Here's what we know about the best upcoming books-to-screen adaptations coming in 2022 and beyond.

(Click Here to see our previous list.)

"Under The Banner Of Heaven" 

TV Series currently on Hulu and FX

 The Book: Under the Banner of Heaven: A Story of Violent Faith  by: Jon Krakauer

 

 Synopsis: A devout detective's faith is tested as he investigates a brutal murder seemingly connected to an esteemed Utah family's spiral into LDS fundamentalism and their distrust in the government. Starring Andrew Garfield, Sam Worthington, and Daisy Edgar-Jones.

 

 

"Anatomy Of A Scandal"

Currently streaming on Netflix
 The Book: Anatomy of A Scandal 

 Synopsis: A sexual consent scandal amongst British privileged elite and the women caught up in its wake. Starring: Sienna Miller, Rupert Friend, and Michelle Dockery

 

 

 

"Luckiest Girl Alive"

Currently streaming on Netflix 

 The Book: Luckiest Girl Alive by:Jessica Knoll

 Synopsis:  A woman in New York, who seems to have things under control, is faced with a trauma that makes her life unravel. Starring: Mila Kunis, Jennifer Beals, and Connie Britton. 

 

 

 

"No Exit"

Currently streaming on Hulu 

 The Book: No Exit by: Taylor Adams

Synopsis: During a blizzard and stranded at an isolated highway rest stop in the mountains, a college student discovers a kidnapped child hidden in a car belonging to one of the people inside. Starring: Havana Rose Liu, Danny Ramirez, and David Rysdahl.

 

 

 

 

"Pieces of Her"

Currently streaming on Netflix 

 The Book: Pieces of Her by Karin Slaughter

Synopsis: When a Saturday afternoon trip to the mall with her mother suddenly explodes into violence, an adrift young woman's conception of her mother is forever changed. Starring: Toni Collette, Bella Heathcote, and Jessica Barden. 

 

 

 

"The Dropout"

TV Series premiering March 3 on Hulu

The Book: Bad Blood: Secrets and Lies in a Silicon Valley Startup by John Carreyrou

Tim's Take: While not a direct adaptation of Carreyrou's specific book, the series follows the real life events of Elizabeth Holmes and the legally dubious endeavours of her startup "Theranos." Carreyrou is a two-time Pulitzer Prize winning reporter for The Wall Street Journal and the book covers the action in gripping documentary-like detail. Tune in to see Amanda Seyfried, Michaela Watkins, Naveen Andrews, Stephen Fry, William H. Macy, and Sam Waterston in the dramatization (that even includes an on-screen version of John Carreyrou!)

 

 

"Pachinko"

TV Series premiere Mar 25, 2022 on Apple TV+

Based On: Pachinko by Min Jin Lee
Watch the trailer here

Storyline: Based on the New York Times bestseller, this sweeping saga chronicles the hopes and dreams of a Korean immigrant family across four generations as they leave their homeland in an indomitable quest to survive and thrive.

 

 

"Mothering Sunday"

Release date February 25, 2022 

Based On: Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift

IMDb's Take: Plenty of onscreen royals are presiding over this post-World War I drama from Eva Husson, starring Colin Firth as well as "The Crown" favorites Olivia Colman and Josh O'Connor. Odessa Young plays a maid carrying on a secret romance with her employer's neighbor's son (O'Connor) in this adaptation of Graham Swift's novella, which is slated to premiere at Cannes this year.

 

 

"Heartstopper"

Series premiere April 22, 2022, on Netflix

Based On: Heartstopper by Alice Oseman

What It's About: An eight chapter story about life, love and everything in between. When gentle Charlie and rugby-loving Nick meet at secondary school, they quickly discover that their unlikely friendship is blossoming into an unexpected romance. Charlie, Nick and their circle of friends must navigate the ever relatable journey of self discovery and acceptance, supporting each other as they learn to find their most authentic selves. Watch the trailer here.

 

 

"The Sky is Everywhere"

In Theaters on Feb. 11th, and Streaming on Apple TV+

Based On: The Sky Is Everywhere by Jandy Nelson

Tim's Take: In development since 2012 (back then, originally set to star Selena Gomez and produced through her production company) this adaptation of the YA tale of a shy, teenage musician reeling in the aftermath of her older sister's death now features Grace Kaufman as "Lennie", Jason Segel as "Big" and Cherry Jones as "Gran."

 

 

"Death on the Nile"

Now Streaming On Hulu

Based On: Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie

IMDb's Take: Kenneth Branagh grows out his Detective Poirot mustache again to work another murder mystery, this time while socialites, played by an array of movie stars, sail through Egypt aboard a luxury steamer. While the greatest mystery is how the movie-going public will feel about a film starring Armie Hammer, the combined power of Gal Gadot, Letitia Wright, and Annette Bening have us focused on the escapism this whodunit is sure to supply.

 

 

"Reacher"

Series premiere Feb. 4, 2022 on Prime Video

Based On: The "Jack Reacher" books by Lee Child

Tim's Take: The massively popular mystery/thriller books get an unheard-of second chance with re-casting. (While not terrible, the Tom Cruise-led films weren't able to capture one of Jack Reacher's most defining traits: his massive physical size!) With author Lee Child signed on as executive producer, the show--like the films--should happily stick to the spirit of the books.

 

 

"The Tragedy of Macbeth"

Released on Apple TV+ Jan. 2022

Based On: Macbeth by William Shakespeare

IMDb's Take: Joel Coen's upcoming Shakespeare adaptation led by Oscar winners and Hollywood icons Denzel Washington and Frances McDormand is the type of film that could cause a streaming service overload. Happily, the unique take on the classic tragedy (shot entirely in black-and-white and filmed on sound stages) will get a theatrical run before landing at Apple TV+. This likely awards contender also stars Brendan Gleeson, Corey Hawkins, Harry Melling, and Moses Ingram.
Watch the Trailer here.

 

 

"The Essex Serpent"

TV Series premiere May 13, 2022 on Apple TV+

Based On: The Essex Serpent by Sarah Perry
Watch the trailer here

Starring Tom Hiddleston and Claire Danes, "The Essex Serpent" follows newly widowed Cora, who, having been released from an abusive marriage, relocates from Victorian London to the small village of Aldwinter in Essex, intrigued by a local superstition that a mythical creature known as the Essex Serpent has returned to the area.

 

 

"The Summer I Turned Pretty"

TV Series premiered June 17, 2022 on Amazon Prime

 The Book: The Summer I Turned Pretty by: Jenny Han 

Synopsis: A love triangle between one girl and two brothers. A story about first love, first heartbreak, and the magic of that one perfect summer. Starring: Lola Tung, Jackie Chung, and Rachel Blanchard.

 

 

 

"Where the Crawdads Sing"

Expected in Theaters July 15, 2022

Based On: Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Watch the trailer here

The book has been a best-selling Staff Pick here at The Bookloft! Adapted by Reese Witherspoon's production company Hello Sunshine (also responsible for the adaptations of recent literary hits like "Big Little Lies" and "Little Fires Everywhere") this film will star the likes of Daisy Edgar-Jones, David Strathairn, & Garret Dillahunt. The storyline: A woman who raised herself in the marshes of the deep South becomes a suspect in the murder of a man she was once involved with.

 

 

"Mr. & Mrs. American Pie"

TV Series premiere in 2022 on Apple TV+

Based On: Mr. & Mrs. American Pie by Juliet McDaniel

Kristen Wiig will be starring in the forthcoming Apple TV+ series, Mrs. American Pie, based on the 2018 novel by Juliet McDaniel. Laura Dern is serving as Executive Producer, which is unsurprising considering her praise: "A gorgeously messy and misguided heroine. I love this story." This salty, sweet, hilarious, laugh-out-loud romantic comedy debut stars a jilted Palm Springs housewife and former beauty queen decides to show up her soon-to-be-ex-husband by winning a pageant which crowns one woman as the nation’s best wife and mother.

 

 

"The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power"

Series premiere Sept. 2, 2022 on Prime Video

Based On: The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
Watch the first trailer here

Storyline: This series is slated to run for at least five seasons. It's set thousands of years before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, and will take viewers back to an era in which great powers were forged, kingdoms rose to glory and fell to ruin, unlikely heroes were tested, hope hung by the finest of threads, and the greatest villain that ever flowed from Tolkien’s pen threatened to cover all the world in darkness. Beginning in a time of relative peace, the series follows an ensemble cast of characters, both familiar and new, as they confront the long-feared re-emergence of evil to Middle Earth. From the darkest depths of the Misty Mountains, to the majestic forests of the elf-capital of Lindon, to the breathtaking island kingdom of Númenor, to the furthest reaches of the map, these kingdoms and characters will carve out legacies that live on long after they are gone.

"Daisy Jones & The Six"

TV Series premiere in 2022 on Prime Video

Based On: Daisy Jones & The Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid

Starring Riley Keough, Sam Claflin, and Suki Waterhouse, the series will follow the rise of Daisy Jones and The Six' rock band through the '70s LA music scene on their quest for worldwide icon status.

 

 

 

"The Uglies"

In Post-Production; Coming in 2022

Based On: The Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Tim's Take: The futuristic, dystopian YA novel that kicked off a multi-book series (and spin-off novels in the same universe) is getting the same Hollywood treatment that The Hunger Games and Divergent books received. Names like Joey King and Laverne Cox are listed to star, with director McG attached.

 

 

"Blonde"

Premieres on Netflix in 2022

Based On: Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates

IMDb's Take: Acclaimed director Andrew Dominik (The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford) finally brings his vision to life in this adaptation of Joyce Carol Oates' fictional account of Marilyn Monroe. Naomi Watts was originally cast as the Hollywood icon back in 2010, then Jessica Chastain in 2014. But the role was ultimately won by Ana de Armas, who spent the better part of a year perfecting Monroe's voice.

 

 

"Deep Water"

Premieres on Hulu on March 18, 2022

Based On: Deep Water by Patricia Highsmith

IMDb's Take: It's easier to break up after your movie has come out, though the rumored reunion of Ben & Jen has practically washed away our memory of Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas' recent split. We're moving on to anticipating the deadly twists of this Patricia Highsmith story (you love her for Talented Mr. Ripley and literally hundreds of other adaptations) which focuses on a couple (whoops) and a case of missing paramours. Can director Adrian Lyne (Fatal Attraction, 9½ Weeks) put a vintage sheen on the erotic thriller?

 

 

"Bullet Train"

Exclusively in Theaters in August 5, 2022

Based On: Bullet Train by Kotaro Isaka, Sam Malissa (Translated by)

IMDb's Take: Five assassins aboard a fast moving bullet train find out their missions have something in common. Starring Brad Pitt, Sandra Bullock, Michael Shannon, Joey King, Zazie Beetz, Brian Tyree Henry, Aaron Taylor-Johnson, Karen Fukuhara, Logan Lerman, Hiroyuki Sanada.

 

 

 

"She Said"

Expected in theaters on Friday, Nov. 18, 2022 

 The Book: She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement  by: Jodi Kantor, Megan Twohey

Synopsis: New York Times reporters Megan Twohey and Jodi Kantor break one of the most important stories in a generation — a story that helped launch the #MeToo movement and shattered decades of silence around the subject of sexual assault in Hollywood. Starring: Tom Pelphrey, Carey Mulligan, and Samantha Morton. 

 

 

 

"The Nightingale"

Expected in Theaters on Friday, Dec. 23, 2022

Based On: The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah

IMDb's Take: Sisters Dakota Fanning and Elle Fanning are set to appear onscreen together for the first time in this adaptation of Kristin Hannah's best-selling World War II drama. The period film is directed by Mélanie Laurent (you know her from Inglourious Basterds, Oxygen and more), and will bring to life a beloved tale of bravery in France during the German occupation.

 

 

"A Man Called Otto" 

Expected in theatres Sunday, Dec. 25, 2022

 The Book: A Man Called Ove by: Fredrik Backman

 

Synopsis: A cranky retired man strikes up an unlikely friendship with his boisterous new neighbors. A remake of the 2015 Swedish film. Starring: Tom Hanks, Manuel Garcia-Rulfo, and Rachel Keller.

 

 

"Conversations with Friends"

Expected to Premiere on Hulu in 2022

Based On: Conversations with Friends by Sally Rooney

IMDb's Take: The writing and directing team behind the immensely popular series "Normal People" brings a second Sally Rooney novel from page to screen with this upcoming series. If they can strike the same balance of intoxicating romance and infuriating tension between Joe Alwyn (The Favourite) and Jemima Kirke ("Girls"), we expect to be glued to the TV once again.

 

 

"Killers of the Flower Moon"

Expected to Premiere in 2022

Based On: Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann

IMDb's Take: For his first Western, Martin Scorsese worked with leaders of the Osage Nation, the Native American tribe at the center of this story, to accurately represent their history and the murders that plagued the Osage people during the 1920s after oil was discovered on their land. The crimes attracted the attention of the newly-formed FBI, and one of our favorite actors, Jesse Plemons, will play the Fed who comes to investigate. Plemons landed the role after Leonardo DiCaprio decided to play the way-more-morally-corrupt character, Ernest Burkhart, a real-life villain you'll probably Google for hours after seeing this film.

 

 

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Future Adaptations

"East of Eden"

In Development as a Series on Netflix

Based on: East of Eden by John Steinbeck

Info: Netflix is developing a limited series adaptation of John Steinbeck's classic novel East of Eden, with Zoe Kazan (The Plot Against America, Ruby Sparks) writing and exec producing and Florence Pugh attached to star and co-produce, Deadline reported. Anonymous Content and Endeavor Content are co-producing the series. The novel was previously adapted as a film in 1955 with Zoe Kazan's grandfather, Elia Kazan, directing for Warner Bros. 

 

 

 

"Saint X"

In Development as a Series on Hulu

Based on: Saint X by Alexis Schaitkin

Info: With Victoria Pedretti (The Haunting of Hill House, You) recently cast as the lead, things are starting to move on pre-production with this project. Read More on Variety.com here.

 

 

 

"Project Hail Mary"

In Development as a Feature Film

Based on: Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir (a Staff Pick at the store!)

Tim's Take: Not much is known so far about this newly-announced project, but Ryan Gosling is attached to play the lead. And with the book being adapted by veteran screenwriter Drew Goddard (who also adapted Weir's The Martian for the big screen) we know pretty much what to expect -- and can't help but be excited. 

 

 

"The Devil in the White City"

In Development as a Series

Based on: The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

Tim's Take: With Leonardo DiCaprio both producing and acting (as the serial killer H. H. Holmes!) this true story of an architect (Keanu Reeves) working to build up the 1893 World's Fair, while Holmes uses the fair to attract and kill women is going to be superb.

 

 

 

"All the Light We Cannot See"

In Development as a Series

Based on: All the Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr

Tim's Take: Mark Ruffalo, Aria Mia Loberti, and Hugh Laurie are attached to star. The insanely popular book about a blind French teenager and a German soldier, whose paths collide in occupied France as both try to survive the devastation of World War II, will be a major draw to the big screen.

 

 

"Dune: Part Two"

Expected October of 2023

Based on: Dune by Frank Herbert

Tim's Take: Officially green lit four days after Dune: Part One's US release, the epic continues as Duke Paul Atreides joins the Fremen and begins a spiritual and martial journey to become Muad'dib, while trying to prevent the horrible but inevitable future he's witnessed: a Holy War in his name, spreading throughout the known universe.

 

 

"Christine"

In Development as a Feature Film

Based On: Christine by Stephen King

IMDb's Take: Stephen King's 1983 story about a killer car is returning to the big screen, with veteran TV producer Bryan Fuller in the director's chair. While John Carpenter's adaptation holds a special place in our hearts, Fuller's filmography is exceptional ("American Gods," "Hannibal," "Dead Like Me"), and a story about fetishizing and obsessing over technology should feel right at home in the 2020s. No word yet on casting or release date.

 

 

"The Alchemist"

In Development as a Feature Film

Based On: The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho

Info: Will Smith is a huge fan of the book (it's one of his favorites!) - and his production company is set to produce this adaptation, although there's no word on Smith's further involvement behind or in front of the camera. However, we do know it will be without any involvement from Paulo Coelho. Coelho has said via Twitter: “As for #TheAlchemist as a movie, I have no news and I do not want to get involved in the production. I will watch it when it’s ready. But I sold the rights in 1992, so ‘Maktub’." Some stars attached are Shohreh Aghdashloo & Tom Hollander.

 

 

"Salem's Lot"

Expected in theatres 2023

 The Book: Salem's Lot by Stephen King

 Synopsis: A writer travels to a town where the people become vampires. Starring: Lewis Pullman, Pilou Asbæk, and Spencer Treat Clark