Book-to-screen adaptations allow for a whole new kind of storytelling and audience appreciation. I personally love seeing my favorite characters in books develop on the screen. I always check for cast updates and director updates. 2025 brings a new collection of novels and book series to the film world. Here are the ones we are so excited about!
Mickey7 by Edward Ashton
Mickey7, the science fiction novel by Edward Ashton, was brought into production by Plan B Entertainment with the assistance of Kate Street Pictures Company and under the new name Mickey 17. The script was developed by Bong Joon Ho and Edward Ashton himself. From the trailer, it looks like the film will follow closely to the story that Ashton set up in his novel. Mickey 17 tells the tale of a spaceman sent to colonize an ice planet.
Starring Robert Pattinson, Toni Collette, and Mark Ruffalo, the film releases on January 31, 2025.
Wise Guy by Nicholas Pileggi
Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi has inspired many great films and characters throughout the years—like Goodfellas—but the book itself is getting its own adaptation this upcoming year. Set to release in March 2025, the film Alto Knights will follow New York City mobsters in their prime. The novel has been put into production by Warner Bros, even signing Nicholas Pileggi to write the script. Alto Knights is directed by Barry Levinson and stars Robert De Niro and Debra Messing.
The Running Man by Stephen King
Dystopia and Stephen King fans alike will love this adaptation. The Running Man, a Stephen King novel, is being brought to the big screen. Directed by Edgar Wright and written by a team of King, Wright, and Michael Becall, the film will bring audiences into the future of the United States as it exists in the aftermath of huge societal change. The cast has been mostly kept under wraps, but right now, it’s known that Glen Powell, Katy O’Brien, and Karl Glusman will be in the project. This film will be gracing our screens in the latter half of 2025, with a premiere date in November.
The Amateur by Robert Littell
Robert Littell’s The Amateur will also have its own film adaptation in 2025. This movie will tell the story of a CIA agent who exploits his department to satisfy his own desires—the film closely follows the novel. It is also already set to have an Academy Award-winning cast, including Rachel Brosnahan, Rami Malek, and Laurence Fishburne. Littell worked with both Ken Nolan and Evan Katz to develop the script, with James Hawes directing.
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Published in 1818, the infamous tales of Dr. Frankenstein and his monster were originally penned by Mary Shelley. The film adaptation, however, takes the tale into a new light. Directed by Guillermo Del Toro, the film will explore the aftermath of Dr. Frankenstein’s creation. The script was developed with the characters of Shelley’s original story by Guillermo Del Toro. Frankenstein is set to star a collection of horror favorites, like Mia Goth and Charles Dance, as well as new faces to the genre, Jacob Elordi and Oscar Isaac.
The Electric State by Simon Stalenhåg
The Electric State by Simon Stalenhåg is being developed by AGBO Skybound for Netflix. This will be directed by the Marvel-famous Russo brothers, Anthony and Joe. The story and novel follow a young girl who travels across the United States with a robot. Stephen Mcfeely and Christopher Markus are the writers for the adaptation. As for the cast of the film…it’s star-studded! Millie Bobby Brown, Christ Pratt, Stanley Tucci, and Ke Huy Quan are all attached to the project! Mark your calendars for March 2025 to be ready to stream it!
Old Country by Matt and Steve Query
One that I am incredibly excited about is the adaptation of Old Country by brothers Matt and Steve Query. The story started as a short story posted on Reddit but soon developed into a short novel by the two brothers. Now, in the upcoming 2025, it will become a film! The movie is directed by Drew Hancock and stars Jack Quaid. Releasing in January of 2025, this sci-fi/thriller promises a quirky and creepy brought to us by the creators of Barbarian.
Dog Man by Dav Pilkey
I know Dav Pilkey from Captain Underpants, which also saw an adaptation recently. His second comic series, Dogman, will join its predecessor in the film format. With a script written by Pilkey himself and directed by Peter Hastings, the animated movie will certainly be a great joy to its many young readers. This film features voice actors Stephen Root, Isla Fisher, and Pete Davidson. The movie will be in theaters in January 2025.
The Twits by Ronald Dahl
Ronald Dahl has a great deal of his books turned into films, the most famous of which became the 1971 movie Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory. The 1980 Dahl novel will be animated into a feature film in September of next year. It will be joining The Electric State as a Netflix new movie. The film is directed by Phil Johnston and written by John Cleese and Kirk DeMicco. The cast currently has stars like Emilia Clarke and Natalie Portman.
The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton
The series The Magic Faraway Tree, written by Enid Blyton, is also getting a film adaptation in 2025. The series follows a family after moving into a new home and their children’s exploration of the yard. The kids begin a new adventure in their new home by finding a magical tree. Director Ben Grego and writer Simon Farnaby bring to life this novel through its adaptation. This children’s film is stacked with stars — Andrew Garfield and Rebecca Ferguson taking leading roles.
This film is listed as being released, at its earliest, in 2025—meaning updates are coming on the official release date.
With this exciting and impressive list of adaptations, it can be easy to forget that film adaptations are nothing new. In fact, some of the best films ever made started as books! The world of storytelling is so intermingled that we often see books move to the screen and don’t even know it!
Previous Popular Film Adaptations
The Godfather by Mario Puzo
Probably the most famous movie in existence is actually an adaptation of Mario Puzo’s novel The Godfather. The novel was published in 1969, bought by Paramount, and brought into production by 1972. Puzo was brought on to work with two other screenwriters to develop the script, which eventually earned him an Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
The entire Jurassic franchise that we know today started with a book published in 1993. Michael Crichton, who is known for a series of hit novels like Twisters, The Andromeda Strain, and The Great Train Robbery, like Puzo, was brought into the production of his book. Crichton wrote alongside David Koepp for the 1993 film adaptation of his novel from the same year.
Forrest Gump by Winston Groom
In 1986, Winston Groom penned the novel Forrest Gump, after gaining inspiration from a story his father told him. Less than ten years later, the novel would be bought by Paramount Pictures and adapted into the 1994 we know today. The adaptation collected many Academy awards, including Best Picture and Best Leading Actor from the 1995 Oscars.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Originally written by author Alice Walker, The Color Purple was published in 1982. The book was quickly scooped up by Amblin Entertainment in 1985. The film went on to be nominated for eleven Academy Awards. Though the film did not win any of the nominations, the recognition proved the achievements of the film.
Make sure to read the books before seeing the movie! It always adds a new layer to your audience experience! And don’t forget to mark your calendars and grab your tickets!
For more book-to-screen adaptations, you can look at our list of more books to enjoy that have been adapted.
More of a horror fan? We have a list of three of the best horror adaptions here!
