2026 is shaping up to be a huge year for movies, with many of these highly anticipated releases beginning on a page before making their way to the screen. From immersive fantasies to cosy romances and steamy period dramas, this year offers audiences a rich variety of on-screen adaptations of some of our favourite stories.
Wuthering Heights
Emerald Fennell ā 13th February 2026
This adaptation brings one of literatureās greatest love stories to the screen with the emotional romance between Heathcliff and Catherine, set in the Yorkshire moors. While the Emily BrontĆ« novel is a classic, this upcoming film promises a fresh perspective, featuring a soundtrack by Charli XCX which, so far, has proven to be incredible. From the trailers released so far, it seems this film leans into the fiery and passionate affair of the leading relationship and is bound to have most audiences spending Valentines day in the cinemas rather than with their loved ones.
Sunrise on the Reaping
Francis Lawrence ā 20th November 2026
Set years before the original Hunger Games trilogy, Sunrise on the Reaping follows a young Haymitch Abernathy as he is unfairly thrown into the Second Quarter Quell and suffers great consequences. Haymitchās backstory has been one of the most requested stories for years, and when Suzanne Collins released the long-awaited book in March 2025, it was met with enormous success. Shortly after the book release, a film adaptation was announced, with casting decisions delighting fans whose dream castings had come true. Personally, Sunrise on the Reaping was one of my favourite reads of 2025, and I canāt wait to see it come to life on the screen. Make sure to bring tissues (you can thank me later).
Project Hail Mary
Phil Lord and Christopher Miller ā 20th March 2026
After Ryland Grace wakes up on a spaceship far from home with no memory of who he is or how he got there, he must figure out his mission, and fast. As he slowly regains his memories, he realises he has been tasked with saving Earth from a strange substance that is killing the sun. This adaptation comes from Andy Weirās incredible novel, and I canāt recommend it enough. It is packed with action and sci-fi thrills, but itās also unexpectedly funny, with a side character who quickly becomes a fan favourite. Between the book, the trailers, and the audiobook (which I will never stop raving about), this story has everything you could want in a film and is my personal most anticipated film of this year. Ā
People We Meet On Vacation
Brett Haley ā 9th January 2026
This rom-com follows best friends Poppy and Alex, whose annual summer trips ended after a huge fallout in Croatia. They agree to one final reunion trip in the hope of mending their friendship, but along the way, old feelings and unresolved tensions resurface. If you are a romance lover, then make sure to add this Netflix adaptation to your movie watchlist, and I highly recommend reading the book too (and maybe every other Emily Henry book while you are at it). Thereās something special about seeing the scenes you read come to life in the most perfect way, and with Emily Bader and Tom Blyth playing the leading roles, the casting couldnāt be more perfect.
The Love Hypothesis
Claire Scanlon – Late 2026
When a fake relationship emerges between scientists, Olive and Adam must put on a convincing act, enough to fool Oliveās best friend Anh that her dating life is going well. What starts as a fake arrangement quickly turns into something messier that neither of them anticipated. The book has been a fan-favourite since its release and excitement is already building around how the bookās witty banter will be translated to film. Not to mention, Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman have already begun promo for the film that has fans swooning. Full of clever humour, wholesome moments and slow burn tension that Ali Hazelwood fans know and love, this adaptation is shaping up to be perfect for those cheesy rom-com lovers.
Itās clear that book lovers have plenty to look forward to this year, watching their beloved stories come to life on the big screen. Whether these films will capture the magic of their original novels remains to be seen, but in the meantime, for anyone who hasnāt yet explored the books, now is the perfect time to earn bragging rights in the unofficial āI read it before the movieā club.