Gothic lust, chair lust and big-league dreams hit theaters this weekend

A fever-dream "Wuthering Heights" adaptation, an animated sports flick, and a quirky chair-themed drama debut.

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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This weekend's new movie releases include a bold interpretation of Emily Brontë's "Wuthering Heights" starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, an animated sports film "GOAT" produced by Stephen Curry, and the offbeat drama "By Design" featuring Juliette Lewis as a woman who becomes spiritually connected to a chair.

Why it matters

These diverse new films showcase the range and creativity in the current movie landscape, from classic literary adaptations to innovative animated stories to experimental art-house fare. They offer something for various tastes and demonstrate the continued evolution of cinematic storytelling.

The details

"Wuthering Heights" is writer-director Emerald Fennell's fever-dream take on the Emily Brontë novel, with Robbie and Elordi playing the iconic star-crossed lovers Cathy and Heathcliff. "GOAT" is a speedy, visually stunning animated sports film about a determined young goat who dreams of playing the dangerous game of "roarball." And "By Design" is a quirky, surreal drama about a woman, played by Juliette Lewis, who becomes spiritually connected to a coveted plywood chair.

  • "Wuthering Heights," "GOAT," and "By Design" all premiere in theaters on Friday, February 13, 2026.

The players

Emerald Fennell

The writer and director of "Wuthering Heights," known for her bold, discourse-driving films like "Promising Young Woman" and "Saltburn."

Margot Robbie

The acclaimed actress starring as the adult Cathy in "Wuthering Heights."

Jacob Elordi

The young actor playing the adult Heathcliff in "Wuthering Heights."

Stephen Curry

The NBA star who produced the animated sports film "GOAT."

Juliette Lewis

The veteran actress starring in the quirky drama "By Design" as a woman obsessed with a plywood chair.

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What they’re saying

“Fennell is steering into the lush fever-dream of Emily Brontë's only novel with a cast led by young Hollywood royalty.”

— Glen Weldon (NPR)

“Director Tyree Dillihay knows the story and jokes are aimed mostly at kids, but he offers their elders breath-catchingly gorgeous visuals in what's becoming a sort of house style for Sony Pictures Imageworks.”

— Bob Mondello (NPR)

“Writer and director Amanda Kramer uses interpretive dance and exquisite art direction to create a work that's off-putting, peculiar and inviting all at once — as much performance art as film, and definitely something to sit with.”

— Bob Mondello (NPR)

The takeaway

This weekend's diverse new film releases showcase the breadth and creativity in the current movie landscape, from bold literary adaptations to innovative animated stories to experimental art-house fare. They demonstrate the continued evolution of cinematic storytelling and offer something for a wide range of tastes.