Films like "Wuthering Heights" (2026)
Published: Feb 28, 2026"Wuthering Heights" plot: Tragedy strikes when Heathcliff falls in love with Catherine Earnshaw, a woman from a wealthy family in 18th-century England.
Style characteristics: Bleakness, Darkness, Romance, Tension, Complexity
1. Jane Eyre
Overview
A reserved, principled young woman with a hard childhood finds work as a governess and moves to Thornfield Manor. There she meets its owner, Mr. Rochester, and in time it grows into love.Similarity
Closest characteristics: Complexity, Romance, Tone, ThemesNotable differences: Bleakness (-35%), Darkness (-25%), Tension (-15%)Style
Romance
85%
Darkness
60%
Tension
60%
2. Great Expectations
Overview
Lonely orphan Pip helps a fugitive convict get free of his shackles. After that, a string of mysterious events lets the boy leave his humble past behind and begin a new life as a gentleman.Similarity
Closest characteristics: Complexity, Romance, Tone, TropesNotable differences: Bleakness (-25%), Darkness (-30%), Tension (-20%)Style
Romance
70%
Bleakness
65%
Complexity
60%
3. The Favourite
Overview
This historical drama follows court intrigue in England, where two servants of the ailing Queen Anne compete to become her chief favourite, seeking power, access to money, and influence over politics.Similarity
Closest characteristics: Tension, Complexity, Tone, ThemesNotable differences: Bleakness (-22%), Darkness (-13%), Humor (+57%), Romance (-32%)Style
Tension
74%
Darkness
72%
Bleakness
68%
4. The Beguiled
Overview
Badly wounded and looking for shelter, a soldier ends up at a secluded girls’ boarding school, where several women live and teach under the watch of a strict headmistress. His presence in this isolated world upsets the routine and sparks rivalry among the women.Similarity
Closest characteristics: Darkness, Tension, Complexity, Tone, ThemesNotable differences: Bleakness (-15%), Romance (-35%)Style
Darkness
80%
Tension
80%
Bleakness
75%
5. The Handmaiden
Overview
The film follows Sook-hee, a small-time con artist hired by a swindler known as “Count” to become a handmaiden in a secluded mansion and help him charm a wealthy young woman, Hideko, who lives there under her uncle’s watchful control.Similarity
Closest characteristics: Tension, Pacing, Romance, Tone, TropesNotable differences: Bleakness (-45%), Darkness (-15%), Complexity (+15%)Style
Complexity
80%
Tension
78%
Darkness
70%
6. Atonement
Overview
When Lola becomes the victim of an assault, her young, dreamy cousin Briony mistakenly claims it was Robbie—the housekeeper’s son, who is romantically involved with her sister. Her words set off a chain of events that changes the lives and relationships of several people.Similarity
Closest characteristics: Tension, Complexity, Romance, Tone, ThemesNotable differences: Bleakness (-12%), Darkness (-15%)Style
Bleakness
78%
Tension
72%
Romance
72%
7. The Piano
Overview
Ada, a mute woman who enters an arranged marriage and travels to New Zealand for it, becomes caught in a tense struggle between her new manipulative husband and a stern frontier man to whom she feels a forbidden attraction.Similarity
Closest characteristics: Tension, Complexity, Romance, Tone, TropesNotable differences: Bleakness (-28%), Darkness (-17%)Style
Tension
74%
Romance
72%
Darkness
68%
8. Saltburn
Overview
Oliver, an odd and awkward Oxford student, befriends Felix, a wealthy aristocrat. Felix invites the orphaned Oliver to spend the summer with his family at their lavish estate, Saltburn.Similarity
Closest characteristics: Tension, Complexity, Darkness, Tone, ThemesNotable differences: Bleakness (-18%), Romance (-46%)Style
Darkness
78%
Tension
74%
Bleakness
72%
9. Phantom Thread
Overview
Renowned fashion designer Reynolds Woodcock creates dresses and signature looks for film stars, the royal family, and wealthy clients. When a young woman named Alma enters his life and becomes his muse, everything begins to change.Similarity
Closest characteristics: Tension, Complexity, Tone, ThemesNotable differences: Bleakness (-35%), Darkness (-20%), Romance (-18%)Style
Tension
78%
Complexity
72%
Darkness
65%
10. The Duchess
Overview
The story of Georgiana, whose mother marries her off to the powerful Duke of Devonshire. A marriage and status that look like a fairy tale from the outside hide coldness, control, and the pressure to provide the duke with an heir.Similarity
Closest characteristics: Complexity, Tone, TropesNotable differences: Bleakness (-28%), Darkness (-27%), Tension (-15%), Romance (-18%)Style
Bleakness
62%
Romance
62%
Tension
60%
11. Lady Macbeth
Overview
England, 19th century. Young Katherine is married off by arrangement to a much older man. Later she meets a worker on her new husband’s estate, and a romance sparks between them.Similarity
Closest characteristics: Tension, Complexity, Tone, ThemesNotable differences: Bleakness (-12%), Darkness (-11%), Romance (-46%)Style
Bleakness
78%
Darkness
74%
Tension
72%
12. Rebecca
Overview
A young woman falls for a wealthy widower, quickly marries him, and moves into his family estate. But once there, she notices everything still evokes his first wife—from the objects to the very atmosphere—as if someone can’t let her go.Similarity
Closest characteristics: Tension, Complexity, Tone, ThemesNotable differences: Bleakness (-25%), Darkness (-25%), Romance (-15%)Style
Tension
70%
Bleakness
65%
Romance
65%
13. Anna Karenina
Overview
Anna, the wife of an influential St. Petersburg official, meets the young officer Vronsky. A sudden passion flares between them, forcing her into a difficult choice between her family and a powerful attraction that’s hard to resist.Similarity
Closest characteristics: Romance, Complexity, Tension, Tone, ThemesNotable differences: Bleakness (-12%), Darkness (-23%)Style
Romance
82%
Bleakness
78%
Tension
70%
14. Crimson Peak
Overview
Young writer Edith falls for the mysterious aristocrat Thomas and moves into his family estate in England. There, she realizes the eerie house is hiding a family secret she will have to uncover.Similarity
Closest characteristics: Tension, Complexity, Romance, Tone, PlotNotable differences: Bleakness (-15%), Darkness (-15%), Violence (+15%)Style
Bleakness
75%
Tension
75%
Darkness
70%
15. Carol
Overview
Therese, a young woman working as a shop assistant, meets Carol, an elegant and wealthy woman. A mutual attraction quickly grows between them, reaching beyond ordinary friendship.Similarity
Closest characteristics: Romance, Complexity, Themes, ToneNotable differences: Bleakness (-45%), Darkness (-45%), Tension (-20%)Style
Romance
85%
Tension
55%
Complexity
55%