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There’s nothing like seeing a favorite book come to life on the big screen, and this year is packed with exciting adaptations.
From thrillers and love stories to literary classics, some of the year’s most-anticipated films are based on books you may already know and love.
Here’s a look at the novels making their way to theaters, so you can decide which ones to read (or re-read) before the popcorn is ready!
1. Fool Me Once by Harlan Coben
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Release Date: January 1st, 2024 on Netflix
This Harlan Coben mystery kicks off the year with a bang!
The show follows Maya (played by Michelle Keegan), an ex-soldier who believes her husband was murdered—until she sees him in nannycam footage.
As Maya digs deeper into her husband’s apparent reappearance, she uncovers dark secrets linking his death to another unsolved murder.
The twists and turns in this series will leave you guessing till the very end.
2. He Went That Way
Release Date: January 5th, 2024
He Went That Way is based on real-life events inspired by Conrad Hilberry’s book Luke Karamazov.
This thrilling film recounts the horrifying three-day encounter between a celebrity animal trainer and a serial killer.
Starring Jacob Elordi and Zachary Quinto, this dark tale of survival is one that thriller fans won’t want to miss.
3. Boy Swallows Universe by Trent Dalton
Genre: Drama
Release Date: January 11th, 2024
Set in 1980s Brisbane, this coming-of-age story follows a young boy who faces tough choices as he grapples with family struggles and the dangers of the world around him.
With a cast including Felix Cameron, Phoebe Tonkin, and Travis Fimmel, this adaptation of Trent Dalton’s bestselling novel is sure to tug at your heartstrings.
4. All of Us Strangers
Release Date: January 18th, 2024
Directed by Andrew Haigh, this loose adaptation of Taichi Yamada’s novel Strangers tells the story of Adam, a screenwriter who becomes romantically involved with his neighbor Harry.
As their relationship deepens, Adam is drawn back to his childhood home, where he discovers his parents, long deceased, are mysteriously alive and unchanged.
Starring Andrew Scott and Paul Mescal, this is a haunting and beautifully crafted love story that will resonate with fans of both romance and fantasy.
5. Caste: The Origins of Our Discontents by Isabel Wilkerson
Genre: Non-Fiction/History
Release Date: January 19th, 2024 in theaters
This thought-provoking and important book examines the caste system in America by comparing it to those in India and Nazi Germany.
The movie adaptation, Origin, will be directed by Ava DuVernay, and I’m excited to see how she brings Wilkerson’s profound work to the big screen.
6. The Outrun
Release Date: January 19th, 2024
Saoirse Ronan takes the lead in The Outrun, an adaptation of Amy Liptrot’s memoir about addiction, recovery, and returning home.
After leaving rehab, Ronan’s character tries to make peace with her past while living on the edge of the Scottish Orkney Islands.
The film promises to be both visually stunning and emotionally powerful, and Ronan’s performance is sure to captivate audiences.
7. Force of Nature by Jane Harper
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Release Date: February 8th, 2024 in theaters (Australia)
The second book in Jane Harper’s Aaron Falk series follows a missing woman after a corporate hiking trip goes wrong.
This tense mystery is the perfect follow-up to The Dry, and I’m super excited to see Eric Bana reprise his role as Falk.
This time, Falk is investigating the disappearance of a woman who went missing during a corporate retreat in the remote Australian bush.
As he digs deeper, the case stirs up memories of his own mother’s death in the same area.
8. Lisa Frankenstein (inspired by Frankenstein by Mary Shelley)
Genre: Horror/Comedy
Release Date: February 9th, 2024 in theaters
In this quirky, modern-day twist on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, Kathryn Newton stars as Lisa, a girl who attempts to bring her deceased crush back to life.
What follows is a mix of romantic comedy and gothic horror.
Written by Diablo Cody and directed by Zelda Williams, Lisa Frankenstein received mixed reviews but was praised for its vibrant production design and Newton’s performance.
9. The Tiger’s Apprentice by Laurence Yep
Genre: Children’s Fantasy
Release Date: February 2, 2024 on Paramount+
Blending modern life in San Francisco with Chinese mythology, The Tiger’s Apprentice follows Tom, a young Chinese-American boy, as he discovers a magical world hidden in plain sight.
After his grandmother dies in battle, Tom is taken in by Mr. Hu, a shapeshifting tiger, who trains him to become the next protector of the Phoenix egg.
With a stellar voice cast including Henry Golding, Sandra Oh, and Michelle Yeoh, this animated film is going to be absolutely perfect for younger audiences.
10. Orion and the Dark by Emma Yarlett
Genre: Children’s Fantasy
Release Date: February 2, 2024 on Netflix
In this heartwarming adaptation of the beloved children’s book, young Orion must confront his biggest fear—the dark.
When the Dark itself takes shape and befriends him, the two embark on a wild and imaginative journey to overcome Orion’s nighttime fears.
With a screenplay by Charlie Kaufman and voice acting from Jacob Tremblay and Angela Bassett, Orion and the Dark is set to charm both children and adults.
11. Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfař
Release Date: March 1st, 2024
Adam Sandler stars in this adaptation of Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfar, a sci-fi drama about an astronaut drifting through space while encountering the unknown.
With an impressive supporting cast including Paul Dano and Carey Mulligan, this film will take Sandler to a new dramatic level and is sure to be a visually ambitious and heartfelt space adventure.
12. Dune: Part Two by Frank Herbert
Genre: Sci-Fi/Epic
Release Date: March 1st, 2024 in theaters
Denis Villeneuve’s continuation of the Dune saga delves deeper into the political and emotional turmoil of Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet) as he leads a rebellion against the Harkonnens.
With stunning visuals and an allstar cast, including Zendaya, Florence Pugh, and Austin Butler, Dune: Part Two is a mustsee for fans of the epic scifi novel.
The film is already expected to rack up Oscar nominations, continuing the success of its predecessor.
13. Apples Never Fall by Liane Moriarty
Genre: Mystery/Thriller
Release Date: March 14th, 2024 on Peacock
From the author of Big Little Lies comes this gripping story of a dysfunctional family of former tennis stars caught in the middle of a murder mystery.
Liane Moriarty is the queen of tension-filled family dramas, and Apples Never Fall doesn’t disappoint.
If you enjoyed Big Little Lies (like I did!), this one is sure to keep you hooked from start to finish.
14. The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin
Genre: Science Fiction
Release Date: March 21st, 2024 on Netflix
This acclaimed sci-fi novel is about first contact with an alien race and the resulting clash between civilizations.
Adapted by the creators of Game of Thrones, this TV series promises to be just as epic and visually stunning.
15. Dark Matter by Blake Crouch
Genre: Science Fiction/Thriller
Release Date: May 8th, 2024 on Apple TV+
Dark Matter is one of those books that keeps you guessing right until the end.
It follows Jason Dessen, a man whose life is turned upside down after being kidnapped and waking up in an alternate version of his own life.
The mind-bending plot is thrilling, and I can’t wait to see Jennifer Connelly and Joel Edgerton in the TV adaptation.
16. The Watchers by A.M. Shine
Genre: Science Fiction/Horror
Release Date: June 7th, 2024 in theaters
If you’re a horror fan, The Watchers should definitely be on your radar.
This chilling novel follows a woman stranded in a mysterious forest after her car breaks down.
Seeking shelter in a concrete bunker, she soon finds herself trapped with strangers, terrorized by creatures known only as “The Watchers.” The tension builds as they try to survive the night and find a way out.
Dakota Fanning and Georgina Campbell star, and with M. Night Shyamalan as producer, you can expect plenty of eerie suspense.
17. The Summer I Turned Pretty (Season 3) by Jenny Han
Genre: YA Romance
Release Date: July 14th, 2024 on Amazon Prime Video
This heart-wrenching teen romance is back for a third season.
Based on the second book in Jenny Han’s Summer series, this season continues to follow Belly’s love triangle and the emotional ups and downs of growing up.
18. The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand
Genre: Mystery/Contemporary Fiction
Release Date: September 5th, 2024
Elin Hilderbrand’s The Perfect Couple brings together the sunny vibes of a summer beach read with the intensity of a murder mystery.
Set around a glamorous Nantucket wedding gone wrong, the story dives into family secrets and deadly scandals.
The cast is packed with stars like Nicole Kidman, Dakota Fanning, and Meghann Fahy, making it a must-watch for fans of drama and intrigue, especially if you loved The White Lotus.
19. Disclaimer by Renee Knight
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Release Date: September 26th, 2024
This adaptation of the gripping psychological thriller follows a woman whose life is turned upside down when she discovers that a novel she’s reading reveals her darkest secrets.
As she becomes increasingly paranoid about her life being exposed, the tension builds, leading to shocking revelations.
Starring Anne-Marie Duff and Stephen Campbell Moore, this suspenseful drama promises to keep you on the edge of your seat.
20. The Last House on Needless Street by Catriona Ward
Genre: Horror
Release Date: October 11th, 2024
Catriona Ward’s bestselling horror novel follows Ted, a man who lives in a secluded house and harbors dark secrets.
When a woman named Dee moves in next door, she becomes obsessed with uncovering the truth about Ted’s past and the disappearance of her sister.
This chilling adaptation, featuring a strong performance by actor Matthew Fox, delves into themes of trauma and survival.
21. A Man Called Ove by Fredrik Backman
Genre: Drama/Comedy
Release Date: October 24th, 2024
This heartwarming story follows Ove, a grumpy yet lovable man whose solitary life is disrupted by the arrival of new neighbors.
As he reluctantly engages with those around him, his story unfolds through flashbacks, revealing the kindness beneath his prickly exterior.
Starring Tom Hanks, this adaptation of the beloved novel is sure to evoke both laughter and tears.
22. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
Genre: Science Fiction/Fantasy
Release Date: November 15th, 2024
After a previous film adaptation, this retelling of the classic sci-fi novel features a fresh take on Meg Murry’s adventure through time and space to rescue her father.
With new technology and a diverse cast, this adaptation promises to reintroduce the beloved story to a new generation of viewers.
23. The Night Circus by Erin Morgenstern
Genre: Fantasy/Romance
Release Date: December 5th, 2024
This enchanting adaptation of Morgenstern’s novel follows two young illusionists, Celia and Marco, who are bound in a fierce competition at a magical circus that appears only at night.
As the competition unfolds, they begin to fall in love, complicating their fates. With stunning visuals and a captivating storyline, this film is sure to be a visual feast.
There you have it—this year’s must-watch (and must-read) adaptations!
Whether you like to read the book first or dive straight into the movie, these stories are sure to entertain, surprise, and inspire.
