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17 Eagerly Anticipated Book-to-Movie Adaptations
Book or movie? You'll be asking that question a lot over the next few months as Hollywood again turns to one of its favorite muses—books—for more film adaptations. From Martin Scorsese's passion project based on a Shusaku Endoby book, to the Oscar-buzz worthy adaption of the Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Fences, to a film version of the beloved book Wonder, the next few months feature plenty of fodder for book worms who love popcorn. Check out our list below and tell us which movies you're excited—or perhaps dreading—this season.
HOLIDAY RELEASES
December 23
Based on Shusaku Endoby's 1966 novel, this Martin Scorsese film tells the story of two Christian missionaries who travel to Japan in search of their lost mentor. It stars Andrew Garfield, Adam Driver, and Liam Neeson.
December 23
A monster movie that's actually about grief, this film based on the book by Patrick Ness focuses on a 12-year-old boy dealing with his mother's illness. It stars newcomer Conor O'Malley, as well as Felicity Jones, Sigourney Weaver, and Liam Neeson.
December 25
Adapted from the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-Winning play by August Wilson, this film is getting a lot of Oscar buzz for its two leads. It's the story of a former baseball player who struggles to provide for his family and come to terms with his life. It stars Denzel Washington (who also directs) and Viola Davis.
December 25
Based on the sprawling crime novel by Dennis Lehane, this film centers on the son of a prominent police chief and his fall into a life of crime. It stars Ben Affleck (who also wrote and produced the movie), Elle Fanning, Brendan Gleeson, Sienna Miller, Zoe Saldana, and Chris Cooper.
JANUARY RELEASES
January 6
Based on the true story chronicled in Margot Lee Shetterly's
book of the same name, this movie looks at the amazing contributions of African-American women working at NASA during the Space Race. It stars Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, Janelle Monae, and Kevin Costner.
January 27
Based on the book by W. Bruce Cameron, this movie follows a dog through several lives as he searches for his purpose. It stars Bradley Cooper, Britt Robertson, and Dennis Quaid.
FEBRUARY RELEASES
February 3
Based on James Baldwin's unfinished final manuscript, this documentary by Raoul Peck delves into the legacy of Malcolm X, Martin Luther King Jr., and Medgar Evers and examines question of what it means to be black in America. It's narrated by Samuel L. Jackson.
February 10
Based on the bestselling sequel to Fifty Shades of Grey, E.L. James returns to Anastasia and Christian. The movie stars Jamie Dornan, Dakota Johnson, Tyler Hoechlin, and Kim Basinger.
February 24
Set in 17th century Amsterdam, this romance features lovers who gamble on the booming (or blooming) tulip market. Based on the book by Deborah Moggach, it stars Alicia Vikander, Christoph Waltz, Dane DeHaan, and Cara Delevingne.
MARCH RELEASES
March 3
Based on popular YA author Lauren Oliver's debut, this story relives the last day of a young woman's life as she works to figure out the mystery of her death. It stars Zooey Deutch, Halston Sage, and Jennifer Beals.
March 3
Twenty years after the first Trainspotting, this movie, based on the book Porno by Irvine Welsh, follows Trainspotting's original characters. It stars Ewan McGregor, Robert Carlyle, and Johnny Lee Miller
March 24
Based on the graphic novel by Daniel Clowes (who also brought us Ghost World), Wilson is about an opinionated middled-aged loner and his quest for human connection. It stars Woody Harrelson, Judy Greer, and Laura Dern.
March 17
It's a tale as old as time. Or, it's Disney's live-action re-telling of the animated classic originally based on the story from Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont. It stars Emma Watson and Dan Stevens
March 31
This movie is based on the internally acclaimed popular manga and anime franchise by Masamune Shirow. In this futuristic tale, a cyborg policewoman works to track down an infamous hacker. It stars Scarlett Johansson and Michael Pitt.
March 31
Based on the bestseller by Diane Ackerman, the film tells the true story of Polish zookeepers who helped save hundreds of people during the Nazi invasion. It stars Jessica Chastain and Daniel Bruhl.
APRIL RELEASES
April 7
Based on beloved 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 he's one of them. It stars Room's Jacob Tremblay and Julia Roberts
April 28
Based on the book by Dave Eggers, this thriller follows a young woman who goes to work at the world's most powerful internet company. It stars Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, and John Boyega.
Which films are you looking forward to? Discover more at our Books to Film page.
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You Forgot to add: Thirteen Reasons Why ( TV ) by Jay AsherLondon Fields by Martin Amis
Thank You for your Service by David Finkel
Famous in Love (TV) by Rebecca Serle
Our Souls at Night by Ken Haruf
Big Little Lies (TV) by Liane Moriarty
Confess (TV) by Colleen Hoover
The Yellow Birds by Kevin Powers
Alias Grace (TV) by Margaret Atwood
The Son (TV) by Phillip Meyer
Everything, Everything by Nicola Yoon
The Dark Tower by Stephen King
American Gods (TV) by Neil Gaiman
The Glass Castle by Jeanette Walls
The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin
The Long Home by William Gay
Just to Name Few ...
Yumecosmos wrote: "Elizabeth, I used to think the same way. Here's why I now believe it's a problem.Japanese people in Japan don't have quite the same perspective on racism and cultural appropriation because they a..."
Thanks very much for responding so eloquently and thoroughly, Yumecosmos. This is yet another post on the Internet that I'd like to frame on my wall.
Effie wrote: "Also The Dark Tower, but I expect it to be really bad. sadly"I know, how can they mess things up so badly? I'll still give it a chance, but...
I think the key with the Dark Tower is not to think of it as a straight adaptation, and more as a continuation. SK is on board with it, and if he gives it the thumbs up, then so will I. Of course, King did hate Kubrik's adaptation of The Shining, so he's wrong sometimes...
I read both The Circle and The Zookeeper's Wife. Spectacular, both of them, so I'm looking forward to the movies.
Del wrote: "Aiyana wrote: "I heard that Ready Player One by Ernest Cline might be made into a movie. Does anyone know if that's true? I might be mistaken."It's being made at the moment - according to IMDb, i..."
I'm excited about Ready Player One. Loved the book. I found the book very evocative, I could visualize everything, so it'll be interesting to see it through someone else's eyes.
Sandra wrote: "And what about American Pastoral or The Glass Castle? :)"I was so surprised to hear that a movie was being made of American Pastoral. I read it about a year ago. It's a complex story and should make an interesting movie.
So sad for me, I did not realize Fences was in print. I knew that it had been on Broadway as a play. I have seen the movie and if you haven't seen it yet, It is well worth the time!
Look at the number of Young Adult / Middle School / High School books there are (and always are) in books-to-movie lists! This is one reason I LOVE being a middle school media specialist.
I went to see "Hidden Figures" and it was AMAZING. If you haven't seen it get to the theater ASAP.
Sylvia wrote: "I went to see "Hidden Figures" and it was AMAZING. If you haven't seen it get to the theater ASAP."It's currently on my 'To-Watch' list since I've heard so many good things about it!
Well, I've seen A Monster Calls, and felt it was every bit as good as the book - really faithful to the source material but with a couple of nice subtle touches that made it its own entity.
Darius wrote: "American Gods and The Kingkiller Chronicle are coming out too, the former as a tv show."Oh great! I want to see those!
Andrew wrote: "Just read the Blake Crouch's Dark Matter is being made into a movie also. AWESOME book. Nothing in it that can't be translated to film..."Great! I was really disappointed in the series they made of The Pines though.
Elizabeth♛ Everyone Else Has a Super Long Name With a Symbol So I Might as Well Do it Too♛ wrote: "Aiyana wrote: "I'm looking forward to The Beauty and The Beast! I might add a couple of these to my TR list. I like reading the book before watching the movie... Even though it usually ruins the m..."
Looking at a release date of March 30, 2018. Steven Spielberg to direct.
I agree. So no movies. Books first