating from the Audience Score shows that it never connected as an adaptation of the source material or as a movie standing on its own. It also doesn’t help that, at only 88 minutes, Wuthering High never had a chance to properly tell the full story.

9 Wuthering Heights (1962)

A BBC Remake That Uses The Same Script As The 1953 Movie

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Released in 1962, the BBC television adaptation of Wuthering Heights is shorter and mostly focuses on the first half of the book with some great performances by Claire Bloom as Cathy, Keith Mitchell as Heathcliff, and Patrick Troughton as Hindley. The set is minimal and doesn’t have many, if any, outdoor shots, which is odd considering what a big part the Yorkshire moors play in the novel.

The outdated production value and over-the-top drama make this one difficult to watch for modern audiences, though it has its moments. Currently , while the BFI has this movie in its library, the company has refused to allow it to stream or receive any public screenings today (via BFI). Claire Bloom earned a Grammy Award nomination for Best Spoken Word Album when she returned to the role of Cathy 17 years later for an audio version of Wuthering Heights, losing to Orson Welles’ audio version of Citizen Kane.

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Wuthering Heights (1962) DramaRomance

This BBC adaptation of Wuthering Heights offers a more straightforward and faithful rendition of the original novel. Keith Michell stars as Heathcliff, and the story focuses on a multi-generational narrative, highlighting the nature of revenge and despair that Heathcliff unleashes upon the Linton and Earnshaw families.

Director Rudolph Cartier Release Date May 10, 1962 Cast Claire Bloom , Keith Michell , Ronald Howard , Frank Crawshaw , June Thorburn Runtime 95 minutes

8 Wuthering Heights (1967)

A BBC Miniseries Based On Wuthering Heights

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This 1960s adaptation of Wuthering Heights was a BBC multi-episode miniseries that aired on television and finished with decent ratings. Ian McShane and Angela Scoular star as Heathcliff and Cathy, and it is a decent adaptation of the original novel that is set during the same period and attempts to follow the original text. The movie shifts between more of a stage play and a movie, so it feels a bit lost at times, but overall it’s a decent adaptation with some fine acting.

One thing that really helps this
Wuthering Heights
adaptation stand above some others is the outdoor scenes, which show the desolation of the Yorkshire moors.

What helps this Wuthering Heights adaptation stand above some others is the outdoor scenes, which show the desolation of the Yorkshire moors, with barren trees and a foreboding horizon. While the 1962 movie failed to show almost any outdoor scenes, despite their importance to the story, this version ensured that the location and setting remained a strong part of the story. Sadly, the master tapes were wiped, so the only versions available are black and white film copies transferred to DVD.

7 Wuthering Heights (1950)

A Made-For-TV Version Starring Charlton Heston

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The 1950 version of Wuthering Heights, a made-for-TV movie, suffers from the low production values that one would expect from a project like this during that particular era. An unexpected element present is the inclusion of Charlton Heston, although at that time he wasn’t a mainstream celebrity yet and was starring in several Studio One releases. On top of Wuthering Heights, he also had roles in the TV movie versions of Jane Eyre (1949), The Taming of the Shrew (1950), and Macbeth (1951).

This adaptation features melodramatic performances and production values that make it far from being the best Wuthering Heights movie. However, the source material is relentlessly dramatic, so perhaps all the melodrama can be forgiven considering when it was made, and under a studio situation that puts out multiple editions of these dramatic adaptations every year. From 1948 until 1957, Studio One produced 467 episodes, with the series receiving Emmy nominations every year from 1950 to 1958.

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Wuthering Heights (1950) DramaRomance

The 1950 adaptation of Wuthering Heights stars John Harrison and Mary Sinclair and is a melancholic retelling of the classic Emily Bronte novel. The film follows Heathcliff and Catherine as they attempt to gain the trust and love of one another.

Director Paul Nickell Release Date January 1, 1950 Cast Charlton Heston , Mary Sinclair Runtime 60 minutes

6 Wuthering Heights (2011)

Won The Cinematography Award At The Venice Film Festival

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The 2011 adaptation of Wuthering Heights forgoes any emphasis on the romantic in favor of a focus on the raw elements of the story, from the setting to the characters. This retelling was considered too rough for some, who felt that the film might have benefited from paying closer attention to the more romantic, traditional elements of the novel. However, this may be the best Wuthering Heights movie for those who love the gothic world of Emily Brontë’s tale of love, obsession, and revenge.

The most beautifully shot
Wuthering Heights
adaptation, winning the Best Cinematography award at the Venice Film Festival.

It’s certainly the most beautifully shot Wuthering Heights adaptation, winning the Best Cinematography award at the Venice Film Festival. The 2011 movie, made in North Yorkshire, chose to pass on big-name stars like Natalie Portman and Michael Fassbender and instead went with Kaya Scodelario as Catherine and James Howson as Heathcliff (via Digital Spy), focusing mostly on their childhood and adolescence and less on the later years of their lives.

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Wuthering Heights (2011) DramaRomance

The 2011 adaptation of Wuthering Heights features James Howson as Heathcliff and Kaya Scodelario as Catherine. It focuses more on Heathcliff’s character in 18th-century England. Director Andrea Arnold opts for a minimalist approach to emphasize the brutal harshness of the lovers’ world, offering a fresh take on the classic story of doomed love and revenge.

Director Andrea Arnold Release Date September 6, 2011 Cast Kaya Scodelario , James Howson , Solomon Glave , Shannon Beer , Steve Evets Runtime 128 minutes

5 Wuthering Heights (1970)

Picked Up A Golden Globes Nomination

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Starring Timothy Dalton as Heathcliff and Anna Calder-Marshall as Cathy, 1970’s Wuthering Heights is one of the more critically praised and loyal adaptations of the book. This version puts up a good fight for the title of best Wuthering Heights movie for its honest interpretations of the internal struggles of the main characters. Had the movie adapted the entire book instead of following the previous convention to adapt only the first half, it may have ended up as the best adaptation ever.

The movie was also a box-office success, making over $2.2 million, while picking up a Golden Globes nomination (for Michel Legrand’s music score). Not only was the movie a financial success and a critical darling, but it also almost received a sequel called Return to Wuthering Heights. It is unclear if this would have allowed a second movie to finish the story from the book. On a side note, there was a book released in 1993 with that exact name, although that story would have had nothing to do with the proposed sequel from 1970.

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Wuthering Heights (1970) GDramaRomance

Wuthering Heights is a 1970 adaptation of the classic Emily Brontë novel Starring Timothy Dalton as Heathcliff. Set in the Yorkshire moors, this 1970 adaptation shows Heathcliff’s obsessive love for Cathy, which spirals into a journey of revenge and retribution against anyone who stands in his way,

Director Robert Fuest Release Date March 7, 1970 Cast Anna Calder-Marshall , Timothy Dalton , Harry Andrews , Pamela Brown , Judy Cornwell , James Cossins , Rosalie Crutchley , Morag Hood , Hugh Griffith , Julian Glover , Ian Ogilvy Runtime 104 minutes

4 Wuthering Heights (2009)

An ITV Two-Part Series

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This may be the most popular version of Wuthering Heights, despite possibly being the least faithful to the book. There are changes to the order in which the events of the story are told, as well as several minor additions that, depending on one’s view, add to the relationship between Cathy and Heathcliff. Other moments that are considered iconic from the book are left out, such as Cathy’s ghost at the window and Heathcliff overhearing her speech to Nelly.

Even Hardy’s strange wig took nothing from the fact that he may be the best version of Heathcliff.

However, the performances of the leads are good, with Charlotte Riley and the now-Hollywood-A-lister Tom Hardy displaying great chemistry. Even Hardy’s strange wig took nothing from the fact that he may be the best version of Heathcliff. Another very familiar face for many fans is Rick Grimes himself, as Andrew Lincoln stars as Edgar Linton in this version of the story. While it was, in the end, a series that mostly had highlights from the source novel, it remains one of the more entertaining retellings.

Wuthering Heights (2009)

Wuthering Heights (2009) is a British television film adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel, directed by Coky Giedroyc. The film stars Tom Hardy as the brooding Heathcliff and Charlotte Riley as the passionate Catherine Earnshaw. Set on the remote Yorkshire moors, this version explores the intense and turbulent relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine, against a backdrop of vengeance and supernatural elements.

Cast Tom Hardy , Charlotte Riley , Andrew Lincoln , sarah lancashire , Rebecca Night Release Date January 1, 2009 Seasons 1.0 Creator(s) Peter Bowker

3 Wuthering Heights (1939)

Picked Up Eight Oscar Nominations, Including Best Picture

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This classic Wuthering Heights adaptation started the trend of telling only the first half of the story, ending with Cathy’s death and forgoing the entire latter half of the plot in which Heathcliff enacts his revenge. It did end up winning an Oscar, despite complaints from those who felt that the story was too thin due to the choice to exclude the second half. This movie had a huge name behind the camera, with William Wyler directing. Wyler picked up a record of 12 Best Director Oscar nominations in his career, including one for this movie.

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While Wyler went on to win three Oscars (Mrs. Miniver, The Best Years of Our Lives, and Ben-Hur), he turned in a solid movie adaptation of Wuthering Heights (he lost to Victor Fleming’s Gone with the Wind). With legends like Laurence Olivier as Heathcliff and Merle Oberon as Cathy — combined with its fantastic cinematography (its Oscar win) and scoring — the 1939 version may be the best Wuthering Heights movie from the Golden Age of Hollywood.

Wuthering Heights DramaRomance

Wuthering Heights is a 1939 film adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel directed by William Wyler. Starring Laurence Olivier as Heathcliff and Merle Oberon as Cathy, the film explores the tumultuous and passionate relationship between the characters, set against the bleak Yorkshire moors. The film delves into themes of love, revenge, and social class, bringing to life the timeless and tragic story with exceptional performances and atmospheric cinematography.

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*Availability in US Director William Wyler Release Date April 7, 1939 Cast Merle Oberon , Laurence Olivier , David Niven , Flora Robson , Donald Crisp , Geraldine Fitzgerald , Hugh Williams , Leo G. Carroll

2 Wuthering Heights (1998)

The Incredibly Gothic BBC Television Adaptation

The 1998 Wuthering Heights adaptation gets credit for accuracy, taking a little more time than its predecessor so that story beats feel less rushed. However, Heathcliff is slightly miscast (Robert Cavanah), as this version makes him visually hardly distinguishable from Linton, his romantic rival for Cathy’s affections. However, due to this version’s devotion to accuracy, the most important, tragic plot points from the novel remain intact.

Those who consider the book to be the best gothic novel often consider the 1998 adaptation to be the best
Wuthering Heights
movie

Matthew Macfadyen (Mr. Darcy in Pride and Prejudice) plays Hareton, Hindley’s illiterate son who works for Heathcliff when Lockwood arrives. Those who consider the book to be the best gothic novel often consider the 1998 adaptation to be the best Wuthering Heights movie, as it keeps that gothic atmosphere intact. Sarah Smart, who stars in this movie as Catherine, went on to star in Sparkhouse in 2002, which itself was a modern take on Wuthering Heights, but with the characters gender-swapped.

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Wuthering Heights (1998) DramaRomance

In this TV film adaptation of Wuthering Heights, Robert Cavanah plays Heathcliff, and Orla Brady plays Catherine. This version of the classic novel retells the story of the well-read but stand-offish Heathcliff and the equally brilliant Catherine are drawn to each other despite their differences in their views on the world.

Director David Skynner Release Date April 5, 1998 Cast Robert Cavanah , Orla Brady , Sarah Smart , Peter Davison , Tom Georgeson , Matthew Macfadyen , Ken Kitson , Flora Montgomery , Ian Shaw , Crispin Bonham-Carter , Polly Hemingway Runtime 112 minutes Main Genre Drama

1 Wuthering Heights (1992)

The First Movie To Adapt The Entire Wuthering Heights Novel

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What’s unique about the 1992 Wuthering Heights adaptation is that it features an introduction and voiceover from Emily Brontë (voiced by Sinead O’Connor). In addition to this element, this adaptation is the only one to have the same actress play Cathy and Catherine (Juliette Binoche), with Ralph Fiennes as Heathcliff in his movie debut. While this adaptation has been criticized for rushing certain plot points, it does succeed at being the first movie to bring the entire novel — and not just its first half — to life.

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It’s not perfect, but this 1992 adaptation is considered by many to be the best Wuthering Heights movie in terms of overall quality and rewatchability, as well as telling the entire story and not only half of it. The movie was also a big moment for Fiennes, as it introduced him to the world and allowed him to earn the role of Amon Goeth in Schindler’s List, as Steven Spielberg credited Wuthering Heights as the movie that convinced him to give the role to the actor.

How A Future Wuthering Heights Adaptation Could Work

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The long legacy of Wuthering Heights movies and adaptations proves that the story still resonates with many people and remains as timeless as ever. This is further cemented by plans for another take on the story coming with some big-name talent involved. Coming off of her acclaimed thriller Saltburn, filmmaker Emerald Fennell will be helming a new take on Wuthering Heights with Margot Robbie starring as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff.

Besides the casting, there is little known about the adaptation and what kind of direction it will take. However, as apparent with all the previous adaptations of the classic novel, Wuthering Heights is perhaps a story that is too familiar to the public to do an interesting and worthwhile straight retelling of the source material. Instead, it might be time for a Wuthering Heights adaptation to go in an unexpected direction.

Other classic novels and works of fiction have seen similar retellings when the story reaches a certain point in popularity. For instance, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies took the iconic Jane Austen novel of an independent woman forming an unexpected romance and reshaped it as a period action movie about a zombie outbreak. Other takes on Austen’s novel have offered loose adaptations with a modern setting, such as Bride and Prejudice and Bridget Jones’ Diary.

It would be interesting to see Wuthering Heights adapted in similar ways, taking the story out of its typical English countryside setting and seeing how it works with a new approach. Given how long the story has stayed relevant, it is clear that it is the themes and characters that are most important. Transplanting those elements into a new time period or surrounding them with new genre elements should make for a worthy Wuthering Heights adaptation while also feeling like something new.

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