They always say “the books are better than the movies,” but that doesn’t mean we can’t have some high hopes that the adaptation will bring our most beloved stories and characters to life on the screens. Therefore, we have much to look forward to with these book adaptations releasing in 2023.
TV Series
1. Mayfair Witches
Release Date: January 8, 2023, on AMC
Synopsis: Another one of Anne Rice’s novels is being adapted and it’s the Lives of the Mayfair Witches. Mayfair Witches centers around Dr. Rowan Fielding, a neurosurgeon, who learns she comes from a family of witches. Not only does she struggle with her newfound family history and powers, but she must also face a dark spirit haunting her family.
Latest Update: There’s a trailer for the series. And make sure to check out this Bookstr article on how Mayfair Witches will portray Rowan, one of Rice’s most complex characters.
2. You Season 4
Release Date: February 10th for part 1 and March 10th for part 2 on Netflix
Synopsis: Joe Goldberg is back! And it seems he’s traveled across the pond to London for season 4. The popular Netflix series, You, is an adaptation of Caroline Kepnes’s thriller series. In an attempt to move on from his past, he embraced a new life in London as Professor Jonathan Moore. He wants to blend in and focus solely on academia by making sure to keep everything professional. But you know what they say, old habits are hard to break.
Latest Update: Season 4 introduces some new characters and releases official dates in a teaser video. Also, make sure to check out these first-look photos of the upcoming season.
3. Daisy Jones & The Six
Release Date: March 3, 2023, on Amazon Prime Video
Synopsis: The band is getting together and heading for a tv series premiere on Amazon Prime Video. The series is based on Taylor Jenkins Reid’s book, Daisy Jones & The Six. It will focus on a 70s band forming between Daisy Jones, a solo artist, and The Six, a classic rock band, to produce a unique album. The story will show their beginnings in the music scene, their time as one of the biggest bands, and their fallout while also diving into each of the band members’ lives.
Latest Update: Production finished in May 2022. They also announced the official release date with a trailer.
4. Shadow and Bone Season 2
Release Date: March 16, 2023, on Netflix
Synopsis: The Netflix series is an adaptation of Leigh Bardugo’s trilogy of the same title. Shadow and Bone centers around Alina Starkov, who discovers she has extraordinary powers. Her powers could set her country free from the Shadow Fold. Now, Alina must train with the Grisha, an elite army of magical soldiers, in order to master her powers and save Ravka.
Season 2 will possibly follow the plot of the second book in the trilogy, Siege and Storm. According to Netflix, the next season will have Alina on the run and still determined to save Ravka from the Shadow Fold. General Kirigan returns with a new army of shadow monsters and Grisha recruits. To stand against him, Alina and Mal team up with powerful new allies and journey towards finding two mythical creatures that will enhance her powers.
Latest Update: Fans have been getting a lot of teaser photos of the upcoming season, and a sneak peek video.
Movies
1. The Little Mermaid
Release Date: May 26, 2023, in theaters
Synopsis: Many Disney animated films have live-action adaptations, and The Little Mermaid is no exception. It will be an adaptation of Disney’s 1989 film, which is also loosely based on The Little Mermaid fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen. The musical film tells the story of Ariel, a mermaid who is fascinated by the surface world and humans. Then she falls in love with Prince Eric and makes a dangerous deal with the sea witch, Ursula, to trade her tail for legs to see him again.
Latest Update: The teaser trailer was revealed at the D23 Expo.
2. Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse
Release Date: June 2, 2023, in theaters
Synopsis: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse is the sequel to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Miles Morales, the friendly neighborhood Spider-Man, is back for another Multiverse adventure to save the people he loves most. He meets up with Gwen Stacy but also meets some new Spider-People. Together, they must work together to take down a new powerful villain. However, they’re having trouble working together, and their ideas clash. Miles now finds himself pitted against the other Spiders.
Latest Update: The official trailer was recently released.
3. Oppenheimer
Release Date: July 21, 2023, in theaters
Synopsis: Oppenheimer is an adaptation based on American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer, a biography of J. Robert Oppenheimer. The biographical film will focus on his role in the Manhattan Project during World War II. Oppenheimer was a theoretical physicist who was recruited to the project to develop the atomic bomb.
Latest Update: The official trailer for the film was released recently.
4. Dune: Part 2
Release Date: November 3, 2023, in theaters
Synopsis: Fortunately, Dune: Part 2’s release date is two weeks sooner than initially announced. The sequel focuses on the second half of the science fiction novel by Frank Herbert. Atreides, along with Chani and the Fremen, must journey on a path of revenge against the conspirators. As he seeks revenge for his family, he is forced to make a choice between the love of his life and ensuring the fate of the universe.
Latest Update: Filming for the sequel just finished in December. A few of the cast members have spoken about their roles in the film, such as Austin Butler.
5. The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes
Release Date: November 17, 2023, in theaters
Synopsis: The famous The Hunger Games franchise returns as we venture back to Panem for the prequel titled The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. We know President Snow as the vicious ruler in The Hunger Games; however, this will focus on the backstory of Coriolanus Snow. Taking place during the 10th annual Hunger Games, Snow must mentor the District 12 tribute, Lucy Gray Baird. She doesn’t pose a physical threat, especially as a charismatic singer. They must work together to keep her alive during the games.
Latest Update: Aside from news of the cast, no official trailer has been released. We have a teaser photo of Tom Blyth as Coriolanus Snow and Rachel Zegler as Lucy Gray Baird, as well as a teaser video.
6. The Color Purple
Release Date: December 20, 2023, in theaters
Synopsis: The Color Purple musical is a broadway show that incorporates jazz, ragtime, gospel, blues as well as African rhythms in the music, and it is getting a film adaptation. The musical is inspired by Alice Walker’s book of the same title. The Color Purple focuses on Celie’s lifelong struggles and suffering she faces in the south during the 1900s as an African American woman.
Latest Update: A release date and the full cast have been revealed. Click here to see the full cast.
Adaptations We Hope To See in 2023
1. Heartstopper Season 2
Release Date: TBA on the exact date but surely 2023 on Netflix
Synopsis: Heartstopper, adapted from Alice Oseman’s graphic novel, revolves around the love story between Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson. Their relationship blossoms after becoming friends when they’re sat next to each other in class. Season 2 adds new characters to the story, such as Nick’s older brother, David, who isn’t very happy about Nick’s relationship with Charlie. Other characters are Mr. Farouk, Sahar Zahid, and James McEwan.
Latest Update: No trailer yet. However, productions for season 2 wrapped on December 2nd, and Netflix confirmed a 2023 release. Read more here about the latest updates on Heartstopper.
2. Bridgerton Season 3
Release Date: TBA on Netflix
Synopsis: Julia Quinn’s series of Regency romance novels, Bridgerton, was adapted by Netflix. It’s centered around the siblings of the Bridgerton family. Season 1 told Daphne’s story with the Duke, while season 2 was about Anthony’s romance with Kate Sharma. Now, season 3 follows the plot of Romancing Mr. Bridgerton and focuses on the budding romance between Colin Bridgerton and Miss Penelope.
Latest Update: Bridgerton season 3 filming is still ongoing, but they’ve been teasing fans with what the new season will entail. Fans are definitely hoping for a 2023 release for the third season.
3. The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 2
Release Date: TBA on Amazon Prime Video
Synopsis: The Summer I Turned Pretty is based on the trilogy by Jenny Han. As season 1 follows the plot of the first book in the trilogy, it’s likely the next season will follow It’s Not Summer Without You, the second book. Belly is determined to have the best summer ever as she heads to Cousins Beach to spend time with her family and the Fishers. And she finds herself caught in a love triangle between two brothers. To avoid spoilers, let’s just say the love triangle deepens.
Latest Update: Productions for season 2 wrapped on November 8th, so we’re hoping to hear soon about an exact date, and let’s hope it’s in 2023.
4. Red, White & Royal Blue
Release Date: TBA on Amazon Prime Video
Synopsis: Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston revolves around Alex Claremont-Diaz, who is the First Son of the United States after his mom is elected president. He finds himself in the center of the public eye, especially after photos of him in a heated argument with the British Prince Henry leaked. Now, they’re forced to do damage control. A fake friendship begins between the two that suddenly might evolve into something more.
Latest Update: Filming wrapped on August 13 with a special video from Taylor Zakhar Perez’s Instagram. So perhaps a 2023 release is possible?
2023 is packed with so many adaptation releases, we can hardly contain our excitement for them! Hopefully, more will be revealed as well. And who knows, maybe some highly anticipated adaptations for 2024 could get an early release. So which book are you most excited to see brought to life?
Read here for all of the Bookstr Team’s favorite adaptations from 2022.
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