The Big List of 2016 Book-to-Movie Adaptations

2016 book to movie adaptations

Book adaptations are big box office draws – just look at this year’s Oscar nominees. 2016 is another big year for books hitting the big screen. And this big list of 2016 book-to-movie adaptations will help us keep track of them all! If you like to read the book before seeing the movie (of course you do!) you’ll want to put these upcoming book adaptations on your radar.

The movies are listed in order of earliest movie release date and I also included the movies whose release dates have come and gone. (There’s always Netflix!)

In Theaters January-March:

13 Hours: The Secret Soldiers of Benghazi 

Based on the book by Mitchell Zuckoff:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: The true story of the men who fought back during the battle of Benghazi.

The Movie: Stars John Krasinski, James Badge Dale and Pablo Schreiber. Directed by Michael Bay

In Theaters: January 15, DVD June

Critics: Rotten Tomatoes 51, IMDB 76, Metacritic 48

The 5th Wave 

Based on the book by Rick Yancey:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: Four waves of alien attacks have wiped out most of the earth’s population. Cassie is on the run trying to survive and reunite with her brother.

The Movie: Stars Chloë Grace Moretz, Maggie Siff, Nick Robinson. Directed by J Blakeson

In Theaters: January 22, DVD May 3

Critics: Rotten Tomatoes 17, IMDB 55, Metacritic 33

The Choice

Based on the book by Nicholas Sparks :  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: Ladies man Travis thinks having a serious relationship would cramp his style, until Gabby moves in next door. And since this is a Nicholas Sparks novel you know it won’t be smooth sailing!

The Movie: Stars Benjamin Walker, Teresa Palmer. Directed by Ross Katz.

In Theaters: February 5, DVD May 19

Critics: Rotten Tomatoes 10, IMDB 61, Metacritic 26

Pride & Prejudice & Zombies 

Based on the book by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: A zombie-fied Pride and Prejudice!

The Movie: Stars Lily James, Sam Riley. Directed by Burr Steers.

In Theaters: February 5, DVD May/June

Critics: Rotten Tomatoes 43, IMDB 61 , Metacritic 45

How to Be Single

Based on the book by Liz Tuccillo:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: Four friends hit the town for a girls’ night to remind themselves how fun it is not to be tied down.

The Movie: Stars Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson, Leslie Mann. Directed by Christian Ditter.

In Theaters: February 12, DVD May/June

Critics: Rotten Tomatoes 50, IMDB 64, Metacritic 51

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot

Based on the book The Taliban Shuffle by Kim Barker :  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: This is Kim Barker’s account of her time as a foreign correspondent in Afghanistan and Pakistan.

The Movie: Stars Tina Fey, Margot Robbie, Martin Freeman. Directed by Glenn Ficcara, John Requa

In Theaters: March 4, DVD June/July

Critics: Rotten Tomatoes 63, IMDB 70, Metacritic 57

Allegiant

Based on the book by Veronica Roth :  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: The final book in the Divergent trilogy has the heroine Tris exploring new territory and the stakes are higher than ever.

The Movie: Stars Shailene Woodley, Theo James. Directed by Robert Schwentke

In Theaters: March 18

Critics: Rotten Tomatoes 10, IMDB 60, Metacritic 34

In Theaters April-June

The Jungle Book 

Based on the book by Rudyard Kipling:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: The classic story features the orphan baby Mowgli who is raised by animals in the jungle.

The Movie: Stars Neel Sethi, and features the celebrity voices of Scarlett Johansson, Idris Elba, and Bill Murray. Directed by Jon Favreau.

In Theaters: April 15

A Hologram for the King 

Based on the book by Dave Eggers:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: In a Saudi Arabian city, a struggling businessman tries to make ends meet during the global economic crisis.

The Movie: Stars Tom Hanks, Tom Skerritt, Ben Whishaw. Directed by Tom Tykwer

In Theaters: April 22

 

Alice Through the Looking Glass

Based on the book by Lewis Carroll:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: The further adventures of Alice!

The Movie: Stars Johnny Depp, Mia Wasikowska, Anne Hathaway. Directed by James Bobin

In Theaters: May 27

Me Before You 

Based on the book by Jojo Moyes: Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: Louisa works for a quadriplegic named Will and tries to show him that life’s still worth living.

The Movie: Stars Emilia Clarke, Sam Claflin. Directed by Thea Sharrock

In Theaters: June 3

 

In Theaters July-Sept:

The Legend of Tarzan

Based on the book Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: Tarzan acclimated to life in London after leaving the jungle but is called back for official business.

The Movie: Stars Alexander Skarsgård, Margot Robbie. Directed by David Yates

In Theaters: July 1

The BFG 

Based on the book by Roald Dahl:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: Sophie works with the Big Friendly Giant to stop the other giants from eating people.

The Movie: Stars Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, Rebecca Hall, Bill Hader. Directed by Steven Spielberg.

In Theaters: July 1

Mike & Dave Need Wedding Dates And a Thousand Cocktails

Based on the book by Mike and Dave Stangle Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: Mike and Dave post an ad seeking wedding dates and the ad goes viral.

The Movie: Stars Zac Efron, Anna Kendrick, Aubrey Plaza, Adam DeVine. Directed by Jake Szymanski

In Theaters: July 8

Nerve

 

Based on the book by Jeanne Ryan:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: Vee plays Nerve, a high stakes online game of truth or dare.

The Movie: Stars Emma Roberts, Juliette Lewis, Dave Franco. Directed by Henry Joost, Ariel Schulman

In Theaters: July 27

Indignation

Based on the book by Philip Roth:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: Set in 1951, this coming-of-age is about Marcus who goes to college and consequently avoids the draft.

The Movie: Stars Logan Lerman, Sarah Gadon, Ben Rosenfield, Tracy Letts. Directed by James Schamus

In Theaters: July 29

 

The Light Between Oceans

Based on the book by M.L. Stedman:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: A lighthouse keeper and his wife raise a baby they found on a rowboat.

The Movie: Stars Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Rachel Weiss. Directed by Derek Cianfrance

In Theaters: September 2

The Girl With All The Gifts

Based on the book by M.R. Carey:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: Also known as “She Who Brings Gifts” this dystopian horror film is about Melanie, a girl with special talents.

The Movie: Stars Gemma Arterton, Sennia Nanua, Glenn Close. Directed by Colm McCarthy

In Theaters: September 9 (UK)

Bridget Jones’s Baby

Based on the book Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: More adventures with Bridget Jones!

The Movie: Stars Reneé Zellweger, Colin Firth, Patrick Dempsey. Directed by Sharon Maguire

In Theaters: September 16

Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children

Based on the book by Ransom Riggs:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: Jacob discovers Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children on a deserted island and gets to know the gifted inhabitants.

The Movie: Stars Eva Green, Asa Butterfield, Samuel L. Jackson. Directed by Tim Burton

In Theaters: September 30

In Theaters Oct-Dec:

The Girl on the Train

Based on the book by Paula Hawkins :  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: Rachel rides the commuter train every day, seeing the same people and making up stories about them. One day she sees something shocking and becomes obsessed about that night.

The Movie: Stars Emily Blunt, Laura Prepon, Haley Bennett, Justin Theroux . Directed by Tate Taylor

In Theaters: October 7

Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life

Based on the book by James Patterson:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: In Rafe’s first year of middle school, he and his best friend Leo decide to break all the rules of the code of conduct.

The Movie: Stars Griffin Gluck, Thomas Barbusca, Lauren Graham. Directed by Steve Carr

In Theaters: October 7

A Monster Calls

Based on the book by Patrick Ness:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: A boy seeks the help of a monster to help deal with his mom’s terminal illness.

The Movie: Stars Liam Neeson, Felicity Jones, Lewis MacDougall. Directed by J.A. Bayona

In Theaters: October 14

Inferno

Based on the book by Dan Brown :  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: Harvard professor Robert Langdon is drawn into a world centered on Dante’s Inferno, where he must solve a riddle before the world is altered.

The Movie: Stars Tom Hanks, Felicity Jones, Ben Foster. Directed by Ron Howard

In Theaters: October 28

Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk 

billy lynn's long halftime walk

Based on the book by Ben Fountain:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: This satire about the Iraq War takes place in Texas and is about the surviving members of the Bravo squad on their “victory tour.”

The Movie: Stars Vin Diesel, Kristen Stewart, Garrett Hedlund and Steve Martin. Directed by Ang Lee

In Theaters: November 11

Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them

Based on the book by Newt Scamandar aka J.K. Rowling:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: A book of magical creatures from the world of Harry Potter!

The Movie: Stars Eddie Redmayne, Ezra Miller, Colin Farrell. Directed by David Yates

In Theaters: November 18

The Shack

Based on the book by Wm. Paul Young:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: A grieving father receives a note from God inviting him to the shack. 

The Movie: Stars Radha Mitchell, Sam Worthington, Octavia Spencer. Directed by Stuart Hazeldine

In Theaters: November 18

In Theaters 2016 – Date TBD:

Fallen

Based on the book by Lauren Kate:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: Lucinda falls for Daniel at boarding school,only to find he’s a fallen angel.

The Movie: Stars Addison Timlin, Jeremy Irvine. Directed by Scott Hicks

In Theaters: Rumored to be September

Before I Fall

before i fall

Based on the book by Lauren Oliver:  Goodreads | Amazon (new enhanced edition!)

What it’s About: A girl lives the last day of her life over and over until she sets things right.

The Movie: Stars Zoey Deutch, Elena Kampouris, Logan Miller. Directed by Ry Russo-Young

In Theaters: 2016 TBD

 

Ashes in the Snow

Based on the book Between Shades of Gray by Ruta Sepetys:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: Lina and her family fight to survive in a Siberian work camp.

The Movie: Stars Bel Powley, Jonah Hauer-King. Directed by Marius A. Markevicius

In Theaters: 2016 TBD

Silence

Based on the book by Shūsaku Endō:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: Jesuit priests travel to seventeenth century Japan where practicing Catholics were called “Hidden Christians” and tortured if they did not trample on the image of Jesus.

The Movie: Stars Adam Driver, Liam Neeson, Andrew Garfield. Directed by Martin Scorsese

In Theaters: Late 2016

The Circle

the circle

Based on the book by Dave Eggers:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: In this cautionary tale, a woman gets a job at a powerful internet company that has entirely way too much control.

The Movie: Stars Emma Watson, Tom Hanks, John Boyega. Directed by James Ponsoldt

In Theaters: 2016 TBD

Queen of Katwe

the queen of katwe

Based on the book by Tim Crothers:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: The true story of Phiona Mutesi, a girl from Uganda who becomes a national chess champion.

The Movie: Stars Lupita Nyong’o, David Oyelowo.  Directed by Mira Nair.

In Theaters: 2016 TBD

The Lost City of Z

the lost city of z

Based on the book by David Grann:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: In 1925 British explorer Percy Fawcett set out to find an ancient civilization in the Amazon jungle and he never returned.

The Movie: Stars Tom Holland, Charlie Hunnam, Sienna Miller, Robert Pattinson. Directed by James Gray

In Theaters: 2016 TBD

The Zookeepers Wife

the zookeepers wife

Based on the book by Diane Ackerman:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: A true story about Polish zookeepers Jan and Antonina Zabinski. They saved hundreds of people  from the Nazis by hiding them in empty animal cages.

The Movie: Stars Jessica Chastain, Daniel Brühl, Directed by Niki Caro

In Theaters: 2016 TBD

Brain on Fire

brain on fire pb

Based on the book by Susannah Cahalan:  Goodreads | Amazon

What it’s About: The true story of Susannah Cahalan’s medical mystery and her descent into madness.

The Movie: Stars Chloë Grace Moretz, Richard Armitage, Jenny Slate. Directed by Gerard Barrett

In Theaters: 2016 TBD

Phew! That’s a lot of book-to-movie adaptations! Which ones are on your must-read / must-see list? Which ones do you worry that the film won’t live up to the book? 

Did I miss any book-to-movie adaptations? Let me know so I can add them in!

I’ll keep this updated throughout the year as dates get finalized and more information comes through.

 

Ornament

6 thoughts on “The Big List of 2016 Book-to-Movie Adaptations

  1. Wow! Great post! I’ve read a few of these books. I was unaware that these books will be movies this year. They all look good. A lot of the other movies look good too. I’ll will check into some of the books. Thanks for sharing this detailed post, especially the trailers!

  2. I don’t think I could take Me Before You on the big screen. Between Shades of Gray will be tough too but I have to see it.

  3. Lori says:

    I had no idea about Between Shades of Gray. That’s exciting, but it will be hard to watch. I hope Before I Falls lives up to the book.

  4. fishgirl182 says:

    Wow there are so many adaptations coming out this year. I am looking forward to Me Before You, Miss Peregrine, and Fantastic Beasts. I loved the book Lost City of Z and am interested in seeing what they do to it as a film.

  5. MarthaE says:

    I agree with “Wow!” That is quite a list. I hope to see several of the movies and will be pulling in a few of those books to read first. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.

  6. […] of Book Adaptations hitting screens this […]

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