Book adaptations we can't wait to watch: 'Oppenheimer,' 'Pain Hustlers,' 'Wonka' and more
What do an Edgar Allan Poe short story, “father of the atomic bomb" J. Robert Oppenheimer and District 12's Lucy Gray Baird have in common? They're all getting their own movies or shows this year.
Books have been adapted to screen as long as there have been films and TV, and this year's crop of literary adaptations promises to be a particularly good (and potentially Oscar-winning) one, bringing with it a new epic from maestro Martin Scorsese, "Dune: Part 2" and a fresh take on Alice Walker's "The Color Purple."
Here are some upcoming literary adaptations to get excited for, and that will hopefully, inspire you to add some books to your to-be-read pile.
Editorial note: Release dates are correct as of publication time. They are subject to change.
We start with book-to-film adaptations:
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'The Boogeyman'
Based on: A story by Stephen King, collected in his book "Night Shift."
Release date: Friday.
Stephen King’s short story “The Boogeyman” will get the big-screen treatment after it was originally made for Hulu. The film stars Chris Messina ("Sharp Objects") and Sophie Thatcher ("Yellowjackets") and centers on sisters who are targeted by a supernatural being after their psychologist father has an encounter with a desperate patient in their house. It's directed by Rob Savage and produced by 21 Laps, the company behind "Stranger Things."
"The Nightshift" at Amazon for $9.99
'Oppenheimer'
Based on: “American Prometheus” by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin.
Release date: July 21.
Christopher Nolan’s historical epic detonates in theaters the same day as Greta Gerwig’s “Barbie” and chronicles the true-life story of J. Robert Oppenheimer (Cillian Murphy), who’s often called the “father of the atomic bomb.” Emily Blunt, Florence Pugh, Rami Malek, Robert Downey Jr. and Matt Damon co-star.
“American Prometheus” at Amazon for $19.49
“American Prometheus” at Bookshop for $21.39
'A Haunting in Venice'
Based on: “Hallowe’en Party” by Agatha Christie.
Release date: Sept. 15.
After 2017’s “Murder on the Orient Express” and 2022’s “Death on the Nile,” Kenneth Branagh returns for another big-screen murder mystery as mustachioed detective Hercule Poirot. Michelle Yeoh, Tina Fey, Jamie Dornan and Kelly Reilly top the list of potential suspects.
“Hallowe’en Party” at Amazon for $11.99
“Hallowe’en Party” at Bookshop for $15.80
'Killers of the Flower Moon'
Based on: A book by David Grann.
Release date: Limited theater release Oct. 6; wide release Oct. 20.
Martin Scorsese is back with this sprawling true-crime drama, about the mysterious murders of Osage tribe members in 1920s Oklahoma and the early days of the FBI. Lily Gladstone (“Certain Women”) is top-billed alongside Scorsese stalwarts Leonardo DiCaprio, Robert De Niro and Jesse Plemons.
"Killers of the Flower Moon" at Amazon for $13.09
"Killers of the Flower Moon" at Bookshop for $15.81
'Pain Hustlers'
Based on: “The Hard Sell” by Evan Hughes, now reissued as "Pain Hustlers."
Release date: Oct. 27.
David Yates (the “Harry Potter” franchise) directs Emily Blunt, Chris Evans, Andy Garcia and Catherine O’Hara in Netflix’s conspiracy drama about a single mom who falls into a dangerous scheme selling prescription drugs. The movie is based on a 2018 New York Times Magazine article by Evan Hughes and his subsequent book.
"Pain Hustlers" at Amazon for $18
'Dune: Part 2'
Based on: Frank Herbert's "Dune" series.
Release date: Nov. 3.
Young Hollywood’s hottest stars have assembled for Denis Villeneuve’s highly anticipated sequel to “Dune,” which won six Oscars early last year. Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya return for the futuristic space epic about warring families, with Florence Pugh (“Midsommar,” "Black Widow") and Austin Butler (“Elvis”) joining the cast.
"Dune: Messiah" at Amazon for $34.99
"Dune: Messiah" at Bookshop for $9.99
'The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes'
Based on: A book by Suzanne Collins.
Release date: Nov. 17.
“West Side Story” breakout Rachel Zegler leads this dystopian/sci-fi adventure, which serves as a prequel to Suzanne Collins’ hit “The Hunger Games” trilogy. The actress takes on the role of Lucy Gray Baird, a musically gifted female tribute from District 12, while Tom Blyth co-stars as a young Coriolanus Snow, the future president of Panem.
"The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" at Amazon for $15.69
"The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes" at Bookshop for $15.80
'Leave the World Behind'
Based on: A book by Rumaan Alam.
Release date: Dec. 8.
A long weekend goes horribly wrong after a mass blackout strands two families in a vacation home. Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali and Ethan Hawke star in this psychological thriller from “Mr. Robot” creator Sam Esmail.
"Leave the World Behind" at Amazon for $14.69
"Leave the World Behind" at Bookshop for $15.80
'Wonka'
Based on: “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” by Roald Dahl.
Release date: Dec. 15.
Little is known about this upcoming musical origin story, which follows the adventures of a young Willy Wonka (Timothée Chalamet) before he opens his famous chocolate factory. But it’s impossible to not be excited about the film, which is helmed by “Paddington” director Paul King and features Olivia Colman and Sally Hawkins in supporting roles.
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” at Amazon for $8.99
“Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” at Bookshop for $8.36
'The Color Purple'
Based on: A book by Alice Walker.
Release date: Dec. 25.
Nearly four decades after Steven Spielberg’s Oscar-nominated film starring Whoopi Goldberg and Oprah Winfrey, a new adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical will sing its way into theaters. “American Idol” champ Fantasia Barrino plays embattled heroine Celie, leading an all-star cast that includes Danielle Brooks, Taraji P. Henson, Colman Domingo, H.E.R, Ciara, and Halle Bailey.
"The Color Purple" at Amazon for $11.89
u0022The Color Purpleu0022 at Bookshop for $15.81
Now for book-to-TV adaptations:
'Three Women'
Based on: A book by Lisa Taddeo.
Release date: TBD.
Shailene Woodley stars alongside Betty Gilpin ("Glow"), DeWanda Wise ("She's Gotta Have It"), Gabrielle Creevy ("In My Skin") and Blair Underwood ("L.A. Law") in this Starz series. “We set out to make a bluntly beautiful show about the way that women want and suffer and thrill, the way they make love and take love,” Taddeo said in a statement about the upcoming series.
"Three Women" at Amazon for $13.08
"Three Women" at Bookshop for $16.47
'All the Light We Cannot See'
Based on: A book by Anthony Doerr.
Release date: Nov. 2.
The Pulitzer Prize-winning book focused on the relationship between Marie-Laure, a blind French girl, and Werner, a German soldier played by Louis Hoffman, who meet in occupied France during World War II is coming to Netflix. Marie-Laure (Aria Mia Loberti) and her father (Mark Ruffalo) flee Paris to stay with her reclusive great-uncle (Hugh Laurie), carrying with them a valued jewel from the museum where her father worked.
"All the Light We Cannot See" at Amazon for $16.43
"All the Light We Cannot See" at Bookshop for $15.81
'Shogun'
Based on: A book by James Clavell.
Release date: TBD.
Coming to FX, "Shogun" is set in the 17th century, and is told from the perspective of John Blackthorne, a British sailor, who later becomes a samurai while wrapped up in Japanese leader Yoshii Toranaga's quest to become a Shogun. The show will star Cosmo Jarvis asBlackthorne and Hiroyuki Sanada as Yoshii Toranaga.
"Shogun" at Bookshop for $18.59
'Lessons in Chemistry'
Based on: A book by Bonnie Garmus.
Release date: Fall.
Apple TV+ picked up Garmus' bestselling debut novel for a series set in the 1950s starring Brie Larson. Elizabeth Zott's (Larson) dream of being a scientist is sidelined due to societal constraints that favor a woman's place in the domestic world. Zott, a new mother, takes on a role as a television cooking show host while dreaming of making a return to the world of science.
"Lessons in Chemistry" at Amazon for $17.99
"Lessons in Chemistry" at Bookshop for $26.97
'The Other Black Girl'
Based on: A book by Zakiya Dalila Harris.
Release date: TBD.
Nella Rogers navigates a career as the sole Black employee at Wagner Books in this Hulu series. Rogers is thrilled when Hazel, a new co-worker from Harlem, enters the fold. But things soon go awry as Hazel becomes picked as an office favorite and Nella begins to receive nasty notes at her desk.
"The Other Black Girl" at Amazon for $11.10
"The Other Black Girl" at Bookshop for $15.81
'The Fall of the House of Usher'
Based on: A short story by Edgar Allan Poe.
Release date: Fall.
Based on Edgar Allan Poe's 1839 short story, the drama series "The Fall of the House of Usher" is set to air as a miniseries on Netflix with a cast that includes Carla Gugino ("The Haunting of Hill House"), Willa Fitzgerald (MTV's "Scream") and Mark Hamill ("Star Wars").
"The Fall of the House of Usher" at Amazon for $12.99
"The Fall of the House of Usher" at Bookshop for $5.53
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Bestseller to blockbuster: Book adaptations we can't wait to watch
