The Books You’ll Be Watching Over the Next Year
There’s something deeply satisfying about reading a book before seeing it brought to life on screen. You get to picture the characters, picture how everything looks and sounds, and form very strong opinions about the characters before the internet inevitably starts debating (and ruining) it.
Luckily, there’s plenty to look forward to. Over the next 12 months, some of the most talked-about books are making their way to theaters and streaming services as movies and TV shows/series. So whether you’re the person who always reads the book first, the person who prefers to watch and then pick up the book, or someone who just wants to know what everyone will be talking about, this is your watchlist.
Books Becoming Movies
Verity
by Colleen Hoover
Coming to theaters: October 2, 2026
If you like your book-to-screen adaptations with secrets, obsession, and a healthy dose of “WTF”, Verity is one to have on your radar. Colleen Hoover’s twisty psychological thriller follows a struggling writer who discovers a disturbing manuscript while ghostwriting for an injured bestselling author. The film stars Dakota Johnson, Anne Hathaway, and Josh Hartnett.
Sense and Sensibility
by Jane Austen
Coming to theaters: October 16, 2026
If complicated sisters, messy romances, and DRAMA are your thing, it’s time to revisit the Dashwood sisters. This new adaptation follows Elinor and Marianne as they navigate love, heartbreak, and family expectations, with Daisy Edgar-Jones and Esmé Creed-Miles leading the cast.
Sunrise on the Reaping
by Suzanne Collins
Coming to theaters: November 20, 2026
Back to Panem we go. This time, we're heading 24 years before Katniss Everdeen's story to witness a young Haymitch Abernathy enter the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell. If you thought you were done with the emotional damage of The Hunger Games, well...apparently not.
In a Holidaze
by Christina Lauren
Coming to Netflix: December 2, 2026
What if you could redo Christmas until you finally got it right? Christina Lauren’s fan-favorite holiday rom-com follows Mae, who wakes up trapped in a time loop and gets another shot at changing her life, including the love story she’s always wondered about.
Children of Blood and Bone
by Tomi Adeyemi
Coming to theaters: January 15, 2027
Get ready to return to Orïsha. Tomi Adeyemi’s epic fantasy about magic, power, and fighting back against oppression is finally making its way to the big screen, with an impressive cast including Thuso Mbedu, Amandla Stenberg, Damson Idris, Viola Davis, Regina King, and Idris Elba.
Remain
by Nicholas Sparks
Coming to theaters: February 5, 2027
Nicholas Sparks + M. Night Shyamalan + Jake Gyllenhaal come together for this one and people are already buzzing. Remain blends romance, mystery, and the supernatural as architect Tate Gordon heads to Cape Cod and meets a mysterious woman who challenges everything he thinks he knows about life and love.
The Nightingale
by Kristin Hannah
Coming to theaters: March 19, 2027
If The Nightingale wrecked you the first time around, prepare yourself to revisit the story of sisters Vianne and Isabelle, who take very different paths to survive and resist during World War II in occupied France. The adaptation is especially exciting because real-life sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning will play the sisters on screen together for the first time.
The Magician's Nephew
by C. S. Lewis
Coming to theaters: February 12, 2027
Coming to Netflix: April 2, 2027
My girl, Greta Gerwig, is bringing C. S. Lewis’s beloved fantasy world back to the big screen with the first-ever film adaptation of The Magician’s Nephew, the story that explores the creation of Narnia and introduces us to the magical world before The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Oh and the cast includes Daniel Craig and Meryl Streep, so this one has my attention.
Beach Read
by Emily Henry
Coming to theaters: May 7, 2027
Summer, writers’ block, a beach house, and two authors who absolutely should not fall for each other. Emily Henry’s beloved romance is getting the big-screen treatment just in time for summer, with Phoebe Dynevor and Patrick Schwarzenegger as January and Gus.
Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
by Gabrielle Zevin
Coming to theaters: November 12, 2027
A story about friendship, video games, creative ambition, and all the complicated feelings that come with growing up together? Sign us up. Gabrielle Zevin’s bestselling novel follows Sam and Sadie, childhood friends who reconnect as adults and build a video game company together, creating something that changes both of their lives. Daisy Edgar-Jones, Sky Yang, and Sean Kaufman star in the adaptation.
Books Becoming a TV Series
East of Eden
by John Steinbeck
Coming to Netflix: October 1, 2026
John Steinbeck's sweeping family saga is getting the prestige-TV treatment. Florence Pugh stars as Cathy Ames in Zoe Kazan's seven-episode adaptation, which follows two generations of the Trask family through love, rivalry, and some seriously complicated family dynamics.
Carrie
by Stephen King
Coming to Prime Video: October 7, 2026
Are you a horror fan? Love that for you, but I'll be skipping this one. Stephen King's iconic debut is getting its first-ever series adaptation, with Mike Flanagan putting a new spin on Carrie White's story. This version brings Carrie into the social-media age as she navigates high school, bullying, her relationship with her mother, and the telekinetic powers beginning to emerge.
The Good Daughter
by Karin Slaughter
Coming to Peacock: November 12, 2026
If family secrets, small-town mysteries, and twist after twist are your thing, add this one to the list. Karin Slaughter's thriller follows sisters Charlotte and Samantha Quinn, whose lives were fractured by a violent night years ago. When another attack hits their hometown, Charlotte is pulled back into the trauma and secrets of her family's past.
Pride and Prejudice
by Jane Austen
Coming to Netflix: December 3, 2026
Complicated romances, sharp banter, meddling mothers, and Mr. Darcy being Mr. Darcy. Jane Austen's classic is getting a new six-part adaptation from Dolly Alderton, with Emma Corrin as Elizabeth Bennet and Jack Lowden as Mr. Darcy. I have my favorite pajamas and cozy blanket ready to go for this one.
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
by J. K. Rowling
Coming to HBO and HBO Max: Christmas 2026
The first Harry Potter book is getting a new television adaptation, giving us another chance to experience Harry's first year at Hogwarts, from his arrival at the castle to the mystery of the Philosopher's Stone. The new series promises to dig deeper into the original book than the movies could.
Neuromancer
by William Gibson
Coming to Apple TV: January 22, 2027
If you're looking for something a little more sci-fi-heavy, this is a big one. William Gibson's genre-defining cyberpunk novel is becoming a 10-episode series following washed-up hacker Case and razor-sharp mercenary Molly as they're pulled into a dangerous heist involving artificial intelligence, corporations, and a whole lot of neon-soaked chaos.
Silo
by Hugh Howey
Coming to Apple TV: July 9, 2027
If you've been following Juliette Nichols down into the silo, there's one more season to go. Based on Hugh Howey's bestselling trilogy, Silo returns for its fourth and final season, continuing the story of the underground society and the secrets surrounding its origins. I recently started reading this series, and I'm looking forward to watching previous seasons as I read along.
Adaptations to Watch For: TV Series
My Life with the Walter Boys
by Ali Novak
My Life with the Walter Boys, Season 4, coming to Netflix in 2027
Adaptations to Watch For: Film
And when you're looking for something to watch in between all these new releases, don't forget about Kanopy. You can stream thousands of movies, shows and documentaries for FREE with your library card, no subscription required.
Published Sep 17, 2026
Amanda Patton
Amanda is a creative marketing professional with 18 years of experience creating content across social media, print and digital marketing. She aims to create content that brings attention to public libraries and the important work they do through trending topics, nostalgia, humor, and more. Outside of work, you can find her behind her camera, thrifting, playing the piano, or stopping whatever she’s doing to pet a dog.