This classic adaptation of Wuthering Heights arrives on HBO Max this month — here’s why it’s worth watching before you see the 2026 version

Wuthering Heights is back on everyone's radar, ahead of Emerald Fennell's new movie arriving in theaters. Emily Brontë's beloved story is getting the big screen treatment again, and plenty of people have had their say on the divisive trailer. HBO Max has even jumped on the hype by adding the original 1939 movie to its library this month.

Of course, it's important to note the obvious Wuthering Heights clue that things are about to change, as my colleague Jasmine pointed out, so we can likely expect a very different take on the story from Fennell when it arrives in theaters on February 13, just in time for Valentine's Day.

If you've never seen the 1939 version of Wuthering Heights, it joins plenty of the best HBO Max movies available this month. Here's why I think it's worth watching.