Five Literary Adaptations You Should Watch Instead of Wuthering Heights (2026)

As Emerald Fennell threatens the world with her impending Wuthering Heights (2026) rework, editor-in-chief Venesya Ko offers up some actually watchable literary adaptations to watch as alternatives.

Like many of us, I watched the trailer for Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights (2026) adaptation and thought, well someone shove me off the moors right now – let us leave this film in an abyss where it cannot find us. Have we not suffered enough watching Dakota Johnson’s Anne Elliot break the fourth wall with “worse, we’re exes” in Netflix’s Persuasion (2022)? 

In all honesty, if it were a trailer for an original, and not an adaptation of Wuthering Heights, I would have no complaints. But Wuthering Heights is ultimately a tragedy that deals with the complexities of class, race, gender and cycles of oppression as central themes, and from what we’ve been shown through the trailer, I don’t think the movie we’re getting pays respects to that at all. And while we’re on that point, casting Jacob Elordi to play Heathcliff, a person of colour, in a story where the psychological abuse he faces is racially motivated, is just frankly distasteful. 

While I’m thankful you’ve indulged my rambles so far, I haven’t spent all those words complaining just to leave you empty-handed. Without further ado, I present five literary adaptations I would recommend instead of Wuthering Heights:

Olivia (1951) by Jacqueline Audry

Originally a semi-autobiographical novella by Dorothy Strachey, Olivia is a coming of age tale set in a girls boarding school in France. The film follows our titular character Olivia, as she falls in love with the school’s charming but enigmatic headmistress, Miss Julie. Miss Julie herself, however, seems to be caught up in her own complicated love affair with mathematics teacher Miss Cara. 

Though at times questionable and problematic, Olivia is one of those rare adaptations that feel more vibrant than its source material. It takes advantage of the setting and immerses the audience within the walls of the school, an ecosystem almost as charming as Miss Julie. While the book has some very beautiful lines about love, because it is narrated only by Olivia, it lacks the perspectives of the other characters that the film provides, which enriches the storytelling by fleshing out the relationship dynamics of the characters.

I’ll be honest, nothing much happens, but everything is dramatically felt by its characters. Still, I think the film conveyed the tumultuous journey of experiencing first love that was central to the book well. You do not need to have craved the same things the girls in the film do, to understand the desire that is felt. And best of all, it’s free to watch here on YouTube!

Emma (2020) by Autumn de Wilde 

Perhaps one of the more well-known adaptations on this list–yet one that I feel remains quite underrated–Autumn de Wilde’s adaptation of the beloved Jane Austen novel is delightfully handsome, clever, rich with feeling and emotion, and left me very happy indeed. 

Everyone is right to praise the costuming because it is gorgeous, but we also need to talk about how every single frame was shot stunningly. Anya Taylor-Joy captures Emma Woodhouse so perfectly it feels like she stepped out of the novel itself. And not only does de Wilde understand how to balance the more comical moments with the more serious parts, it is also wonderfully swoon-worthy–with very many instances wherein hands almost touch…only to graze each other…and I know we eat that up. Yes we do. 

Oh! The soundtrack also shouldn’t be overlooked. Even to this day, I still play “Mr Turner’s Waltz” from the tracklist when I’m reading.

The Haunting (1963) by Robert Wise

Most people are familiar with the beloved Netflix series The Haunting of Hill House (2018), but not many of you might be aware that Shirley Jackson’s novel of the same name had an earlier adaptation starring Julie Harris and Claire Bloom. A psychological horror story that follows two women who are invited to a mansion to prove the existence of supernatural forces, The Haunting is an unsettling film that doesn’t need gore or elaborate special effects to fill the audience with dread. Once you begin The Haunting, there’s no stopping the terror that seizes you. 

I don’t often watch black and white horror films, but I think The Haunting holds up quite well, even in this day and age. If you’re a fan of horror, what’s stopping you from watching it here? Not too scared are you?

Confessions (2010) by Tetsuya Nakashima

I always say Confessions is such an underrated film because not only is it an almost perfect adaptation, but as the events unfold, it also very accurately delivers the slow horror that drapes itself over you sinisterly like a shroud. 

Opening with a monologue that will grip you for the entire film, Confessions takes you through a whirlwind of three different acts. While not all three segments are equally strong or entertaining, Confessions doesn’t stop being haunting. Like its source material, it is a twisted story that examines entitlement, revenge, and the way social norms exclude non-conformists in lasting ways that harm not just the individual but the people around them. 

It’s best to go into this film knowing less, so I won’t share too much. But if you watch this film and enjoy it, I would also recommend giving the book a chance. Most of Kanae Minato’s psychological thrillers are enjoyably quick reads. 

Lucky for you, it’s also available here on Youtube.

Pride and Prejudice (2005) by Joe Wright

Oh don’t act surprised. You knew this was coming. You’d probably call me a fake cinephile and bookworm if you didn’t see this film on the list. What can I say about this film that hasn’t already been praised and rewatched by so many of us? 

It’s a beautiful and witty film that deserves all the love it gets. Instead of watching Wuthering Heights on Valentines Day, buy some snacks, hop on a call with your friends–or partners, I guess–and put this movie on. I'm not being dramatic when I say life will feel better after you finish it. Trust me.

With that, I’ve come to an end of my recommendations. If you’ve stuck with me throughout this list, thank you and I trust this has allowed you to discover some lesser known literary adaptations. And I hope I haven’t offended anyone actually looking forward to Wuthering Heights’s release. Look, I’ve nothing against directors who want to make Fifty Shades of Grey fan-fiction in period costumes, just don’t call it Wuthering Heights.