All the books becoming movies in 2021, including ‘Things Heard & Seen’ and ‘Without Remorse’
If you’re looking for your next beach read, you’ve come to the right place.
Every year, tons of books are adapted for the big and small screen. And if you’re anything like us, you often prefer to read them first so you can moan about how the book was better. (Unless it’s Gillian Flynn’s “Gone Girl,” our go-to comfort movie and the rare film that improved on its source material.)
Some of this year’s most hotly anticipated TV series are based on novels – Amazon’s “The Underground Railroad” and Hulu’s “Nine Perfect Strangers,” among them – as are many of 2022’s potential Oscar contenders, including new dramas starring Lady Gaga, Matt Damon and Cate Blanchett.
Here are 17 upcoming adaptations that you can read right now:
1. ‘Things Heard Seen’
Newly minted Oscar nominee Amanda Seyfried (“Mank”) stars with James Norton (“Little Women”) in this supernatural horror thriller, about a couple whose marriage unravels when they move into a haunted house in upstate New York. The movie, which also stars Natalia Dyer (“Stranger Things”), is based on Elizabeth Brundage’s 2017 novel “All Things Cease to Appear.”
Streaming on Netflix now.
2. ‘Without Remorse’
Michael B. Jordan (“Black Panther,” “Creed”) goes full action hero as John Clark, an ex-NavySEAL out for revenge, in this adaptation of Tom Clancy’s 1993 novel. The movie is a spinoff of the Jack Ryan film series focusing on Clark’s character, who has previously been played by Willem Dafoe (1994’s “Clear and Present Danger”) and Liev Schreiber (2002’s “The Sum of All Fears”).
Streaming on Amazon Prime Friday.
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3. ‘Monster’
Three years after its premiere at the 2018 Sundance Film Festival, “Monster” is finally arriving on Netflix. The legal drama is based on Walter Dean Myers’ 1999 youngadult novel about a high school honor student (played by Kelvin Harrison Jr.) whose life is turned upside down when he’s accused of murder. Jennifer Hudson, Jeffrey Wright and John David Washington co-star.
Streaming on Netflix May 7.
4. ‘Finding You’
An aspiring violinist (Rose Reid) studying abroad in Ireland falls in love with a heartthrob movie star in this adaptation of Jenny B. Jones’ 2011 young adult romance novel “There You’ll Find Me.”
In theaters May 14.
5. ‘Those Who Wish Me Dead’
Angelina Jolie plays a smokejumper tasked with protecting a young boy from assassins in this wilderness survival thriller, based on Michael Koryta’s 2016 novel and directed by Taylor Sheridan (Paramount Network’s “Yellowstone”).
In theaters and streaming on HBO Max May 14.
6. ‘The Woman in the Window’
Originally scheduled for a theatrical release in fall 2019, the long-delayed “Woman” is, at last, seeing the light of day on Netflix. Directed by Joe Wright (“Atonement”) and based on A.J. Finn’s 2018 bestseller, the pulpy thriller follows a recluse (Amy Adams) who thinks she witnesses a murder. Julianne Moore, Gary Oldman and Jennifer Jason Leigh round out the all-star cast.
Streaming on Netflix May 14.
7. ‘The Dry’
A federal agent (Eric Bana) returns to his hometown to investigate a murder-suicide and is forced to confront his past in this Australian crime drama, based on Jane Harper’s 2017 novel.
In theaters and on demand May 21.
8. ‘Fatherhood’
Kevin Hart gets serious as a single dad raising his baby girl after his wife’s unexpected death. Backed by Barack and Michelle Obama’s production company Higher Ground Productions, the drama is based on Matthew Logelin’s 2011 book “Two Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Loss Love.”
Streaming on Netflix June 18.
9. ‘The Last Letter from Your Lover’
The latest screen adaptation of a 2012 romance novel by Jojo Moyes (“Me Before You”), this time stars Felicity Jones as a young journalist who uncovers old love letters between a star-crossed pair (Shailene Woodley and Callum Turner) and becomes obsessed with finding the couple.
Streaming on Netflix July 23.
10. ‘Dune’
“Arrival” filmmaker Denis Villeneuve takes on Frank Herbert’s 1965 sci-fi classic, long-deemed an “impossible” novel to adapt for the big screen. Timothée Chalamet plays a brooding space prince caught between warring families, leading an A-list cast including Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, Jason Momoa and Rebecca Ferguson.
In theaters and streaming on HBO Max Oct. 1.
11. ‘The Last Duel’
Oscar-winning screenwriting duo Ben Affleck and Damon (“Good Will Hunting”) reunite to script this adaptation of Eric Jager’s 2004 book, about two best friends (Damon and Adam Driver) in 14th-century France who face off after one man is accused of rape. Ridley Scott directs and Jodie Comer (“Killing Eve”) co-stars.
In theaters Oct. 15.
12. ‘House of Gucci’
Lady Gaga is back on screen after 2018’s “A Star is Born” in another awards-friendly drama, based on Sara Gay Forden’s 2001 book and directed by Ridley Scott. The pop star plays the real-life Patrizia Reggiani, who was convicted of plotting the 1995 murder of her ex-husband, Gucci fashion house head Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver).
In theaters Nov. 24.
13. ‘Nightmare Alley’
“Carol” co-stars Blanchett and Rooney Mara reunite for this psychological thriller, set against the backdrop of sleazy traveling carnivals in the 1920s and ’30s. Adapted from William Lindsay Gresham’s 1946 novel and directed by Guillermo del Toro (“The Shape of Water”), the film features a star-studded ensemble including Bradley Cooper, Dafoe and Toni Collette.
In theaters Dec. 3.
14. ‘Blonde’
“Knives Out” breakout Ana de Armas stars as Marilyn Monroe in this adaptation of Joyce Carol Oates’ 2000 novel, which takes a fictionalized look at the Hollywood icon’s inner life.
Streaming on Netflix later this year.
15. ‘Nightbooks’
Krysten Ritter plays an evil witch who imprisons a young boy in her New York apartment in this adaptation of J.A. White’s horror-fantasy children’s book.
Streaming on Netflix later this year.
16. ‘The Power of the Dog’
Oscar-winning writer/director Jane Campion (“The Piano”) returns with a new drama based on Thomas Savage’s 1967 novel, about a woman who comes between two ranch-owning brothers. Benedict Cumberbatch and real-life couple Kirsten Dunst and Jesse Plemons star.
Streaming on Netflix later this year.
17. ‘Worth’
A lawyer (Michael Keaton) is tasked with allocating funds to 9/11 victims’ families in this legal drama, adapted from Kenneth Feinberg’s 2006 memoir. The movie, which premiered at the 2020 Sundance Film Festival, also features Stanley Tucci, Amy Ryan and Laura Benanti.
Streaming on Netflix later this year.