As an avid reader, I always prioritise reading the book before its screen adaptation. I find that the novel is nearly always superior to the film—after all, you’ve visualised the characters and are deeply connected with the fictional world. The cinematic landscape is increasingly turning to literature for narrative inspiration, and 2026 is shaping up to be a monumental year for book-to-screen releases. From major projects like Emerald Fennell’s take on Wuthering Heights to Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey, and with A-list casts attached, here is a look at the most exciting literary works set to hit theatres this year.
Wuthering Heights by Emerald Fennell
The 2026 film adaptation of “Wuthering Heights” features Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff and Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw. Based on Emily Brontë’s 1847 gothic fiction novel—a celebrated work of English literature—the story centres on the intense, all-consuming, and lustful romance between the orphaned Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw.
However, director Emerald Fennell’s approach offers a slightly different take than a faithful retelling. Instead, she focused on capturing the feeling of a teenage girl reading the book for the very first time. The original novel powerfully explores enduring themes of revenge, obsessive love, and possession. Supporting cast members are Hong Chau, portraying Nelly Dea; Owen Cooper, cast as the young Heathcliff; and Ewan Mitchell, who plays Joseph.
Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
Project Hail Mary, the film adaptation of Andy Weir’s (author of The Martian) popular science fiction novel, stars Ryan Gosling (who also produced) as Ryland Grace. Grace, a former biologist and school teacher, awakens on a spacecraft with amnesia and is tasked with preventing an interstellar catastrophe from destroying Earth. The cast also features Sandra Hüller as Grace’s superior and the project head, and Ken Leung as a member of the Hail Mary crew. The novel was a 2022 Hugo Award finalist for Best Novel and was included in the 2021 book recommendations of both Bill Gates and Barack Obama.
Revenge Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
The much-anticipated sequel to the 2006 film The Devil Wears Prada is the movie adaptation of Lauren Weinsberger’s 2013 book, Revenge Wears Prada, which is also known as The Devil Wears Prada 2. The plot sees the return of Andy to Runway magazine and centers on the intense competition for advertising revenue between Miranda Priestly and her former assistant, Emily Charlton, set against the backdrop of a declining print media industry. Reprising their iconic roles are Meryl Streep as Miranda Priestly, Anne Hathaway as Andy, Emily Blunt as Emily Charlton, and Stanley Tucci as Nigel Kipling. Filming drew significant attention, notably for scenes shot at the Dolce & Gabanna’s Milan Fashion Show in September 2025. The production also featured cameo appearances by A-list celebrities, including Donatella Versace and Lady Gaga. The movie’s teaser trailer, released in 2025, achieved massive popularity, becoming the most viewed film trailer of the year with 181.5 million views.
Premieres 29 April 2026
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
The film adaptation of Remarkably Bright Creatures centers on an unlikely friendship. Marcellus, a giant Pacific octopus, forms a bond with Tova, a recent widow working at the aquarium where he is kept, and Cameron, a young man who is drifting through life. As this trio comes together, they uncover a mystery that leads to a profound, life-altering discovery. The novel’s characters draw from the author’s own life: Tova is inspired by Van Pelt’s maternal grandmother, and Cameron’s storyline incorporates events from Van Pelt’s own experiences. Sally Field stars as Tova, and Lewis Pullman plays Cameron.
Premieres 8 May 2026
The Odyssey by Homer
The highly anticipated fantasy action film, The Odyssey, is an adaptation of Homer’s epic poem, one of the foundational works of ancient Greek literature. This ancient text, divided into 24 books and among the oldest surviving pieces of literature, chronicles the legendary King Odysseus’s arduous ten-year journey to return to his kingdom of Ithaca after the Trojan War. His voyage is fraught with peril, featuring encounters with iconic mythological Greek entities such as the Cyclops, the Sirens, and the sorceress Circe.
Christopher Nolan serves as both the director and writer for this blockbuster. The star-studded ensemble cast includes Matt Damon as the protagonist Odysseus, King of Ithaca; Anne Hathaway as his wife, Penelope; and Tom Holland as their son, Telemachus. The cast also features Zendaya as the goddess Athena, Charlize Theron as Circe, the powerful enchantress of the island of Aeaea, and Robert Pattinson as Antinous, the son of Eupeithes, among others. Reportedly the most costly film of Nolan’s career, it was entirely shot using IMAX’s 70mm film cameras.
Premieres 16 July 2026
Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
The upcoming romantic drama is an adaptation of Jane Austen’s debut novel, Sense and Sensibility. The story follows the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, who are forced to relocate from their family estate to a modest cottage after their father’s death leaves them financially destitute. In their new surroundings, the sisters seek true love among various potential suitors—an aesthetic reminiscent of the regency era, similar to Bridgerton.
The film is set for release by Focus Features and Working Title, the same production companies behind previous Austen adaptations like Pride & Prejudice and Emma. This marks the second film version of the novel, following the 1995 release that starred Emma Thompson and Kate Winslet. The new adaptation stars Daisy Edgar-Jones as the eldest sister, Elinor Dashwood, Esmé Creed-Miles as Marianne Dashwood, and George MacKay as Edward Ferrars, Elinor’s principal love interest. Similarly, a new six-part adaptation of Pride & Prejudice is set to hit Netflix later in 2026.
Premieres 11 September 2026
Verity by Colleen Hoover
Verity, a psychological thriller based on Colleen Hoover’s 2018 novel, stars Dakota Johnson as Lowen Ashleigh, a ghostwriter hired to finish the series of Verity Crawford, an established author incapacitated after an accident. While staying at the Crawfords’ home, Lowen, played by Johnson, discovers Verity’s (Anne Hathaway) disturbing autobiographical notes, leading her to question the author’s sanity and overall well-being. Josh Hartnett co-stars as Verity’s husband, Jeremy Crawford.
Reminders of Him, another novel by Colleen Hoover, was released as a film adaptation in March. The film stars Tyriq Withers, Lauren Graham, and Rudy Pankow.
Premieres 2 October 2026
Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
The sixth cinematic adaptation of The Hunger Games series, the prequel Sunrise on the Reaping, will focus on the 50th annual Hunger Games, which took place 24 years before the events of the first novel, The Hunger Games. Known as the Second Quarter Quell, this specific game featured a critical twist: Panem was required to send double the usual number of tributes to the Capitol. The book proved to be a massive success, selling over 1.5 million copies in its first week, marking the biggest debut for a book in Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games series.
The film will see the return of several stars from the original films, with Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson reprising their roles as Katniss Everdeen and Peeta Mellark, respectively. The A-list cast also includes Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy (the victor of the 50th Games), Mckenna Grace as Maysilee Donner (a tribute from District 12), Ralph Fiennes as President Coriolanus Snow, Kieran Culkin as Caesar Flickerman, Elle Fanning as Effie Trinket, Iris Apatow as Effie’s younger sister, and Maya Hawke as Wiress.
Premieres 20 November 2026
Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert
The third and final film in the Dune series is an adaptation of Frank Herbert’s second book, published in 1969, which is itself the second of the six-part saga. Set 12 years after the events of Dune, the story follows Paul “Muad’dib” Atreides as he grapples with his role as a messiah and the burden of controlling a galactic jihad. He faces a complex web of conspiracies aimed at dethroning him, orchestrated by powerful entities including The Bene Gesserit, the Spacing Guild, the Tleilaux, and even his own wife, Princess Irulan.
The film boasts a powerhouse ensemble cast, featuring returning stars Timothée Chalamet as Paul and Zendaya as Chani. They are joined by Florence Pugh as Princess Irulan, Anya Taylor-Joy as Alia Atreides, and Jason Momoa as Ghloa. The star-studded lineup also includes A-list celebrity Robert Pattinson, who takes on the villainous role of Scytale, and Nakoa-Wolf Momoa, cast as Paul’s child.
Premieres 18 December 2026
The Bodyguard by Katherine Center
Guarding Stars is the new title for this adaptation, avoiding confusion with the classic film The Bodyguard. The story centers on a professional bodyguard, played by Leighton Meester, assigned to protect a charismatic A-list actor, played by Jared Padalecki, from a stalker during the Christmas holidays. To maintain cover, Meester’s character poses as Padalecki’s girlfriend, inevitably leading to a blurring of professional and personal boundaries. The supporting cast includes Andie MacDowell, country singer Walker Hayes, and Noah LaLonde.
Premieres Holiday season 2026
The Love Hypothesis by Ali Hazelwood
A favourite of the BookTok community, Ali Hazelwood’s hit debut novel, The Love Hypothesis, is set to be adapted. The book tells the story of Olive Smith, a Ph.D. candidate at Stanford University, who enters a fake relationship with her biology professor, Dr. Adam Carlsen. Her motivation is to convince her friend that she is over her ex-boyfriend. Naturally, the pretend romance eventually turns into a real one as the two fall in love.
Interestingly, the novel has its roots in Star Wars fan-fiction. It was originally published online in 2018 as Head Over Feet, centred on the characters Rey and Kylo Ren. Upon its physical publication, however, the book was retitled, and all references to Star Wars were removed.
The adaptation will star Lili Reinhart as Olive Smith and Tom Bateman as Adam Carlsen. Notably, Bateman is married to Daisy Ridley, the actress who inspired the original lead female character in the fan-fiction.
Premieres sometime in 2026
