Wuthering Heights Movies Ranked: Which Adaptation is the Best?

The book Wuthering Heights is known throughout the world, as one of the best Gothic novels from the era!

And the book has been given the spotlight over and over again, appearing on-screen for decades.

The Most Iconic Wuthering Heights Adaptations

When you look at the long-running history, there is such a diversity that some adaptations have stood the test of time!

This story follows a story of love and how relationships turn to violence! It seems like many will find it pretty compelling and the film adaptations really tried to take us to this place in the world of Emily Bronte! The story spans across several decades! It tells a tragic story that looks to bring an exciting experience.

It's interesting! It was not uncommon for the earliest films, to focus on just the first part of the story. It was challenging to capture it all as it takes a deep dive into so much detail.

Let's review these adaptations, but not in the way that most movie rankings might appear. That's because this was a great source, one that was truly difficult to capture on screen! It had these powerful characters.

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A Ranking from Worst to Best for Fans:

From most underwhelming to the best, so that you can check out what's best for you! We are not focusing on the quality of a film or how they made it, but what fans have said as a general consensus! So that anyone watching can see why this book, over and over, inspires fans.

"Wuthering Heights" (2003).

If there was ever a movie that went a bit over the top, this was it! "Wuthering Heights" gave viewers some original songs, and they actually might be the thing that saves the entire production, But when all is said and done, this adaptation was definitely the one most people might agree, is one not to get lost in! It even has an interesting note, the production included a famous song called "It's All Coming Back to Me Now." This one's had many variations, and its famous because Celine Dion made an awesome version as well.

Wuthering High (2015).

The producers really gave this Wuthering Heights film a fresh spin, but sadly it doesn't resonate in the way it should for those who love the source material. This re-imagination placed Catherine and Heathcliff as high schoolers in California, This may be interesting to many, but really fails in the long-run. Not only did it struggle in reviewing it, but those that saw it thought the same thing, that it wasn't an incredible movie to give fans anything. They also left out details and even a bit too short of a film! This made the original story come to a head. The "Lifetime" movie really did its best to get this onto the screen, with a fantastic cast that included James Caan.

"Wuthering Heights" (1962)

Even in an earlier age of filmmaking, this movie looks dated now! With the release in 1962 this is the earliest to hit the screen! And really struggled with its special effects and didn't show off much about this place and time, with the most notable moments that were bare bones, while featuring some excellent acting.

"Wuthering Heights" (1967)

As the series progressed through time! The filmmakers got better with their production! And even the sets of these adaptations started to really grow in quality.

This particular movie, which made it out on television as a miniseries really was well loved! Even getting fantastic scores in the rankings! It had such a remarkable cast too, it's hard to pass over! The Yorkshire moors got an extra touch of detail! The real tragedy is it is unavailable today to fans due to these early limitations for creating content! It seems that "Wuthering Heights" really had a struggle to make it to modern screens!

"Wuthering Heights" (1950)

The release, while bringing to life a favorite novel was definitely going to face some serious issues because this was the first release of the story. Not only did it struggle with a lower budget, which you might find quite commonplace at this period, the producers had a talented cast member in Charlton Heston, He wasn't as recognizable as he'd go on to be in the world of movies. He made several movies during the era 1940s and 1950s and really was a force of nature. The whole film though, didn't make its mark and really didn't give audiences that extra emotional appeal. It may have worked out but was not the film it could have been, however.

"Wuthering Heights" (2011).

If you are a big fan, this just might be the one. It has been a movie that keeps everyone talking.

There was an impressive and special take that left many people in awe.

A very powerful adaptation! Some might say too harsh!

If you aren't seeking Romance and instead really want to be engrossed by the intense elements that Wuthering Heights offers, then this might be your choice!

The movie, shot in Yorkshire, was a cinematic hit, even winning Venice Film Festival's Best Cinematography award, In an effort to capture what made the story so incredible. It even took the time to choose a young cast that was just the right blend for this powerful love story! And they got a unique, fresh feel, for "Wuthering Heights!"

"Wuthering Heights" (1970).

The release of "Wuthering Heights" had great buzz! The story was truly moving as it helped to create some really powerful moments! This was a film that, when comparing the many different variations really stands out! It got the ratings, the success and was very nearly turned into an epic series "Return to Wuthering Heights"!

"Wuthering Heights" (2009).

A well-known, popular release, although it took liberties with the original story, that has a fantastic cast and had great, exciting performances. There were a lot of famous faces, for example Tom Hardy played Heathcliff, one of the most iconic parts in the story. Charlotte Riley and Tom Hardy gave viewers something incredible on-screen.

"Wuthering Heights" (1939).

You might even recognize it. It was an epic moment as this was one of the biggest "Golden Age" productions. With a great director at the helm. "William Wyler," who gave everyone a truly great cinematic production that would go down in history for these films and characters! Not only was the production great, but you had a memorable cast in the story as well!

"Laurence Olivier was Heathcliff
Merle Oberon as Cathy.

The movie won the award for "Best Cinematography" during a special era that continues to give these classic films their recognition.

"Wuthering Heights" (1998).

This version is probably one that was seen a great deal, and if you ask those who love it, will even say this is the best one! It really brought all the beauty to the screen!

And if that's not enough! You get a big, familiar face in this one: Matthew Macfadyen.

"Wuthering Heights" (1992).

There's only one that made a true effort to give audiences the entire story, as well as bring to the screen all those exciting events! This had some of the most memorable actors as Juliette Binoche and Ralph Fiennes. Fans will remember his early roles such as "Schindler's List!" It truly gave Fiennes a launching pad into superstardom.

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A Classic Retold In A New Way

Fans have loved it over the decades, and what is going to keep everyone looking forward to the series is that a new version will hit theaters.

You may be familiar with Emerald Fennell, a talented filmmaker. You've probably seen her work such as "Saltburn", and now we see the story get an upgrade and a really big chance for an interesting take. She plans to make this story with one of the hottest stars today, Margot Robbie who has had a long string of exciting films, with Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff.

A story that was told a dozen times, there will surely be more. It's exciting, and one can only dream!

Wuthering Heights Movies Ranked: Which Adaptation is the Best?

The Most Iconic Wuthering Heights Adaptations

A Ranking from Worst to Best for Fans:

A Classic Retold In A New Way

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