What's New and Coming Soon in Book-to-Screen

Including 'Regretting You', 'Frankenstein', 'The Housemaid', and more

The holiday season is around the corner, and with it so many new book-to-screen adaptations to enjoy. We're excited to watch, but first we want to read (or reread), because, as we all know, the book is (almost) always better. Here are 22 of the books that inspired all the best new adaptations coming out over the next several months—so you can read before you watch.

Note: Age recommendations often vary between the book and its adaptation. We have consulted internet sources such as commonsensemedia.org to provide age recommendations and ratings for many of these materials, but we encourage readers to do their own research as well.

The Long Walk by Stephen King

In theaters now

Written by King when he was a college student and originally published in 1979 under the pseudonym Richard Bachman, this chilling dystopian novel follows the contestants of a diabolically cruel competition. One hundred boys must keep a steady pace of four miles an hour, day and night. There is only one winner—the one that survives. The film is rated R for violence and other adult content.

The Girlfriend by Michelle Frances

Streaming now on Prime Video

Laura has it all. A successful career, a long marriage, and a twenty-three-year-old son, Daniel, who is kind, handsome, and talented. Then Daniel falls in love with Cherry. Laura's life begins to unravel as she becomes increasingly suspicious of Cherry's motives. Robin Wright directed and stars in the thriller series, which is rated TV-MA due to mature themes and strong language.

Vineland by Thomas Pynchon

One Battle After Another is available to stream

This action-packed film adaptation is directed by Paul Thomas Anderson and stars Leonardo DiCaprio, Sean Penn, Benicio del Toro, and Regina Hall. The story follows an ex-revolutionary forced back into action when his nemesis resurfaces and his spirited, self-reliant daughter goes missing. The former radical scrambles to find her, while battling the consequences of his past.

Paradise: One Town's Struggle to Survive an American Wildfire by Lizzie Johnson

The Lost Bus is streaming now on Apple TV+

This account documents the unfolding tragedy of the devastating 2018 Camp wildfire that decimated the town of Paradise, California. The new film, starring Matthew McConaughey and America Ferrera, focuses on the story of Kevin McKay, a bus driver who navigated treacherous escape routes to carry 22 stranded elementary-school children and their teachers to safety.

The Twits by Roald Dahl

Streaming now on Netflix

Mr. and Mrs. Twit are the nastiest people in the world. They hate everything and abuse everyone around them, even each other. This is the story of a group of underdogs who rise up against them. The animated musical comedy adaptation, based loosely on the book, features the voices of Natalie Portman, Emilia Clarke, Johnny Vegas, and Margo Martindale. Rated PG.

Kiss of the Spider Woman by Manuel Puig

In theaters now

Argentina, 1983: At the tail end of a period of brutal repression, two men share a prison cell in Buenos Aires. Molina is a charming, self-centered gay window dresser ruminating on the film he loves; Valentin, a fiercely dogmatic revolutionary haunted by memories of a woman he left for the cause. The new film, rated R, stars Jennifer Lopez, Diego Luna, and Tonatiuh.

The Woman in Cabin 10 by Ruth Ware

Streaming now on Netflix

In the film adaptation of this Agatha Christie-inspired thriller, Keira Knightly stars as Lo Blacklock, a travel writer covering a weeklong cruise on an exclusive superyacht. It's the assignment of a lifetime. But after Lo sees a woman fall overboard, her dream job becomes a nightmare. Rated R, the movie also stars Guy Pearce, David Ajala, and Hannah Waddingham.

The Ballad of a Small Player by Lawrence Osborne

Ballad of a Small Player is streaming now on Netflix

Doyle is a corrupt English lawyer who has escaped prosecution by fleeing to Macau. As his past and his debts start to catch up with him, he meets Dao-Ming, a kindred spirit who might just hold the key to his salvation. The adaptation, a psychological thriller directed by Edward Berger, stars Colin Farrell and Tilda Swinton. The film is rated R for language and suicide. 

Regretting You by Colleen Hoover

Now in theaters

Morgan Grant and her sixteen-year-old daughter, Clara, would like nothing more than to be nothing alike. When tragedy strikes, secrets explode and grief pulls them even further apart. Morgan finds comfort in the last person she expects to while Clara turns to the boy she's been forbidden to see. The poignant adaptation, rated PG-13, brings the tears, the drama, and the Dave Franco charm!

Down Cemetery Road by Mick Herron

Streaming now on Apple TV+

With the success of Apple TV+'s Slow Horses, based on Herron's Slough House series, the network is adding an adaptation of the author's twisty debut. The new series, likely aimed at an adult audience, stars Ruth Wilson as Sarah, an Oxford resident who enlists private investigator Zo, played by Emma Thompson, to help her find a neighborhood girl who's gone missing.

The Christmas Ring by Karen Kingsbury

Streaming now on Hallmark+

While searching for a lost heirloom ring, military widow Vanessa (Jana Kramer) meets handsome antique dealer Ben (Benjamin Hollingsworth). Drawn to each other, they begin a romance. But Vanessa feels conflicted about falling in love again. Meanwhile, Ben discovers the possible whereabouts of Vanessa's family ring. Kelsey Grammer also appears in the wholesome family movie.

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

Streaming now on Netflix

Guillermo del Toro wrote and directed the sweeping reimagining of Shelley's gothic horror masterpiece. Oscar Isaac stars as Victor Frankenstein, the brilliant but egotistical scientist who brings a monstrous creature (Jacob Elordi) to life in a daring experiment that ultimately leads to his undoing. The film is rated R for bloody violence and grisly images.

The Running Man by Stephen King

Now in Theaters

Ben Richards is broke and his young daughter urgently needs medical attention. Desperate, he signs up for a deadly reality TV competition. To win the prize of a billion dollars, Ben must stay alive for thirty days while an elite strike force pursues him. The star-studded film, rated R, features Glen Powell, Emilia Jones, William H. Macy, Michael Cera, and Colman Domingo.

The Nazi and the Psychiatrist by Jack El-Hai

Nuremberg is now in Theaters

In 1945, at the end of World War II, an ambitious army psychiatrist was assigned to evaluate fifty-one senior Nazis, of whom Hermann Göring was the dominant figure. The film based on El-Hai's excellent account follows the psychiatrist, Douglas Kelley (Rami Malek), who is challenged with determining if Göring (Russell Crowe) is fit to stand at the Nuremberg trials. Rated PG-13.

Train Dreams by Denis Johnson

Now in Theaters and streaming available on Netflix Nov. 21

Suffused with the history and landscapes of the American West, this acclaimed novella tells the story of Robert Grainier, a day laborer in the American West at the start of the twentieth century. Buffeted by the loss of his family, Grainer struggles to make sense of the radical changes transforming his world. The film, rated PG-13, stars Joel Edgerton, Felicity Jones, and William H. Macy.

I Wish You All the Best by Mason Deaver

Now in Theaters

When high-school senior Ben De Backer comes out to their parents as nonbinary, they're thrown out of their house and forced to move in with their estranged older sister, Hannah, and her husband, Thomas, whom Ben has never even met. At turns heartbreaking and joyous, this coming-of-age story is a celebration of life, friendship, and love. The film adaptation is rated R.

Die My Love by Ariana Harwicz

Now in Theaters

In the darkly comic adaptation of this celebrated novel, Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson play Grace and Jackson, a young couple who move from New York City to rural Montana, where they become new parents. Struggling with these changes, Grace begins suffering from mental distress. The film, which also features LaKeith Stanfield, Sissy Spacek, and Nick Nolte, is rated R.

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

Wicked: For Good is coming to theaters November 21

The witches are back and so are the soaring vocals in the sequel to last year's smash hit. Directed by Jon M. Chu and starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, the PG-rated film is an adaptation of the second act of the 2003 stage musical, which was loosely based on Maguire's 1995 novel, itself a reimagining of L. Frank Baum's iconic 1900 fantasy. Read our blog post about the story's evolution. 

Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell

Coming to theaters November 27

This mesmerizing novel draws from scant facts known about William Shakespeare's life to paint a richly imagined landscape. Late 16th century England: A violent, domineering father, an eccentric, spirited wife, and the loss of a child. Rated PG-13, the film is directed by Nomadland director Chloe Zhao and stars Jessie Buckley, Paul Mescal, Emily Watson, and Joe Alwyn.

Grief is the Thing with Feathers by Max Porter

The Thing with Feathers is coming to theaters November 28

Left to raise two young sons after the unexpected death of his wife, a father's life begins to unravel. Grief is difficult enough as it is, but when it takes the form of an unhinged and unwanted house guest—Crow—taunting him from the shadows, things get messy . . . but maybe that's exactly what Dad needs. Benedict Cumberbatch stars in the film, which is not suited to young children.

Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Last Straw by Jeff Kinney

Coming to Disney+ December 5

Greg's father, Frank, is frustrated with Greg's lack of discipline and plans to send him to military school. Greg decides that he will prove that he does not need military schooling by participating in an upcoming talent show. He hopes his performance will have the added effect of impressing Greg's crush, Holly Hills. This animated film, based on the third book in the series, is rated PG. 

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

In theaters December 19

Millie is a young woman with a shadowy past who's hired by Nina as a live-in housemaid for her wealthy family. But things get dicey as Millie uncovers dark secrets within this seemingly perfect home. The first-ever McFadden adaptation hits the big screen with twists, secrets, and Sydney Sweeney as Millie navigating a mansion full of red flags. Amanda Seyfried co-stars as Nina.

Winnie-the-Pooh by A. A. Milne

A Hundred Acre Christmas comes to Prime Video December 25

This animated film is part of a new CGI preschool series. The story follows Pooh and his friends as they prepare for a magical Christmas. Little about this film has been released yet, but it will likely be appropriate for viewers of all ages. This is one of many adaptations that have used the beloved Winnie-the-Pooh series as inspiration over the last century since the first stories were published.   

Most anticipated 2026 releases

Here are a few of the exciting upcoming adaptations we've got on our radar.

• People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry—The bestselling rom-com's much touted film adaptation is coming to Netflix January 9.
• Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë—Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi lead the cast of the sexy new film based loosely on Brontë's Gothic romance. The film will be released on February 13, just in time for Valentine's Day.
• Crime 101 by Don Winslow—The upcoming crime film adaptation of this novella stars Chris Hemsworth, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, and Halle Berry. Set for release on February 13.
• Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir—Slated for release on March 20, the adaptation of this sci-fi bestseller stars Ryan Gosling as a stranded teacher-turned-astronaut trying to save Earth.
• The Paper Palace by Miranda Cowley Heller—The adaptation of this deeply emotional love story will star Anne Hathaway and Dakota Fanning. The film is expected in May.
• The Odyssey by Homer—Directed by Christopher Nolan, a new film adaptation of the ancient Greek epic boasts a glittery cast including: Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong'o, Robert Pattinson, and Charlize Theron, among others. It's set for a July release.
• Klara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro—Directed by Taika Waititi and starring Jenna Ortega, Amy Adams, and Natasha Lyonne, the adaptation is slated for a 2026 release.
• Margo's Got Money Troubles by Rufi Thorpe—The upcoming Apple TV+ series adaptation of this funny, heartwarming novel will star Elle Fanning, Michelle Pfeiffer, Nick Offerman, and Nicole Kidman.
• Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen—Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles lead the cast for the newest film adaptation of Austen's first novel.

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Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon