Books coming to TV and movies in 2025

Love seeing your favourite books come to life on screen? 2025 is packed with exciting adaptations, from thrilling sci‐fi and fantasy epics to beloved kids’ classics and bestselling thrillers.

Whether you're eager to revisit Animal Farm before its star-studded film release or curious about how The Witcher: Sword of Destiny will tie into the next season of the Netflix series, now’s the perfect time to read ahead.

Last year brought us some incredible book-to-screen adaptations – check out library list Books coming to screens in 2024 – and this year’s lineup is just as exciting. Before these stories hit cinemas and streaming services, dive into the books first and experience them the way they were originally told.

Book-to-screen adaptations in 2025

1. Mickey7 by Edward Ashton

Adapted into the film Mickey 17 starring Robert Pattinson, this quirky sci‐fi tale follows an “expendable” crew member on a perilous space mission. Chosen for dangerous tasks because his body can be regenerated while his memories persist, one regeneration, however, takes an unexpected turn.

Available formats: Book and eAudiobook are available at Auckland Libraries.

Release date: Hits New Zealand cinemas on 7 March 2025.

 

2. Cold Storage by David Koepp

Cold Storage is a gripping sci‐fi thriller that imagines a world where a dangerous fungus, kept in a government facility, breaks free and unleashes a killer virus. This debut novel was authored by the screenwriter behind classics like Jurassic Park, War of the Worlds, and Mission: Impossible. The adaptation features a stellar cast including Liam Neeson, Oscar nominee Leslie Manville and Joe Keery (of Stranger Things).

Available formats: Book, large print book and eBook are available at Auckland Libraries.

Release date: Specific release date information for the adaptation is currently unavailable.

 

3. How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell

This wildly popular children’s adventure fantasy series follows the ingenious Viking Hiccup and his dragon Toothless as they confront an ancient threat on the isle of Berk. Already a beloved animated film from 2010, the series is now headed for a DreamWorks live-action adaptation. The film stars Mason Thames, Nico Parker, Gerard Butler, and Kiwi actor Julian Dennison as the lovable Fishlegs. Borrow the first instalment of this 12-part series to start your dragon training journey. 

Available formats: Book and eAudiobook available at Auckland Libraries.

Release date: Scheduled to debut in New Zealand cinemas on June 12, 2025.

 

4. Dog Man by Dav Pilkey

Beloved by readers of all ages, this graphic novel series follows the adventures of a half-dog, half-human cop on a mission to fight crime with a blend of humour, action and heart. The movie adaptation stars Pete Davidson, Poppy Liu and Lil Rel Howery.

Available formats: Graphic novel or eBook are available at Auckland Libraries.

Release date: Released in January 2025.

 

5. Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding

In this fresh twist on a well-loved series, Bridget Jones navigates life as a widow and single mum with the support of her family, friends and a former lover. As she re-enters the dating scene, unexpected new interests—one of which might even be her son's science teacher—add a dash of intrigue.

Available formats: Book, large print book, eBook and eAudiobook are available at Auckland Libraries.

Release date: Premiered in New Zealand cinemas on February 13, 2025.

 

6. Missing You by Harlan Coben

This intense murder mystery centres on Detective Kat Donovan, whose life is upended when she finds her estranged fiancé on a dating app. The discovery sets her on a path to reopen her father's unsolved murder, unravelling secrets along the way.

Available formats: Book, eAudiobook and large print are available at Auckland Libraries.

Release date: Specific release date details for the Netflix miniseries adaptation are currently unavailable.

 

7. Animal Farm by George Orwell

Orwell’s timeless allegory is set on an English farm where animals revolt against their human masters in search of freedom. It explores how idealism can be betrayed by tyranny from within. As relevant today as it was in 1945, this classic tale is expected to be adapted for the screen in July 2025, starring Kieran Culkin, Andy Serkis and Kathleen Turner.

Available formats: Book, large print book, eBook and eAudiobook are available at Auckland Libraries.

Release date: Expected to come to screens in July 2025.

 

8. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George R. R. Martin

Set a century before the events of Game of Thrones, this novel follows Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, Egg, as they journey through a Westeros ruled by the Targaryen dynasty – where dragons still haunt the legends. Their epic adventures and formidable challenges are coming to life in a TV series adaptation expected to debut in late 2025.

Available formats: Book and eBook are available at Auckland Libraries.

Release date: Expected to debut in late 2025.

 

9. The Witcher: Sword of Destiny by Andrzej Sapkowski

Get ahead of the long-anticipated yet controversial fourth season of The Witcher. In this upcoming season, Liam Hemsworth takes over as Geralt of Rivia, replacing Henry Cavill. Although the Netflix series is highly popular, it has faced criticism for straying from the source material. The show’s unique non-chronological storytelling means that key plotlines from this novel are spread across previous seasons. Dive into the book to see how the new season lines up. Which version of the story will you prefer?

Available formats: Book available at Auckland Libraries.

Release date: Expected to be released later in late 2025.

 

10. The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

The first instalment of a popular thriller series, The Housemaid follows Millie as she lands a job as a live-in maid for the affluent Winchester family. But as she settles into their grand home, strange tensions arise and dark secrets begin to surface – both hers and theirs. With danger lurking behind closed doors, Millie soon realises that nothing in this house is as it seems.

Available formats: Book and large print book are available at Auckland Libraries.

Release date: Anticipated to hit cinemas on Christmas Day 2025.

But wait, there’s more!

The list doesn’t end there! Borrow these titles and more with our recommended reading list: Books coming to screens in 2025.