5 Popular Books You Didn’t Know Were Being Adapted Into Films & TV Shows!

Some of the best movies and TV shows are based on novels: "The Handmaid’s Tale", "Daisy Jones and the Six", and The Shining, just to name a few. Maybe you didn’t get a chance to read the source material before seeing these films and series. If this is the case, look no further than the below list of novels that filmmakers or producers have picked up to adapt into film or television. These are popular books that would be perfect to read in the next year or so as their narratives make their way through the production process!

1. Bunny by Mona Awad

An amazing psychological thriller for fans of Heathers and Mean Girls – just add a magical and surreal twist! Bad Robot picked it up as a movie. There’s no official release date yet, so that gives you plenty of time to read up in preparation. 

2. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo by Taylor Jenkins Reid

You’ve probably heard about this book if you’re anywhere on BookTok. With another one of her novels, Daisy Jones and The Six, already having been adapted to screen, Taylor Jenkins Reid is the perfect author to read if you want books relevant to pop culture. Most of her novels are instant 5-star classics, and The Five Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is no different. Netflix green-lit the film in 2022, so look out for it soon!

3. Happy Place by Emily Henry

Emily Henry is pretty much the queen of romance novels right now, having written 5 New York Times bestsellers. Several of these books are going to be made into films, but Jennifer Lopez’s production company picked up Happy Place to be a Netflix series. The showrunner, Leila Cohen, is the co-executive producer of "Bridgerton". The series promises to be a romantic and steamy romp, perfect for rom-com fans. 

4. Before I Let Go by Kennedy Ryan

Another romance novel, though this one is more of a rom-dram than a rom-com. In development at Peacock right now, the narrative follows a divorced couple who find each other again and again despite the odds. It’s a great read with strong PoC leads and is sure to be a compelling and romantic TV show. 

5. Animal Farm by George Orwell

Unlike the other contemporary novels on this list, Animal Farm is a classic that actually has been previously adapted into film in 1999. Many of you may have read this book in high school, but if not, it is a unique allegory for the development and flaws of human society, if that interests you. An animated version of the tale, directed by Andy Serkis, is set to come out in 2025.