There’s something truly awe-inspiring about seeing a beloved book come to life on the big screen – the characters we imagined, the worlds we visualised, all brought vividly into focus through the lens of cinema. Sometimes the magic hits, sometimes it misses, but the anticipation is always thrilling.
Junior Copywriter and Proofreader (and did we mention, published author?) Rachel Welland rolls out the red carpet and dives into the most exciting upcoming book-to-film adaptations set to light up the screen and capture our imaginations all over again.
When books make it to the big screen… I have to admit I’m always hesitant when I hear that a bestseller is being adapted for a film. As a reader and writer, my love is always for the written word first, and when directors get it wrong – and I’m leaning into the dramatic here – it feels like a big betrayal!
Nevertheless, I’m still a sucker for stunning imagery and beautiful storytelling through the world of film. And there’s a whole host of book-to-film adaptations coming to our screens soon, with a few even garnering some award buzz along the way. Let’s jump in!
Hamnet (2026)
Due to be released in the UK in January 2026, Hamnet is the long-anticipated historical drama based on the book by Maggie O’Farrell, published in 2020.
And no pressure, director Chloé Zhao, but O’Farrell’s novel has won BIG:
- 2020 – the Women’s Prize for Fiction
- 2020 – the National Book Critics Circle Award for Fiction
- 2020 – chosen as Waterstones’ Book of the Year
- 2021 – Dalkey Literary Awards champion
- 2021 – Shortlisted for the Walter Scott Prize
- 2021 – Longlisted for the Andrew Carnegie Medal for Excellence in Fiction
Hamnet tells the heart-rending story behind Shakespeare’s son, Hamnet, whose untimely death at the age of 11 deeply impacted the playwright’s life and work. The story explores the grief, love and resilience of his family, particularly his wife Agnes, and is set against the rich historical backdrop of 16th-century England – and, more locally still, in Stratford-upon-Avon, which is just down the road from Denfield!
The film boasts a stellar cast, with Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley taking on the lead roles of William and Agnes Shakespeare. They’re joined by the legendary Emily Watson and David Wilmot, alongside rising stars Jacobi Jupe, Olivia Lynes and Bodhi Rae Breathnach.
With such a powerful story and extraordinary talent behind it, Hamnet promises to be a moving tribute to one of history’s most mysterious and compelling family stories.
And there’s even already Oscar talk in the air for this one! Recently, the film scooped the People’s Choice Award, the top prize at the Toronto International Film Festival, which is usually an indicator of bigger successes to come…
The Housemaid (2025)
Nearly everywhere I look, I see people with this novel in hand – completely engrossed. And rightly so. This psychological thriller had me on the edge of my seat, and I’m genuinely intrigued to see what Director Paul Feig has brought to the screen.
Landing on Netflix this December, The Housemaid is based on the bestselling novel by Freida McFadden, which won the 2023 Best Paperback Original Novel at the International Writers Awards. The story dives into the twisted dynamics between live-in housekeeper Millie Calloway, her seemingly perfect employer Nina Winchester and Nina’s charming yet unpredictable husband, Andrew.
But nothing in this house is what it seems. As secrets unravel and tension builds, loyalties shift – and the truth turns out to be far more dangerous than Millie ever imagined.
Starring Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar, this gripping adaptation is already shaping up to be one of the year’s most talked-about thrillers.
The Nightingale (2027)
For the history buffs like me, the fandom erupted with joy earlier this year when Kristin Hannah announced that her 2015 historical fiction novel, The Nightingale, is finally being adapted into a film starring the iconic sister duo Dakota and Elle Fanning as the leads, sisters Vianne and Isabelle.
Arguably Hannah’s most iconic work so far, The Nightingale spent 45 weeks on the NPR Hardcover Fiction Bestseller List and 20 weeks on the New York Times bestseller list. This stunning tale of survival and resistance in WW2 France follows two sisters who take very different survival paths: one through the shadow of the Resistance, the other through defiant acts in the community in which she lives. Enduring turmoil, sacrifice and heartbreak, their intertwined journeys capture the resilience of the human spirit. The Nightingale offers a powerful recipe for the big screen!
We may have a bit of time to wait, but I’m equal parts nervous and excited to see one of my favourite novels be adapted to the big screen. Michael Morris, I leave my hopes and expectations in your hands!
People We Meet on Vacation (2026)
For that much-needed light-hearted escape we all crave, look no further than People We Meet on Vacation. Coming to Netflix in January 2026, this romantic comedy is adapted from Emily Henry’s beloved 2021 novel of the same name.
A New York Times and IndieBound bestseller, the novel also won the 2021 Goodreads Choice Award for Romance and was named one of Kirkus Reviews’ Best Books of 2021. The story follows Poppy and Alex, two best friends with undeniable chemistry, as they navigate the complexities of their relationship while travelling the world together. With equal parts heart and humour, it’s a charming and emotionally rich tale that promises to strike a chord with fans of friends-to-lovers romance.
Starring Emily Bader and Tom Blyth in the lead roles, this adaptation is sure to bring Poppy and Alex’s unforgettable journey to life – just in time for a cosy winter binge
The Odyssey (2026)
You may have come across this little-known tale called the Odyssey… Only over 2,000 years old, this is just a small tale of war’s legacy, where the glories of Troy give way to the long, myth-laden struggle of a man to find peace at home.
And who’s been brave enough to carry the mantle of Homer? Why the legendary Christopher Nolan of course, and he’s bringing in the big guns (even though that would be historically inaccurate), including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron, Jon Bernthal, Mia Goth, John Leguizamo, Elliot Page and many more!
After his triumph with Oppenheimer back in 2023, Nolan is not backing down in his ambition and is taking on one of the most epic tales of all time, which is due to release in July 2026.
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew (2026)
From the land of Barbie to Narnia, Greta Gerwig is making a bold leap into fantasy with her upcoming adaptation of the beloved classic series The Chronicles of Narnia. Departing from the approach taken by the earlier films – The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005), Prince Caspian (2008) and Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010) – Gerwig is embracing the original book order to tell the story as author CS Lewis intended.
She begins with Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew, one of the lesser-known entries in the series but a true cornerstone of the Narnian universe. This origin story sets the stage for everything to come, introducing us to Digory Kirke and Polly Plummer, two children whose magical journey leads to the creation of Narnia itself. (Sharp-eyed fans may recognise Kirke from later instalments!)
With talents like Emma Mackey and Carey Mulligan bringing depth and prestige to the cast, this new take promises to blend magic, mystery and emotional resonance in true Gerwig fashion.
So, prepare to step through the wardrobe once more – into a world of fawns, centaurs, talking animals, dancing trees and timeless wonder. But beware…the White Witch is never far away.
Marketing the movie magic
As a full-service marketing agency, we’re keen to see how all the aspects of the promotional campaigns for these films will be brought to life by the production companies, from social media roll-outs and targeted ads to striking billboards and merchandise.
Of course, these are just a few standout films – there are so many more we’re anticipating. Which book-to-film adaptation are you looking forward to the most?
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