The trend of converting books into films and television shows continues to grow, especially as BookTok continues to popularize and grow the book market immensely. From contemporary rom-coms to decade-old classics, there is quite a range of books being adapted for viewing pleasure. Most are currently in production, but here are some popular book-to-screen adaptations to look out for:
“The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” by Suzanne Collins
This “Hunger Games” prequel, set six decades before the original series, is one of the highly anticipated releases of the whole year. The cast includes recognizable actors like “West Side Story” lead Rachel Zegler, “Euphoria” star Hunter Schafer and EGOT recipient Viola Davis. Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth), well known as the tyrannical president of Panem, is getting his time to shine as the prequel is set around his character’s rise to power. “The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes” is set to release in theaters November 17, 2023.
“Red, White and Royal Blue” by Casey McQuiston
Picked up by Amazon Prime, this best-selling BookTok novel by Casey McQuiston follows a fake friendship between the First Son of the US (Taylor Zakhar Perez) and a British Prince (Nicholas Galitzine). Perez, from “The Kissing Booth 2,” joins Galitzine, who has previously played another prince in 2021’s Cinderella. So far, the film finished production in 2022 but there has been no release date so far.
“Lessons in Chemistry” by Bonnie Garmus
Academy Award winner and fellow Marvel hero Brie Larson is not only the star of this popular novel but also the executive producer. Taking place in the 1950s, the storyline follows Elizabeth Zott and her dream of being a scientist but gets fired after becoming pregnant. She then accepts a job as a cooking show host to teach housewives the essentials. As of now, there is no exact release date but is expected to debut sometime on Apple TV+ in 2023.
“Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” by Gabrielle Zevin
The rights to this 2022 novel were picked up by Paramount Pictures before the book even came out. Author Gabrielle Zevin is also an experienced screenwriter, having written “Alma Mater” and “Conversation with Other Women.” “Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow” is about two childhood friends that reunite in their adult years to create video games. Its current status is in early production with Zevin working on the screenplay.
“One Hundred Years of Solitude” by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
This classic novel from 1967 is getting a series adaptation, picked up by Netflix. Graciously, the series is produced by Marquez’s sons, Rodrigo Garcia and Gonzalo Garcia Barcha. The international novel tells the tale of seven generations of the Buendía family which spans the titular hundred years. The Nobel Prize winner has yet to cast any parts and is still in the early stages of development. Gratefully, since the book was originally written in Spanish, the series will be in the same language as well. The hopeful release for the series is geared more toward 2024.
“All the Light We Cannot See” by Anthony Doerr
Another book adaptation picked up by Netflix, this World War II novel will be made into a four-episode limited series, produced by Stranger Things Shawn Levy and Peaky Blinders Steven Knight. The series was initially announced back in 2019 but finally picked up its gears in early 2022, when they cast Mark Ruffalo and Hugh Laurie as the leading roles. Filming then took place between March 2022 and July 2022, and the release is still not confirmed but expected by the end of 2023.
“Crying in H Mart” by Michelle Zauner
Critically-acclaimed memoir by indie artist and Japanese Breakfast front-runner Michelle Zauner is in the works to become its own film by MGM’s Orion Pictures. The poignant story with the grief of Zauner losing her mother to cancer while exploring the divided cultural relationship with her. The soundtrack will be produced by Zauner as well, alongside her band. Will Sharpe, star of HBO’s “The White Lotus”, will direct the book adaptation with “Erin Brockovich” producer Stacey Sher and “Barry” producer Jason Kim. Since production is in the early stages, no set date has been released.
“The Vanishing Half” by Brit Bennett
After a heavy competition to gain rights, HBO acquired Brit Bennett’s best-selling novel “The Vanishing Half” to be developed into a drama series. It follows twin sisters that ran away at the age of 16 and then end up living completely different lives that is until something pulls them back together. A long list of producers have signed on to take on this popular 2020 novel, but beyond the announcement made in 2020 and the long set of producers, there has not been much of an update as to how soon the series will be coming out.
“The Last Thing He Told Me” by Laura Dave
Elektra actress Jennifer Garner stars in this Apple TV+ thriller series based on the crime thriller novel by Laura Dave. Adapted by the author herself, the plot focuses on a woman’s husband disappearing and leaving behind his daughter (Angourie Rice). Reese Witherspoon’s production Hello Sunshine, who has been adapting several other novels for the big screen including “Daisy Jones and the Six,” produced this series as well. The two episodes of “The Last Thing He Told Me” is set to release on April 14.
“Uglies” by Scott Westerfeld
Dystopian novels have always been known to become film adaptations with reigning franchises like “The Hunger Games” and “Divergent.” But now, 17 years after its release, this bestselling series by Scott Westerfeld will finally get its chance to shine. “Kissing Booth” star Joey King will act and executive produces the film that revolves around a world where everyone is considered “ugly.” “Uglies” wrapped up filming in late 2021 and is expected to be released sometime in 2023.
“Nightb—-” by Rachel Yoder
Searchlight Pictures acquired the rights to this dark yet comedic novel, which will star six-time Oscar-nominee Amy Adams. The novel focuses on a stay-at-home mother treading down a road of loneliness and delusion, as she slowly starts to think that she is turning into a canine. The film has recently started test screenings in March 2023 and is expected to premiere on Hulu sometime later this year.
