Whether you insist on reading the book before watching the screen adaptation or just like to go into these movies and TV shows blind, there’s no doubt that the book-to-screen adaptation has risen in popularity over the years. Not only do novels provide accessible source material for adapted scripts, but they also bring in viewers from the fanbase that has already been established by the reading community. Without further ado, here are some of the most anticipated book-to-screen adaptations coming your way in 2026.
People We Meet on Vacation (released January 9th)
Emily Bader (My Lady Jane) and Tom Blyth (Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes) star as Poppy and Alex in this adaptation of Emily Henry’s rom-com. Our lovable main characters promised each other that each summer, they would always take a vacation together. Over the course of many summers, moments of friendship, and potentially moments of more, Poppy and Alex meet up for another vacation two years after the trip that changed everything. After a few days of being out on Netflix, the movie has an 82% on Rotten Tomatoes.
Check out the trailer here:
Sunrise On the ReaPing (releases November 20th)
The second Hunger Games prequel movie, this adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ newest young adult novel, follows Haymitch Abernathy and the 50th Hunger Games – aka the second Quarter Quell. This year, two boys and two girls from each district are sent to the game to fight to the death and navigate the propagandistic tendencies of the controlling Capital government. How will Haymitch make it through? Read the book or wait until November to find out. This adaptation has an incredible cast, including Joseph Zada as Haymitch, McKenna Grace as Maysilee, Elle Fanning as a young Effie Trinket, and Ralph Fiennes as another version of President Coriolanus Snow.
Check out the teaser trailer here:
The Odyssey (releases July 17th)
An adaptation of the classic Greek epic by Homer, Christopher Nolan’s adaptation stars Matt Damon as Odysseus as he goes through many trials trying to get back home to his wife Penelope, played by Anne Hathaway, after the Trojan War. He will have to face fantastical beasts and other godly obstacles, such as the Sirens, Scylla, and Charybdis, if he wants to make it back to Ithaca. Other big names in this film include Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, and Lupita Nyong’o.
Watch the trailer here:
The Love Hypothesis (release TBD 2026)
Ali Hazelwood’s popular romance novel of the same name is being adapted into a film starring Lili Reinhart and Tom Bateman as the iconic Olive and Adam. Olive Smith, a Ph.D. candidate, begins a fake relationship with stoic professor Dr. Adam Carlsen to convince her best friend that she has moved on and is doing well. But will this relationship stay as a mere experiment about love… or turn into something more? With fake-dating antics and the journey of a woman in STEM, definitely be ready to check this one out when it releases this year.
Wuthering Heights (releases February 13th)
Director Emerald Fennell’s loosely inspired adaptation of the 1847 novel by Emily Brontë takes the story in a fresh direction, inspired by how Fennell felt when she read the book at 14 years old. Hoping to recreate those feelings, Fennell crafted this adaptation with Margot Robbie (Barbie) and Jacob Elordi (Frankenstein) as the lead characters of Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff. Just in time for Valentine’s Day, catch this film when it releases on February 13th.
Watch the trailer here:
Project Hail Mary (releases March 20th)
Project Hail Mary is another science fiction adaptation of a book by Andy Weir, who you might recognize as the author of The Martian, which was popularized by the film adaptation starring Matt Damon. This time around, Project Hail Mary follows Ryland Grace, who wakes up on a spaceship with no recollection of how he got there, or even what his name is. All he has are dead crewmates and his own brain to solve a scientific mystery that could wipe out the human race if he doesn’t crack it in time. Starring Ryan Gosling, this movie is bound to be one hell of an adventure.
Watch the trailer here:
Finding Her Edge (releases January 22nd)
Based on the young adult novel by Jennifer Iacopelli, this Netflix TV series follows young skater Adriana Russo, who is the middle sibling in a family of figure skating legends. She begins training for the World Championship amidst drama between her new partner, Brayden, and her old partner (and her first love), Freddie. Navigating family financial struggles and fighting to win the championship, will Adriana figure it out? Starring Madelyn Keys, Cale Amvrozic, and Olly Atkins.
Check out the trailer here: