2018's Big Book-to-Screen Adaptations

Posted by Cybil on January 8, 2018
Sponsored by Forever My Girl.


Book lovers are about to see a ton of their favorite novels come to theaters and televisions in 2018. And some of the biggest stars will be in on the adaptation action, from Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, and Mindy Kaling starring in A Wrinkle in Time, to Steven Spielberg directing Ready Player One.

This is also your chance to re-read Fahrenheit 451 before it comes to HBO or The Haunting of Hill House before everyone binges the Netflix series. Or catch up on newer beloved novels including Where'd You Go Bernadette, Annihilation and Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda before they become films. We've included the release dates (where available), and for the television shows we've added the network or platform. The book covers will link you to more information about the adaptations.

Which of these books would you recommend to your fellow readers before they become part of the TV and movie lexicon? If you're intrigued by these books, be sure to add them to your Want-to-Read shelf!


The science fiction series is based on Philip K. Dick's short stories. Dick's work has already inspired Blade Runner, Total Recall, Minority Report, A Scanner Darkly, The Man in the High Castle, among others. The series stars Bryan Cranston, Steve Buscemi, Anna Paquin, and Terrence Howard.


An elderly couple seeking one last big adventure embarks on a road trip in the faithful old RV they call "The Leisure Seeker." The film stars Helen Mirren, Donald Sutherland, and Kirsty Mitchell.


The true story of a Special Forces team that secretly entered Afghanistan after 9/11 and rode to war on horses against the Taliban. The movie stars Chris Hemsworth, Michael Shannon, and William Fichtner.


In this romance, a famous musician returns home to the love he left behind a decade earlier. The movie stars Alex Roe, Jessica Rothe, and John Benjamin Hickey.


In this historical thriller set in 1896 New York City, a crime reporter teams up with a psychologist to investigate a serial killer. The TV series stars Daniel Brühl, Dakota Fanning, and Luke Evans.


Young hero Thomas embarks on a mission to find a cure for a deadly disease known as the "Flare." This third movie in the series (based on the third book) stars Rosa Salazar, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, and Dylan O'Brien.


Morgan’s cyberpunk tale is set in a 24th-century world where consciousnesses can be downloaded into new bodies. The Netflix series stars Antonio Marziale, Chris Conner, and Hiro Kanagawa.


Book three of the steamy Fifty Shades trilogy is the source material for the third movie. It sees Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson reprising their roles as Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele.


The adaptation of this Beatrix Potter classic, about a rebellious rabbit's plan to gain entry to a coveted vegetable garden, will be coming to the big screen. It features the voices of Daisy Ridley and Margot Robbie as well as Domhnall Gleeson as Mr. McGregor.


In this riveting science fiction tale, a biologist signs up for a dangerous, secret expedition. The film stars Natalie Portman, Oscar Issac, Gina Rodriguez, and Jennifer Jason Leigh.


Upset that he has to share the room he loves with his grandfather, Peter declares war in an attempt to get it back. The movie stars Robert De Niro, Jane Seymour, and Uma Thurman.


Every morning, "A" wakes up as a different person in a different body. Then, one day, "A" occupies the body of Rhiannon's boyfriend, and "A" falls hard. The movie stars Justice Smith, Maria Bello, and Angourie Rice.


This new series is based on the Pulitzer-Prize winning book that traces the rising threat of Osama Bin Laden and Al-Qaeda in the late 1990s. The series stars Jeff Daniels, Sullivan Jones, and Kelly P. Williams.


A ballerina is recruited into a Russian intelligence service. Her first mission, targeting a CIA agent, threatens to unravel the security of both nations. The movie stars Jennifer Lawrence and Joel Edgerton.


Meg's father is experimenting with a fifth dimension of time travel when he mysteriously disappears. Meg, her brother, and her friend must travel through the universe to find him. This Ava DuVernay film stars Oprah Winfrey, Mindy Kaling, Reese Witherspoon, and Chris Pine.


Simon's love story is complicated: No one knows he's gay, and he doesn't know who the anonymous classmate is he's fallen for online. The film stars Nick Robinson, Katherine Langford, and Jennifer Garner.


In the dismal reality of 2044, the creator of a virtual reality world called the OASIS has died and posthumously released a video in which he challenges all players to solve his game—and win his fortune. This Steven Spielberg-directed movie stars Olivia Cooke, Hannah John-Kamen, and Ben Mendelsohn.


E.M. Forster’s classic novel is coming to the Starz network as a four-episode series which has already aired on BBC One in the UK. It stars Hayley Atwell, Philippa Coulthard, Matthew Macfadyen and Tracey Ullman.


When a high-ranking politician hires an ex-FBI agent to save his teenage daughter from a Manhattan brothel, our hero uncovers a web of corruption that even he may not be able to unravel. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix, Ekaterina Samsonov, and Alessandro Nivola.


A young man is paralyzed after a car accident and turns to drawing as a form of therapy. The film stars Joaquin Phoenix, Jonah Hill, and Rooney Mara.


When Bernadette disappears from her upscale Seattle life, it's up to 15-year-old Bee to track her down. Directed by Richard Linklater, this movie stars Cate Blanchett, Kristen Wiig, and Judy Greer.


Flynn is known for novels with shocking twists à la Gone Girl and Dark Places. This HBO adaptation focuses on Flynn's debut novel and stars Amy Adams, April Brinson, and Violet Brinson.


An Asian American woman travels with her boyfriend to Singapore to find herself immersed in the world of über-rich Asians preparing for the wedding of the year. The film stars Constance Wu, Michelle Yeoh, and Henry Golding.


Here's one for those of you scared of the ocean: A gigantic and prehistoric shark terrorizes Ruby Rose, Robert Taylor, and Jason Statham.


In this creepy historical thriller, a country doctor visits a patient in a crumbling mansion where the inhabitants are haunted by the past. The film stars Domhnall Gleeson, Ruth Wilson, and Will Poulter.


After a disease kills 98 percent of America's children, the survivors develop superpowers and are sent to internment camps. The film stars Gwendoline Christie, Mandy Moore, and Amandla Stenberg.


An orphan goes to live with his uncle and discovers that both his uncle and his next-door neighbor are witches on a strange quest. The film stars Cate Blanchett, Jack Black, and Colleen Camp.


In this memoir, the son of a baptist preacher is forced to participate in a church-supported gay conversion program. The film stars Lucas Hedges, Nicole Kidman, and Joel Edgerton.


Computer hacker Lisbeth Salander and journalist Mikael Blomkvist find themselves caught in a web of spies, cybercriminals, and corrupt government officials. The movie stars Claire Foy, Cameron Britton, and Sylvia Hoeks.


This horror drama series is a modern reimagining of Shirley Jackson's classic 1959 novel. The series stars Van Marten, Selena Anduze, and Katie Carpenter.


This memoir of meth addiction and recovery is told through the eyes of a father who watches his son as he struggles to break away from the drug. The movie stars Steve Carell, Timothée Chalamet, and Maura Tierney.


The magical nanny Mary Poppins returns in this sequel to the classic film, based on the popular children's series of books. The film stars Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Meryl Streep and Colin Firth.


A writer bonds with the residents of Guernsey Island in the aftermath of World War II. The film stars Matthew Goode, Lily James, and Jessica Brown Findlay.


HBO is adapting Ray Bradbury's classic dystopian novel about "firemen" who spend their time burning books. The movie stars Sofia Boutella, Michael Shannon, and Michael B. Jordan.


Three brothers tear their way through childhood and push against the volatile love of their parents. The movie stars Raúl Castillo, Sheila Vand, and Evan Rosado.


A famous opera singer performing for a wealthy industrialist and her audience become hostages. The film stars Julianne Moore, Christopher Lambert, and Ken Watanabe.


Seven years after the world has become a frozen wasteland, the surviving people live on a gigantic moving train that circles the globe. Jennifer Connelly is set to star opposite Daveed Diggs.


This ten-episode series is based on the stories of Stephen King, with J.J. Abrams serving as executive producer. It stars Melanie Lynskey, Mickey Gilmore, and Scott Glenn.



Comments Showing 51-81 of 81 (81 new)

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message 51: by Amanda (new)

Amanda Becka wrote: "I really want to see The Darkest Minds movie!"

So excited to hear about this one!


message 52: by Gab (new)

Gab Looking forward to seeing how Bel Canto translates to screen - such an amazing book!


message 53: by J.T. (new)

J.T. SHEA Vince wrote: "Someone thinks Snowpiercer needs redoing?"
It's a TV series.


message 54: by Stephanie (new)

Stephanie Vince wrote: "Someone thinks Snowpiercer needs redoing?"

They are making a TV show.


message 55: by Mark (new)

Mark McCallum Once again I get to the end of a list of screen adaptions and click away in disappointment at not seeing William Gibson's Neuromancer.


message 56: by Debbie (new)

Debbie W. I hope the newest movie "The Haunting of Hill House" is as good as the book - I read it back in 1974 and it still makes me break out in goosebumps. Shirley Jackson is a must read!The Haunting of Hill House


message 57: by Decima (new)

Decima Regatule am searching for a book entitled "Donor" forgot the name of the author? I read this book five years ago and I would like to read it again.


message 58: by Colette (new)

Colette I am most looking forward to Benedict Cumberbatch's portrayal of Patrick Melrose from the Edward St. Aubyn novels. On Showtime sometime later this year.


message 59: by Cathie (new)

Cathie You really need to add Mortal Engines and the genius of Phillip Reeve!


message 60: by Natalie (new)

Natalie Scott Oda Renate wrote: "You forgot to mention THUG. Pretty sure its coming out this year.
otherwise its gonna be a great year!"


Oh Wow, I hope this s true - loved that book!


message 61: by Natalie (new)

Natalie Scott Sam wrote: "Mortal Engines should be on this list!"

Ooh, I had no idea! Excited for it now!


message 62: by Chris (new)

Chris Aslan Yep, one I'm most looking forward to this year.


message 63: by Jon (new)

Jon Caught by Lisa Moore out on CBC soon with Allan Hawco and Paul Gross ...... looks good .....


message 64: by David (new)

David Nott Angels Four by david Nott is now being filmed by cineast Manlio Roseano at Angels Falls, Venezuela


message 65: by Antony (new)

Antony Stanton Don't forget the imminent TV adaptation of:
Once Bitten, Twice Die (The Blood of the Infected #1) by Antony J. Stanton
Once Bitten, Twice Die
TV adaptation this year,
#TheNextBigThing


message 66: by David (new)

David Nott Angels Four, 1972, now recognised as a survival epic of four climbers 10-day ascent of the wall of Angels Falls


message 67: by Kevin (new)

Kevin I believe Harlan Coben's Fool Me Once is due out this week


message 68: by Arturo (new)

Arturo Another snowpiercer movie? What for? I think it pretty much warps itself up nicely.


message 69: by Becca (new)

Becca So excited that Where'd You Go, Bernadette is being turned into a film! One of my favourite books since 2014 (? I can't even remember when I first read it!) Very interesting that Cate Blanchett will be playing Bernadette Fox... reminds me of her character in Blue Jasmine. I'm sure she'll be fantastic!


message 70: by Kathryn (new)

Kathryn Cope I can't wait to see The Little Stranger. It seems to be a bit of a marmite novel but I LOVED it. Looking forward to seeing how they interpret the ambiguous ending.


message 71: by A. Frost (new)

A. Frost Super excited for A Wrinkle In Time, Love, Simon, and Crazy Rich Asians! Also, To All the Boys I've Loved Before and The Hate U Give need to be on this list.


message 72: by Jen (new)

Jen Dee John wrote: "Looking forward to seeing 'The Black Donnellys' based on the book by Thomas P. Kelley. The pilot of this compelling and spirited story has been written and is now being pitched to different network..."

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0805661 ?


message 73: by Jen (new)

Jen Dee Sandra wrote: "John Le Carre's Little Drummer Girl is also being made into a movie with Florence Pugh (Lady Macbeth). It was originally a movie with Diane Keaton."

It's scheduled for 2019 - this list is for 2018.


message 74: by Jen (new)

Jen Dee Jessica wrote: "Isn’t The Nightingale supposed to release in Aug 2018?!"

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4068576


message 75: by Jen (new)

Jen Dee Shirli wrote: "Any news about All the light we cannot see film ?"

Doesn't seem to be - there isn't even an entry for it on IMDb.


message 76: by Jen (new)

Jen Dee As Hot As Jack Frost wrote: "Super excited for A Wrinkle In Time, Love, Simon, and Crazy Rich Asians! Also, To All the Boys I've Loved Before and The Hate U Give need to be on this list."

The year The Hate U Give is coming out hasn't been announced yet.


message 77: by Jen (new)

Jen Dee Kevin wrote: "I believe Harlan Coben's Fool Me Once is due out this week"

There is no information on IMDb.


Bent Arly Mathiesen When will someone pick up Shakespears Maisie Dobbs novels?


message 79: by Brandy (new)

Brandy Boysen Vince wrote: "Someone thinks Snowpiercer needs redoing?"

That's what i thought too. Why?? i love that movie already!


message 80: by Jen (new)

Jen Dee This list is missing the TV adaptation of AJ Jacobs "The Year of Living Biblically".

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1048176


message 81: by Alex (new)

Alex Kevin Such an amazing list of novels check the amazing list of Cable Providers by the way my favorite cable provider is Spectrum TV


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