I don’t know about you, but it feels like every movie or TV show I’ve watched this year is a book adaptation. From Homer’s The Odyssey to Ali Hazelwood’s The Love Hypothesis, our favorite books are turning into our favorite binge-worthy flicks. As much as I love seeing all my favorite characters come to life on the big screen, I’m starting to wonder if it’s hitting a point where we have too many adaptations on our hands. Let’s take a minute and reflect on what makes a great adaptation.
When it comes to casting, no one can seem to agree on what is most important to capture. Some say it’s the perfect match to the physical description; others say it’s the essence of the character. Honestly, when I’m reading, I quickly forget physical descriptions and remember most clearly the personality and quirks of each character, hence why I think finding the actors who embody the characters’ spirit and personality is far more important than any physical characteristic. Take People We Meet on Vacation, for example: Alex and Poppy were both originally written to be blonde, but Tom Blyth and Emily Bader perfectly captured their chemistry and dynamic, all while being brunettes. I would go so far as to say that, if the actor does their job as it’s intended, we should forget entirely what the character was “supposed” to look like by the end of the film.
Another major topic of conversation surrounding adaptations is how closely the plot should be followed. Writing a book versus creating a TV show requires two entirely different processes, and there are some things you can show in a book that just don’t translate well to a screen. However, some adaptations have taken quite a bit of creative liberty, and I can’t say it was always a good idea. The example that comes to mind immediately is the Off Campus series. While I loved the show and have watched it more times than I care to publicly admit, there were so many scenes and parts of The Deal that were left out or changed that I think are crucial to capturing Hannah and Garrett’s dynamic (still mourning the loss of the hands-off rule). I understand having to make changes or omissions for the new format of storytelling, but if you’re adapting a story, adapt as much of the original story as possible.
One of the best adaptations I’ve seen in 2026 has been The Odyssey. From the casting to the cinematography and storytelling, I walked out of the theater every time more in awe than the last. Every performance captured each character beautifully, and it truly felt like I was watching the story come to life, word for word. And while it hasn’t come out yet, I can’t talk about adaptations without giving homage to The Hunger Games and the brilliance that is this series’ adaptations. I am on the edge of my seat waiting for Sunrise on the Reaping, because truly no one does it like Suzanne Collins.
So yes, I love book-to-screen adaptations as much as the next girl, but honestly, I think we might be starting to see a few too many. One of my favorite things about reading is spending hours with characters and crafting a beautiful, unique world in my head. These stories have a special place not just in the readers’ hearts, but in the authors’ too. If creating an adaptation means losing the heart behind the story, it might be time to put the camera down.