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Wuthering Heights' Charli XCX Addresses "Tortured Romantic" Era
Charli XCX's chains of love for her past music will never break.
The "party 4 u" singer's hyperpop album Brat may have inspired a carefree and party-filled summer in 2024, but her sound definitely evolved since her 2013 project True Romance.
As for how she'd describe the moody era in her life?
"I'm not sure about teenage emo," Charli exclusively told E! News' Will Marfuggi at the world premiere of Wuthering Heights Jan. 28 in Los Angeles, Calif., "but definitely tortured romantic, for sure."
After all, her debut album, described as goth-pop, embodied a dark and angsty tone that highlighted the misery and euphoria of a turbulent romance.
So, when it comes to her songs for the Emily Brontë-adapted film—for which she produced an album of the same name—she was ready to set that version of herself free. But she had director Emerald Fennell to thank for the direction.
"It was really all there on the page," the Grammy winner explained. "Her interpretation of the book was so—it was romantic, it was tortured, it was so visceral to me."
And working with John Cale, who is featured on the album, was essential to finding her voice. As she noted, "I was thinking about his words, elegant and brutal, that he often uses to describe his own music and that was kind of my way in."
Her involvement in the film, which stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, was a total surprise. In fact, it all began with a text from an unknown number that turned out to be Emerald.
Olivia Wong/WireImage
"The text felt out of the blue but obviously intriguing," Charli—who had only met the director once before—explained on her Substack in November. "I had heard through the grapevine that she was making an adaptation of Wuthering Heights and so when she sent me the script to read, I devoured it instantly."
"I was in London at the time, it was freezing and miserable and getting dark at around 4 p.m., which felt fitting," the 33-year-old continued. "I began to sink into this reimagined world of Wuthering Heights and I suddenly began to feel… inspired."
When the pair finally spoke on the phone, Emerald initially suggested a song for the film.
Warner Bros. Pictures
"I suggested, 'An album?' because why not?" Charli recalled. "I wanted to dive into persona, into a world that felt undeniably raw, wild, sexual, gothic, British, tortured and full of actual real sentences, punctuation and grammar."
And she loved the idea of stepping away from brat for a little while.
"The language of this world felt so opposite from the world I had been inhabiting for the past 2 and a half years. I began to feel a sense of freedom again," she wrote. "Without a cigarette or a pair of sunglasses in sight, it was all totally other from the life I was currently living. I was f--king IN."
Wuthering Heights premieres in theaters Feb. 13.
As fans wait to see Margot and Jacob on the silver screen, keep reading to see more upcoming movies.
Netflix
People We Meet on Vacation - January 9, 2026
Tom Blyth and Emily Bader star in the movie adaptation of Emily Henry's bestselling romance novel.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix
Paramount Pictures
Primate - January 9, 2026
A group of friends’ tropical vacation turns into a terrifying, primal tale of
horror and survival.
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Claire Folger/Netflix
The Rip - January 16, 2026
BFFs Matt Damon and Ben Affleck reunite for this action thriller about a team of Miami cops who discover millions in cash in a derelict stash house and along with it some serious trust issues. Also starring Teyana Taylor and Steven Yeun.
Where to Watch: Streaming on Netflix
Sony Pictures
28 Years Later: The Bone Temple - January 16, 2026
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Amazon MGM Studios
Mercy - January 23, 2026
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Amazon MGM Studios
The Wrecking Crew - January 28, 2026
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A24
The Moment - January 30, 2026
Charli XCX stars in this mockumentary about a rising pop star navigating the complexities of fame and industry pressure while preparing for her arena tour debut. Featuring Kylie Jenner, Alexander Skarsgard, Rachel Sennott, and Rosanna Arquette.
Where to Watch: In select theaters
20th Century Studios
Send Help - January 30, 2026
Rachel McAdams and Dylan O'Brien star in this dark comedy about two office colleagues who find themselves stranded on a deserted island after they are the only survivors of a plane crash. On the island, they must overcome past grievances and work together to survive.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Amazon MGM Studios
Crime 101 - February 13, 2026
This cat-and-mouse thriller follows an elusive jewel thief (Chris Hemsworth) who teams up with an insurance broker for one last heist. The all-star cast includes Halle Berry, Mark Ruffalo, Monica Barbaro, and Barry Keoghan.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Sony Picture Animation
GOAT - February 13, 2026
From the studio behind Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse comes this animated comedy set in an all-animal world that follows Will, a small goat who gets the chance to play roarball - a dangerous, full-contact game dominated by the fiercest foes. Featuring Stephen Curry, Gabrielle Union, and Caleb McLaughlin.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Warner Bros. Pictures
Wuthering Heights - February 14, 2026
Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi step into the iconic roles of Catherine and Heathcliff in Saltburn director Emerald Fennell's new adaptation of Emily Brontë's classic novel.
Where to Watch: In theaters
A24
How To Make a Killing - February 20, 2026
Disowned at birth by his obscenely wealthy family, blue-collar Becket Redfellow (Glen Powell) will stop at nothing to reclaim his inheritance, no matter how many relatives stand in his way.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Paramount Pictures
Scream 7 - February 27, 2026
Neve Campbell returns to the Scream franchise as iconic final girl Sidney Prescott, this time to protect her own family from a new Ghostface killer. Also starring Courteney Cox, Isabel May, Jasmin Savoy Brown, Mason Gooding, Anna Camp, Joel McHale, Mckenna Grace, and plenty of surprise cameos.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Warner Bros. Pictures
The Bride! - March 6, 2026
In writer/director Maggie Gyllenhaal's new take on the classic 1935 Bride of Frankenstein film, a lonely Frankenstein (Christian Bale) travels to 1930s Chicago to ask a groundbreaking scientist to create a companion (Jessie Buckley) for him. Also starring Annette Bening, Jake Gyllenhaal, and Penelope Cruz.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Disney/Pixar
Hoppers - March 6, 2026
Pixar’s all-new feature film introduces Mabel, an animal lover who uses new technology to “hop” human consciousness into lifelike robotic animals, allowing people to communicate with animals as animals!
Where to Watch: In theaters
Amazon MGM Studios
Project Hail Mary - March 20, 2026
Based on Andy Weir's (The Martian) best-selling novel, this sci-fi adventure stars Ryan Gosling as a science teacher who wakes up on a spaceship light years from home and, as his memory returns, begins to uncover his mission: solve the riddle of the mysterious substance causing the sun to die out.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Paramount Pictures
Billie Eilish: Hit Me Hard and Soft - The Tour (Live in 3D) - March 20, 2026
Captured during Billie's sold-out world tour and co-directed by James Cameron, this immersive 3D film brings an innovative new concert experience to the big screen.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Searchlight Pictures
Ready or Not 2: Here I Come - March 27, 2026
The hit 2019 horror-comedy returns to find final girl Grace facing the next level of the nightmarish game. Starring a killer cast including Samara Weaving, Kathryn Newton, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Shawn Hatosy, and Elijah Wood.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Warner Bros. Pictures
They Will Kill You - March 27, 2026
A woman (Zazie Beetz) takes a housekeeping job in a mysterious New York City high-rise and soon uncovers the building's dark history of disappearances.
Where to Watch: In theaters
A24
The Drama - April 3, 2026
Zendaya and Robert Pattinson star as a happily engaged couple who are put to the test when an unexpected turn sends their wedding week off the rails.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Universal Pictures
You, Me & Tuscany - April 10, 2026
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Where to Watch: In theaters
Warner Bros. Pictures
Lee Cronin's The Mummy - April 17, 2026
In this reimagining of The Mummy franchise, a young girl resurfaces eight years after disappearing in the desert.... But what should be a joyful family reunion quickly turns into a horrifying nightmare.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Kevin Mazur/Lionsgate
Michael - April 24, 2026
Jaafar Jackson portrays his uncle, Michael Jackson, in this biopic about the "King of Pop".
Where to Watch: In theaters
20th Century Studios
The Devil Wears Prada 2 - May 1, 2026
Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, Emily Blunt and Stanley Tucci return to their iconic roles and the offices of Runway Magazine in this eagerly awaited sequel to the 2006 phenomenon. Also starring Justin Theroux, Lucy Liu, Simone Ashley and Kenneth Branagh.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Warner Bros. Pictures
Mortal Kombat II - May 8, 2026
The latest installment in the video game franchise (following 2021's Mortal Kombat reboot) sees the fan favorite champions pitted against one another in the battle to defeat the dark rule of Shao Kahn. Starring Karl Urban, Hiroyuki Sanada, Tati Gabrielle, Mehcad Brooks, Lewis Tan, and more.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Lucasfilm Ltd
The Mandalorian and Grogu - May 22, 2026
Bounty hunter Din Djarin (Pedro Pascal) and his young apprentice Grogu take their galactic adventures to the big screen. Also starring Sigourney Weaver.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Amazon MGM Studios
Masters of the Universe - June 5, 2026
The legendary '80s franchise returns to the big screen in this epic live-action adventure which finds Prince Adam/He-Man and his allies once again battling the fiendish Skeletor. Starring Nicholas Galitzine, Camila Mendes, Alison Brie, Kristen Wiig, Jared Leto and Idris Elba.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Niko Tavernise/Universal Pictures and Amblin Entertainment
Disclosure Day - June 12, 2026
Legendary director Steven Spielberg is back with this sci-fi thriller starring Emily Blunt, Josh O'Connor, Colin Firth and Colman Domingo.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Disney/Pixar
Toy Story 5 - June 19, 2026
Woody (Tom Hanks), Buzz Lightyear (Tim Allen), Jessie (Joan Cusack) and the gang return as the toys take on tech in the form of a frog-shaped smart tablet voiced by Greta Lee.
Where to Watch: In theaters
Warner Bros. Pictures
Supergirl - June 26, 2026
When a ruthless adversary strikes too close to home, Kara Zor-El, aka Supergirl (Milly Alcock), reluctantly joins forces with an unlikely companion on an interstellar journey of vengeance and justice.
Where to Watch: In theaters
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