2026 will be an exciting year for book lovers and film fans. Several popular novels will make the jump from page to screen.
The upcoming releases cover romance, gothic drama, science fiction, psychological thriller and dystopian fiction.
Here are five highly anticipated book-to-film adaptations in 2026, arranged by their US release dates.
People We Meet on Vacation (January 9)
The year begins with a romantic comedy based on Emily Henry’s 2021 novel People We Meet on Vacation.
The story follows childhood friends Poppy Wright and Alex Nilsen. They meet for a summer vacation every year until one trip changes their friendship.
After two years apart, Poppy and Alex reunite at a family wedding. Their reunion brings back old memories and raises questions about their feelings for each other.
The Netflix adaptation stars Emily Bader as Poppy and Tom Blyth as Alex. The film offers a classic friends-to-lovers story with plenty of romance and humour.
Fans of Henry’s novel can revisit the book before watching the adaptation on Netflix.
Wuthering Heights (February 13)
Next comes a new adaptation of Emily Brontë’s classic novel Wuthering Heights.
The 1847 story follows the troubled relationship between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff. Their intense bond becomes a tale of love, revenge and obsession.
The new film stars Margot Robbie as Catherine and Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff. Shazad Latif also appears as Edgar Linton.
Set against the dramatic Yorkshire moors, the adaptation brings one of literature’s most famous romances back to the big screen.
The film is scheduled to arrive in cinemas on February 13, making it a notable release for the Valentine’s Day season.
Project Hail Mary (March 20)
From gothic romance, the list moves into science fiction with Project Hail Mary.
The film adapts Andy Weir’s bestselling 2021 novel. Ryan Gosling stars as Ryland Grace, a science teacher who wakes up aboard a spaceship with no memory of how he got there.
Grace soon discovers that humanity faces a major crisis. A mysterious organism called Astrophage is causing the Sun to lose energy.
He must find a way to solve the crisis before it becomes too late for Earth.
The story combines science, survival and friendship with an interstellar mystery. It also explores humanity’s ability to work with an unexpected ally.
Verity (October 2)
Fans of psychological thrillers can look forward to Verity, based on Colleen Hoover’s bestselling 2018 novel.
The story follows struggling writer Lowen Ashleigh. She receives a job to complete the unfinished books of successful author Verity Crawford.
Verity cannot finish the series after suffering a serious accident. While working at the Crawford family home, Lowen discovers a disturbing manuscript.
The manuscript contains shocking claims about Verity and her family. Lowen must decide whether its revelations are true.
Dakota Johnson stars as Lowen, while Anne Hathaway plays Verity. The film brings one of Hoover’s darkest novels to the big screen.
Verity also adds to the growing list of Hoover adaptations. Other projects include It Ends With Us and Reminders of Him.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping (November 20)
The final major adaptation on this list returns to the world of Panem.
The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping is based on Suzanne Collins’ 2025 novel of the same name. The story focuses on a young Haymitch Abernathy.
Joseph Zada will play Haymitch, who becomes one of District 12’s tributes for the 50th Hunger Games.
The 50th Games are also known as the Second Quarter Quell. The deadly event forces Haymitch to fight other tributes in the Capitol’s brutal tournament.
However, the story is about more than simply surviving the Games. It also explores Haymitch’s choices and the events that shape his future.
The new film expands the Hunger Games universe while returning to a character fans already know.
With the original trilogy and The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes already becoming major box-office successes, the new prequel is one of the most anticipated book-to-film adaptations of 2026.
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