From ‘The Perfect Couple’ to ‘Uglies’: The Best Book-to-Screen Adaptations to Read This Year

As a devoted fan of captivating storytelling and a connoisseur of the silver screen, I find myself utterly thrilled by the plethora of upcoming television adaptations based on some of my favorite books.

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2021 promises a delightful feast for book enthusiasts, as they can look forward to numerous movies and television shows adapted from popular novels.

The latest books to be made into films or TV shows are “It Ends With Us” by Colleen Hoover, featuring Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni, “The Perfect Couple” by Elin Hilderbrand which is now available on Netflix, and “The Wild Robot,” the bestselling graphic novel adaptation of Peter Brown’s work, set to premiere in theaters this Friday.

Here are several popular books from an expanding list of bestsellers being turned into television shows and films. The next one in line is the upcoming horror-comedy “Nightbitch,” starring Amy Adams, based on Rachel Yoder’s 2021 novel. This movie left critics baffled at its TIFF debut.

Here are the best books adapted for the screen to dig into right now:

The Perfect Couple

Elin Hilderbrand’s novel “The Perfect Couple” has returned to bestseller lists following its adaptation into a Netflix series. This production features Nicole Kidman, Elle Fanning, and Meghann Fahy in leading roles. The series, overseen by showrunner Jenna Lamia, revolves around the character Amelia Sacks whose wedding to Benji Winbury is disrupted after the suspicious death of her bridesmaid Merritt Monaco.

It Ends With Us

Titled “It Ends With Us,” this movie features Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni in the lead roles. It narrates the captivating tale of Lily Bloom and her complex, emotional journey with her husband, Ryle Kincaid. The film is adapted from Colleen Hoover’s 2016 novel of the same name, which soared to the top of “The New York Times” bestseller list shortly after its publication in August 2016.

The Wild Robot

In “The Wild Robot” by Peter Brown, the story centers around Roz, a robot who lands on an isolated island after a shipwreck. As Roz adapts to their new environment, they form bonds with the animals inhabiting the island. The movie features Lupita Nyong’o as the voice of Roz, Pedro Pascal as Fink the fox, Catherine O’Hara as Pinktail the opossum, Bill Nighy as Longneck the goose, and Mark Hamill in an undisclosed role.

Nightbitch

The forthcoming horror-comedy featuring Amy Adams is adapted from Rachel Yoder’s 2021 novel. This story, which takes a whimsical turn, follows a mother who occasionally transforms into a canine while staying at home.

Turtles All the Way Down

John Green’s beloved novel “Turtles All the Way Down” has been transformed into a TV series now available on Max. This captivating story revolves around a 16-year-old girl named Aza, who deals with debilitating OCD and anxiety issues. Alongside her best friend Daisy, she embarks on an investigation to find a missing local billionaire, all while developing a cautious romantic connection with the billionaire’s son David.

‘People We Meet on Vacation’

Next year, Emily Henry’s novel “People We Meet on Vacation” will be adapted into a film. Starring Tom Blyth and Emily Bader, this Netflix and 3000 Pictures production tells the story of Alex and Poppy, two best friends who have been unconventionally close for a decade. Despite residing in different cities, they manage to reunite every summer vacation.

The Bikeriders

Set in the 1960s and inspired by Danny Lyon’s 1968 book “The Bikeriders,” this film is both written and directed by Jeff Nichols. It centers around the Vandals Motorcycle Club, a group of outcasts hailing from Chicago, headed by Johnny (played by Tom Hardy). Under his guidance, the motorcycle club evolves into a life of criminal activity, transforming into a notorious biker gang throughout the decade.

The Crow

In the second film based on the 1989 comic book “The Crow,” character Eric (played by Bill Skarsgård) and his partner Shelly (FKA Twigs) are brutally killed by crime lord Vincent Roeg (Danny Huston). However, fate gives Eric a second life as the potent, dark avenger named The Crow. He uses this opportunity to seek vengeance by systematically eliminating everyone in Roeg’s criminal network.

Uglies

Scott Westerfeld’s maturity tale has started streaming on Netflix, featuring Joey King portraying the character of Tally in a society where all individuals are initially deemed “unattractive,” and undergo necessary plastic surgery at the age of sixteen to change their appearance.

The Sympathizer

As the 2016 Pulitzer Prize winner for Fiction, the novel I’m referring to delves into the story of a protagonist who is a dual-identity communist spy, half-French and half-Vietnamese, serving as an army captain post the Fall of Saigon. In Los Angeles, amidst establishing a new life alongside other Vietnamese refugees, this character discreetly feeds information back to his Vietnamese communist superiors.

Apples Never Fall

Liane Moriarty’s latest suspenseful novel has been turned into a 7-episode series on Peacock, focusing on the Delaneys, a family passionate about tennis. Their lives take a dramatic turn when Savannah, a troubled young woman, visits them, and later, Joy, the family matriarch, goes missing. As Stan, Joy’s husband, becomes a key suspect in the case, the children are compelled to reconsider their beliefs about their parents’ relationship and its secrets.

The Idea of You

A romantic comedy featuring Anne Hathaway in the lead role is adapted from Robinne Lee’s bestselling novel with the same title. The narrative unfolds as Solène’s husband decides to end their marriage, forcing them to cancel their Coachella trip together with their 16-year-old daughter Izzy. At the festival, Solène encounters Hayes Campbell, the lead singer of the famous band August Moon who shares similarities with Harry Styles. As an unexpected romance blossoms between them, Solène juggles her career, parental responsibilities towards her teenage child, and the media frenzy surrounding their relationship.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians

Rick Riordan’s cherished young-adult fantasy book series, comprising five books, begins with “The Lightning Thief.” This tale follows Percy as he discovers his father is a Greek god, thereby making him a demigod. He and his companions are assigned the mission of retrieving Zeus’s lightning bolt while mythical creatures from the Underworld try to thwart them. The series “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” can be streamed on Disney+ and Hulu.

Eileen: A Novel

“Eileen” revolves around a young secretary named Eileen who forms a tight bond with a new coworker, a self-assured counselor, at the youth correctional facility they both work in. Their friendship takes an unforeseen twist, significantly impacting their lives.

Killers of the Flower Moon

David Grann’s “Killers of the Flower Moon” remains popular on bestseller lists after Martin Scorsese’s movie adaptation, featuring Leonardo DiCaprio, Lily Gladstone, and Robert De Niro. Released in 2017 as a non-fiction book, it tells a chilling tale of a spate of murders within the Osage Nation in the 1920s. The FBI took up the investigation into these gruesome crimes, leading to an intriguing narrative. Catch “Killers of the Flower Moon” on Apple TV+.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes

As a cinephile, I recently delved into the prequel to “The Hunger Games” saga, titled “Ballads of Songbirds and Snakes.” This intriguing film adaptation, released last month, unfolds in the grim landscape of Panem during the tenth installment of the annual Hunger Games. The narrative focuses on Coriolanus Snow, a character who, as we know from the original series, eventually ascends to the position of the ruthless President Snow. You can catch this riveting tale on Prime Video and Apple TV+.

American Prometheus

The upcoming film “Oppenheimer,” directed by Christopher Nolan, features Cillian Murphy as the title character – the real-life scientist J. Robert Oppenheimer. This movie is based on a 700-page biography that chronicles Oppenheimer’s life, starting from his days at Cambridge University where he was known for his intellectual brilliance, to his pivotal role in creating the atomic bomb that devastated Hiroshima and Nagasaki, leading to the death of over 200,000 people. Starting February 16, you can stream “Oppenheimer” on Peacock.

Lessons in Chemistry

In the 1960s, I find myself as Elizabeth Zott, an exceptional chemist often disregarded due to my gender. Yet, fortune favors me when I cross paths with a renowned male scientist who acknowledges my groundbreaking research. This captivating story is penned by Bonnie Garmus and has now graced our screens as a TV series on Apple TV+, featuring the talented Brie Larson and Lewis Pullman. So, if you’re looking for an engaging watch, don’t miss out on “Lessons in Chemistry” on Apple TV+.

Poor Things

The movie is a tale about “love, exploration, and scientific bravery” set in the Victorian era, inspired by Alasdair Grey’s novel of the same name. It revolves around Belle Baxter (Stone), a woman reminiscent of Frankenstein, who gets revived when her brain is swapped with that of her unborn child. Stone shares the screen with Willem Dafoe, portraying the intelligent but unconventional scientist who resurrects Belle.
“Poor Things” can now be streamed on Hulu.

Elvis and Me

Sofia Coppola’s movie titled “Priscilla” featuring Jacob Elordi and Cailee Spaeny, is a portrayal of the stormy romance between Priscilla Presley and the legendary rock-and-roller, as depicted in Priscilla’s 1985 memoir. You can rent or purchase this movie on Prime Video and Apple TV+.

Enzo Ferrari: The Man and the Machine

The film “Michael Mann’s ‘Ferrari’,” featuring Adam Driver, is inspired by Brock Yates’ comprehensive biography about the man behind the Ferrari brand. This movie delves deep into the intricate facade he built and reveals the real story of his enigmatic relationships, his ties with Mussolini’s fascists, and his relentless fixation on speed.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

In “Wonka,” Timothee Chalamet portrays a younger iteration of the main chocolate manufacturer, showing his journey towards building the extraordinary factory that features prominently in Roald Dahl’s 1964 novel. As of now, you cannot stream “Wonka” online but the 1971 film is currently streaming on Max.

Simple Dreams: A Musical Memoir

In a forthcoming biographical film, it’s said that Selena Gomez will portray Linda Ronstadt. This memoir narrates the compelling tale of Linda Ronstadt’s journey from Tucson, Arizona, to her rise in the Southern California music scene during the 1960s, chronicling her transformation into an iconic singer.

The Shards

In the writing of Bret Easton Ellis, renowned for his novels “Less Than Zero” and “American Psycho,” comes his latest work titled “The Shards.” This novel revolves around a circle of wealthy teenagers from Los Angeles in the early 1980s. As a chilling serial killer haunts their city, they find themselves increasingly entwined with this mysterious figure. It’s said that “The Shards” is currently being adapted into a TV series for HBO.

Crying in H Mart

In Michelle Zauner’s first-ever memoir, Japanese Breakfast, she explores her journey of self-discovery as a Korean American girl growing up in predominantly white surroundings, her passion for music blossoming, her relationship with the man who would later be her husband and bandmate, and eventually, her struggle with losing her mother. The book is slated to be transformed into a movie, with Will Thorne from “The White Lotus” set to take on the director’s role.

Daisy Jones & The Six

Experience the thrilling and dramatic series on Amazon Prime Video, which follows the rise and fall of a legendary ’70s rock band, inspired by Fleetwood Mac, as depicted in Taylor Jenkins Reid’s hit novel “Daisy Jones & The Six.” Tune in to this captivating show now on Prime Video.

The Sandman

In Neil Gaiman’s influential comic book series “The Sandman,” a sorcerer tries to seize Death for a chance at eternal life but accidentally imprisons her brother instead – Dream (also known as Morpheus). To protect him, the sorcerer locks Dream away in a glass container for many years. Eventually, Dream manages to break free and embarks on a journey to exact revenge on his captors and restore order disrupted during his imprisonment. This graphic novel was one of the first to reach the “The New York Times” Best Seller List and has since been adapted into a Netflix series featuring Tom Sturridge, Gwendoline Christie, and Taron Egerton.

Eragon (Inheritance)

Disney+’s live action adaptation of ‘Eragon’, the first book in Christopher Paolini’s renowned series ‘The Inheritance Cycle’, is now available to stream. In this series, a young farm boy named Eragon forms an alliance with a dragon called Saphira. Together, they embark on a journey to overthrow the wicked king Galbatorix and liberate the land of Alagaësia from his oppressive rule.

Blonde: A Novel

Ana de Armas portrays Marilyn Monroe in this compelling narrative that provides a captivating peek into the life of a pop-culture legend widely recognized. Andrew Dominik transformed Joyce Carol Oates’ fictional account into a Netflix production, featuring Adrien Brody, Bobby Cannavale, and Julianne Nicholson. For further insights on Marilyn Monroe’s life, explore these books.

Where the Crawdads Sing

Delia Owens’ best-selling novel was adapted into a crime drama by Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine, which premiered in July 2022. The story focuses on the character Kye, who is suspected of a baffling murder in a tranquil fishing village. Daisy Edgar-Jones takes on the role of Kye, with Taylor John Smith and Harris Dickinson also starring.

Red, White & Royal Blue

The Amazon Studios movie is a reinterpretation of Casey McQuiston’s 2019 hit novel that focuses on a romantic pairing caught in a classic love-and-power dilemma – Alex Claremont-Diaz, a character of Latin heritage who is the son of the U.S. president, and his love interest, Prince Henry, the grandson of England’s queen. Matthew López will helm this film, with Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine taking on the lead roles. You can watch “Red, White & Royal Blue” on Prime Video.

The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo

In a thrilling turn of events, I’m delighted to share that the captivating bestseller I’ve been following is being transformed into a Netflix movie by the talented Liz Tigelaar, who brought “Little Fires Everywhere” to life on screen. This book, a mesmerizing narrative, unravels the hidden tale of the elusive Hollywood legend, Evelyn Hugo, as she shares her extraordinary journey with an unassuming, budding magazine journalist named Monique Grant. As I delve deeper into Hugo’s tales of Tinseltown in the 50s, 60s, and 80s, they have significantly shaped my perspective, offering a fascinating glimpse into the world of glitz and glamour.

Wool

As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that Rebecca Ferguson and Tim Robbins are joining forces for Apple’s series adaptation of Hugh Howey’s acclaimed sci-fi trilogy, “Wool.” In this gripping tale, the world we know is replaced by a single underground silo, where what’s left of humanity resides. I find myself drawn into the story of Juliette, an ordinary woman from beneath the surface, who finds herself thrust into a position of power when she’s mysteriously promoted to lead law enforcement. The challenges she faces as she navigates this new reality are sure to keep me on the edge of my seat!

The Lord of the Rings

Experience Amazon Prime’s captivating TV rendition of J.R.R Tolkien’s classic series, “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” created by J.D Payne and Patrick McCay. This prequel to the original books and movies unfolds in Middle-earth during the Second Age. Starring Morfydd Clark, Robert Aramayo, and Joseph Mawle, this grand production is not to be missed.
Catch “The Rings of Power” on Prime Video.

The Vanishing Half

In 2020, Brit Bennett’s novel “The Vanishing Half” was a major hit, and now, Aziza Barnes is set to write and produce its HBO adaptation. This captivating story follows the lives of two identical twin sisters who were raised in the Jim Crow South. At the age of 16, they managed to break free from their surroundings and chose different paths in life. As of now, there have been no announcements regarding casting for this eagerly awaited series.

Paper Girls

In the series ‘Paper Girls’, four teenage paper deliverers find themselves unexpectedly entangled in a clash between rival time-traveling groups, which leads them on a thrilling journey through different eras to ultimately save the world. The popular sci-fi comic book series was brought to life by Stephany Folsom, who also wrote ‘Toy Story 4’. Watch ‘Paper Girls’ now on Prime Video.

The Power

In this adaptation of Alderman’s story, directed by Reed Moreno from “The Handmaid’s Tale,” a world is portrayed where women possess greater physical strength than men due to an enchanting electric current coursing through their bodies. Actors Alice Eve, John Leguizamo, and Auli’i Cravalho are slated for the lead roles in the upcoming 10-episode series.

Malibu Rising

Taylor Jenkins Reid’s latest book has been tapped for adaptation into a TV series on Hulu, with Liz Tigelaar, the creator, showrunner, and executive producer of “Little Fires Everywhere,” at the helm. This popular novel, following in the footsteps of Reid’s first hit “Daisy Jones & the Six,” tells the story of the renowned Rivas siblings whose lives are drastically altered after their traditional end-of-summer party in 1983.

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2024-09-25 21:50