There’s nothing like a literary adaptation to drive people’s opinions wild. We love them; we hate them; they disappoint us; they surpass our expectations; they briefly become our personalities (as evidenced by the recent adaptation of Rachel Reid’s “Heated Rivalry“). For works that have been adapted multiple times, people often defend their favorite version against all others. For some viewers, it’s a thrill to see little details from their favorite books come to life. For others, the joy is in how the filmmakers can expand on a world or a beloved character. Adaptations can offer us new ways to understand the stories we love.
January offered several adaptations right out of the gate. To name a few: “Seven Dials” (Agatha Christie), “People We Meet on Vacation” (Emily Henry), “A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms” (George R. R. Martin) and “His & Hers” (Alice Feeney). Have you read the source material for these, or for any of the upcoming adaptations?
The quotation marks around ““Wuthering Heights”” suggest that things may not be quite as they appear in this adaptation of Emily Brontë’s Gothic novel, which has sparked debate from its earliest announcements. Writer and director Emerald Fennell is known for her provocative style, and buzz around the project continues to build. If you’ve already read the original, you might also enjoy “The Favorites” or “The Manor of Dreams.“
Adaptations of Jane Austen’s works seem to be in constant production, and 2026 will bring a new “Pride and Prejudice” (no formal release date as of this blog post) as well as a new “Sense and Sensibility.” We’ll also see “The Other Bennet Sister,” based on Janice Hadlow’s novel reimagining the life of Mary Bennet from “Pride and Prejudice.” If you’ve recently caught up on your Austen during the celebration of her 250th birthday, you might also enjoy books by Allegra Goodman or Beth Brower.
Over a decade ago (!), audiences enjoyed the adaptation of Andy Weir’s sci-fi novel “The Martian.” This year brings another Weir adaptation with “Project Hail Mary.” If you’re already a Weir fan from way back, you might also enjoy “Meru“ or “Packing for Mars.”
Throughout the upcoming year, film and TV audiences can expect many more literary adaptations, including “The Odyssey” (Homer), “Carrie” (Stephen King), “The Dog Stars“ (Peter Heller), “Margo’s Got Money Troubles” (Rufi Thorpe) and “Sunrise on the Reaping” (Suzanne Collins), to name just a few.
Do you have a favorite literary adaptation, or a book that you’re just waiting to see on the big screen?