The relationship between a beloved novel and its inevitable cinematic twin is a dance of anticipation, speculation and fervent hope. For the next two years, the page-to-screen pipeline is surging with projects that span the entire emotional spectrum, offering a rich and contrasting feast for audiences.
This remarkable confluence of adaptations—ranging from gothic literary giants like Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, now guided by Guillermo del Toro‘s masterful hand, to the deeply personal, small-town tragedies of a Colleen Hoover novel—underscores a shift in Hollywood’s focus.
The most anticipated stories are those that carry the emotional weight of their written form, translating deep psychological tension, generational trauma or the yearning for simple connection onto the screen.
Die My Love | Release: November 2025
Based on the harrowing, visceral novel by Ariana Harwicz, this psychological dark comedy-drama is one of the most highly anticipated films of 2025. It stars Jennifer Lawrence and Robert Pattinson as a married couple whose lives fracture in isolated rural Montana. Directed by the visionary Lynne Ramsay and produced by Martin Scorsese, the film is expected to be a brutally intense, awards-season contender that explores motherhood and madness.
Frankenstein | Release: November 7, 2025
Guillermo del Toro, an expert in gothic beauty and humanist horror, tackles Mary Shelley’s timeless classic. This highly anticipated Netflix film boasts a powerhouse cast with Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Jacob Elordi as the Monster. Del Toro has promised an adaptation that captures the novel’s deepest tragedy, setting it up as a major cinematic event in the gothic horror genre.
People We Meet on Vacation | Release: January 9, 2026
The adaptation of Emily Henry’s globally best-selling romantic comedy is set to be a key release for Netflix. The film follows the “friends-to-lovers” narrative of Poppy and Alex, two best friends who have traveled together for a decade until a falling out separates them. Starring Emily Bader and The Hunger Games’ Tom Blyth, this film carries massive fan expectation as the first of Henry’s popular novels to hit the screen.
Project Hail Mary | March 20, 2026
Andy Weir’s sci-fi novel, known for its mix of smart humor and existential suspense, is on track for a major film adaptation. The story centers on an astronaut who wakes up with amnesia and must save the Earth. With Ryan Gosling already attached to star and the directing duo behind The Martian involved, this project is anticipated to be the next big cerebral blockbuster.
Regretting You | Release: October 24, 2025
Following the massive success of It Ends With Us, another Colleen Hoover novel is making its way to theaters. This emotional drama, which explores the strained relationship between a mother and her teenage daughter after a family tragedy, stars Allison Williams and McKenna Grace. The adaptation aims to replicate the author’s signature blend of heartbreak and profound family secrets.
The Woman in Cabin 10 | Release: October 10, 2025
Based on Ruth Ware’s claustrophobic psychological thriller, this Netflix adaptation promises high-stakes tension set on the open sea. Keira Knightley stars as a journalist on a luxury cruise who witnesses a passenger thrown overboard, only to find that all the other passengers are accounted for. The film uses the confined setting to build paranoia and a twisty, unreliable narration.
Wuthering Heights | February 13, 2026
Emily Brontë’s dark gothic romance is slated for a new, highly anticipated cinematic interpretation, timed for a Valentine’s weekend release. Starring Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi in the central roles of the fiercely passionate Cathy and Heathcliff, this classic adaptation is expected to blend the enduring tragic nature of the novel with a sleek, modern aesthetic.
The Housemaid | January 1, 2026
The viral thriller novel by Freida McFadden is being adapted into a TV series or movie. The story, known for its extreme plot twists, centers on a troubled woman who takes a job as a live-in housekeeper for a seemingly perfect, wealthy couple, only to uncover dark secrets. The project is highly anticipated among thriller fans for its shocking reversals and domestic suspense.
Narnia | November 26, 2026
Following her massive success with Barbie, Greta Gerwig is set to direct a new cinematic universe based on C.S. Lewis’s fantasy series for Netflix. Starting with the chronological first book, this adaptation carries high expectations as Gerwig attempts to bring her unique, whimsical, and deeply human touch to the beloved fantasy epic.
Klara and the Sun | 2026
Nobel laureate Kazuo Ishiguro’s futuristic novel is being adapted into a feature film. The story is a thoughtful science-fiction drama that explores what it means to be human through the eyes of Klara, an “Artificial Friend” companion to a young girl. Starring Jenna Ortega, the adaptation is expected to be a meditative and emotionally profound cinematic experience.