From murder mysteries to messy love stories, these book-to-screen adaptations are about to take over your screen time

The beauty of reading fiction lies in how your imagination fills in the blanks, and the thrill of a screen adaptation is getting to see just how close it comes to what you pictured. Of course, fans of Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us know that this magic doesn’t always translate. Sometimes, the characters or storyline don’t quite hit the mark, resulting in an occasionally tepid or underwhelming creation. But Hoover might just be getting her redemption arc, with Reminders of Him and Verity both headed to the screen. And judging by the cast of Verity, we’re feeling pretty optimistic about this one.

But that’s not the only one we’ve got our eyes on. Stephen King’s The Running Man is getting a slick new reboot, with Edgar Wright penning the script and Glen Powell stepping into Arnold Schwarzenegger’s iconic role. Then there’s The Housemaid—arguably the most anticipated adaptation of 2025—starring Sydney Sweeney and Amanda Seyfried. It’s dark, twisty, and everything you want from a psychological drama. From the looks of it, 2025 is shaping up to be a major year for book-to-screen adaptations, and we've got our favourites.

Take a look at some of the biggest page-to-screen adaptations to watch out for in 2025 and 2026—trust us, they’re worth adding to your watchlist. 

The Running Man

Stephen King’s dystopian thriller—originally published under the pen name Richard Bachman—is getting another shot at the big screen. This time, Baby Driver director Edgar Wright is steering the ship, with Glen Powell as the lead. Unlike the campy 1987 version, this one promises a darker, more faithful take on the original story. It follows Ben Richards, a man who volunteers for a deadly reality show to pay for his daughter’s medical treatment. With a standout cast featuring Josh Brolin, Michael Cera, Emilia Jones, and Colman Domingo, this could finally be the adaptation King’s book deserves.

Releasing on November 7, 2025

The Housemaid

One of the most anticipated adaptations of 2025, Freida McFadden’s bestselling thriller is coming to the big screen, and the casting alone has us intrigued. Sydney Sweeney plays Millie, a live-in maid with secrets of her own, while Amanda Seyfried takes on the role of the chillingly unpredictable Nina. Directed by Paul Feig (Bridesmaids), the film is set to be a tense and twisty ride with plenty of psychological warfare. Messy mind games and high-stakes secrets—honestly, what more could you want?

Releasing on December 25, 2025

The Thursday Murder Club

Richard Osman’s cosy-crime bestseller is being brought to life by Harry Potter director Chris Columbus, and the cast is as charming as the plot—Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie play a group of retirees who spend their time solving cold cases until a real murder lands in their laps. Equal parts heartwarming and hilariously British, this one’s bound to be a crowd-pleaser.

Releasing on Netflix on August 28, 2025

I Know What You Did Last Summer

We loved the original '90s slasher, so why wouldn't we be ecstatic about this one? Especially when we know two of the original castmates will be returning. That's right, Jennifer Love Hewitt and Freddie Prinze Jr. are making a return for this classic teen horror, that's about to get a 2025 refresh. Directed by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, the plot remains familiar: a group of friends cover up a tragic accident, only to be stalked by a mysterious figure a year later. Madelyn Cline and Jonah Hauer-King join original stars Hewitt and Prinze Jr. for a blood-soaked sequel that ties directly back to the '90s franchise.

Releasing on July 18, 2025

Klara and the Sun

Kazuo Ishiguro’s haunting, futuristic novel gets the Taika Waititi treatment, with Jenna Ortega playing Klara—a robot designed to keep children company, quietly questioning what it means to love and be loved. With Amy Adams also on board, this one’s set to tug at your heart while subtly blowing your mind. And honestly, after Ortega’s deadpan brilliance in Wednesday, this role feels like a natural fit. We’re stoked to see her bring Klara to life.

Releasing in late 2025

Reminders of Him

Colleen Hoover fans, mark your calendars—this heart-wrenching story of loss, forgiveness, and second chances is coming to the screen with Normal People director Vanessa Caswill behind the camera. Maika Monroe plays Kenna, a young mother trying to reconnect with her daughter after serving time for a tragic mistake. Tissues are non-negotiable.

Releasing on February 13, 2026

Verity

And then there’s Verity—arguably Hoover’s darkest book. Directed by Michael Showalter and starring Anne Hathaway, this psychological thriller follows Lowen, a struggling writer hired to finish the work of the incapacitated Verity Crawford. But what she finds hidden in Verity’s home is anything but fiction. Trust us, this one’s set to keep you guessing until the very last minute.

Releasing on May 15, 2026

People We Meet on Vacation

If there’s one book-to-screen adaptation that promises to deliver all the feels, it’s this one. Emily Henry's People We Meet on Vacation has everything we love—slow-burn chemistry, summer nostalgia, and the kind of romantic tension that practically begs for a movie treatment. Emily Bader and Tom Blyth step into the roles of Poppy and Alex, two best friends whose annual holiday tradition takes a complicated turn. With Hearts Beat Loud’s Brett Haley directing and a script by Yulin Kuang (Love in Taipei), expect heartfelt moments, witty banter, and major swoon potential. Add Lukas Gage, Jameela Jamil, and Molly Shannon to the cast, and you’ve got yourself a rom-com that’s hard to resist.

Releasing on Netflix in 2025

The Woman in Cabin 10

Ruth Ware’s best-selling thriller is making waves—literally. The Netflix adaptation stars Keira Knightley as Lo Blacklock, a journalist who thinks she’s witnessed a murder aboard a luxury cruise ship. The only problem? Everyone’s accounted for. Cue paranoia, gaslighting, and lots of "wait, did that just happen?" moments. Directed by Simon Stone (The Dig), with a solid supporting cast including Guy Pearce, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Hannah Waddingham, this one’s set to be a slick whodunnit with serious binge potential.

Releasing on Netflix, late 2025

Frankenstein

Trust Guillermo del Toro to take a classic and make it dark, devastating, and kind of beautiful. His take on Frankenstein stars Oscar Isaac as the tormented Dr Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as the creature he brings to life. Expect more emotion than monster-horror here—del Toro has called it a “deeply personal” version of the story. With Mia Goth, Christoph Waltz, and Lars Mikkelsen also on board, this one’s giving prestige gothic cinema.

Releasing on Netflix in November 2025

Lead image credit: Getty Images 

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