The 2021 Book To Movie List Is Live!
Check out all the books becoming movies & tv shows in 2021!
It’s that time — time for my super-dee-duper huge list of books becoming movies in 2020. The book to movie/tv adaptation lists that I’ve done every year for the past few of years are always a blast to put together — I always find the BEST new-to-me books and it gets me excited to read some books before the movie comes out — something my book club loves doing together.
What a year it is going to be for movies/tv shows made from books! I can just feel it. There’s also a ton a bunch I have my eye on for possible 2020 news as they are filming right now or ready to film. I’m giddy with excitement for some of them.
Also, is it just me or does 2020 seems so weird to write — when I was a teen in the 90’s it felt like SO much in the future that maybe I’d have a flying car. But alas…here we are and no flying car.
Let me know in the comments which upcoming 2020 book to film and tv adaptations you are excited about!
THIS LIST IS A WORKING LIST AND WILL BE UPDATED THROUGHOUT THE YEAR WITH THE MOST UPDATED INFO AS SOMETIMES RELEASES CHANGE AND MOVE UP OR BACK.
I’ve even had movies not even slated for that year to get moved up so much they weren’t even on my radar. If you have a tip about a movie, pop in and let me know for the most up to date book to screen info!
So remember to save this list and pop back here for all the new movies/tv shows to be added and up-to-date info on all of them!
[Disclosure: This post may contain affiliate links which means that if you click on a link and purchase something I’ve talked about or recommended, I’ll receive a very small percentage of the sale. Please see my disclosure policy for more info.
So what books are becoming movies in 2020?
Well coronavirus annihilated this list but I will be updating when things get rescheduled for later this year or 2021.
My 6 Most Anticipated On The List
These 5 are the ones I’M the MOST personally most excited to see!
To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You
P.S. I Still Love You by Jenny Han
Premise: Sequel to ‘To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before’ in which a teenager’s love life is turned upside down when here secret love letters are released to who they were written to.
I am so excited for the sequel to To All The Boys I Loved Before to be a movie! This is a book series I just adore and I thought the adaptation was SO good and captured the spirit of the books. If you love sweet teen romance stories, check this out YA book to movie adaptation!
Release Date: February 12, 2020
Starring: Lana Condor, Janel Parrish, Noah Centineo, Holland Taylor
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Related: Books To Read If You Love To All The Boys I Loved Before
The Turning
The Turn of the Screw by Henry James
Premise of The Turning: “A young governess is hired by a man who has become responsible for his young nephew and niece after the deaths of their parents. A modern take on Henry James’ novella “The Turn of the Screw”.
I’m not real big into novellas, which the Turn of the Screw is, and I’m slow to read classics these days so it’s doubtful I will ever read this but I am ABSOLUTELY watching this movie. IT LOOKS TERRIFYING. I’m also really excited to see Finn in something outside of Stranger Things (loved this interview with him btw). Definitely one of my most anticipated upcoming horror movies!
Release Date: January 24, 2020
Starring: Mackenzie Davis, Finn Wolfhard, Brooklynn Prince
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Little Fires Everywhere
Little Fires Everywhere by Celeste Ng
Premise of Little Fires Everywhere: “Little Fires Everywhere follows the intertwined fates of the picture-perfect Richardson family and an enigmatic mother and daughter who upend their lives. The story explores the weight of secrets, the nature of art and identity, the ferocious pull of motherhood – and the danger in believing that following the rules can avert disaster” (deadline)
I’m very excited for my book club’s March pick to be a miniseries on Hulu — and with Kerry and Reese at the helm of it!! If you love family dramas and explorations of motherhood, keep an eye on this tv show based on the book in 2020! It’s a book club fave for a reason and I can see it being THE book club book when the miniseries comes out!
Release Date: Unknown but is still being reported as 2020 release.
Yup. The 🔥 just got LIT at @LittleFiresHulu 🤣.
Meet Elena Richardson and Mia Warren. #LittleFiresEverywhere @reesew 🔥❤️🔥❤️🔥❤️ pic.twitter.com/RWQkdHIevB— kerry washington (@kerrywashington) June 11, 2019
Starring: Rosemarie DeWitt, Jordan Elsass, Joshua Jackson, Kerry Washington, Reese Witherspoon
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Related: Boring book clubs no more! Here are 10+ unique book club ideas!
Tiny Pretty Things
Out on December 14, 2020
Starring: Shaun Benson, Brennan Clost, Barton Cowperthwaite
Premise: “The world of an elite ballet academy and charts the rise and fall of young adults who live far from their homes, each standing on the verge of greatness or ruin.” (IMDB)
Such an underrated YA book and I think it’s going to make for a great YA book to tv adaptation for Netflix in 2020! If you love a good dose of drama, mean girls, the world of competitive dance and some psychological thriller type stuff, GET ON THIS. The book was pitched as Pretty Little Liars meets Black Swan and I say that’s a decent comparison!
The Outsider
Premise of The Outsider: A well liked man in a small town is shockingly arrested for the brutal murder of an 11 year old boy. There’s evidence — DNA & fingerprints — but his alibi checks out and as the investigation continues it leads to a shocking turn.
Man, it’s the year of Stephen King. But also I feel like...when is it not? haha. Another King adaptation for 2020! This one is coming to HBO. I’m realizing I need to catch up on all my Stephen King!!! The trailer for this makes it HIGH PRIORITY for me.
Release Date: January 12, 2020
Starring: Jason Bateman, John Gettier, Marc Menchaca, Ben Mendelsohn, Cynthia Erivo, Mare Winningham
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Bridgerton
The Duke & I by Julia Quinn (book 1 of The Bridgerton series)
Premise: “Wealth, lust, and betrayal set in the backdrop of Regency era England, seen through the eyes of the powerful Bridgerton family.” (IMDB)
This is one of my most anticipated book to tv show adaptations!! This is a wonderful historical romance book series and knowing it is in Shonda’s capable hands has me WAY too excited! Historical romance is so much of an underrated genre, in my eyes, and it’s so wonderful we are having this adaptation!
Release Date: Unknown but everywhere is reporting 2020 sometime on Netflix.
Starring: Adjoa Andoh, Julie Andrews, Jonathan Bailey
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
All The Bright Places
All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven
Premise of All The Bright Places: “The story of Violet and Theodore, who meet and change each other’s lives forever. As they struggle with the emotional and physical scars of their past, they discover that even the smallest places and moments can mean something.”
I really enjoyed this YA romance when I read it a few years ago and I’ve been excited to see it become a movie. Definitely one of my most anticipated young adult books being made into movies in 2020 for sure. It’s a bit of a tearjerker and the ending was DEFINITELY controversial in the book community which I did understand WHY people felt that way. I’ll be curious to see how Netflix handles it! If you like a lot of the teen book to film adaptations Netflix has been doing lately, definitely check this one out! My review of All The Bright Places.
Release Date: Out now!
Starring: Elle Fanning, Keegan-Michael Key, Virginia Gardner
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Related: For more YA romance, check out this list of books for fans of Sarah Dessen (the queen of YA romance)
Adult Fiction / Non-Fiction Book To Movie Releases For 2020
The Midnight Sky
(Good Morning, Midnight)
Out December 23, 2020
Starring: George Clooney, Felicity Jones, Kyle Chandler, David Oyelowo, Demián Bichir.
Premise: “This post-apocalyptic tale follows Augustine, a lonely scientist in the Arctic, as he races to stop Sully and her fellow astronauts from returning home to a mysterious global catastrophe.” (IMDB)
Like sci-fi thrillers? Or maybe you enjoyed Station Eleven by Emily St. Mandel (one of my all time fave books)? Check this one out then! As far as the movie goes, George Clooney is directing it and it will be on Netflix! So many great Netflix movies based on books!!
News Of The World
Out December 25, 2020
Starring: Tom Hanks, Neil Sandilands, Thomas Francis Murphy
Premise of News Of The World movie: “A Texan traveling across the wild West bringing the news of the world to local townspeople, agrees to help rescue a young girl who was kidnapped.” (IMDB)
I had this book on my radar because someone I really trust LOVED this book but now I really want to read it. I love a good historical fiction novel AND movie — plus TOM HANKS can always get me to watch a movie. Plus it’s a National Book Award finalist.
Books of Blood
Out October 7, 2020
Starring: Britt Robertson, Anna Friel, Rafi Gavron
Premise: “Hulu’s adaptation appears to draw on Barker’s first story in the series, The Book of Blood, which follows psychic researcher Mary Florescu who is employed to investigate a haunted house by quack medium Simon McNeal. While McNeal fakes his visions at first, actual ghosts begin to attack him and carve words into his flesh” (Radiotimes)
This one looks TERRIFYING. I might chicken out on it but it looks like a perfect Halloween movie!
The Undoing
(You Should Have Known)
Out October 25, 2020
Starring: Nicole Kidman, Hugh Grant, Noah Jupe, Donald Sutherland
Premise of The Undoing: “The Undoing follows Grace Fraser, who is “living the only life she ever wanted for herself. She’s a successful therapist on the brink of publishing her first book, has a devoted husband and young son who attends an elite private school in New York City. Weeks before her book is published, a chasm opens in her life; a violent death, a missing husband and in the place of a man Grace thought she knew, only a chain of terrible revelations. Left behind in the wake of a spreading and very public disaster, and horrified by the ways in which she has failed to heed her own advice, Grace must dismantle one life and create another for her child and herself” (Deadline)
The Undoing (the book it’s based on is called You Should Have Known) is going to be a miniseries on HBO and has a pretty star-studded cast. It was supposed to come out May 2020 but was delayed. The novel doesn’t seem to have great reviews but I’m very optimistic about the show given the premise and the cast.
The Stand
Out December 17, 2020
Starring: James Marsden, Jovan Adepo, Whoopi Goldberg, Katherine McNamara
Premise of The Stand: “After the world is in ruins, due to a man-made plague, a battle of literally Biblical proportions ensues between the survivors.” {IMDB}
So many Stephen King adapted movies/shows out or upcoming! I am here for it! This one is going to be a 10 hour limited series on CBS All Access and it’s not the first time this one has been adapted as a mini-series. There’s one from 1994 that apparently is pretty excellent so it will be interesting to see if this remake is better than the original mini-series. AND apparently Stephen King is writing a NEW ENDING for the series that is different from the book. INTERESTING.
The Witches
Out October 22, 2020
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer, Stanley Tucci, Chris Rock
Premise of The Witches: “Based on Roald Dahl’s 1983 classic book ‘The Witches’, the story tells the scary, funny and imaginative tale of a seven year old boy who has a run in with some real life witches!” (IMDB)
Oh did I love this book as a kid and I do recall watching the 90’s adaptation of this one. I think this cast is outstanding and I cannot wait to see it on screen again — and apparently they are changing the time period and setting to 1960’s Gothic South. Thinking I might reread this one because it’s been AGES.
They also decided to skip the theaters and go straight to streaming on HBO Max.
Hillbilly Elegy
Out November 2020
Starring: Haley Bennett, Amy Adams, Glenn Close, Freida Pinto, Gabriel Basso
Premise of Hillbilly Elegy: “A Yale law student drawn back to his hometown grapples with family history, Appalachian values and the American dream.”
This memoir took the reading world by storm, before Educated became the next MUST READ memoir, and is a look into poor working class white America set in the Rust belt. Part family saga and part examination of the rural white working class. The movie will be releasing on Netflix!
The Informer
Three Seconds by Anders Roslund & Borge Hellstrom
Premise of The Informer movie: “An ex-convict working undercover intentionally gets himself incarcerated again in order to infiltrate the mob at a maximum security prison. “
I haven’t gotten into this Scandinavian crime series yet but it sounds really good! BUT the movie (which already released in 2019 in the UK) excites me because Joel Kinnaman is in it and I LOVED him in the (brilliant) show The Killing and in House of Cards! His presence makes this all the more appealing to me! He seems to thrive in this type of genre!
Release Date: In (US) theaters on January 10, 2020
Starring: Ana de Armas, Joel Kinnaman, Rosamund Pike
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
The Last Thing He Wanted
The Last Thing He Wanted by Joan Didion
Premise: “A journalist quits her newspaper job and becomes an arms dealer for a covert government agency.” (IMDB)
If you like political thrillers this one just might be your cup of tea! I couldn’t get enough of her book Year of Magical Thinking.
Release Date: February 2020 on Netflix
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Ben Affleck, Willem Dafoe
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
The Rhythm Section
The Rhythm Section by Mark Burnell
Premise: “A woman seeks revenge against those who orchestrated a plane crash that killed her family.”(IMDB)
This one was originally slated for last year but got moved back. I had never heard of this one but espionage and revenge are up my alley!
Release Date: January 31, 2020
Starring: Blake Lively, Jude Law, Richard Brake
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Related: The most anticipated new books of 2020
Council of Dads
Council of Dads by Bruce Feiler
Premise of Council of Dads: “When Scott Perry discovers he has cancer he is worried about his daughters growing up without his help and advice. He and his wife Robin recruit six friends to act as a “council of dads” to be father figures to his children.” (IMDB)
I had never heard of this memoir but oh this sounds like it is going to be a really amazing new drama series. The premise alone just makes me want to cry. Probably going to be a good one for fans of This Is Us and Parenthood.
Release Date: set to premiere as a midseason entry during the 2019–2020 season on NBC
Starring: Sarah Wayne Callies, Clive Standen, Tom Everett Scott, J. August Richards
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Dune
Premise of Dune: “Feature adaptation of Frank Herbert’s science fiction novel, about the son of a noble family entrusted with the protection of the most valuable asset and most vital element in the galaxy.” (IMDB)
Sci-fi lovers are ya ready?? One of the most popular sci-fi series of all time is coming back to the big screen — there was a movie in the 80’s and a miniseries in 2000. It looks like book 1 is going to be split into two movies from what I’ve read. Apparently Dune is ALSO getting a tv show too focusing on the female characters from the Dune universe!
Release Date: December 18, 2020
Starring: Rebecca Ferguson, Jason Momoa, Zendaya, Timothée Chalamet
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
News of the World
News of the World by Paulette Jiles
Premise: “A Texan traveling across the wild West bringing the news of the world to local townspeople, agrees to help rescue a young girl who was kidnapped.” (IMDB)
I had this book on my radar because someone I really trust LOVED this book but now I really want to read it. I love a good historical fiction novel AND movie — plus TOM HANKS can always get me to watch a movie. Plus it’s a National Book Award finalist.
Release Date: December 25, 2020
Starring: Tom Hanks, Neil Sandilands, Thomas Francis Murphy
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Fatherhood
Two Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Loss and Love
Premise: “A father brings up his baby girl as a single dad after the unexpected death of his wife who died a day after their daughter’s birth.” (IMDB)
Somebody please pass me the tissues already! This looks like a tear-jerker!
Release Date: April 2, 2021 (was slated for 2020 but got moved)
Starring: Paul Reiser, Alfre Woodard, Kevin Hart
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
The Woman in the Window
The Women in the Window by AJ Finn
Premise: “An agoraphobic woman living alone in New York begins spying on her new neighbors only to witness a disturbing act of violence.” (IMDB)
I was so excited about this one and then this article happened exposing the author. It is a wild ride. I’m still curious about the book/movie because I’ve heard interesting things about it but I feel so icky about the whole thing he did.
Release Date: Was supposed to be out in May 2020 but will be releasing in 2021 likely moving to Netflix instead of theater
Starring: Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, Julianne Moore
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Lincoln
The Bone Collector by Jeffery Deaver
Premise of The Bone Collector movie: “A retired forensic criminologist teams up with an ambitious young detective to help capture some of the most dangerous criminals in America. “ (IMDB)
Lincoln is going to be a tv adaptation of the crime series by Jefferey Deaver on NBC. If you love crime shows, definitely check this out. It might sound familiar to you because this book series already has a movie adaptation called The Bone Collector starring Denzel.
Release Date: Came out January 2020 but cancelled after one season
Starring: Vanessa Aspillaga, Claire Coffee, Tate Ellington
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Death on the Nile
Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie
Premise: “While on vacation on the Nile, Hercule Poirot must investigate the murder of a young heiress.” (IMDB)
Murder mystery fans, another Agatha Christie adaptation is coming your way! Well, technically the second adaptation of Death on the Nile because there was one in the 70’s. I am hoping they will continue to adapt her books — so many possibilities.
Release Date: October 23, 2020
Starring: Armie Hammer, Gal Gadot, Kenneth Branagh, Annette Bening
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
The Devil All The Time
The Devil All The Time by Donald Ray Pollock
Premise: “In the 1960s after World War II in Southern Ohio, bizarre, compelling and mentally disturbed people suffer from the war’s psychological damages.” (IMDB)
This is one of the reasons I love doing these posts about book to movie lists because I discover books that sound AWESOME that I never heard of. And this one has several great reviews by reader friends I trust on Goodreads. If you love southern gothic noir type books, this looks to be a good one!
Release Date: September 16, 2020 on Netflix
Starring: Mia Wasikowska, Robert Pattinson, Bill Skarsgård
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Infinite
Premise: “A man discovers that his hallucinations are actually visions from past lives.” (IMDB)
One of those cases where the movie based on the book looks WAY better than the actual book. I’m intrigued though because the author apparently found these notebooks in Rome and turned it into a book and it’s all about these people who claim to remember their past lives. FASCINATING.
Release Date: Moved to May 28, 2021 from August 7, 2020
Starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor, Mark Wahlberg, Jason Mantzoukas
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Lost Girls
Lost Girls: An Unsolved American Mystery
Part true crime, part story about these victims themselves and part social commentary. Curious to see how they bring it to the big screen.
Release Date: March 2020 on Netflix
Premise: “A mother searching for her missing daughter in Long Island makes a horrifying discovery in the woods where the murdered bodies of four girls have been dumped.” (IMDB)
Starring: Thomasin McKenzie, Amy Ryan, Gabriel Byrne
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Greyhound
The Good Shepherd by C.S. Forester
Premise: “During World War II, an international convoy of 37 Allied ships, led by Commander Ernest Krause, cross the treacherous North Atlantic while being hotly pursued by wolf packs of German U-boats ” (IMDB)
The book isn’t necessarily something I would read (not in my wheelhouse as I don’t read a ton of war books) but the movie looks like something I would definitely see.
Release Date: July 10, 2020 on AppleTV+
Starring: Tom Hanks, Elisabeth Shue, Stephen Graham
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Without Remorse
Without Remorse by Tom Clancy
Premise: “John Kelly, a Navy SEAL, goes on a path to avenge his wife’s murder only to find himself inside of a larger conspiracy.” (IMDB)
Jack Ryan universe fans are going to be excited for this adaptation of another Tom Clancy novel in the series. It’s been a long time coming since the rights to this were bought like shortly after the book published.
Release Date: Was slated for September 18, 2020 but unknown as Paramount is apparently selling this to Amazon streaming due to the pandemic
Starring: Jamie Bell, Michael B. Jordan, Cam Gigandet
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Let Him Go
Premise: “Following the loss of their son, retired sheriff George Blackledge and his wife Margaret leave their Montana ranch to rescue their young grandson from the clutches of a dangerous family living off the grid in the Dakotas, headed by matriarch Blanche Weboy. When they discover the Weboys have no intention of letting the child go, George and Margaret are left with no choice but to fight for their family.” (Focus Features)
If you enjoy suspense thrillers, add this one to your list to check out! One of the many suspense/thriller movies based on a book in 2020!
Release Date: November 6, 2020
Starring: Kevin Costner, Diane Lane, Booboo Stewart
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
The Dig
Premise: “As WWII looms, a wealthy widow hires an amateur archaeologist to excavate the burial mounds on her estate. When they make a historic discovery, the echoes of Britain’s past resonate in the face of it’s uncertain future”(IMDB)
So this one is a fictional recreation of the Sutton Hoo dig (which I’ve never heard of but apparently was a big deal) where a priceless treasure was discovered. I love historical fiction based on true events so this one I’m keeping my eye on!
Release Date: Unknown but reported as 2020
Starring: Lily James, Ralph Fiennes, Carey Mulligan
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Good Morning, Midnight
Good Morning, Midnight by Lily Brooks Dalton
(movie is called The Midnight Sky)
Premise: “A scientist, alone in the Arctic, tries to make contact with a spacecraft returning to Earth.” (IMDB)
Like sci-fi thrillers? Or maybe you enjoyed Station Eleven by Emily St. Mandel (one of my all time fave books)? Check this one out then! As far as the movie goes, George Clooney is directing it and it will be on Netflix!
Release Date: Unknown but later 2020 on Netflix
Starring: Felicity Jones, George Clooney, Kyle Chandler
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
The Stand
Premise of The Stand: “After the world is in ruins, due to a man-made plague, a battle of literally Biblical proportions ensues between the survivors.” {IMDB}
So many Stephen King adapted movies/shows out or upcoming! I am here for it! This one is going to be a 10 hour limited series on CBS All Access and it’s not the first time this one has been adapted as a mini-series. There’s one from 1994 that apparently is pretty excellent so it will be interesting to see if this remake is better than the original mini-series. AND apparently Stephen King is writing a NEW ENDING for the series that is different from the book. INTERESTING.
Release Date: December 17, 2020
Starring: James Marsden, Jovan Adepo, Whoopi Goldberg
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
I Know This Much Is True
I Know This Much Is True by Wally Lamb
Premise: “Middle-aged Dominick Birdsey recounts his troubled relationship with Thomas, his paranoid schizophrenic twin brother, and his efforts to get him released from an asylum.” (IMDB)
I remember this was the first audiobook I ever listened to because my mom had it lying around and I just remember sobbing while driving at the end of this one. If you like stories about dysfunctional families, this one is for you!
Release Date: May 10, 2020
Starring: Mark Ruffalo, Kathryn Hahn, Melissa Leo, Juliette Lewis
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Cherry
Premise: “An Army medic suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder becomes a serial bank robber after an addiction to drugs puts him in debt.” (IMDB)
When I read the premise of this book/movie I was like “WOAH that’s intense” and then I found out it’s semi-autobiographical and I was even more fascinated because apparently the author wrote this in jail on a typewriter and is still serving time until November 2020 for some bank robberies. INTERESTING. A reviewer I really trust gave this a high rating so I’m definitely going to check it out!
Release Date: No updates if it is still happening for 2020 since the pandemic which might have slowed in down in post-production
Starring: Bill Skarsgård, Tom Holland, Jack Reynor
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
I’m Thinking Of Ending Things
I’m Thinking of Ending Things by Iain Reid
Premise: “An unexpected detour turns a couple’s road trip into a terrifying journey through their fragile psyches.” (Netflix)
This book looks absolutely MESSED UP. A number of friends on Goodreads were basically like “wtf did I just read??” and commented how creepy it was. Sounds promising to me!
Release Date: Netflix September 4, 2020
Starring: Toni Collette, Jesse Plemons, Jessie Buckley
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Last Looks
Last Looks by Howard Michael Gould
Premise: “A disgraced ex-cop seeks solace by moving to the woods, but his quiet life comes to an end when a private eye recruits him to investigate a murder.” (IMDB)
This first book in what looks to be a new thriller/detective series looks promising as both a series to get into and as a movie! It’s a newer release and haven’t heard much buzz about it.
Release Date: November 6, 2020
Starring: Morena Baccarin, Mel Gibson, Charlie Hunnam
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Children’s & YA Books Becoming Movies in 2020
The Secret Garden
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
Premise: “A girl discovers a magical garden hidden at her uncle’s house.” (IMDB)
This was one of my absolute most FAVORITE books of a kid and now I need to dig through old boxes to find my copy because I NEED to reread it. The trailer seems much more magical than I remember the book being but it’s also been a million years since I read it. An exciting children’s book to film adaptation for me because it’s such a beloved book to me.
Release Date: August 2020 in the states for Video On Demand (watch it here on Amazon)
Starring: Colin Firth, Maeve Dermody, Julie Walters
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Chemical Hearts
Our Chemical Hearts by Krystal Sutherland
Premise: “A high school transfer student finds a new passion when she begins to work on the school’s newspaper.” (IMDB)
Oh this book wrecked me a little bit from what I remember when I read it. I can’t wait to see this teen romance novel (and story of grief) turned movie!
Release Date: August 2020
Starring: Lili Reinhart, Sarah Jones, Austin Abrams
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Stargirl
Premise of Stargirl: “A quirky, homeschooled teenager shakes things up at her uptight high school in Arizona.” (IMDB)
This is one of those books that I can’t forget — even all these years later. Stargirl is such a gem of a YA novel. I’m SO excited to see this on the big screen — well technically the Disney+ streaming service.
Release Date: Out now
Starring: Giancarlo Esposito, Darby Stanchfield, Karan Brar
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
The One and Only Ivan
The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate
Premise: “A gorilla named Ivan tries to piece together his past with the help of an elephant named Stella as they hatch a plan to escape from captivity.” (IMDB)
Oh now this book to movie is going to be a delight. It’s based on a true story and very feelings-inducing! I read this after my niece raved about it.
Release Date: August 21, 2020
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Helen Mirren, Bryan Cranston
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Tiny Pretty Things
Tiny Pretty Things by Sona Charaipotra and Dhonielle Clayton
Premise: “The world of an elite ballet academy and charts the rise and fall of young adults who live far from their homes, each standing on the verge of greatness or ruin.” (IMDB)
Such an underrated YA book and I think it’s going to make for a great book to tv adaptation for Netflix in 2020! If you love a good dose of drama, mean girls, the world of competitive dance and some psychological thriller type stuff, GET ON THIS. The book was pitched as Pretty Little Liars meets Black Swan and I say that’s a decent comparison!
Release Date: Sometime 2020 according to Variety (though might be delayed)
Starring: Shaun Benson, Brennan Clost, Barton Cowperthwaite
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Artemis Fowl
Artemis Fowl by Eion Colfer
Premise for Artemis Fowl: “Artemis Fowl II, a young Irish criminal mastermind, kidnaps the fairy LEPrecon officer Holly Short for ransom to fund the search for his missing father in order to restore the family fortune. “ (IMDB)
This popular science fantasy adventure series, Artemis Fowl, finally has got its movie adaptation from Disney! Fans have been waiting for this for a LONG time since it was announced. It’s going to be a great summer blockbuster to go see with your kids — and maybe even get them to read ahead of time if they haven’t already!
Release Date: June 12 on Disney+
Starring: Hong Chau, Nonso Anozie, Judi Dench
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
The Witches
Premise of The Witches: “Based on Roald Dahl’s 1983 classic book ‘The Witches’, the story tells the scary, funny and imaginative tale of a seven year old boy who has a run in with some real life witches!” (IMDB)
Oh did I love this book as a kid and I do recall watching the 90’s adaptation of this one. I think this cast is outstanding and I cannot wait to see it on screen again — and apparently they are changing the time period and setting to 1960’s Gothic South. Thinking I might reread this one because it’s been AGES.
Release Date: Was supposed to be October 2020 but moved to 2021
Starring: Anne Hathaway, Octavia Spencer, Stanley Tucci, and Chris Rock
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
A Boy Called Christmas
A Boy Called Christmas by Matt Haig
Premise of A Boy Called Christmas: “A re-imagining of the story of Father Christmas, Nikolas is a boy who sets off into the snowy white north in search of his father.”
This is going to be the perfect holiday family film to see in 2020!
Release Date: December 2020
Starring: Maggie Smith, Kristen Wiig, Michiel Huisman
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Dragon Rider
Dragon Rider by Cornelia Funke
Premise: “A young silver dragon teams up with a mountain spirit and an orphaned boy on a journey through the Himalayas in search for the Rim of Heaven.” (IMDB)
The beloved dragon adventure series for kids is going to be an animated film!! Definitely a good book for those reluctant readers too — so much action and adventure!
Release Date: August 6, 2020
Starring: Felicity Jones, Freddie Highmore, Patrick Stewart
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
How To Build A Girl
Premise of How To Build A Girl: “charts the journey of teenager Johanna Morrigan, who reinvents herself as Dolly Wilde: fast-talking, lady sex-adventurer, moves to London, and gets a job as music critic in the hope of saving her poverty stricken family in Wolverhampton.” (IMDB)
I’ve heard this book is so funny and this one is a priority for me to get to before the film! It’s semi autobiographical on the author’s own life.
Release Date: May 8, 2020
Starring: Beanie Feldstein, Emma Thompson, Jameela Jamil, Lucy Punch, Alfie Allan
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
The Willoughby’s
The Willoughby’s by Lois Lowry
This is the one Lois Lowry book I DIDN’T read as a kid! I feel like I need to fix that!!
Fear Street
Premise: “In 1994, a group of teenagers find out that the terrifying events that have occurred in their town of Shadyside, Ohio may be connected to each other, and that they may be the next targets” (IMDB)
I am a total RL Stine nerd! I read all his books growing up and, even when I wasn’t reading as much in high school, his Fear Street books were pretty much the only thing I’d read! He also is a delightful man in person (scary to meet your idols!!) so it makes it all the sweeter! This is going to be a trilogy of films and I cannot WAIT!
Release Date: Was supposed to be 2020 but moved to mid-2021
Starring: Gillian Jacobs, Ashley Zukerman, Kiana Madeira
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Chaos Walking
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
Premise of Chaos Walking: “A dystopian world where there are no women and all living creatures can hear each others’ thoughts in a stream of images, words, and sounds called Noise.” (IMDB)
This one was originally supposed to be a March 2019 release date but was pushed backed to 2020 because of reshoots that need to be done according to Indiewire. As a bummer as it is for fans of the Chaos Walking series — we don’t want a bad adaptation like this one was looking to be before reshoots. AND it gives people plenty of time to dive into this gritty and brutal series.
Release Date: January 22, 2021
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Enola Holmes
Enola Holmes by Nancy Springer
Premise: “Upon the disappearance of their mother, the child sister of Sherlock and Mycroft Holmes runs away to become a fugitive private detective herself. ” (IMDB)
HOW did I not know this was a book series? I don’t read a ton of middle grade fiction but I love all these Sherlock related and a series all about his little sister? I LOVE IT.
Release Date: September 23 on Netflix
Starring: Millie Bobby Brown, Sam Claflin, Henry Cavill
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
If you are looking for some good YA books to read, check out the most anticipated YA books for 2020!
Classic books becoming movies in 2020
Call of the Wild
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
Premise: “A domesticated St. Bernard/Scotch Collie dog named Buck is stolen from his Santa Clara, California home and sold to freight haulers in the Yukon.” (IMDB)
I read this one a long time ago! This book to film adaptation is going to be live-action CGI-animated.
Release Date: February 21, 2020 (was originally supposed to be December 2019)
Starring: Karen Gillan, Harrison Ford, Bradley Whitford
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Emma
Another classic book becoming a movie! I absolutely adore Emma and I’m always here for any Jane Austen adaptation, I won’t lie, even though some of them are really disappointing. I’m just feeling REALLY good about this one— especially since some of my fave films are Focus Features films.
Release Date: February 21, 2020
Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Bill Nighy, Callum Turner
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
The Personal History of David Copperfield
Premise: “David Copperfield is the story of a young man’s adventures on his journey from an unhappy and impoverished childhood to the discovery of his vocation as a successful novelist.”
I so tried to read David Copperfield as a teen and couldn’t do it. Honestly most of Dickens’ I could never get through. Maybe I will try again?? Either way with Dev Patel and Gwendoline Christie I am watching this!! It looks hilarious! It seemed to have a good reception to it at the TIFF. One review said it “puts a fresh, funny, and utterly charming spin on Dickens’ classic, proving some stories truly are timeless.”
Release Date: August 28, 2020
Starring: Dev Patel, Gwendoline Christie, Tilda Swinton
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
The Invisible Man
The Invisible Man by H.G Wells
Premise: “After her abusive ex-boyfriend commits suicide, naïve Cecilia begins to rebuild her life for the better. However, her sense of reality is put into question when she begins to suspect her former boyfriend is not actually dead as she had thought.” (IMDB)
This one is a modern adaptation of the classic by H.G. Wells! I gotta be honest I read this a long time ago and none of this is ringing a bell so I think it’s going to be VERY different in premise. Maybe just the whole science of how he becomes the invisible man will be in it? Not sure.
Release Date: February 28, 2020
Starring: Elisabeth Moss, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Aldis Hodge
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Brave New World
Brave New World by Aldous Huxley
Premise of Brave New World: “imagines a utopian society that has achieved peace and stability through the prohibition of monogamy, privacy, money, family, and history itself.”
The classic dystopian novel, Brave New World, is getting a TV adaptation that will be on Peacock (NBC’s upcoming streaming service). I read this ages ago in high school and really enjoyed it so a reread might be in order!
Release Date: July 15
Starring: Stuart Walker, Jeanie Hackman, Summer-Joules
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Graphic novels & comics becoming movies in 2020
Y
Y: The Last Man by Brian K. Vaughan
Premise: “Set in a post-apocalyptic world where all beings on the planet with Y chromosome died, Y follows Yorick, the only surviving male human on the planet and his journey in search of answers. The new world order of women will explore gender, race, class and survival”(IMDB)
I love the Saga comic series from this author but I haven’t dove into this series but I AM DEFINITELY going to before this tv series premieres on FX. I love a good post-apocalyptic setting and Saga is one of my favorite comics ever SO it’s priority.
Release Date: Moved to likely 2021
Starring: Diane Lane, Mai Arwas, Blake Baumgartner |
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Bloodshot
Valiant Masters: Bloodshot, Volume 1: Blood of the Machine
Premise: “Ray Garrison, an elite soldier who was killed in battle, is brought back to life by an advanced technology that gives him the ability of super human strength and fast healing. With his new abilities, he goes after the man who killed his wife, or at least, who he believes killed his wife. He soon comes to learn that not everything he learns can be trusted. The true question his: Can he even trust himself?” (IMDB)
Release Date: Out now
Starring: Eiza González, Vin Diesel, Sam Heughan,
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Eternals
Premise: “The saga of the Eternals, a race of immortal beings who lived on Earth and shaped its history and civilizations.” (IMDB)
I hadn’t heard of this comic series from the 70’s but the movie sure has a star studded cast in this addition to the Marvel universe.
Release Date: Moved to November 2021
Starring: Angelina Jolie, Richard Madden, Salma Hayek, Kit Harington, Kumail Nanjiani
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Jupiter’s Legacy
Jupiter’s Legacy by Mark Millar
Premise: “When the world’s first generation of superheroes received their powers in the 1930s become the revered elder guard in the present, their superpowered children struggle to live up to the legendary feats of their parents.” (IMDB)
Netflix is just scooping up all the superhero stuff! I hadn’t actually heard of this comic series but I’m in the market for some new comic series to get into. Netflix apparently purchased ALL of Mark Millar’s stuff that aren’t already licensed out.
Release Date: Likely 2021 now
Starring: Ian Quinlan, Anna Akana, Humberly González, Leslie Bibb, Josh Duhamel, Ben Daniels, Matt Lanter
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound,
The New Mutants
Premise: “Five young mutants, just discovering their abilities while held in a secret facility against their will, fight to escape their past sins and save themselves” (IMDB)
Marvel fans, check this out — another comic book turned movie for you! This one has been pushed back TWICE so hopefully 3rd time’s the charm here with me telling you this movie is coming out. But hopefully the wait is for the better since they took time to make it even more frightening. I haven’t dove into this comic yet but it looks fantastic and I am VERY excited for the movie.
Release Date: August 28
Starring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Antonio Banderas, Maisie Williams
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Marry Me
Premise: “A pop superstar is jilted by her rock-star fiancé moments before their wedding at Madison Square Garden, so she marries a random guy from the crowd instead.” (IMDB)
This looks like SUCH a fun romcom based on a graphic novel and I just love me some J.Lo.
Release Date: Moved to 2021
Starring: Jennifer Lopez, Owen Wilson, Sarah Silverman
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Movies seeming likely to be out in 2020 but not confirmed
(will update as more info has been given)
French Exit
Premise of French Exit: “A close to penniless widow moves to Paris with her son and cat, who also happens to be her reincarnated husband.” (Wiki)
I saw someone liken this book to something akin to a Wes Anderson movie and that DEFINITELY piqued my interest!
Release Date: Moved to February 2021
Starring: Michelle Pfeiffer, Danielle Macdonald, Lucas Hedges
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Dear Zoe
Premise: “Coming-of-age dramedy in which teenage Tess enlists her biological father – a lovable slacker from the wrong side of the tracks – and the charming juvenile delinquent next door to help her come to grips with the death of her little sister.” (IMDB)
I feel like I’m pretty knowledgeable about young adult books but I had never heard of this one and then I realized it’s a bit of an older one that published a couple years before I even got into YA (thanks to Twilight). I enjoy books about grief and coming of age stories in general so this one looks good!
Release Date: 2021
Starring: Sadie Sink, Theo Rossi, Jessica Capshaw
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Penguin Bloom
Penguin Bloom: The Odd Little Bird Who Saved A Family
Premise: “A photographer and her family find hope and solace in an injured Magpie chick while struggling to adjust to the photographer’s paralysis.” (IMDB)
This book looks really lovely and perfect for fans of books/movies like We Bought a Zoo and Marley and Me! It’s a memoir about this magpie that came into this family’s life just at the crucial time and there are these gorgeous photographs with it. If you like stories about how the special bond we have with animals with a dash of hope and inspiration — check this out!
Release Date: Unknown but the author’s site says 2020. Want to have more confirmation.
Starring: Naomi Watts, Andrew Lincoln, Jacki Weaver
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
The Sound of Philadelphia
Premise: “A grieving brother turns to his family’s criminal connections to seek revenge against the person who killed his sister. ” (IMDB)
If mob stories are your thing, check this one out! The fact that it is set in my city + has Joel Kinnaman in it makes me REALLY excited for this one.
Release Date: The film will have its world premiere at the Deauville Film Festival on September 8, 2020.
Starring: Joel Kinnaman, Maika Monroe, Matthias Schoenaerts
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
Passing
Premise: “Passing” follows the unexpected reunion of two high school friends, whose renewed acquaintance ignites a mutual obsession that threatens both of their carefully constructed realities.”(IMDB)
This film is based off of the book which was published in 1929 and I was curious if it would be moderned up or follow the same time period as the book and it seems as though it’s going to be set in the past. I’m honestly planning to read this novel after learning about it in my research as I want to read more classics from women authors because all the older books I’ve read seem to be written by men. I think the movie is going to be a thought-provoking and timely one as we as a culture have been talking about race and privilege a lot more. It’s got quite the cast too!!
Release Date: Unknown– suspected 2020 (just started filming in November 2019)
Starring: Tessa Thompson, André Holland, Ruth Negga
Buy the Book: Amazon / Barnes & Noble / Indiebound
I’m curious what books becoming movies are you are most excited about this year? What are some of your FAVORITE movies based on books?
Pin the 2020 book to movie adaptations list for later
2019 book to movie list // 2018 book to movie list // 2017 book to movie list
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