Books coming to TV and movies in 2026
Curious to know whether the book really is better? 2026 has already kicked off with some incredible page-to-screen adaptations – and plenty more are on the way!
Take your pick this year from murder mysteries and heated romances to chilling thrillers, beloved children’s classics and epic fantasy.
Revisit a literary classic like Wuthering Heights or finally pick up Project Hail Mary before its big-screen debut!
Last year brought us some incredible adaptations – check out our library list Books coming to screens in 2025 – and 2026’s line-up is just as exciting.
Before these stories hit cinemas and streaming services (or if they already have!), it’s not too late to experience them the way they were originally told.
Book-to-screen adaptations in 2026
1. Hamnet by Maggie O'Farrell
This award-winning historical novel reimagines the life of Shakespeare’s family through the eyes of his wife Agnes (Anne) Hathaway. Tender, lyrical and deeply moving, Hamnet explores love, grief and the fragile thread that binds families together.
Available formats: Book, large print, audio CD and eAudiobook.
Release date: Released in cinemas in January 2026.
2. People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
Polar-opposite best friends Poppy and Alex make a pact to go travelling together for one week every summer. That is, until one adventure goes awry and the pact is broken. Years later, one reluctant final summer trip brings a chance to repair their fractured relationship in this heartfelt friends-to-lovers romance. Full of witty banter and emotional depth, this fan-favourite contemporary love story has now made the leap to screen.
Available formats: Book, eBook and large print.
Release date: 9 January 2026 (Netflix).
3. Bridgerton: An Offer from a Gentleman by Julia Quinn
The third Bridgerton romance follows Benedict Bridgerton’s Cinderella-inspired love story. Glittering balls, secret identities and Regency-era drama return as the beloved Netflix series continues its adaptation of Quinn’s bestselling novels.
Available formats: Book and eAudiobook.
Release date: Season 4 premiered Part 1 on 29 January 2026 and Part 2 on 26 February 2026.
4. Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
A brooding tale of obsession and revenge set on the Yorkshire moors, Wuthering Heights remains one of the most dramatic love stories ever written. Its haunting atmosphere and turbulent romance translate beautifully to the screen in this latest adaptation.
Available formats: Book, eBook, large print, audio CD and eAudiobook.
Release date: Released in cinemas on 13 February 2026.
5. A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms by George R. R. Martin
Set a century before Game of Thrones, this HBO Max series brings the adventures of Ser Duncan the Tall and his squire, Egg, to life. Political intrigue, chivalry and Targaryen-era Westeros await fans of epic fantasy.
Available formats: Book and eBook.
Release date: Premiered 18 January 2026.
6. The Seven Dials Mystery by Agatha Christie
A secret society, a country house and a suspicious death – this classic Christie mystery blends intrigue and wit in equal measure. The latest adaptation reintroduces audiences to one of the Queen of Crime’s most entertaining puzzles.
Available formats: Book, eBook, large print and eAudiobook.
Release date: Released 15 January 2026 on Netflix.
7. Heated Rivalry by Rachel Reid
We’re cheating a little – this technically premiered late 2025, but we can’t resist talking about it! This enemies-to-lovers sports romance follows two rival hockey players whose intense on-ice competition masks a secret, long-running relationship. The screen adaptation brings all the chemistry and emotional stakes fans adore.
Available formats: Book, eBook and eAudiobook.
Release date: Released on 30 November 2025 and became a HUGE deal in early 2026.
8. His & Hers by Alice Feeney
When a newsreader and a detective are drawn into the same murder investigation, secrets unravel from both sides of the story. Twisty and addictive, this psychological thriller keeps viewers guessing until the very end.
Available formats: Book, eBook, large print and eAudiobook.
Release date: Released on Netflix on 8 January 2026.
9. 56 Days by Catherine Ryan Howard
This gripping thriller follows two strangers who meet just before lockdown and decide to move in together. Months later, a decomposing body is discovered inside an apartment. What really happened behind closed doors? The Prime Video adaptation stars Dove Cameron and Avan Jogia.
Available formats: Book, eBook, large print, audio CD and eAudiobook.
Release date: 18 February 2026 (Prime Video).
10. Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir
From the author of The Martian, this high-stakes sci-fi adventure follows a lone astronaut who wakes up on a spaceship with no memory – and humanity’s survival resting on his shoulders. This highly anticipated big-screen adaptation stars Ryan Gosling.
Available formats: Book, eBook, large print, audio CD and eAudiobook.
Release date: In cinemas from 20 March 2026.
11. The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton
Step into a magical forest where new lands appear at the top of an enchanted tree. Blyton’s beloved children’s fantasy classic is heading to the big screen, promising nostalgia for grown-ups and adventure for new readers alike.
Available formats: Book, eBook, audio CD and eAudiobook.
Release date: In cinemas from 26 March 2026.
12. Animal Farm by George Orwell
Orwell’s timeless allegory is set on a farm where animals revolt against humans in search of freedom. The film is aimed at a wider audience than the dark, original source material, with a tone that includes humour and adventure. As relevant today as it was in 1945, this cautionary tale stars Gaten Matarazzo, Seth Rogan, Kieran Culkin, Andy Serkis and Kathleen Turner.
Available formats: Book, large print book, eBook and eAudiobook.
Release date: In cinemas from 1 May 2026.
13. Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
This bestselling debut novel tells the story of Tova, a widowed aquarium cleaner who strikes up an unlikely friendship with Marcellus, a remarkably perceptive giant Pacific octopus. As Tova forms a connection with a troubled young man searching for answers about his past, long-buried secrets begin to surface in this tender, quietly uplifting mystery about grief, friendship and second chances.
Available formats: Book, eBook and eAudiobook.
Release date: 8 May 2026 (Netflix).
14. The Odyssey by Homer
One of the oldest and most enduring epics ever told, The Odyssey follows Greek hero Odysseus on his perilous ten-year journey home after the Trojan War. Acclaimed director Christopher Nolan brings this legendary tale to cinemas with a star-studded cast including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson and Charlize Theron.
Available formats: Book, eBook and eAudiobook.
Release date: In cinemas from 17 July 2026.
15. Verity by Colleen Hoover
A struggling writer is hired to complete a bestselling author’s unfinished manuscript – only to uncover disturbing secrets hidden within her notes. This dark psychological thriller stars Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson.
Available formats: Book, large print and eAudiobook.
Release date: 2 October 2026 (cinemas).
16. The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
The world of Panem expands once more in this highly anticipated prequel. Exploring another brutal chapter of the Games, the adaptation promises high drama, political tension and emotional stakes for longtime fans.
Available formats: Book, eBook and eAudiobook.
Release date: 20 November 2026 (cinemas).
17. The Magician’s Nephew by C.S. Lewis
Travel back to the very beginning of Narnia in this magical origin story. Lions, lampposts and world-building wonder await as this beloved children’s fantasy heads to cinemas before streaming on Netflix later in the year.
Available formats: Book and eAudiobook.
Release date: 26 November 2026 (cinemas), 25 December 2026 (Netflix).
18. Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert
The saga continues in Dune: Part Three as Denis Villeneuve brings the next chapter of Herbert’s epic sci-fi universe to cinemas. Political intrigue, prophecy and power struggles intensify in this adaptation of Dune Messiah.
Available formats: Book and eAudiobook.
Release date: 18 December 2026 (cinemas).
19. The Cat in the Hat by Dr Seuss
Chaos, rhymes and mischief return in a new animated version of this timeless children’s classic. A perfect excuse to revisit the original playful picture book before the film arrives this December.
Available formats: Picture book.
Release date: 3 December 2026.
20. Carrie by Stephen King
King’s iconic horror novel about a bullied teenager with terrifying telekinetic powers returns in a new Prime Video series adaptation. Revisit this chilling classic before the series drops later in the year – hopefully around Halloween.
Available formats: Book and large print.
Release date: TBC 2026 (Prime Video).
21. Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder
The beloved pioneer story returns in a new Netflix adaptation. Follow the Ingalls family’s journey of resilience, hardship and hope on the American frontier.
Available formats: Book, eBook, audio CD and eAudiobook.
Release date: TBC 2026 (Netflix).
22. Heartstopper Volume 6 and the Nick and Charlie Novella by Alice Oseman
After three hit seasons, the adaptation of Oseman’s graphic novel series concludes with a feature-length film Heartstopper Forever, based on the sixth volume and the Nick and Charlie novella. Expect heartfelt romance, friendship and growing-up moments.
Available formats: Graphic novel and eAudiobook.
Release date: TBC 2026.
But wait, there’s more!
The list doesn’t end there. Our full 2026 round-up lets you find every book behind the big-screen magic, ready for borrowing at the library.
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