The years ahead promise to be very exciting for avid readers around the world. Manyof our favorite books are set to be releasedon the big screen—and beyond. Some of these adaptations draw inspiration from widely beloved novels that have had the privilege of being featured onThe New York Timesbestselling list.
This prestigious list has long been a benchmark of literary success, highlighting stories that have captured the hearts of millions worldwide. Although some of the guidelines used to compile it are still kept a secret,The New York Timesbestsellersare considered the leading ranking of popular books in the United States.From gripping thrillers to timeless classics, there is going to be a lot to look forwardto in the upcoming period, especially considering the involvement of prominent figures from the cinema industry.
The Friend
Cast
The Friend follows Iris as she navigates the aftermath of her longtime friend Walter’s sudden death. Left with his unresolved relationships, unfinished literary work, and his large dog, Iris must manage her complicated friendship’s legacy amidst personal and logistical challenges in Manhattan.
Directed by Scott McGehee and David Siegel,The Frienddrew inspiration from the novel of the same name by author Sigrid Nunez. The book is a gripping story abouta Manhattan-based writer who adopts the Great Dane of her best friend and mentorafter they commit suicide. The recently releasedtrailer for the upcoming movie shows actress Naomi Wattsas the lead character of this heartbreaking story.
With mostly positive reviews from its early releases at the Telluride and the Toronto International Film Festival, the film promises to be an emotionally intense journey.
Along with Watts, the film also features Bill Murray as the protagonist’s late friend, who will likely appear in the flashbacks. Following the steps of the original work, the movie explores themes of grief and healing, portrayed through the profound relationship of the two figures left behind, the human and the dog. With mostly positive reviews from its early releases at the Telluride and the Toronto International Film Festival, the film promises to be an emotionally intense journey, and will premiere on March 28.
The Amateur
The Amateur follows a brilliant yet introverted CIA decoder whose life is upended when his wife is killed in a London terrorist attack. Defying his supervisors' inaction, he embarks on a personal mission to seek justice.
Set to be released on April 11,The Amateuris a vigilante thriller based on the best-selling book written by Robert Littell. The story follows Charles Heller,a CIA Cryptographer who embarks on a mission to avenge his wife, killed in a terrorist attack that took place in London. The main character in the movie is Rami Malek, famous for his work inMr. Robotand his Academy Award-winning performance as Freddy Mercury.
The upcoming 2025 movie is not the first adaptation ofThe Amateur.The novel had already come alive on the big screen in 1981. This new version is likely to offer a fresh take on the story, bringing a more modern perspective. With the contribution of Malek, known for his sincere and spirited performances, the film is already on its way to greatness.
The Life of Chuck
The Life of Chuck is a film exploring the life of Chuck Krantz, presented in reverse chronological order.
After winning the People’s Choice Award at the Toronto Film Festival,expectations forThe Life of Chuckaredefinitely high. The film will premiere in normal theaters in June of this year. Based on the novella by Stephen King from the collectionIf It Bleeds,the story explores the existence of Chuck (played by Tom Hiddleston in the adaptation), whose life unfolds in three distinct acts. Contrary to what one might believe, the movie is not going to be a horror but a drama.
Every Upcoming Stephen King Movie & TV Show Adaptation
There are many more upcoming Stephen King movie adaptations that are currently in development, some of which are expected for a 2024 or 2025 release.
The sole mention of Stephen King is enough to ignite interest, as the accomplished writer is known for weaving emotional depth and thought-provoking arguments into intriguing storytelling. Furthermore, Mike Flanagan, known for his exceptional work on masterpieces likeThe Haunting of Hill HouseandGerald’s Game, is the screenwriter and director. Without a doubt,The Life of Chuckis worth the wait.
Animal Farm
Animal Farm: Released in 2025, Animal Farm follows a group of farm animals who, led by a diverse coalition, rebel against their human owners. After their revolution, they face new challenges under the leadership of a cunning pig named Napoleon, examining themes of power and corruption.
One of the most renowned classics in the history of literature,Animal Farmis abestselling masterpiece that still holds up today. Written by literary giant George Orwell in 1945, the book is an allegory of the Stalinist era of the Soviet Union. Orwell featured a group of anthropomorphic farm animals attempting to rebel against their oppressive human owner, only to find themselves at the mercy of one of their own, who ends up being like the previous dictator.
This upcoming version ofAnimal Farmwill be animated, with the talented Andy Serkis as the director. Serkis' film is, however, only one of three adaptations of Orwell’s famous book. Screenwriter Nicholas Stoller teased a darkly comic tone to the story (ViaCollider). According to IMBD, the movie will also feature Kieran Culkin and Kathleen Turner. Without a doubt,Animal Farmis one of the most awaited productions of the year.
The Running Man
The Running Man centers on a man participating in a perilous game show where contestants evade deadly “Hunters” in a global pursuit.
There is always another thrilling adaptation on the horizon when it comes to Stephen King’s stories.The Running Manis one of these. The film is based on the dystopian action book of the same name, written in 1982. Interestingly enough, the story takes place in 2025, when the United States plunged into utter chaos with a collapsing economy and violence on the rise. The main character, Ben Richards, takes part ina reality show where participants win money by escaping a hitman trying to kill them.
Directed by Edgar Wright, whose work onShaun of the DeadandLast Night in Sohohas been relentlessly praised,the novel had already been previously adapted for the big screen in 1987 with Arnold Schwarzenegger as the lead. However, this time, the role of the protagonist was given to Glenn Powell, who will likely not let us down.
The Housemaid
The Housemaid, directed by Paul Feig, follows Millie, a woman who becomes a housemaid for the affluent couple Nina and Andrew. As she settles into her new role, Millie uncovers the perilous secrets hidden within the seemingly perfect family.
One of the manyupcoming projects of popular actress Sidney Sweeney,The Housemaidis an adaptation of the international bestseller by author Freida McFadden. The premise revolves arounda young woman, Millie, who is hired as a live-in housemaid for a wealthy family. However, she soon becomes entangled in the web of sinister secrets carefully concealed between the four walls of the luxurious estate.
ANew York Timesbestseller,The Housemaidreceived such overwhelming attention on social media that Hollywood producers decided to pick up the project.
Along with Sweeney, the cast of the movie includes Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar.The designated director is Paul Feig, previously known for films likeBridesmaidsand as the creator of the TV showFreak and Geeks. ANew York Timesbestseller,The Housemaidreceived such overwhelming attention on social media that Hollywood producers decided to pick up the project. Therefore, the movie is one of the most awaited releases in 2025.
The Woman In Cabin 10
The Woman in Cabin 10 follows a travel journalist, played by Keira Knightley, as she covers the launch of a luxury yacht. After witnessing a passenger thrown overboard, she faces disbelief and danger while seeking answers amid the isolated North Sea.
The Woman in Cabin 10will finally bring its chilling mystery to the screen later this year. A first look at the movie shows actressKeira Knightley attempting to solve a sinister murder case. The film draws inspiration from the 2016 book by British author Ruth Ware. Knightley stars as Lo Blacklock,a travel journalist who, while on a luxury cruise, witnesses a murder—only to be told the victim was never there.
The movie also features Oscar nominee Guy Pearce as the enigmatic Richard Bullmer, a crucial figure in the mystery. With such an exceptional cast and riveting premise,The Woman in Cabin 10seems like one of those films that will keep the viewer on the edge of their seat until the end. If it were to live up to the expectations set by the extraordinary actors, the Netflix production could be one of the most haunting psychological thrillers of the year.
People We Meet on Vacation
People We Meet on Vacation follows Poppy and Alex, two contrasting personalities who maintain a decade-long friendship despite living in separate cities. Every summer, they embark on vacations together, eventually confronting the nature of their relationship and facing the possibility of a romantic connection.
People We Meet on Vacationcame out in 2021 with critical and commercial success, winning the Goodreads Choice Award for Romance. Written by Emily Henry, the book focuses on Poppy and Alex,two former best friends who used to travel togetheruntil they became estranged after an awkward occurrence during one of their vacations. Two years after the fact, Poppy convinces Alex to take one last trip, hoping to fix their relationship.
8 Movies That Are Very Loose Adaptations Of Their Source Material, But Are Still Good
Book adaptations shouldn’t always be judged based on how faithful they are to their source material, since loose adaptations can be more interesting.
The movie stars Emily Bader and Tom Blyth as the lead charactersand should be released this year on Netflix. With its heartfelt narrative and charismatic protagonists,People We Meet on Vacationhas all the making of a remarkable feel-good rom-com. All it has to do is correctly balance the blend of humor, emotional depth, and nostalgia that characterize the core of Emily Henry’s beloved novel.
Klara and the Sun
Klara and the Sun tells the story of Klara, an Artificial Friend, who is bought by a mother for her ill daughter, Josie. As Klara attempts to understand human emotions and prevent heartbreak, she explores themes of companionship and the nature of human love.
Another release promised for this year but with a specific date yet to be established,Klara and the Sunis based on the acclaimed 2021 novel by Kazuo Ishiguro. The book received positive reviews when first published and was selected as one of the 10 Best Books of 2021 byThe Washington Post.Set in a dystopian future in the USA, the plot unfolds through the eyes ofKlara, an Artificial Friend whose task is to provide companionship to children.
The cast of the upcoming movie includesJenna Ortega in the role of Klaraand Amy Adams as Chrissie, the mother of the child the Artificial Friend is assigned to. With the rapid technological progress we are assisting and the increasing discussion around artificial intelligence, the movie is a timely story to bring to the screen. Hopefully, the film will delve into, as the source, themes of love and friendship while also thoughtfully addressing the growing impact of AI on human relationships.
Based OnThe Seven Husbands Of Evelyn HugoBy Taylor Jenkins Reid
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo follows reclusive Hollywood icon Evelyn Hugo as she shares her life story with journalist Monique Grant. The narrative unfolds across the Golden Age of Hollywood, detailing Evelyn’s rise to fame and her seven marriages, while exploring hidden secrets and personal motives.
Although the date of the movie’s premiere remains uncertain, fans everywhere are eagerly anticipating the adaptation of the beloved book written by Taylor Jenkins Reid, The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo. The legendary Evelyn Hugo,a 79-year-old former Hollywood star who decides to reveal the secrets behind her seven marriages to a young journalist, is a fascinating figure to bring to life. The character is speculated to be inspired by cinema icon Elizabeth Taylor.
For now, there is very little we know about the casting and the direction of the project. Netflix is likely keeping it a secret. However, it is clear that the glamorous atmosphere of the story, the charismatic characters, and the exciting intrigues will contribute to creating a compelling cinematic experience. The journey into the thrilling story of Evelyn promises to be filled with dazzling visuals and deeply emotional moments.
