Emerald Fennell's highly anticipated adaptation, "Wuthering Heights," has been captivating audiences and stirring up considerable debate among literary enthusiasts since its release by Warner Bros. Pictures on February 13, 2026, in the United States and United Kingdom. The film, which premiered at Grauman's Chinese Theatre on January 28, 2026, stars Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, alongside Hong Chau, Shazad Latif, and Alison Oliver.

Fennell, known for her distinctive directorial style in films like Promising Young Woman and Saltburn, stated her intention was to "recreate the feeling of a teenage girl reading this book for the first time." She candidly described her film not as a direct adaptation of Emily Brontë's 1847 novel, but rather "a version of it." This approach led to an R-rated, "steamy, bold and, at times, historically inaccurate" retelling, which has been embraced by some as a fresh, psychedelic take.

However, these creative liberties have sparked intense discussion, particularly from literary circles. Critics and English majors have voiced disappointment regarding changes such as the casting of a white actor for the racially ambiguous character of Heathcliff, the omission of significant parts of the novel's narrative, and anachronistic elements in costumes and music. Despite some negative feedback and concerns about historical accuracy, the film has achieved commercial success, grossing $167.2 million worldwide against an $80 million budget, proving its ability to resonate with a broad audience on its own terms.