Emerald Fennell’s new take on Wuthering Heights, titled Wuthering Heights in this adaptation, is heading to theaters on February 11, 2026. Many viewers are already wondering when they’ll be able to skip the big screen and watch it at home on Netflix. Based on the current release window rules, the wait is going to be longer than a lot of streaming fans might expect.
A bold new spin on a literary classic
Written, directed and produced by Emerald Fennell, this version of Wuthering Heights reimagines Emily Brontë’s 1847 novel with a sharper, more modern edge. The movie zeroes in on the toxic bond between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, pushing to the forefront the emotional, social and physical tensions that are already woven into the original text.
The film is led by Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, and continues the creative direction Fennell explored in Promising Young Woman and Saltburn. Production is handled by LuckyChap and MRC, while Warner Bros. is in charge of the worldwide distribution — a decision that clearly prioritizes a theatrical-first rollout over an immediate streaming release.
Watch the trailer below:
Why you shouldn’t expect Wuthering Heights on Netflix anytime soon
Even though Netflix reportedly showed strong interest in the project during early development, the movie ultimately landed at Warner Bros., which opted for a traditional global theatrical release strategy. That move rules out a quick debut on a subscription streaming service right after theaters.
Under the windowing rules currently applied, the rollout for Wuthering Heights is structured as follows:
- Theatrical release: February 11, 2026
- Digital purchase and rental (VOD) and physical media: starting June 2026
- Pay-TV premiere on a premium channel: starting August 2026
- Streaming release on Netflix: no earlier than May 2027
This 15‑month gap after the theatrical premiere is the minimum legal delay before the movie can potentially land on Netflix. On top of that, it still requires a specific licensing deal to be signed between Netflix and the film’s distributor.
Netflix release depends on future licensing deals
As of now, there is no official confirmation that Wuthering Heights will join Netflix’s catalog at all. After its run in theaters and on a premium pay-TV channel, the film could just as well end up on a different streaming platform first, depending on how the licensing negotiations unfold.
Whether Warner Bros. ultimately chooses Netflix or another service will hinge on several factors: the box office run, critical reception and the studio’s overall release strategy in the U.S. and internationally.
For the moment, if you want to experience this unapologetically modern take on one of literature’s most famous tragic romances, you’ll need to head to a movie theater starting February 11, 2026.
Faq
When is the earliest Wuthering Heights could arrive on Netflix?
Based on the current release schedule and media window rules, the film cannot debut on Netflix before May 2027, and that date is only possible if a distribution agreement with Netflix is actually signed.
Did Netflix help produce Wuthering Heights?
No. Although Netflix showed interest during development, the project was acquired and distributed by Warner Bros., with production handled by LuckyChap and MRC.
How closely does the movie follow Emily Brontë’s novel?
The adaptation stays faithful to the core of Emily Brontë’s story while offering a contemporary and more direct exploration of the novel’s key themes, including its emotional, social and physical conflicts.
How can I watch Wuthering Heights before it hits streaming?
The movie will first open in theaters on February 11, 2026. After that, it is planned to become available for digital purchase and rental and on physical formats starting June 2026, followed by a run on a premium pay-TV channel from August 2026 onward.
