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The Big Book-to-Screen Adaptations of 2019
Ready to see some of your favorite stories come to life? Hollywood producers, directors, and actors are continuing their obsession with books—not that we can blame them.
From Greta Gerwig's Little Women, starring Emma Watson and Saoirse Ronan, to the wartime romp of Catch-22 with George Clooney and Hugh Laurie, there's an adaptation for every type of reader. Love horror? Check out NOS4A2 and Pet Sematary. Want true stories? Try The Best of Enemies and I'll Be Gone in the Dark.
And the stars of last year's adaptations are back for more. Lana Condor follows up her breakout performance in To All the Boys I've Loved Before by enrolling in Syfy's Deadly Class, and Amy Adams moves from HBO's psychological thriller, Sharp Objects, to the big-screen adaptation of the Hitchcockian The Woman in the Window.
We've included the release dates (if available) and the network or platform where you'll find each television show. For more information about the adaptations, click on the title.
Which of these upcoming movies and series will catch your attention? Browse the adaptations below and then join the conversation in the comments!
Movie adaptations
Television adaptations
From Greta Gerwig's Little Women, starring Emma Watson and Saoirse Ronan, to the wartime romp of Catch-22 with George Clooney and Hugh Laurie, there's an adaptation for every type of reader. Love horror? Check out NOS4A2 and Pet Sematary. Want true stories? Try The Best of Enemies and I'll Be Gone in the Dark.
And the stars of last year's adaptations are back for more. Lana Condor follows up her breakout performance in To All the Boys I've Loved Before by enrolling in Syfy's Deadly Class, and Amy Adams moves from HBO's psychological thriller, Sharp Objects, to the big-screen adaptation of the Hitchcockian The Woman in the Window.
We've included the release dates (if available) and the network or platform where you'll find each television show. For more information about the adaptations, click on the title.
Which of these upcoming movies and series will catch your attention? Browse the adaptations below and then join the conversation in the comments!
Movie adaptations
With 400 miles of dangerous Colorado wilderness between her and her person, one lost puppy embarks on an unforgettable adventure home. The movie stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Ashley Judd, and Edward James Olmos.
Release date: January 11
Release date: January 11
Right from the start, Bigger Thomas had been headed for jail. The young black man comes of age in 1930s Chicago in this powerful story of race and class division. The movie stars Ashton Sanders, Nick Robinson, and Sanaa Lathan.
Release date: January 24
Release date: January 24
The plane crash that killed Stephanie's family wasn't an accident. Filled with rage, she joins a covert intelligence organization to exact her revenge. The movie stars Blake Lively, Jude Law, and Sterling K. Brown.
Release date: February 22
Release date: February 22
How do you escape when your pursuers can hear your every thought? Todd and his dog, Manchee, run for their lives in a surreal dystopian world. The movie stars Tom Holland, Daisy Ridley, Mads Mikkelsen, and Nick Jonas.
Release date: March 1
Release date: March 1
A governess attempts to protect two strange, oddly silent children as malevolent forces draw nearer in this modern update of the classic tale. The movie stars Mackenzie Davis, Finn Wolfhard, and Barbara Marten.
Release date: March 14
Release date: March 14
When revolutionary architect–turned–misanthropic matriarch Bernadette disappears, it's up to her daughter to search through emails and secret correspondences to find her. The movie stars Cate Blanchett, Judy Greer, and Kristen Wiig.
Release date: August 9
Release date: August 9
An ex-convict and top-secret operative embarks on a dangerous assignment: posing as a prisoner inside the country's most notorious jail. The movie stars Joel Kinnaman, Rosamund Pike, Clive Owen, and Ana de Armas.
Release date: March 22
Release date: March 22
A convoy ploughs through icy, submarine-infested seas during the most critical days of World War II. Its fate rests in the hands of Commander George Krause, an untested veteran. The movie stars Tom Hanks, Elisabeth Shue, and Karl Glusman.
Release date: March 22
Release date: March 22
When charismatic bartender Will discovers a cellphone after a violent brawl at his bar, he decides to keep it until the owner returns. Then the messages begin. The movie stars Armie Hammer, Dakota Johnson, and Zazie Beetz.
Release date: March 29
Release date: March 29
Louis Creed has it all: a beautiful wife, charming children, and a lovable cat. But the nearby woods hide a blood-chilling secret, more terrifying than death itself. The movie stars Jason Clarke, John Lithgow, and Amy Seimetz.
Release date: April 5
Release date: April 5
Civil rights activist Ann Atwater faces off against Ku Klux Klan leader C.P. Ellis in 1971 Durham, North Carolina, in this story inspired by true events. The movie stars Taraji P. Henson, Sam Rockwell, and Wes Bentley.
Release date: April 5
Release date: April 5
In post-World War II Hamburg, as thousands wander the streets homeless, a British colonel and his family move in with a German widower and his rebellious daughter. The movie stars Keira Knightley, Alexander Skarsgård, and Jason Clarke.
Release date: April 26
Release date: April 26
This is not the right time for Natasha to fall in love. With her family mere hours away from being deported, she unexpectedly connects with a cute boy on a crowded New York City street. The movie stars Yara Shahidi and Charles Melton.
Release date: May 17
Release date: May 17
In this sequel to A Dog's Purpose, troubled teenager Clarity finds comfort, protection, and belonging with Molly, an adorable—and oddly familiar—puppy. The movie stars Josh Gad, Dennis Quaid, and Betty Gilpin.
Release date: May 17
Release date: May 17
Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl II is a millionaire, a genius, and a criminal mastermind. He leverages his considerable talents to search for his missing father. Step one? Kidnapping a fairy. The movie stars Ferdia Shaw, Judi Dench, and Josh Gad.
Release date: August 9
Release date: August 9
Nearly three decades after the events of It: Chapter One, the Losers Club have grown up, moved away, and moved on...until a devastating phone call brings them back. The movie stars Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, and Bill Skarsgård.
Release date: September 6
Release date: September 6
Anna Fox has one lifeline to the real world: her window. Terrified to step outside, she watches her perfect neighbors—and then she witnesses something no one was supposed to see. The movie stars Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, and Julianne Moore.
Release date: October 4
Release date: October 4
After his mother is killed in a bombing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, young Theo Decker is taken in by a wealthy family and drawn into the dangerous underworld of art. The movie stars Nicole Kidman, Sarah Paulson, and Ansel Elgort.
Release date: October 11
Release date: October 11
When con man Roy meets wealthy widow Betty online, he can hardly believe his luck. She's the perfect mark. But as he begins to care for her, his web of lies grows. The movie stars Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen.
Release date: November 15
Release date: November 15
In this new adaptation of the beloved classic, the March sisters come of age, enduring hardships and enjoying adventures in Civil War New England. The movie stars Laura Dern, Meryl Streep, Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, and Timothée Chalamet.
Release date: December 25
Release date: December 25
At the dawn of the Klondike Gold Rush, when capable sled dogs are in high demand, half St. Bernard Buck is wrenched away from his home and forced to survive in the harsh conditions of the Yukon. The movie stars Harrison Ford and Dan Stevens.
Release date: December 25
Release date: December 25
Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of their school's bell tower. Both struggling to reconcile their past and their future, it's unclear who saves whom. The movie stars Elle Fanning, Keegan-Michael Key, and Luke Wilson.
Release date: 2019 on Netflix
Release date: 2019 on Netflix
Lionel Essrog, a lonely private detective afflicted with Tourette's syndrome, attempts to solve the murder of his mentor and only friend, Frank Minna. The movie stars Bruce Willis, Leslie Mann, and Willem Dafoe.
Release date: 2019
Release date: 2019
Mob hitman Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran tells his side of the story, looking back on his involvement with organized crime and the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa. The movie stars Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci.
Release date: 2019
Release date: 2019
After 15 years of home schooling, Stargirl arrives at high school in an explosion of color and a clatter of ukulele music, forever changing wallflower Leo's life. The movie stars Grace VanderWaal and Graham Verchere.
Release date: 2019
Release date: 2019
Television adaptations
When a botched government experiment turns a group of death row inmates into highly infectious vampires, an orphan girl might be the only person able to stop the ensuing crisis. The series stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Saniyya Sidney.
Release date: January 14 on Fox
Release date: January 14 on Fox
Welcome to the most brutal high school on earth, where top crime families send the next generation of assassins to be trained. New kid Marcus is having trouble fitting in. The series stars Benedict Wong, Benjamin Wadsworth, and Lana Condor.
Release date: January 16 on Syfy
Release date: January 16 on Syfy
A severely dysfunctional family of superheroes reunites to save the world after their adoptive father, the millionaire inventor Reginald Hargreeves, dies. The series stars Ellen Page, Tom Hopper, and Robert Sheehan.
Release date: February 15 on Netflix
Release date: February 15 on Netflix
Annie wants to change her life, not her body. She juggles a career in journalism, bad boyfriends, sick parents, and society's many opinions about fat people. The series stars Aidy Bryant and Lolly Adefope.
Release date: March 15 on Hulu
Release date: March 15 on Hulu
Charlie Manx's old car lets him deposit his victims in Christmasland, a twisted holiday village. Having escaped him once, artist Victoria McQueen vows to take the evil Manx down. The series stars Zachary Quinto and Ashleigh Cummings.
Release date: April 30 on AMC
Release date: April 30 on AMC
It's the end of the world, and someone has misplaced the Antichrist. As the armies of Good and Evil prep for war, a fussy angel and a fast-living demon team up to stop the apocalypse. The series stars David Tennant, Michael Sheen, and Jon Hamm.
Release date: 2019 on Amazon
Release date: 2019 on Amazon
The sadistic Golden State Killer terrorized California for more than a decade. The documentary series traces journalist McNamara's obsession with the mysterious predator and her attempts to crack the unsolved case.
Release date: 2019 on HBO
Release date: 2019 on HBO
In the closing months of World War II, bombardier Yossarian desperately tries to get himself excused from perilous missions. But there's a catch... The series stars Christopher Abbott, Kyle Chandler, George Clooney, and Hugh Laurie.
Release date: 2019 on Amazon
Release date: 2019 on Amazon
Enigmatic artist Mia and her daughter, Pearl, threaten to upend the carefully ordered community of Shaker Heights in this tale of secrets, security, and the power of motherhood. The series stars Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington.
Release date: 2019 on Hulu
Release date: 2019 on Hulu
Myfanwy Thomas is a Rook, a high-ranking member of a secret organization that battles supernatural forces in Britain. She's also just been stabbed in the back. The series stars Jon Fletcher, Emma Greenwell, and Olivia Munn.
Release date: 2019 on Starz
Release date: 2019 on Starz
From Damon Lindelof comes a new, original story set in the world of Watchmen, where superheroes are treated as outlaws. The series is reportedly unrelated to the 2009 film adaptation and stars Jeremy Irons, Jean Smart, and Tim Blake Nelson.
Release date: 2019 on HBO
Release date: 2019 on HBO
When handsome womanizer Nolan is murdered, the teenage girls who hated him become the prime suspects in this Pretty Little Liars spin-off. The series stars Janel Parrish, Sasha Pieterse, Sofia Carson, and Kelly Rutherford.
Release date: 2019 on Freeform
Release date: 2019 on Freeform
Geralt of Rivia, a solitary monster hunter and cunning sorcerer, struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts. The series stars Henry Cavill, Freya Allan, and Joey Batey.
Release date: 2019 on Netflix
Release date: 2019 on Netflix
Which movies and television shows are you looking forward to watching? Tell us in the comments!
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Check out more recent articles:
43 Highly Anticipated Books of 2019
Exclusive: Thomas Harris Shares the Cover and Sneak Peek of His Upcoming Thriller
7 Great Books Hitting Shelves This Week
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Sally wrote: "Devil In The White City is in development (forever). Can't wait to see that.I'd also love to see Empty Mansions made into a film."
“...White City” has a Trouble with development and the project may be shelved indefinitely
I had no idea Stargirl was being made into a movie!! And the lead is Grace Vanderwaal no less! I don't have too high hopes since it's her first role and it is going to be a Disney movie but it's still pretty exciting! I'll have to reread Stargirl since last I read it was middle school :D
bluerose wrote: "Holding my breath (though not with high hopes) that they don’t screw up Where’d You Go Bernadette too badly...at least the casting looks good..."Same here and I agree about the casting.
Looking forward to Where'd You Go Bernadette but with a bit of trepidation and The Goldfinch. Casting looks good for both
Ruth Fisher wrote: "Kathryn wrote: "I tried to find the trailer for The Turning (Turn of the Screw) but apparently there is none? How is that possible if the movie is supposedly coming out in March??"release date Ja..."
Looks to be very much a modern horror adaptation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=57Sdk...
I'm issuing down orders to include the surviving original cast in this remake of "Catch -22".This production could have Major issues.
I forgot to mention Stargirl in my earlier comment - a wonderful book for all ages.
Elyse wrote: "Valentina wrote: "Does anyone know any info on The Nightingale? It was supposed to release in 2019 but I cannot find it anywhere :/"I can't find anything new. :/
This article (https://www.bookb..."
I found somewhere that the movie is on hold for some unexplained reasons :( I was so looking forward to this release and the latest promise (Jan 25th 2019) was even falling on my bday!
Istari wrote: "Can’t wait for chaos walking"Release date got pushed to 2020 :(
Mahannah wrote: "I've heard they're making The Stand into a series for CBS All Access. Not sure if it will be 2019."the first adaption was perfection
Was sooo looking forward to the screen adaptation of "All the Bright Places" but not anymore. The casting for Theodore is awful and NOT true to the book. I will not be seeing it.Also looked forward to "After". But there again--casting for Landon is wrong. STOP shoving diversity down our throats. If the character is white-cast them as white. Same goes for black or Asian. If the character is supposed to be ethnic than cast them as such. But if not-then don't. Try to stay faithful to how the story as written.
Tracey wrote: "Was sooo looking forward to the screen adaptation of "All the Bright Places" but not anymore. The casting for Theodore is awful and NOT true to the book. I will not be seeing it.Also looked forward to "After". But there again--casting for Landon is wrong. STOP shoving diversity down our throats. If the character is white-cast them as white. Same goes for black or Asian. If the character is supposed to be ethnic than cast them as such. But if not-then don't. Try to stay faithful to how the story as written..."
Ooooh boy you did not just say that. Prepare to be eviscerated by the internet. That was foolish. If the character's racial identity is not crucial to the plot, anyone can fill that role in an adaptation.
I also wanna know about Six of Crows? Any information on it?
Sophia wrote: "I also wanna know about Six of Crows? Any information on it?"Leigh, who I follow on IG hasn’t said much
Tracey wrote: "Was sooo looking forward to the screen adaptation of "All the Bright Places" but not anymore. The casting for Theodore is awful and NOT true to the book. I will not be seeing it.Also looked forwar..."
But that won’t sell in 2019 I guess. I remember when Robert Redford bought the rights to The Horse Whisperer and changed the ending. And “The Wit And Wisdom of Forrest Gump” (Forrest Gump)or “Shoeless Joe”(Field of Dreams) would have never have been films if the books weren’t adapted.
And, how about Hallmark’s use of the characters in “Chesapeake Shores”. Jesse was a banker in the books, Bree owned a flower shop. I even asked Ms. Woods how she felt about it. She does have some limited say in the series’ direction, and she’s worked in entertainment in her past.
So, my last thought. I agree to try to remain true to original characters, but, at 62, and in and out of popular culture for most of my adult life, I also stopped buying being “culturally PC”. And...I rarely go to the movies anymore [I fell asleep during HP #1], nor do I own a “smart phone”
I also am excited to see Good Omens brought to the screen. I am wondering if it will elicit memories of reading it or just be new fun because it is different enough from what I remember reading.
The Woman in the Window. Terrible book. I'll pass!
Really looking forward to seeing Good Omens, having read the book and laughed out loud in places. And with David Tennant - can't go wrong!
I knew when I read N0S4A2 that it wouldn't be long until a movie was attempted. In the immortal worlds of RuPaul, "Don't #$%^ it up!"
Just came across the line "You’ll be silent forever, and I’ll be gone in the dark.", while reading McNamara's writing. Such an arduous and scrutinous work!
I don't know who researched this but these dates don't match IMDb. The Informer, Greyhound, Chaos Walking, The Turning, etc. Way to go, GR.
Catch-22 will be a six-episode series on Hulu, not Netflix.
What about Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick? It seems like everyone is forgetting about it on these types of lists.
Samantha wrote: "Goldfinch is a huge favorite. I'm really nervous about the adaptation. 😓"I agree..how can they do it justice???
I hope The Sun Is Also a Star isn't as disappointing as Everything Everything was :|
No mention of The Nightingale and Beneath A Scarlet Sky?
Kyra wrote: "What about Hush Hush by Becca Fitzpatrick? It seems like everyone is forgetting about it on these types of lists."I've stopped believing that this will happen. It's been talked about for yearrrrs and nothing has ever come of it.
I've actually heard thatThe Turning is goona come out in 2020
V-Wars!!!! The graphic novel by Jonathan Maberry turns into a Netflix series starring Ian Somerhalder as Dr Luther Swann. Can't wait for that premiere!!!
Really looking forward to Motherless Brooklyn. One of my all time favorite books. I recommended it to so many friends.
Hi, all! Just found this list and wanted to let you know that I started a website that lists upcoming book adaptations. Would love if you checked it out and let me know what you think. https://firsteditionfilm.com/
I want to read a book The Marriage You Have Always Wanted written By Chapman Gary
I am sure that I am in the minority, but I hated... no, make that HATED "Bernadette." I thought it read like a sit com, which, apparently is what Marie Semple used to write for. "See Bernadette erect big sign. Cue laugh track. See hillside come tumbling down. Cue laugh track." "See Bernadette fall asleep in the Nordstrom window. Cue laugh track." Etc. It wasn't funny and a real teenager wouldn't be protective of her crazy mother. She would be mortified.
I just read that The Rhythm Section won't be released until November 2019.
Saw The Passage which was awesome and looking forward to Chaos walking.BTW, Pet Sematary is a remake of the 80s film. Am not going to go see that cuz I saw the 80s film with Eddie Munster in it before I read the book and the book is much better. The Witcher looks good though.
They pushed back the "Artemis Fowl" movie until 2020 recently. If you were thinking about reading, you still should though!
His Dark Materials is being released on HBO later this year.
I am extremely upset that they did not make the Chaos Walking series a movie. It would be exciting to see it! :(
I loved Little Women! I can’t wait to see Call of the Wild! All the others, except Aftermath, don’t capture my interest
Depends on who owns the end product as to when, or even whether something is released to advertising. Perhaps the possible date is different. One thing you learn at 62, NOTHING is a sure thing