With movies and shows like Dune and Bridgerton coming out this year, there has been a lot of talk around book to movie/ TV show adaptations. While the changes that are made to change these stories from a book into a more visual media can be controversial, there have also been great adaptations that can deepen your reading experience as well. Whether you are strict on reading the book first or like to read it after watching something to fill in the gaps and go deeper, there are a lot of movies and shows coming out this year that you can check out!
Already Out:
If you want something you can watch right away without the waiting, here are some movies and shows that are already out!
Orion and The Dark by Emma Yarlett – Netflix
Orion and The Dark is based on a children’s picture book and is centered around Orion, a young boy who is afraid of the dark. In the story he befriends Dark, a personified version of his fear of the dark, and they embark on imaginative adventures that help him overcome his nighttime anxieties.
The Three-Body Problem by Liu Cixin – Netflix
The Three-Body Problem is a sci-fi novel that is great if you like mind-bending and complex plot books. It focuses on scientist Wang Miao who stumbles upon a virtual reality game that reveals a terrifying truth about humanity’s future and the imminent threat posed by an alien civilization. As he delves deeper into the mysteries of the universe, Wang grapples with moral dilemmas and existential questions, confronting the limits of human understanding and the consequences of scientific discovery.
The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi And Holly Black- The Roku Channel
The Spiderwick Chronicles is a children’s fantasy series following the adventures of the Grace children as they discover a hidden world of fairies, goblins, and other magical creatures after moving into the Spiderwick Estate.
This one might seem a bit familiar as there was a movie adaptation made in 2008 by Nickelodeon Movies and Paramount Pictures. As a reader of the Spiderwick Chronicles as a kid, I was really excited for this series and already finished the 8-episode season. It did a great job of modernizing parts of the series, but there are quite a few big changes to the plot.
Turtles All The Way Down by John Green – HBO Max
Aza Holmes, a teenage girl with obsessive-compulsive disorder, grapples with intrusive thoughts and anxiety while navigating friendships, family dynamics, and the search for a missing billionaire.
The Sympathizer By Viet Thanh Nguyen – HBO Max
Amidst the chaos of post-war Vietnam, an unnamed communist spy navigates a treacherous landscape of deception and loyalty while struggling with the complexities of allegiance and identity. As he straddles the line between his communist beliefs and his sympathy for the South Vietnamese cause, the protagonist confronts the moral ambiguities of war and betrayal.
Under The Bridge by Rebecca Godfrey- Hulu
In this gripping true crime narrative, Rebecca Godfrey investigates the brutal murder of teenager Reena Virk in a small Canadian town, unraveling the web of secrets, lies, and teenage angst that led to her tragic demise.
Coming Later This Year:
Wicked: The Life And Times Of The Wicked Witch Of The West by Gregory Maguire
In theaters November 27
Elphaba, born with emerald-green skin, grows up as an outcast and becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, navigating a world of political intrigue and moral ambiguity in the land of Oz. This retelling of the original The Wizard of Oz delves deeper into the backstory of the iconic villain, revealing her complex motivations, moral dilemmas, and ultimately tragic fate in a world where good and evil are not always black and white. This book already received an adaptation through the musical Wicked, and that could be another great thing to check out!
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
TBA- Netflix (possibly in July)
High school student Pippa Fitz-Amobi reopens a murder case that the police have declared solved, unearthing secrets that challenge her perceptions of her quiet suburban town and the people within it, in a thrilling journey of suspense and intrigue. She uncovers a web of lies, deceit, and betrayal in her small town, risking her own safety as she seeks to uncover the truth behind the brutal crime.
Lady In The Lake by Laura Lippman
Starting release on July 19 on Apple TV+
Set in 1960s Baltimore, this noir mystery follows, Maddie Schwartz, a Jewish housewife-turned-journalist’s quest to solve the murder of a young Black mother, uncovering the city’s secrets along the way.
Whether you choose one of these or another, watching the film adaptations to books can be a great way to spark conversations or dive deeper into the themes the directors choose to cover in these versions!