2026 is looking like it’s going to be a great year for book adaptations. Which movie are you most looking forward to?
Wuthering Heights
Release Date: February 13, 2026
Plot: A passionate and tumultuous love story set against the backdrop of the Yorkshire moors, exploring the intense and destructive relationship between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw.
The teaser trailer for this movie just dropped and it has already become the subject of controversy with fans of the book skeptical of how faithfully this movie will retell the events of the novel.
Margot Robbie will be playing Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi will be playing Heathcliff.
The film is directed by Emerald Fennell, whose other directing credits include 2023’s Saltburn and 2020’s Promising Young Woman which have both sparked a myriad of online discourse of their own. People tend to love or hate her films and Wuthering Heights seems like it will follow this trend of being highly polarizing amongst watchers.
I am definitely interested to watch this one.
Project Hail Mary
Release Date: March 20, 2026
Plot: Science teacher Ryland Grace wakes up on a spaceship light years from home with no recollection of who he is or how he got there. As his memory returns, he begins to uncover his mission: solve the riddle of the mysterious substance causing the sun to die out. He must call on his scientific knowledge and unorthodox ideas to save everything on Earth from extinction… but an unexpected friendship means he may not have to do it alone.
Ryan Gosling is back starring in another great sci-fi project.
The trailer for this looks absolutely fantastic and I seriously can’t wait to watch it. I saw multiple comments of people saying the trailer inspired them to read the book— some after not reading anything for many years— which is always great to see.
This is Andy Weir’s second novel to be adapted to the big screen after The Martian which released in 2015 starring Matt Damon.
Andy Weir, while on a panel at San Diego Comic-Con, had this to say about the movie:
“I’ve seen cuts of the film, and it’s really good, guys. It’s really good. These guys, they’re amazing directors, everybody knows that. I couldn’t be happier with how things turned out.”
The Odyssey
Release Date: July 17, 2026
Plot: Follows Odysseus in his perilous journey home after the Trojan War, showcasing his encounters with Polyphemus, the Sirens, Circe, and finishing with his reunion with his wife, Penelope.
The film is directed by Christopher Nolan, director of multiple critically acclaimed works including The Dark Knight trilogy, Oppenheimer, and Interstellar.
The movie has garnered buzz online for its extensive, star-studded cast featuring: Benny Safdie, Zendaya, Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Robert Pattinson, Mia Goth, Jon Bernthal, Charlize Theron, Elliot Page, Ryan Hurst, John Leguizamo and Lupita Nyong’o. How many of these actors will appear on screen for longer than 5 seconds? Only time will tell.
Dune: Messiah (Dune: Part Three)
Release Date: December 18, 2026
Plot: It follows Muad’dib, heir to unimaginable power, as he brings to fruition the ancient scheme to create a superbeing ruler among men, not in the heavens.
I think it’s safe to say, based on the other two films that have been adapted, that this one will also be amazing.
Reminders of Him
Release Date: February 6, 2026
Plot: After prison, Kenna attempts to reconnect with her young daughter but faces resistance from everyone except a bar owner with ties to her child. As they grow closer, Kenna must confront her past mistakes to build a hopeful future.
The film will star Tyriq Withers (I Know What You Did Last Summer and Him) as Ledger Ward, Lauren Graham (Gilmore Girls) as Grace Landry, and Maika Monroe (It Follows and Longlegs) as Kenna Rowan.
Verity
Release Date: October 2, 2026
Plot: Lowen Ashleigh gets hired by Jeremy Crawford to ghostwrite novels for his bestselling author wife Verity, who’s unable to finish after an accident. Lowen uncovers Verity’s disturbing truths while residing at the Crawfords’ home to work.
Yes, you read that right, not one, but two Colleen Hoover novels are set to make it to the screen in 2026.
Anne Hathaway will be starring as Verity and Dakota Johnson as Lowen.
I will probably never, of my own will, read another Colleen Hoover novel after reading Ugly Love, but I will say, the photos taken from the set do make this movie seem a little interesting.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping
Release Date: November 20, 2026
Plot: Explores Panem 24 years before Katniss’ saga, starting on the morning of the reaping for the 50th Hunger Games, where a young Haymitch Abernathy participates.
Yes, please.
Incidents Around the House (Other Mommy)
Release Date: May 8, 2026
Plot: Bela, an 8-year-old girl living in a home with marital problems, confronts a sinister entity that comes out of her closet. The presence, whom she calls “Other Mommy,” becomes increasingly threatening to her and her family.
Not too much has been released about this movie as of yet, but we do know that Jessica Chastain will be starring in it.
“Other Mother” rolls off the tongue better in my opinion, but I guess if they titled it that, the comparisons to Coraline would be never-ending.
People We Meet on Vacation
Release Date: January 6, 2026
Plot: Follows Alex and Poppy, she wants to explore the world; he prefers to stay home with a book but somehow they are the very best of friends. They live far apart, but every summer, for a decade, they have taken one week of vacation together.
This movie will be streaming on Netflix and will be starring Emily Bader as Poppy and Tom Blyth as Alex.
The Magician’s Nephew (Narnia)
Release Date: Theatrical-November 26, 2026; Streaming-December 25, 2026
Another Netflix adaptation. However, this one will get a two week theatrical release before streaming on the platform.
Greta Gerwig, director of Barbie and Lady Bird, is the director of this film.
As of now, it hasn’t been announced who will be playing Digory and Polly. Daniel Craig will be playing Uncle Andrew, and Meryl Streep has been rumored to be voicing Aslan.
