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The Season's Big Book-to-Screen Adaptations
You all know how this works: An adaptation hits the movies or TV, and suddenly everyone is talking about it. But, my fellow readers, we know that you should always read the book first. With that (and your Want to Read shelf) in mind, here are some of the major adaptations headed to the big and small screens through the end of the year.
What can you expect? How about FBI agents hunting serial killers, a man surviving the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing, a new Margaret Atwood series on Netflix, and a star-studded Murder on the Orient Express?
Check out the list below. Which ones are you most excited about? And which books do you still need to catch up on?
September 22
Bostonian Jeff Bauman was cheering on his girlfriend at the finish line of the Boston Marathon when the 2013 bombing attacks occurred. His memoir recounts the aftermath of his ordeal. The movie version of the book stars Jake Gyllenhaal, Tatiana Maslany, and Miranda Richardson.
October 6
The story is based on Philip K. Dick's classic sci-fi novel Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? (and a sequel to the classic movie, which is now 30 years old). A young blade runner (Ryan Gosling) discovers a secret that leads him to a former blade runner (Harrison Ford, who reprises his role as Rick Deckard).
October 6
Charles Martin's story of two strangers who survive a plane crash together in the mountains and their struggle to survive stars Idris Elba, Kate Winslet, and Dermot Mulroney.
October 13
David Fincher (of House of Cards fame) returns with his second Netflix show, which follows an FBI agent (played by Jonathan Groff) who develops crime-profiling techniques by interviewing serial killers. Be sure to read the true-crime story that inspired the show.
October 13
The film is based on Stephen Leather's thriller The Chinaman, in which a businessman with a secret past seeks justice when his daughter is killed. It stars Jackie Chan, Pierce Brosnan, and Michael McElhatton.
October 20
From the international bestseller by Jo Nesbø, detective Harry Hole investigates the mysterious disappearance of a woman. The movie stars Michael Fassbender, Rebecca Ferguson, and Val Kilmer.
October 20
Based on the novel from Brian Selznick, the film features a young boy in the 1970s and a girl in the 1920s who seek the same mysterious connection. The movie stars Oakes Fegley, Julianne Moore, and Michelle Williams.
October 20
International art dealer Ron Hall befriends a homeless man to save his marriage in this movie adapted from the book of the same name. It stars Renée Zellweger, Jon Voight, and Djimon Hounsou.
October 27
Based on David Finkel's nonfiction account of a group of American soldiers serving in Baghdad and their hard homecomings, the movie stars Haley Bennett, Miles Teller, and Keisha Castle-Hughes.
November 3
Margaret Atwood's story is about a poor, young Irish domestic servant in Canada who, along with the stable hand, is imprisoned for the brutal murders of their employer and his housekeeper in 1843. The TV series stars Sarah Gadon, Edward Holcroft, and Zachary Levi.
November 10
This Agatha Christie classic murder mystery, which follows detective Hercule Poirot's investigation of a wealthy American's death aboard the Orient Express, stars Johnny Depp, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Daisy Ridley.
November 17
Based on the adored book by R.J. Palacio, Wonder is a heartwarming story of a young boy with a facial deformity who works to convince his new classmates that he's one of them. It stars Room's Jacob Tremblay, Owen Wilson, and Julia Roberts.
November 17
The story is based on the memoir by Peter Turner, a man who cares for his aging former flame, who is also a movie star. It stars Jamie Bell, Annette Bening, and Julie Walters.
November 24
Based on André Aciman's book of the same name, this coming-of-age story is about a romance between a teen boy and his parent's summer guest. The movie stars Armie Hammer, Timothée Chalamet, and Michael Stuhlbarg.
December 8
This is the true story behind one of the worst movies ever made. It's based on Greg Sestero and Tom Bissell's account of the making of The Room and stars Alison Brie, Zac Efron, and James Franco.
December 15
The animated adaptation of the children's classic—about a bull who would rather sit and smell flowers than fight—features the voices of Kate McKinnon, David Tennant, and Bobby Cannavale.
TBD
The BBC is partnering with Netflix on this new animated miniseries based on the beloved Richard Adams classic. It stars James McAvoy, John Boyega, and Ben Kingsley.
Check out more recent blogs:
The Best Young Adult Books of September
September's Hottest Books
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Comments Showing 1-50 of 54 (54 new)
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Bill
(new)
Sep 21, 2017 09:56AM
Wonderstruck almost reminds me of the movie Frequency.
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I've had two of these books on my list for almost 10 years. I really should just read them.
Breslin wrote: "I haven't read Watership Down yet, so this seems to be a good opportunity to do that"
Neither have I Breslin even though it is on my TBR list.
I would like to read "Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?" Can't wait to watch Blade Runner 2049, the original was such a fantastic film.
Neither have I Breslin even though it is on my TBR list.
I would like to read "Do Androids Dream Of Electric Sheep?" Can't wait to watch Blade Runner 2049, the original was such a fantastic film.
I literally stopped breathing when I saw "Ferdinand" was going to be a movie!!Ive read the book and seen the short cartoon version but O.M.G..... an ACTUAL MOVIE!!! 😂
Murder On the Orient Express and Watership Down. I'm pleased to see Ferdinand on the list, too. I read that book many times to many classes while an elementary school teacher.
I just finished reading
Wonder
thirty seconds ago, so I'm pretty excited for that to hit the theater, even though I'm sure it'll make me cry :)
SuperKimbit wrote: "Please consider adding a link to the book for the Mindhunter Netflix series. I found the book but it would be easier if it or the author was linked like the other options listed. Thanks!"Or, just, like, click the book cover.
Confundus wrote: "I can't imagine anyone but David Suchet in the role of Hercule Poirot, but I might give it a chance anyway, since the book is absolutely amazing."I agree to me David Suchet is Poirot,no one else comes close.
Caroline wrote: "Breslin wrote: "I haven't read Watership Down yet, so this seems to be a good opportunity to do that"Neither have I Breslin even though it is on my TBR list.
I would like to read "Do..."
You should read do androids dream of electric sheep, it is good.
I've been waiting for the right time to read Murder on the Orient Express, but it seems like there's no time like the present!
Murray wrote: "Caroline wrote: "Breslin wrote: "I haven't read Watership Down yet, so this seems to be a good opportunity to do that"
Neither have I Breslin even though it is on my TBR list.
I would..."
Thanks Murray, I will try to get a copy
Neither have I Breslin even though it is on my TBR list.
I would..."
Thanks Murray, I will try to get a copy
Wait, Blade Runner gets a sequel? I believe that's one of these cases in which you need to watch the original movie instead of a synchro. The German version was so boring my father and me stopped mid-movie.I am looking forward to Murder on the Orient Express, I love Agatha Christie's works! Nobody will reach Sir Peter Ustinov as Hercule Poriot, but I am curious nonetheless.
Breslin wrote: "I haven't read Watership Down yet, so this seems to be a good opportunity to do that"I have recently borrowed it from my school library...hoping to begin reading it ASAP!
i have read Wonderstruck and wait for the movie,just like the others said about compare it with the book,maybe i just wish some of the great part not get removed from the original story
0ne big and VERY well done film out in September which is not here Tulip Fever. Deborah Moragh the author of the book and the playwright Tom Stoppard did the script and the film is every bit as good as the book in my opinion,
You don't have to read Philip K. Dick stories/novellas before the series/movie comes out, as the two are (generally) totally different, sometimes in wonderful ways, sometimes in hazy, drug-induced ways. But as far as PDK stories, "Minority Report" is a far better story than the movie.
Breslin wrote: "I haven't read Watership Down yet, so this seems to be a good opportunity to do that"I LOVED Watership Down when I read it so very many years ago. It was good enough for a re-read, and I don't usually waste time re-reading books because there are so many not read yet! Enjoy!
Watch the original "Murder on the Orient Express" from 1974. Poirot is played by Albert Finney. The incomparable Lauren Bacall was Mrs. Hubbard. McQueen was wonderfully brought to life by Anthony Perkins. The Princess was none other than Dame Wendy Hiller. Even the smaller parts, such as the Countess (Jacqueline Bisset), were portrayed by well known actors.This was a true ensemble.
Heather Codename: ♕Dutchess♕ wrote: "I've had two of these books on my list for almost 10 years. I really should just read them." me too -- but always get distracted by some other book! *and life*
Confundus wrote: "I can't imagine anyone but David Suchet in the role of Hercule Poirot, but I might give it a chance anyway, since the book is absolutely amazing."I might be interested in a new adaptation several years down the road, but this is so soon after Suchet that it feels disrespectful.
Is Alias Grace based on the book, or on the true events? Because that IMDB link says it's based on true events, but the link to the book given here lists it as historical FICTION, not a history book. I should probably just assume it's a case of IMDB being useless and wrong, since it should mention the book in some regard (shared title and all)...but it is kind of confusing.
Breslin wrote: "I haven't read Watership Down yet, so this seems to be a good opportunity to do that"I am looking forward to the mini series for watership down. As a child I found it somewhat frightening story, even so watership down is one of my favorite childhood story's.
I am so sorry that "The Alienist" by Caleb Carr isn't on this list. It will be a TNT movie shortly.
Love, love, love "Alias Grace"...highly recommend if anyone has not read it!
Why isn't Our Souls at Night on this list since Jane Fonda and Robert Redford have been making TV visits to promote it.
Breslin wrote: "I haven't read Watership Down yet, so this seems to be a good opportunity to do that"Read the novel when I was in 4th grade (to my teacher's surprise), then the animated film terrified me as a child D:
I WISH YOU WOULD TAKEME OFF THIS LIST WHEN I ASK FOR 20TH TINE
Maureen wrote: "I WISH YOU WOULD TAKEME OFF THIS LIST WHEN I ASK FOR 20TH TINE"Fucking hit edit. Holy shit. If you’re too dense to uncheck “notify my when people reply” then delete yourself from the internet.
These days, I have absolutely no desire to see any adaptation of a good book coming from Hollywood. I’ll pass...
In (March?) 2018, there will be "Ready Player One"
Heather Codename: ♕Dutchess♕ wrote: "I've had two of these books on my list for almost 10 years. I really should just read them."and my experience has always been that the movie doesn't quiet capture the majesty of the book
"The City & The City" by China Miéville has been made into a tv-series and will be aired on BBC in April 2018.
The Snowman will be a hair raiser if it is anything like the book. One of Jo Nesbo's most thrilling stories - and I've read them all.
Confundus wrote: "I can't imagine anyone but David Suchet in the role of Hercule Poirot, but I might give it a chance anyway, since the book is absolutely amazing." OMG YES ME 2
Olive wrote: "Is Alias Grace based on the book, or on the true events? Because that IMDB link says it's based on true events, but the link to the book given here lists it as historical FICTION, not a history boo..."the book is a fictionalized account of true events, with characters also based on real people. Since the series title is the same as the title of the book, I'm certain that the series is not documentary. It's an excellent book, which - coming from Margaret Atwood - is all it could be. I'm really looking forward to it.
I've read Same kind of different as me and The mountain between, both were really good and will go see the movies.
I have read all of Jo Nesbos' book and find them, for the most partgreat. I would not go to see a movie after I have read the book. It always disappoints me.
Judith
Confundus wrote: "I can't imagine anyone but David Suchet in the role of Hercule Poirot, but I might give it a chance anyway, since the book is absolutely amazing."I have enjoyed David Suchet in the role, but also Peter Ustinov.
I couldn't pick and choose so I added them all 😝
Ironically, it was the 1978 film of Watership Down that prompted me to read the novel (and the anthology sequel, Tales from Watership Down). I'm so very eager to see what BBC and Netflix have in store for their miniseries, especially given that voice cast. ^_^
Heather Codename: ♕Dutchess♕ wrote: "Maureen wrote: "I WISH YOU WOULD TAKEME OFF THIS LIST WHEN I ASK FOR 20TH TINE"Fucking hit edit. Holy shit. If you’re too dense to uncheck “notify my when people reply” then delete yourself from ..."
U can take yourself off the list if u read the small print and SIMPLY unsubscribe. No need for your qualties to surface. Which r very NOT ladylike .
Heather Codename: ♕Dutchess♕ wrote: "Maureen wrote: "I WISH YOU WOULD TAKEME OFF THIS LIST WHEN I ASK FOR 20TH TINE"Fucking hit edit. Holy shit. If you’re too dense to uncheck “notify my when people reply” then delete yourself from ..."
U can take yourself off the list if u read the small print and SIMPLY unsubscribe. No need for your qualties to surface. Which r NOT ladylike .
Pat wrote: "Why isn't Our Souls at Night on this list since Jane Fonda and Robert Redford have been making TV visits to promote it."I noticed it wasn't on the list too. I loved this book and all of Kent Haruf's books!
Marie, that is what I was wondering too. Only way to tell is to read it I suppose. In any case I often am disappointed by movie adaptations. There are very few that can do a book justice.
Add the Area X series on here by Jeff Vandermeer!! First book is Annihilation, movie coming out Feb 2018 with the same name. It's starring Natalie Portman!!
Vikie wrote: "Add the Area X series on here by Jeff Vandermeer!! First book is Annihilation, movie coming out Feb 2018 with the same name. It's starring Natalie Portman!!"It feels like it has been forever since I have seen a Natalie Portman movie. Oh that's too cool :-) Will likely go watch.
Breslin wrote: "I haven't read Watership Down yet, so this seems to be a good opportunity to do that"I read it close to 30 years ago, and then read it to my children about 15 years ago. It's very good. There was a really horrible movie put out based on the book that I got my kids for Christmas one year. We were all so excited to watch it. Boy were we disappointed.
I feel like an idiot getting this far in life without reading Watership Down. I need to fix this.
