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The Big Book-to-Screen Adaptations of 2019

Posted by Hayley on January 16, 2019
big 2019 books

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Ready to see some of your favorite stories come to life? Hollywood producers, directors, and actors are continuing their obsession with books—not that we can blame them.

From Greta Gerwig's , starring Emma Watson and Saoirse Ronan, to the wartime romp of with George Clooney and Hugh Laurie, there's an adaptation for every type of reader. Love horror? Check out and . Want true stories? Try and .

And the stars of last year's adaptations are back for more. Lana Condor follows up her breakout performance in by enrolling in Syfy's , and Amy Adams moves from HBO's psychological thriller, , to the big-screen adaptation of the Hitchcockian .

We've included the release dates (if available) and the network or platform where you'll find each television show. For more information about the adaptations, click on the title.

Which of these upcoming movies and series will catch your attention? Browse the adaptations below and then join the conversation in the comments!


Movie adaptations


based on the book by W. Bruce Cameron
With 400 miles of dangerous Colorado wilderness between her and her person, one lost puppy embarks on an unforgettable adventure home. The movie stars Bryce Dallas Howard, Ashley Judd, and Edward James Olmos.

Release date: January 11



based on the book by Richard Wright
Right from the start, Bigger Thomas had been headed for jail. The young black man comes of age in 1930s Chicago in this powerful story of race and class division. The movie stars Ashton Sanders, Nick Robinson, and Sanaa Lathan.

Release date: January 24



based on the book by Mark Burnell
The plane crash that killed Stephanie's family wasn't an accident. Filled with rage, she joins a covert intelligence organization to exact her revenge. The movie stars Blake Lively, Jude Law, and Sterling K. Brown.

Release date: February 22



based on the book by Patrick Ness
How do you escape when your pursuers can hear your every thought? Todd and his dog, Manchee, run for their lives in a surreal dystopian world. The movie stars Tom Holland, Daisy Ridley, Mads Mikkelsen, and Nick Jonas.

Release date: March 1



based on the book by Henry James
A governess attempts to protect two strange, oddly silent children as malevolent forces draw nearer in this modern update of the classic tale. The movie stars Mackenzie Davis, Finn Wolfhard, and Barbara Marten.

Release date: March 14



based on the book by Maria Semple
When revolutionary architect–turned–misanthropic matriarch Bernadette disappears, it's up to her daughter to search through emails and secret correspondences to find her. The movie stars Cate Blanchett, Judy Greer, and Kristen Wiig.

Release date: August 9



based on the book by Anders Roslund and Börge Hellström
An ex-convict and top-secret operative embarks on a dangerous assignment: posing as a prisoner inside the country's most notorious jail. The movie stars Joel Kinnaman, Rosamund Pike, Clive Owen, and Ana de Armas.

Release date: March 22



based on the book by C.S. Forester
A convoy ploughs through icy, submarine-infested seas during the most critical days of World War II. Its fate rests in the hands of Commander George Krause, an untested veteran. The movie stars Tom Hanks, Elisabeth Shue, and Karl Glusman.

Release date: March 22



based on the book by Nathan Ballingrud
When charismatic bartender Will discovers a cellphone after a violent brawl at his bar, he decides to keep it until the owner returns. Then the messages begin. The movie stars Armie Hammer, Dakota Johnson, and Zazie Beetz.

Release date: March 29



based on the book by Stephen King
Louis Creed has it all: a beautiful wife, charming children, and a lovable cat. But the nearby woods hide a blood-chilling secret, more terrifying than death itself. The movie stars Jason Clarke, John Lithgow, and Amy Seimetz.

Release date: April 5



based on the book by Osha Gray Davidson
Civil rights activist Ann Atwater faces off against Ku Klux Klan leader C.P. Ellis in 1971 Durham, North Carolina, in this story inspired by true events. The movie stars Taraji P. Henson, Sam Rockwell, and Wes Bentley.

Release date: April 5



based on the book by Anna Todd
Tessa doesn't need a distraction. She's a good college girl with a reliable boyfriend back home and a bright future ahead. Enter bad-boy Hardin. The movie stars Selma Blair, Josephine Langford, and Hero Fiennes Tiffin.

Release date: April 12



based on the book by Rhidian Brook
In post-World War II Hamburg, as thousands wander the streets homeless, a British colonel and his family move in with a German widower and his rebellious daughter. The movie stars Keira Knightley, Alexander Skarsgård, and Jason Clarke.

Release date: April 26



based on the book by Nicola Yoon
This is not the right time for Natasha to fall in love. With her family mere hours away from being deported, she unexpectedly connects with a cute boy on a crowded New York City street. The movie stars Yara Shahidi and Charles Melton.

Release date: May 17



based on the book by W. Bruce Cameron
In this sequel to , troubled teenager Clarity finds comfort, protection, and belonging with Molly, an adorable—and oddly familiar—puppy. The movie stars Josh Gad, Dennis Quaid, and Betty Gilpin.

Release date: May 17



based on the book by Eoin Colfer
Twelve-year-old Artemis Fowl II is a millionaire, a genius, and a criminal mastermind. He leverages his considerable talents to search for his missing father. Step one? Kidnapping a fairy. The movie stars Ferdia Shaw, Judi Dench, and Josh Gad.

Release date: August 9



based on the book by Stephen King
Nearly three decades after the events of , the Losers Club have grown up, moved away, and moved on...until a devastating phone call brings them back. The movie stars Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, and Bill Skarsgård.

Release date: September 6



based on the book by A.J. Finn
Anna Fox has one lifeline to the real world: her window. Terrified to step outside, she watches her perfect neighbors—and then she witnesses something no one was supposed to see. The movie stars Amy Adams, Gary Oldman, and Julianne Moore.

Release date: October 4



based on the book by Donna Tartt
After his mother is killed in a bombing at the Metropolitan Museum of Art, young Theo Decker is taken in by a wealthy family and drawn into the dangerous underworld of art. The movie stars Nicole Kidman, Sarah Paulson, and Ansel Elgort.

Release date: October 11



based on the book by Nicholas Searle
When con man Roy meets wealthy widow Betty online, he can hardly believe his luck. She's the perfect mark. But as he begins to care for her, his web of lies grows. The movie stars Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen.

Release date: November 15



based on the book by Louisa May Alcott
In this new adaptation of the beloved classic, the March sisters come of age, enduring hardships and enjoying adventures in Civil War New England. The movie stars Laura Dern, Meryl Streep, Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, and Timothée Chalamet.

Release date: December 25



based on the book by Jack London
At the dawn of the Klondike Gold Rush, when capable sled dogs are in high demand, half St. Bernard Buck is wrenched away from his home and forced to survive in the harsh conditions of the Yukon. The movie stars Harrison Ford and Dan Stevens.

Release date: December 25



based on the book by Jennifer Niven
Finch and Violet meet on the ledge of their school's bell tower. Both struggling to reconcile their past and their future, it's unclear who saves whom. The movie stars Elle Fanning, Keegan-Michael Key, and Luke Wilson.

Release date: 2019 on Netflix



based on the book by Jonathan Lethem
Lionel Essrog, a lonely private detective afflicted with Tourette's syndrome, attempts to solve the murder of his mentor and only friend, Frank Minna. The movie stars Bruce Willis, Leslie Mann, and Willem Dafoe.

Release date: 2019



based on the book by Charles Brandt
Mob hitman Frank "The Irishman" Sheeran tells his side of the story, looking back on his involvement with organized crime and the disappearance of Jimmy Hoffa. The movie stars Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, and Joe Pesci.

Release date: 2019



based on the book by Jerry Spinelli
After 15 years of home schooling, Stargirl arrives at high school in an explosion of color and a clatter of ukulele music, forever changing wallflower Leo's life. The movie stars Grace VanderWaal and Graham Verchere.

Release date: 2019



Television adaptations


based on the book by Justin Cronin
When a botched government experiment turns a group of death row inmates into highly infectious vampires, an orphan girl might be the only person able to stop the ensuing crisis. The series stars Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Saniyya Sidney.

Release date: January 14 on Fox



based on the book by Rick Remender
Welcome to the most brutal high school on earth, where top crime families send the next generation of assassins to be trained. New kid Marcus is having trouble fitting in. The series stars Benedict Wong, Benjamin Wadsworth, and Lana Condor.

Release date: January 16 on Syfy



based on the book by Gerard Way
A severely dysfunctional family of superheroes reunites to save the world after their adoptive father, the millionaire inventor Reginald Hargreeves, dies. The series stars Ellen Page, Tom Hopper, and Robert Sheehan.

Release date: February 15 on Netflix



based on the book by Lindy West
Annie wants to change her life, not her body. She juggles a career in journalism, bad boyfriends, sick parents, and society's many opinions about fat people. The series stars Aidy Bryant and Lolly Adefope.

Release date: March 15 on Hulu



based on the book by Joe Hill
Charlie Manx's old car lets him deposit his victims in Christmasland, a twisted holiday village. Having escaped him once, artist Victoria McQueen vows to take the evil Manx down. The series stars Zachary Quinto and Ashleigh Cummings.

Release date: April 30 on AMC



based on the book by Terry Pratchett and Neil Gaiman
It's the end of the world, and someone has misplaced the Antichrist. As the armies of Good and Evil prep for war, a fussy angel and a fast-living demon team up to stop the apocalypse. The series stars David Tennant, Michael Sheen, and Jon Hamm.

Release date: 2019 on Amazon



based on the book by Michelle McNamara
The sadistic Golden State Killer terrorized California for more than a decade. The documentary series traces journalist McNamara's obsession with the mysterious predator and her attempts to crack the unsolved case.

Release date: 2019 on HBO



based on the book by Joseph Heller
In the closing months of World War II, bombardier Yossarian desperately tries to get himself excused from perilous missions. But there's a catch... The series stars Christopher Abbott, Kyle Chandler, George Clooney, and Hugh Laurie.

Release date: 2019 on Amazon



based on the book by Celeste Ng
Enigmatic artist Mia and her daughter, Pearl, threaten to upend the carefully ordered community of Shaker Heights in this tale of secrets, security, and the power of motherhood. The series stars Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington.

Release date: 2019 on Hulu



based on the book by Daniel O'Malley
Myfanwy Thomas is a Rook, a high-ranking member of a secret organization that battles supernatural forces in Britain. She's also just been stabbed in the back. The series stars Jon Fletcher, Emma Greenwell, and Olivia Munn.

Release date: 2019 on Starz



based on the book by Alan Moore
From Damon Lindelof comes a new, original story set in the world of Watchmen, where superheroes are treated as outlaws. The series is reportedly unrelated to the and stars Jeremy Irons, Jean Smart, and Tim Blake Nelson.

Release date: 2019 on HBO



based on the book by Sara Shepard
When handsome womanizer Nolan is murdered, the teenage girls who hated him become the prime suspects in this spin-off. The series stars Janel Parrish, Sasha Pieterse, Sofia Carson, and Kelly Rutherford.

Release date: 2019 on Freeform



based on the book by Andrzej Sapkowski
Geralt of Rivia, a solitary monster hunter and cunning sorcerer, struggles to find his place in a world where people often prove more wicked than beasts. The series stars Henry Cavill, Freya Allan, and Joey Batey.

Release date: 2019 on Netflix




Which movies and television shows are you looking forward to watching? Tell us in the comments!

Check out more recent :
43 Highly Anticipated Books of 2019
Exclusive: Thomas Harris Shares the Cover and Sneak Peek of His Upcoming Thriller
7 Great Books Hitting Shelves This Week

Comments Showing 1-50 of 97 (97 new)


message 1: by Corwyn (new)

Corwyn The January "release date" for Native Son is only for the Sundance premiere, in case anyone else, like me, gets excited and confused. (The book was very good; looking forward to the adaptation)


message 2: by Caroline (new)

Caroline I am too excited for the Good Omens adaption!


message 3: by Kathryn (new)

Kathryn G. I tried to find the trailer for The Turning (Turn of the Screw) but apparently there is none? How is that possible if the movie is supposedly coming out in March??


message 4: by Courtney (new)

Courtney I can’t wait for so many of these to come out!


message 5: by Jules (new)

Jules What about five Feet Apart


message 6: by Istari (new)

Istari Can’t wait for chaos walking


message 7: by Beatrixacs300 (new)

Beatrixacs300 No Witcher?


message 8: by Antoinette (new)

Antoinette What about The Silent Wife by A.S.A. Harrison starring Nicole Kidman?


message 9: by Casey (new)

Casey No Nightingale, Cats (movie musical) ? what the hell?


message 10: by DEE (new)

DEE Oh, I feel really lucky because I just started reading 'Good Omens' and wow it's slated to have a tv series the same year I picked it up? I'm really loving the book so far and on top of that David Tennant is one of my absolute fav actors. This seems like something promising on the horizon of my 2019. Definitely looking forward to that one.


message 11: by Janet (new)

Janet White I would love to see more kids books turned into movies. There are so many with relatable characters for kids of today. Our culture could use more quality tv and movies for kids instead of continual remakes of old movies or movies created for selling toys, etc.


message 12: by Jason (new)

Jason We are missing:
The nightingale, The good liar, between shades of grey, Anthem of a reluctant prophet & Five feet apart


message 13: by Katsuro (new)

Katsuro So they're making both A Dog's Way Home AND A Dog's Journey? Good year for people who love dogs, I guess.


message 14: by Robin (new)

Robin Beatrixacs300 wrote: "No Witcher?"

Netflix is supposed to be making a series for witcher.



message 15: by Ariel (new)

Ariel I can't wait for The Rook. I love that duology and I'm still hoping there's more to come.


message 16: by Raphaella (new)

Raphaella Hello??? Five feet apart! Starting Cole Sprouse! How could u miss that one.


message 17: by Hannah (new)

Hannah Gibson Looking forward to all the bright places! :)


message 18: by Corwyn (new)

Corwyn Lili wrote: "Hannah wrote: "Where is Six of crows? Does anyone know when that’s coming out?"

i didnt even know that was coming out?!?"


Yup. A TV series on Netflix, combining Shadow & Bones and Six of Crows. It was only just recently announced.


message 19: by Jennifer (new)

Jennifer Cigainero Anyone know when Jodi Pricoult’s Small Great Things adaption coming out?


message 20: by Shanna (new)

Shanna I have to reread Chaos Walking! Read it so long ago that I can’t remember a lot of it.


message 21: by Ava05 (new)

Ava05 Hannah wrote: "Where is Six of crows? Does anyone know when that’s coming out?"

I hope it's coming out this year.


message 22: by Jenny (new)

Jenny not all the books for this year are on this list.


message 23: by Halyna (new)

Halyna I'm over the moon about the Rook - gorgeous book and I hope for an adequate adaptation!


message 24: by Dana (new)

Dana I can't wait A Dog's Way Home and A Dog's Journey!!!


message 25: by Samantha (new)

Samantha Goldfinch is a huge favorite. I'm really nervous about the adaptation. 😓


message 26: by Andrew (new)

Andrew I can’t wait to see if Artemis Fowl ends up being good.


message 27: by Beatrixacs300 (new)

Beatrixacs300 Robin wrote: "Beatrixacs300 wrote: "No Witcher?"

Netflix is supposed to be making a series for witcher.
"


I know that Netflix is making the show. It is scheduled to premiere this year, that is why I am wondering why it is not on this list of Big Book-to-Screen adaptations. It definitely deserves the recognition.


message 28: by Thush (new)

Thush There are lots to be excited about but though there's lots of trepidation around it, Artemis Fowl is still the movie I'm most looking forward to :)


message 29: by Ankita (new)

Ankita Goswami Caroline wrote: "I am too excited for the Good Omens adaption!"

Saaame


message 30: by Jodie (new)

Jodie Beatrixacs300 wrote: "Robin wrote: "Beatrixacs300 wrote: "No Witcher?"

Netflix is supposed to be making a series for witcher.
"

I know that Netflix is making the show. It is schedu..."


It is on the list, it's the very last one before the comments :-)


message 31: by Lori (new)

Lori They're seriously making another version of Pet Sematary?


message 32: by Suzi (new)

Suzi Chaos Walking? Wow. Excited about this.
There are a lot of great books being adapted.


message 33: by Elyse (new)

Elyse Beatrixacs300 wrote: "No Witcher?"

The Witcher is the last on the TV Series list.


message 34: by Elyse (new)

Elyse Isaa Jason wrote: "We are missing:
The nightingale, The good liar, between shades of grey, Anthem of a reluctant prophet & Five feet apart"


The Good Liar is there between The Goldfinch and Little Women.


message 35: by Elyse (new)

Elyse Hannah wrote: "Where is Six of crows? Does anyone know when that’s coming out?"

2020 on Netflix.


message 36: by Carol (new)

Carol Decarlo would love to see WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING made into a movie or short series


message 37: by Suzi (new)

Suzi Isaa Jason wrote: "We are missing:
The nightingale, The good liar, between shades of grey, Anthem of a reluctant prophet & Five feet apart"


Ohhh...Between Shades of Grey? Excellent.


message 38: by Elyse (last edited Feb 05, 2019 07:39AM) (new)

Elyse Suzi wrote: "Isaa Jason wrote: "We are missing:
The nightingale, The good liar, between shades of grey, Anthem of a reluctant prophet & Five feet apart"

Ohhh...Between Shades of Grey? Excellent."


It's called Ashes in the Snow and was a limited release 1/11 in the US.



message 39: by Suzi (new)

Suzi Oh, thanks. Maybe on DVD at some point then?


message 40: by Elyse (new)

Elyse Suzi wrote: "Oh, thanks. Maybe on DVD at some point then?"

Yeah, I don't think it will have a regular release and we can probably see it at home by the summer.


message 41: by Sally (new)

Sally Devil In The White City is in development (forever). Can't wait to see that.

I'd also love to see Empty Mansions made into a film.


message 42: by bluerose (new)

bluerose Holding my breath (though not with high hopes) that they don’t screw up Where’d You Go Bernadette too badly...at least the casting looks good...


message 43: by Jessica (new)

Jessica Kathryn wrote: "I tried to find the trailer for The Turning (Turn of the Screw) but apparently there is none? How is that possible if the movie is supposedly coming out in March??"

IMDB says it comes out Jan 24, 2020, not March 2019. Chaos Walking also is apparently a 2020 movie, not 2019.


message 44: by Tina (new)

Tina I was hoping to see The Hate U Give on this list. Isn't that scheduled as a movie this year?


message 45: by Frank (new)

Frank Pipp I am excited about The Turning of the Screw (great story and very readable considering it is by Henry James). Also The Call of the Wild since I am a dog owner. Good Omens intrigues me too.


message 46: by Valentina (new)

Valentina Does anyone know any info on The Nightingale? It was supposed to release in 2019 but I cannot find it anywhere :/


message 47: by Elyse (new)

Elyse Tina wrote: "I was hoping to see The Hate U Give on this list. Isn't that scheduled as a movie this year?"

It came out last October. It's available on DVD/Bluray now, I just got it from Redbox last week. It was very well done!


message 48: by Farzin (new)

Farzin Youabian Hi my name is Farzin Youabian and at this time I'm looking to adopt the book of action pack crime story to screenplay. Sincerely yours Farzin Youabian writer and director.


message 49: by Elyse (new)

Elyse Valentina wrote: "Does anyone know any info on The Nightingale? It was supposed to release in 2019 but I cannot find it anywhere :/"

I can't find anything new. :/

This article () says back in 2017 it was slated for 1/25/19 release. IMBd has no information about release.
In May 2017 her website () said August 2018.

I'm reading it right now!


message 50: by ~rebekah~ (new)

~rebekah~ So happy about Stargirl!!! #fanderwaal


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