For avid readers, literary adaptations can be a source of both excitement and contention. Will the visual language of the film match the landscape in your head? Can the director capture that elusive magic of the prose? Translate the descriptive worldbuilding? In 2025, our literary adaptations list was one of the most popular articles of the year, and with a combination of enthralling stories and talented casts, it’s easy to see why! Readers turned to their big (and small) screens to see Bong Joon Ho’s Mickey 17, Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, and Edgar Wright’s The Running Man.
This year, we’ve got an all-new lineup of adaptations in the pipeline, from Emerald Fennell’s pop-emblazened reimagining of Wuthering Heights to Christopher Nolan’s star-studded rendition of The Odyssey. It’s clear that readers hold the film counterparts of such beloved titles to a high standard, especially with respect to textual accuracy and casting choices. Emerald Fennell has already received backlash for neglecting Brontë’s nuanced exploration of both race and class by casting a white actor as Heathcliff. Nolan has also met with criticism for his film’s lack of Mediterranean actors and the decision to opt for huge Hollywood stars as a box office draw.
Regardless of whether these stories are making it to theaters or debuting as a limited series on streaming, one thing is for sure: When it comes to the stories we hold closest, readers look for nothing short of excellence. As the year progresses, we’ll find out if these adaptations break our hearts, or rise to the challenges of their source material.
People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Emily Henry—foremost expert of the beach read—combines love, travel, and crossed wires in People We Meet on Vacation. The book follows long-time friends Poppy and Alex, whose budding attraction is derailed when their yearly vacation goes awry, and a misunderstanding leads to a rift between them. The film adaptation, directed by Brett Haley and starring Emily Bader, Tom Blyth, and Lukas Gage, debuted on Netflix on January 9th.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
There are few books with literary reputations that rival Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights. Coincidentally, Saltburn director Emerald Fennell has a reputation of her own, and she’s putting it all on the table with a new, controversial adaptation of the classic story. Following the gothic love affair between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw on the Yorkshire moors, Fennell’s rendition promises erotic tension, vibrant aesthetics, and an all new album from Charli XCX as the accompanying score. Starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, the film is set to debut in theaters on February 13, 2026.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Andy Weir’s Project Hail Mary follows school teacher and biologist Ryland Grace, who wakes up on the Hail Mary spaceship with no memory of how he arrived there. When an alien microbe is discovered as the cause of the sun’s rapid dimming, researchers—and the reluctant Ryland—must race for a solution. The film is co-directed by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, scheduled for release on March 20th, 2026, and, most importantly, stars Ryan Gosling.
East of Eden by John Steinbeck
John Steinbeck’s imaginative retelling of the Cain and Abel story is getting a limited series—and we can’t wait to see it. Taking place in Central California’s Salinas Valley, East of Eden is a story of family, betrayal, and contradiction. Directed by Zoe Kazan—whose legendary grandfather Elia Kazan directed the 1955 adaptation starring James Dean—the series will span seven episodes, and will star Florence Pugh, Mike Faist, and Christopher Abbott, among others. Although an exact release date isn’t known, viewers can anticipate seeing the show on Netflix sometime between February and April.
Three Bags Full by Leonie Swann
Leonie Swann’s Three Bags Full—originally published in 2005—is finally getting a screen adaptation in the form of Kyle Balda’s The Sheep Detectives. The story, told from the sheep’s perspective, begins with the flock returning from a day out in the pasture to find that their shepherd has been murdered. Without the advantage of language, the sheep must use unconventional strategies to piece together details from human conversations in order to find the murderer. This wooly romp is set to debut in theaters on May 8th, 2026, and will star Hugh Jackman and Emma Thompson, with voice appearances from Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Bryan Cranston, Chris O’Dowd, and more!
The Odyssey by Homer
In 2026, Christopher Nolan is taking on Homer’s formidable epic poem. The story—familiar to high school students and literary scholars alike—follows Odysseus, king and hero of the Trojan War, as he encounters mythical monsters, goddesses, and serendipitous foils on his perilous journey home. Nolan is reaching new heights with both the film’s budget and its cast of performers that includes Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Charlize Theron, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o, and more. The film will debut in US theaters on July 17th, 2026.
The Dog Stars by Peter Heller
Peter Heller’s The Dog Stars is a particularly resonant tale for our current world. In the aftermath of a decimating pandemic, pilot Hig lives in an airplane hangar with his dog and one human companion, a brusque former marine. After months of solitude, an unexpected sign of life sparks renewed hope and sets off a search for the source. This story of resilience and resourcefulness will be directed by Ridley Scott, and is set to star Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin, and Margaret Qualley, with a release date of August 28th, 2026.
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
I’ve always been particularly intrigued by adaptations of Jane Austen novels. Austen’s prose is ornate and evocative, and it can be a fascinating challenge to render for a contemporary cast and audience. Sense and Sensibility, Austen’s first novel, follows three sisters of little fortune, Elinor, Marianne, and Margaret, as they struggle to make advantageous (and romantically appealing) marital alliances. This newest adaptation—set to release in the US on September 11th, 2026—is directed by Georgia Oakley, and will star Daisy Edgar-Jones, Esmé Creed-Miles, and Frank Dillane, among others.
The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis
For her newest directorial venture, Greta Gerwig is taking on a beloved classic: The Chronicles of Narnia. Although it’s the sixth published book in the series, The Magician’s Nephew takes place at the story’s outset. The tale interweaves an origin narrative for the kingdom—offering context for beloved characters from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe—with the story of two English children who time travel to the mythical kingdom. The film is set to star Emma Mackey, Carey Mulligan, and Daniel Craig, and will be released on Netflix on November 26, 2026.
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