For bibliophiles and cinephiles alike, 2026 is shaping up to be a landmark year. Following a stellar 2025 for book-to-screen projects, the coming calendar is packed with highly anticipated adaptations, ranging from timeless literary classics to contemporary bestsellers. If you love to read the book before seeing the film, your reading list is about to get very long indeed.
From Page to Screen: The Major Adaptations of 2026
The cinematic slate for the year is exceptionally diverse. It promises everything from provocative reimaginings of gothic novels to the conclusion of epic sci-fi sagas and fresh takes on Shakespeare. The trend underscores Hollywood's continued fascination with source material that comes with a built-in audience, guaranteeing buzz and box office potential.
Provocative Classics and Contemporary Thrillers
One of the most talked-about projects is director Emerald Fennell's adaptation of Wuthering Heights. Starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi, this version of Emily Brontë's 1847 novel has already stirred controversy with a trailer branded 'aggressively provocative'. The film, focusing on the destructive love between Cathy and Heathcliff, arrives in UK cinemas on February 13.
In the realm of modern thrillers, Colleen Hoover's 2018 novel Verity is getting the Hollywood treatment. The psychological story, about a ghostwriter uncovering dark secrets, will feature Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett. Produced by Amazon MGM Studios, it is scheduled for release on October 2.
Romance fans can look forward to the adaptation of Emily Henry's bestselling 2021 novel People We Meet on Vacation. With Tom Blyth and Emily Bader leading, the story of best friends Poppy and Alex reconnecting on a trip will debut on Netflix on January 9.
Epic Franchises and Beloved Children's Tales
The blockbuster season will be dominated by two major continuations. Denis Villeneuve concludes his acclaimed series with Dune: Part Three, based on Frank Herbert's Dune Messiah. Robert Pattinson joins the returning cast, including Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, for the finale hitting cinemas on December 18.
Meanwhile, The Hunger Games returns with Sunrise on the Reaping, exploring the 50th games won by a young Haymitch Abernathy. The cast includes Mckenna Grace, Jesse Plemons, and Ralph Fiennes, with Jennifer Lawrence and Josh Hutcherson reprising their iconic roles. It arrives on November 20.
For family audiences, Enid Blyton's cherished 1943 story The Magic Faraway Tree comes to life with an all-star cast led by Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy. The film about a family discovering a magical tree is set for release on March 27.
Ambitious Literary Adaptations
In perhaps the most ambitious project of the year, Christopher Nolan directs an adaptation of Homer's The Odyssey. With a reported budget of $250 million, the epic boasts a cast featuring Matt Damon, Robert Pattinson, Zendaya, and Charlize Theron. It is set to premiere on July 17.
Shakespeare also gets a bold new interpretation with a modern-day Hamlet set within London's Hindu community. Directed by Aneil Karia and starring Joe Alwyn and Morfydd Clark, this version has been praised as a 'desperately needed breath of fresh air'. It will be in UK cinemas from February 6.
With such a rich array of stories transitioning from the page, 2026 offers a unique opportunity to immerse oneself in the original narratives before experiencing their cinematic counterparts. The year proves that a compelling book remains one of the most valuable assets in the film industry's creative arsenal.
