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21 Books to Read Before They Become 2017's Biggest Adaptations
Bookworms and movie buffs, unite: 2017 may just be your year. In the coming months, book-to-screen adaptations will bring the works of Margaret Atwood, Dave Eggers, Neil Gaiman, Stephen King, and Gillian Flynn—among many others—to the big and small screen.
In addition to the list below, we're still eagerly awaiting the 2017 release dates for movie versions of Jeannette Walls' memoir, The Glass Castle, starring Brie Larson, and Jeff VanderMeer's science fiction thriller, Annihilation, starring Natalie Portman. And in the TV world, HBO has announced it's airing a series based on Gillian Flynn's Sharp Objects, starring Amy Adams and Patricia Clarkson.
Check out the upcoming book-to-screen adaptations below and tell us which movies you're excited about—and the ones for which you still need to read the book!
April 16
Adapted from Philippa Gregory's bestselling novel, this new TV series on Starz follows Elizabeth of York, daughter of the White Queen, and her turbulent marriage to England's King Henry VII. It stars Jodie Comer and Jacob Collins-Levy.
April 21
Craving a bit of true-life drama? Travel deep into the 1920s Amazon on an ill-fated expedition in this film, based on the book by David Grann. It stars Charlie Hunnam, Sienna Miller, and Tom Holland.
April 22
Based on Rebecca Skloot's true story of an African American woman who posthumously becomes an unwitting medical pioneer—and her family's fight for justice. It stars Oprah Winfrey, Rose Byrne, and Courtney B. Vance.
April 26
Based on Margaret Atwood's classic feminist dystopian novel, this ten-episode series stars Elisabeth Moss, Alexis Bledel, Jordana Blake, and O.T. Fagbenle.
April 28
Dave Eggers' thriller follows the dark turns that occur when a young woman goes to work at the world's most powerful internet company. It stars Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, and John Boyega.
April 30
Neil Gaiman's fantasy that follows gods who immigrate to America premieres on Starz with an eight-episode season. It stars Ricky Whittle, Ian McShane, and Emily Browning.
May 5
Just how far will parents go to protect their children? Far enough to earn an R rating! Based on the disturbing book by Herman Koch, the film stars Richard Gere, Laura Linney, and Steve Coogan.
May 12
This Netflix series is based on the whimsical and charming childhood classic Anne of Green Gables and stars newcomer Amybeth McNulty, who beat out 1,800 young actresses to score the part.
May 12
We love a good folktale retelling. This film is based on Le Morte d'Arthur by Sir Thomas Malory. Well, loosely based. It's directed by king-of-the-cool-action-movie Guy Ritchie and stars Charlie Hunnam and Hermione Corfield.
May 19
Jeff Kinney's beloved children's series focuses on Greg Heffley navigating his way through the world of middle school. The movie version stars Alicia Silverstone, Tom Everett Scott, and Alexa Blair Robertson.
May 19
This movie is based on Nicola Yoon's young adult novel about a girl who's allergic to the world. Then one day a boy moves next door and everything changes. It stars Amandla Stenberg, Nick Robinson, and Anika Noni Rose.
May 21
Here's a tricky one: 25 years ago this was a TV show, which inspired a book, which is now returning as a Showtime series. Got that? Check out Mark Frost's secret history of the town with damn good coffee. It stars Mädchen Amick, Dana Ashbrook, and Sheryl Lee.
June 2
Dav Pilkey's underdressed superhero has been amusing kids for years. Now he's making his big-screen debut. The film stars Jordan Peele, Nick Kroll, and Kevin Hart.
July 14
Daphne du Maurier's romantic mystery follows a young man who seeks revenge on his cousin's beautiful widow. It stars Rachel Weisz, Sam Claflin, and Holliday Grainger.
July 25
Want to sink your teeth into some paranormal TV? Charlaine Harris, whose work inspired HBO's True Blood, returns to TV with this series on the NBC network. It stars François Arnaud, Dylan Bruce, and Arielle Kebbel.
July 28
We know, we know: This is the one many of you have been eagerly or anxiously anticipating. Stephen King's epic fantasy will star Matthew McConaughey, Idris Elba, and Katheryn Winnick.
September 8
But wait! There's even more Stephen King headed to theaters this year! The reason you're afraid of clowns will star Bill Skarsgård, Finn Wolfhard, and Javier Botet.
October TBD
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.
October 20
Charles Martin's story of a couple who survive a plane crash in the mountains and their struggle to survive will star Idris Elba, Kate Winslet, and Dermot Mulroney.
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 and Julia Roberts.
November 22
This Agatha Christie classic murder mystery, which follows detective Hercule Poirot's investigation of a wealthy American's death aboard the Orient Express, will star Josh Gad, Johnny Depp, and Daisy Ridley.
Which films are you looking forward to? Tell us in the comments!
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Comments Showing 101-150 of 179 (179 new)
Gardean wrote: "Everything, Everything"The Mountain Between Us should be fabulous. It stars Idris Elba was fabulous in The Wire, Dermot Mulroney, and Kate Winslet!
Looking so forward to it!
I hope the movie 'Wonder' is going to be as amazing as the book. Can't wait to see it though.
Mwanamali wrote: "MURDER IN THE ORIENT EXPRESS!!!! ""MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS"
Wonder is such a lovely book, I can't wait to see it, also The Dinner was an intriguing read.
Courtney wrote: "Gavin wrote: "Hey, cool, first comment.I want Murder on the Orient Express to come out soon..."
Yeah, me too. I loved the book and a new movie adaptation will be interesting to say the least. Her..."
All depends on who's playing Poirot. Enjoyed the 1970's version because of the all-star cast. Suchet's version not so much, even thought it was truer to the book (and I LOVE Suchet as Poirot).
Oda wrote: "everything everything"Penny wrote: "I'm going to be interested to see how the tv series of 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood pans out (if we ever get to see it in New Zealand). I wasn't a fan of the movie adaptation in the lat..."
Oda wrote: "everything everything"
Oda wrote: "everything everything"
Penny wrote: "I'm going to be interested to see how the tv series of 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood pans out (if we ever get to see it in New Zealand). I wasn't a fan of the movie adaptation in the lat..."
Penny wrote: "I'm going to be interested to see how the tv series of 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood pans out (if we ever get to see it in New Zealand). I wasn't a fan of the movie adaptation in the lat..."
Just a note. Twin Peaks won't be a rehash but takes place 20 years later. So, we'll see how Agent Cooper has dealt with Bob, for instance. Should be interesting.
Heidi wrote: "Francesca wrote: "Heidi wrote: "Quite a few of these are remakes... Anne of Green Gables, It, Murder on the Orient Express, etc. You think there would be enough books around to find new material!"..."
Yes: the Albert Finney 'Murder on the Orient Express' was excellent. I have seen the Suchet one, but I wouldn't go out of my way for these remakes. I don't take great pleasure in seeing the same material over and over on TV, in movies or in the theatre. Even with a contemporary twist :-)
Jeff Vadermeer's Annihilation adapted and directed by Alex Garland is my number 1 anticipate film.
re: My Cousin Rachel. I doubt any modern actress can match Olivia de Haviland's performance in the 1952 classic film. Sorry, Rachel Weisz!
When the heck will The Devil in White City finally be in theaters?
Furthermore, All the Light We Cannot See MUST be being made into a movie, right??
I am preacher in india will you send me books for library grants books rev ashok govind korde post rahuri dist ahemadnagar ms india
The Mountain Between Us! Love Charles Martin's books!!
Please is there a way that I can download and read the books offline? Since it's a bit difficult getting them here.
Desmond wrote: "I hope they do The Dark Tower justice. I've always imagined that a movie adaptation could rival other epics, like Lord of the Rings."I've always wanted them to make it a TV series, since I know even a trilogy of movies wouldn't be enough to cover everything or give it the right vibe. But I'm curious enough to see how they'll handle the movie.
Rachael wrote: "Please is there a way that I can download and read the books offline? Since it's a bit difficult getting them here."Fairly straightforward if you have a Kindle or a tablet. If the latter you will need to load it with a suitable reading app. I am rubbish at all that (I have one of the early Kindles), but I imagine any app store will have what you need. Or you could try the (well-liked) freeware Calibre. URL here: https://calibre-ebook.com/download
The Son by Philipp Meyer is a great for those into Westerns and Texas history. I'm surprised its TV show on AMC is not listed here under April. It stars Pierce Brosnan and starts on the 8th.
Dana wrote: "I've always wanted them to make it a TV series, since I know even a trilogy of movies wouldn't be enough to cover everything or give it the right vibe. But I'm curious enough to see how they'll handle the movie. "
That truly would be the ideal format! I'm excited for the movie, but I'm not excited to see 80% of the story get lost. All we can do is hope and pray for a TV series in the future.
That truly would be the ideal format! I'm excited for the movie, but I'm not excited to see 80% of the story get lost. All we can do is hope and pray for a TV series in the future.
Nilton wrote: "The Nightindale, by Kristin Hannah. So far just a director has been selected."Loved this book and my whole book club said it was one of their all time favorite!
IT. There has been a movie made of this book some time ago and i saw it shortly after i had read it. It made me realize how powerful the written word can be. The book is absolutely terrifying, the images it conveys are true horror. The film however, although scary, certainly did not have the impact the book did.
I just loved Glass Castle! Thrilled this true story is soon to be a movie...excellent!
I'm looking forward to "The Snowman" by Jo Nesbø. I can't wait this film! I hope it'll be amazing!
The Glass Castle with the sublime Brie Larson playing Jeanette Wall. 
I thinkq Beauty and the Beast is also based on a book=)
Yaaresse wrote: "In a weird inversion of "hated the book, but bet the movie will be good," I have my fingers crossed that The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks will be better as a movie. George C. Wolfe wrote the sc..."Well, the new generation needs a completeley different story of Ann fom Green gables and better sound for non-engliah speaker's auditorium= Canafa is also different from we think it was ar that time=)
Penny wrote: "I'm going to be interested to see how the tv series of 'The Handmaid's Tale' by Margaret Atwood pans out (if we ever get to see it in New Zealand). I wasn't a fan of the movie adaptation in the lat..."My library actually has an Emily show, but I'm so scared to touch it, I'm afraid that they'll ruin it. Emily is my favorite Montgomery work by far. (Though I love them all, I'm a writer too, and understand her far better than I understand Anne.) ^^
Are you kidding me? TWIN PEAKS! Been waiting over half my life! David Lynch is the hands down genius of our time!
Gonna be extremely difficult to come close to the David Suchet Murder on the Orient Express no matter what star power you put into it.
Megan wrote: "I cannot wait for "IT" to make it's way into the theaters... "Stephen King is my favorite author. Its "how he writes" that makes what he writes so freaking good. I have yet to see that fully translate to film. That said, we may hope. My ideal would be David Lynch-Stephen King project. Wowzers!
Bruce wrote: "Never judge a book by its movie!"Amen to that!
Really, another IT movie? -_- There was already a movie based on the book. I wish the movie people would come up with something new and stop with remakes :(Of that list the only thing I'm looking forward to is Dark Tower. Anybody hear about sequels yet? Last I heard they were doing 3 movies, with 2-3 tv seasons in between to fill in the blanks, but it's been years since I heard anything about that and that idea was probably cancelled. I hope they don't ruin the movie, those books were the only ones I ever liked by King.
Never heard of any of those others though, except Wimpy Kid and only because my nephew likes the books.
Of the list I would like to see "Lost City of Z and Midnight, Texas"Like to read books before.
Everything, Everything. Diary of a Whimpy Kid. IT.I cannot wait
Linda wrote: "How is it that Voyager by Diana Galbadon is not on the September list?"Probably because it's not new, it's just season 3.
Sean wrote: "The name of the wind must be considered 'most anticipated ' adaptation also?"But it will not be in 2017. Nor book 3. :(
Everything everything by nicola yoonIt by stephen king
The dark tower by stephen king
Deathnote nexfliex moive reboot too
#cantwait
Ohana wrote: "I have to hurry up and read 
American Gods, omg!"
Same! Page 20 currently...
Wouldn't hurt to read couple of more in The Dark Tower series either. Just in case.
American Gods, omg!"Same! Page 20 currently...
Wouldn't hurt to read couple of more in The Dark Tower series either. Just in case.
I'm fully planning on seeing Everything, Everything and Wonder. I didn't even know about Anne of Green Gables, which I loved as a young child.
Also, please make these blog posts more often. I'd rather read the book anyway.