All the books that are being made into movies this year

Amazon/Getty

There have been a number of high-profile book adaptations in recent years. And in 2019, Hollywood continues to turn to books for inspiration.

This year will bring a slew of popular novels to the big screen, from bestsellers like “Where’d You Go, Bernadette” and “The Woman in the Window” to classic favorites like “Little Women” and “Pet Sematary.” Here’s a closer look at every book you’ll want to read before they come to theaters.

‘A Dog’s Way Home,’ Jan. 11

Animal lovers won’t be able to resist this movie adapted from W. Bruce Cameron’s novel. Like the book, the movie will follow Bella, a dog who gets lost and must travel over 400 miles to find her way home. Bryce Dallas Howard lends her voice to the character of Bella, while Ashley Judd, Edward James Olmos and Alexandra Shipp appear in the movie. 

Amazon

‘Ashes in the Snow,’ Jan. 11

Though it boasts a different name, this World War II drama is based on Ruta Sepetys’ bestselling novel, “Between Shades of Grey.” It follows a young aspiring artist named Lina and her family, who are forced to emigrate to a remote area of Siberia during the war. The cast features Bel Powley, Lisa Loven Kongsli, Martin Wallström and Sophie Cookson. 

Amazon

‘The Rhythm Section,’ Feb. 22

Blake Lively, Jude Law, Sterling K. Brown and Richard Brake star in this movie based on Mark Burnell’s book of the same name. The story follows a woman who goes on a revenge mission against the terrorists responsible for the plane crash that killed her family. Director Reed Morano, who won an Emmy for her work on “The Handmaid’s Tale,” helmed the film. 

Amazon

‘How to Train Your Dragon,’ Feb. 22

The long-delayed third film in the “How to Train Your Dragon” trilogy, loosely based on Cressida Cowell’s book series of the same name, will finally hit theaters in 2019. The movie, titled “How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World,” will follow Hiccup and Toothless as they go on a journey to find a secret dragon utopia. Jay Baruchel, Cate Blanchett, Gerard Butler, Craig Ferguson, America Ferrera, Jonah Hill, Christopher Mintz-Plasse and Kristen Wiig will reprise their voice roles in the film.

Amazon

‘The Knife Of Never Letting Go,’ March 1

Patrick Ness’ 2008 book, “The Knife of Never Letting Go: Chaos Walking,” published as the first in a trilogy, serves as the inspiration for the upcoming movie, “Chaos Walking.” The story centers on the only boy in a city of men, who encounters a silent girl after fleeing from his hometown and sets off an eye-opening journey with her. Doug Liman (“Mr. & Mrs. Smith,” “Edge of Tomorrow”), directed the film, which will star Tom Holland, Daisy Ridley, Nick Jonas and David Oyelowo.

Amazon

‘Where’d You Go, Bernadette,’ March 22

In Maria Semple’s national bestseller, a 15-year-old goes on a journey to find her missing mother and discover more about her mysterious past. The movie adaptation hails from “Boyhood” director Richard Linklater and features a star-studded cast, including Cate Blanchett, Emma Nelson, Kristen Wiig, Judy Greer and Laurence Fishburne.

Amazon

‘Three Seconds,’ March 22

Joel Kinnaman, Rosamund Pike and Clive Owen star in this upcoming film based on Roslund and Hellstrom’s international bestseller of the same name. It centers on an ex-con who must go undercover in prison to infiltrate the mob.

Amazon

‘The Good Shepherd,’ March 22

Tom Hanks and Elisabeth Shue star in the upcoming film, “Greyhound,” based on C.S. Forester’s novel, “The Good Shepherd.” The World War II story centers on Commander Krause, the captain of a U.S. Navy destroyer and the command of an escort force in the Battle of the Atlantic.

Amazon

‘The Visible Filth,’ March 29

The movie adaptation of Nathan Ballingrud’s novella, “The Visible Filth,” will go by the name “Wounds.” Starring Armie Hammer, Dakota Johnson and Zazie Beetz, the film will follow the story of a New Orleans bartender who experiences a series of disturbing events after picking up a phone left behind at the bar where he works.

Amazon

‘The Best of Enemies,’ April 5

Based on Osha Gray Davidson’s work of historical nonfiction, “The Best of Enemies: Race and Redemption in the New South,” this film tells the true story of the unlikely relationship between an outspoken civil rights activist and a local Ku Klux Klan leader in 1971. The cast stars Taraji P. Henson, Sam Rockwell, Babou Ceesay, Anne Heche and Wes Bentley. 

Amazon

‘Pet Sematary,’ April 5

Stephen King fans have yet another adaptation to look forward to in 2019. The movie, based on the bestseller of the same name, will star Jason Clarke, John Lithgow and Amy Seimetz. Like the seminal horror novel, the film will follow Dr. Louis Creed, who discovers a mysterious burial ground near his new home after moving his family to rural Maine. 

Amazon

‘After,’ April 12

Josephine Langford, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, Selma Blair and Jennifer Beals star in this film adaptation, based on Anna Todd’s popular novel. The story follows a college freshman whose sheltered world opens up when she meets and falls for a mysterious and magnetic guy.

Amazon

‘The Aftermath,’ April 26

Rhidian Brook’s novel centers on a colonel and his wife, who get assigned to live in a house in Hamburg after World War II. Little do they know they’ll be sharing their new home with its previous owners. The movie version will feature Alexander Skarsgård, Keira Knightley and Jason Clarke. 

Amazon

‘The Sun Is Also A Star,’ May 1

Nicola Yoon’s popular YA book is also hitting the big screen this year. The story follows the story of two teens — Daniel, the son of Korean shopkeepers, and Natasha, the daughter of undocumented Jamaican immigrants — who cross paths in New York City and fall in love. Charles Melton, Yara Shahidi and Gbenga Akinnagbe star.

Amazon

‘A Dog’s Journey,’ May 17

Based on the 2010 novel of the same name, this sequel to “A Dog’s Purpose” (and a second adaptation for Cameron in 2019!) follows Bailey, a dog who finds meaning through the lives of the humans he teaches to laugh and love. Josh Gad returns to voice the character of Bailey, while Dennis Quaid will return as his owner. Marg Helgenberger, Betty Gilpin, Kathryn Prescott and Henry Lau have also joined the cast.

Amazon

‘Artemis Fowl,’ Aug. 9

Kenneth Branagh directs this film based on The Artemis Fowl series by Eoin Colfer. The adaptation follows Artemis Fowl II and his trusted bodyguard as they attempt to find his criminal father and restore the family’s fortune by kidnapping and robbing fairies. It will feature a large ensemble cast, including Ferdia Shaw, Lara McDonnell, Tamara Smart, Nonso Anozie, Hong Chau, Josh Gad and Judi Dench.

Amazon

‘It,’ Sept. 6

The first chapter of “It” hit theaters in 2017 and, two years later, the sequel will finally arrive. The second chapter follows the Losers Club into adulthood as they find themselves drawn back to their hometown of Derry, Maine, where they are forced to face their fears. The cast includes Jessica Chastain, James McAvoy, Bill Hader, Jay Ryan, James Ransone, Isaiah Mustafa and Bill Skarsgård.

Amazon

‘The Kitchen,’ Sept. 20

Megastars Melissa McCarthy, Tiffany Haddish and Elisabeth Moss play the wives of three Irish mobsters in this big-screen adaptation. The story, based on Ollie Masters’ comic book series, follows the trio as they take over the organized crime operations of their husbands after the FBI arrests them.

Amazon

‘The Woman In The Window,’ Oct. 4

A.J. Finn’s bestselling thriller will return in movie form this year. The story follows an agoraphobic child psychologist who witnesses a crime while spying on her neighbors. She must then decide whether or not to alert the police. Amy Adams will star in the movie version, while Wyatt Russell, Julianne Moore, Gary Oldman, Brian Tyree Henry and Anthony Mackie round out the cast.

Amazon

‘The Goldfinch,’ Oct. 11

Donna Tartt’s bestselling book will come to life on the big screen, thanks to director John Crowley. “The Goldfinch” follow Theo Decker, who steals an infamous Dutch painting after losing his mother in a terrorist attack in a museum. The painting is the only link he has to his mother, but having it in his possession turns his life upside down. Ansel Elgort will play Theo in the movie, which also stars Aneurin Barnard, Ashleigh Cummings, Jeffrey Wright, Willa Fitzgerald, Nicole Kidman and Sarah Paulson.

Amazon

‘The Good Liar,’ Nov. 15

Helen Mirren and Ian McKellen star in this film about a man who deceives a wealthy woman he meets online. When she opens her home to him, he surprises himself by growing to care for her over the years. Bill Condon, who directed the live-action version of “Beauty and the Beast,” helms the film, which is adapted from Nicholas Searle’s book.

Amazon

‘Little Women,’ Dec. 25

After making her directorial debut with the Oscar-nominated “Ladybird,” Greta Gerwig went behind the camera again for a new take on the classic Louisa May Alcott novel. The movie will retell the story of the March sisters as they grow up and face love and loss. Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Meryl Streep, Laura Dern and Timothée Chalamet make up the cast.

Amazon

‘The Call Of The Wild,’ Dec. 25

Based on Jack London’s 1903 novel of the same name, this film adaptation will follow the story of a domesticated dog named Buck, who is stolen from his California home and sold to freight haulers in the Yukon. Harrison Ford, Dan Stevens, Karen Gillan, Bradley Whitford and Omar Sy will star.

Amazon

‘Old Possum’s Book Of Practical Cats’

The upcoming musical fantasy, “Cats,” will be based on the famous musical of the same name, which in turn is based on T.S. Eliot’s “Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats.” Tom Hopper, who directed 2012’s “Les Miserables,” will helm the flick. The movie will feature a talented bunch of actor-singers, including Jennifer Hudson, Taylor Swift, James Corden, Idris Elba, Rebel Wilson, Ian McKellen and Judi Dench.

Amazon

‘All the Bright Places’

Jennifer Niven’s YA hit “All the Bright Places” serves as the source material for Netflix’s upcoming romance drama. The movie chronicles the story of teenagers Violet Markey and Theodore Finch, who meet and change each other’s lives forever, even as they continue to struggle with emotional and physical scars. Elle Fanning and Justice Smith star in the film while Alexandra Shipp, Keegan-Michael Key, Luke Wilson and Kelli O’Hara round out the cast. A release date has yet to be announced.

Amazon

‘Native Son’

Like Richard Wright’s book of the same name, this upcoming drama will follow a young African-American man as he comes of age in the South Side of Chicago during the 1930s. The cast features Ashton Sanders, Nick Robinson, Margaret Qualley, Bill Camp and KiKi Layne.

Amazon

‘The Secret Garden’

Colin Firth and Julie Walters will star in the adaptation of the children’s literary classic, “The Secret Garden.” The story centers on a 10-year-old girl who is sent to England to live with her uncle after her wealthy British parents die. There, she meets her sickly cousin, and the two children uncover a wondrous garden on the grounds of their manor. Dixie Egerickx (“The Little Stranger”) and Edan Hayhurst co-star in the film, which does not yet have a release date.

Amazon

‘P.S. I Still Love You’

As confirmed in 2018, Netflix is moving forward with the sequel to its smash hit, “To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before.” The movie, based on Jenny Han’s trilogy, will reunite stars Lana Condor and Noah Centineo. The team has not revealed a release date.

Amazon

‘The Rosie Project’

The movie, based on Graeme Simsion’s novel of the same name, centers on a genetics professor with Asperger’s Syndrome who goes on a journey to help a young woman named Rosie find her biological father. The project has been in the works for several years, although a cast has yet to be confirmed. 

Amazon

‘The Nightingale’

If you love Kristin Hannah’s works, you won’t want to miss out on the movie adaptation of her critically acclaimed novel, “The Nightingale.” The historical drama follows two sisters who live in France and find themselves caught in up the turmoil of World War II. Michelle MacLaren has been tied to the project as a director, although a cast has not yet been confirmed.

Amazon

Books, Entertainment, Movies & TV, News

Related posts

Pedro Pascal
Pedro Pascal to play Mister Fantastic in Marvel's 'Fantastic Four'
Major plot holes in otherwise great movies
These 7 epic movies turn 20 in 2020
These are the 10 highest-grossing films of all time

About the Author
Michelle Regalado

From our partners