Emerald Fennell's 'Wuthering Heights' and Katie Dippold's 'Widow's Bay' Lead Weekend Streaming Slate

Key facts

• Emerald Fennell's 'Wuthering Heights' adaptation stars Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, now streaming on HBO Max.
• Katie Dippold's horror-comedy 'Widow's Bay' stars Matthew Rhys as a mayor boosting tourism in a cursed New England town, on Apple TV+.
• Jack McBrayer returns to host season 3 of 'Zillow Gone Wild' on HGTV, streaming next day on HBO Max.
• Netflix's animated film 'Swapped' features voices of Michael B. Jordan and Juno Temple.
• Prime Video debuts 'The House of the Spirits' miniseries based on Isabel Allende's novel, starring Alfonso Herrera.
• Netflix's 'Man of Fire' stars Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as a Special Forces mercenary after a botched Rio mission.
• BBC mockumentary 'Twenty Twenty Six' debuts on BritBox and Tubi, with Hugh Bonneville as Ian Fletcher.
• Martin Scorsese's 'The Departed' turns 20, now streaming on Hulu.

A Weekend of Genre-Bending Premieres

This weekend, streaming platforms unveil a diverse array of new content, from a hotly debated literary adaptation to a quirky horror-comedy. The most anticipated arrival is Emerald Fennell's 'Wuthering Heights,' now available on HBO Max after its initial digital rental period. The film, which has already sparked widespread discussion, reimagines Emily Brontë's classic with Margot Robbie as Cathy and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff. Meanwhile, Apple TV+ introduces 'Widow's Bay,' a genre-blending series from Katie Dippold, the writer behind 'The Heat.' The show stars Matthew Rhys as the mayor of a small New England town attempting to revive tourism despite the area's cursed reputation. Described as reminiscent of 'Twin Peaks,' it represents the latest original series from the streaming service.

Literary Adaptations and Animated Adventures

Prime Video debuts 'The House of the Spirits,' a Spanish-language miniseries based on Isabel Allende's debut novel. The multigenerational story follows the Trueba family in an unnamed, Chile-inspired South American country, blending magical realism. The cast includes Alfonso Herrera, Nicole Wallace, and Dolores Fonzi. For family audiences, Netflix offers 'Swapped,' an animated film about two creatures in The Valley who accidentally swap bodies. Voiced by Michael B. Jordan and Juno Temple, the sworn enemies must cooperate to reverse the switch. The film is now streaming on Netflix.

Returning Favorites and New Seasons

Jack McBrayer returns to host the third season of 'Zillow Gone Wild' on HGTV, exploring eccentric properties like a Texas home with a 40-foot piece of a Boeing 727. New episodes stream the next day on HBO Max. The show is inspired by the Instagram account of the same name. BBC's mockumentary 'Twenty Twenty Six' arrives stateside on BritBox and Tubi, following Hugh Bonneville's Ian Fletcher as he prepares for the upcoming World Cup. David Tennant returns as narrator. The series is a follow-up to 'Twenty Twelve' and 'W1A.'

Action Thrillers and Crime Dramas

Netflix adds 'Man of Fire,' starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II as a Special Forces mercenary forced to extremes after a botched mission in Rio. The cast includes Billie Boullet, Scoot McNairy, Alice Braga, and Bobby Cannavale. The series is now streaming in full. Martin Scorsese's 'The Departed,' which won four Academy Awards including Best Picture, turns 20 this year and is now streaming on Hulu. The Boston-set crime drama stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Jack Nicholson, Matt Damon, and Mark Wahlberg.

Ongoing Series and Weekly Episodes

Several currently airing shows continue to release new episodes. 'Euphoria' Season 3 airs Sundays on HBO Max, while 'Survivor' Season 50 airs Wednesdays on CBS. 'Daredevil: Born Again' Season 2 debuts Tuesdays on Disney Plus, and 'For All Mankind' Season 5 releases Fridays on Apple TV. 'Hacks' Season 5 airs Thursdays on HBO Max.

The Stakes for Streaming Platforms

This weekend's slate reflects the intense competition among streaming services to capture audience attention with high-profile originals and exclusive content. HBO Max leverages the buzz around 'Wuthering Heights' and its library of ongoing series, while Apple TV+ continues to invest in distinctive genre projects like 'Widow's Bay.' Netflix balances animated family fare with action thrillers, and Prime Video expands its international offerings with 'The House of the Spirits.' The diversity of genres—from horror-comedy to literary adaptation to mockumentary—indicates a strategy of catering to niche audiences rather than relying on blockbuster universes. As viewers increasingly curate their own viewing experiences, platforms that offer unique, high-quality storytelling may gain an edge.

The bottom line

• Emerald Fennell's 'Wuthering Heights' is now streaming on HBO Max, starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi.
• Katie Dippold's 'Widow's Bay' on Apple TV+ blends horror and comedy in a small-town setting.
• Jack McBrayer hosts season 3 of 'Zillow Gone Wild' on HGTV, streaming next day on HBO Max.
• Netflix's 'Swapped' and 'Man of Fire' offer animated and action options, respectively.
• Prime Video's 'The House of the Spirits' adapts Isabel Allende's debut novel in Spanish.
• Martin Scorsese's 'The Departed' is now streaming on Hulu for its 20th anniversary.