Many of the best (and for that matter worst) films in cinematic history have come from original screenplays — scenarios conceived specifically for the screen — but they’ve always been drawn from other genres, too, either directly or by way of inspiration. Plays, comic strips, graphic novels, magazine stories, songs, and video games have all spawned movies. But no other source has yielded as many films as books.
The earliest known adaptation of written literature into celluloid was a 45-second scene called “Trilby and Little Billee,” based on George du Maurier’s best-selling novel “Trilby,” filmed in 1896. Shorts based on works by Charles Dickens, Jonathan Swift, Arthur Conan Doyle, and the Brothers Grimm, among others, followed. The first feature-length adaptation (actually four shorts combined into a feature) was a 1909 interpretation of Victor Hugo’s “Les Misérables.”
After that, it was open season on literary properties as far as filmmakers were concerned. James Bond was born between book covers. So were Hannibal Lecter, Frodo Baggins, and Katniss Everdeen. Such cinema classics as “Gone With the Wind,” “The Wizard of Oz,” “To Kill a Mockingbird,” “The Godfather,” “Schindler’s List,” and of course the Harry Potter series (among many, many others) all came out of books. (See every Harry Potter movie ranked.)
Click here to see 35 books becoming movies in 2022
To determine the books becoming movies in 2022, 24/7 Tempo reviewed a list of book-based feature films at least tentatively scheduled for release next year according to IMDb, an online movie database owned by Amazon. Information about the books themselves came from Goodreads and other online review sources. Graphic novels were not considered. (For a look at some possible future film adaptations, check check out the most anticipated books that came out this fall.)
1. All Quiet on the Western Front
> Genre: Action, drama, war
> Starring: Daniel Brühl, Albrecht Schuch, Sebastian Hülk, Anton von Lucke
> Based on: “All Quiet on the Western Front” (1929) by Erich Maria Remarque
Written by Erich Maria Remarque, this classic novel explores the life of a World War I veteran living in Germany. The main character must grapple with the harmful mental and physical effects of the war. The book was already adapted twice before, in 1930 to an Academy Award-winning film and in 1979 to a TV film. The 2022 movie will be directed by German filmmaker Edward Berger.
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2. Argylle
> Genre: Action
> Starring: Henry Cavill, Bryce Dallas Howard, Samuel L. Jackson
> Based on: “Argylle” (2022) by Ellie Conway
“Argylle” is the upcoming debut book for Ellie Conway about a well-known novelist who turns out to be an international spy suffering from amnesia. The film will be directed by Matthew Vaughn (“X-Men: First Class,” “Kingsman: The Golden Circle,” etc.).
3. Better Nate Than Ever
> Genre: Comedy, drama, family
> Starring: Lisa Kudrow, Mylee Rose, Michael Joseph DiBenedetto Jr., Suzanne Savoy
> Based on: “Better Nate Than Ever” (2013) by Tim Federle
The charming novel written by Tim Federle tells the story of what it’s like to be a theater kid who’s determined to audition for a Broadway musical. Throughout the story, which includes the first book and two sequels, Nate discovers his passion, explores his sexuality, and comes of age.
4. Blonde
> Genre: Biography, drama, romance
> Starring: Ana de Armas, Bobby Cannavale, Adrien Brody
> Based on: “Blonde” (2002) by Joyce Carol Oates
Oates’s historical novel was inspired by the life of Marilyn Monroe. It was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, and despite being based on the Hollywood icon, the author insists it should be taken for fiction.
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5. Dante’s Hell
> Genre: Horror, thriller
> Starring: Carl Wharton, Barnaby Chambers, Abigail Richardson, Christopher Jacobs
> Based on: “The Divine Comedy” (1320) by Dante Alighieri
The film “Dante’s Inferno” will be inspired by Dante Alighieri’s book-length poem “The Divine Comedy,” which explores the idea of the afterlife, and how people will either suffer in hell or eventually achieve salvation. The film will tell the story of the dark journey that Dante must endure.
6. Dark Harvest
> Genre: Horror, thriller
> Starring: Elizabeth Reaser, Jeremy Davies, Luke Kirby
> Based on: “Dark Harvest” (2007) by Norman Partridge
“Dark Harvest” was named one of the 100 Best Novels of 2006 by Publishers Weekly. It tells the spooky story of a town’s legendary monster, which is called a variety of names, including Sawtooth Jack. Every year around Halloween, the monster appears and one boy in town makes it his mission to conquer the horrifying legend, even if it means death.
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7. Dear Zoe
> Genre: Drama
> Starring: Sadie Sink, Jessica Capshaw, Justin Bartha, Theo Rossi
> Based on: “Dear Zoe” (2006) by Philip Beard
“Dear Zoe” was the debut novel for Phillip Beard. It tells the story of a sister named Tess as she writes a letter to her late sister, Zoe, who recently passed away in a tragic car accident, which coincidentally took place on 9/11. Tess must deal with her grief during adolescence at the same time as the nation grieves, while also coming to terms with growing up.
8. Death on the Nile
> Genre: Crime, drama, mystery
> Starring: Kenneth Branagh, Gal Gadot, Tom Bateman, Emma Mackey
> Based on: “Death on the Nile” (1978) by Agatha Christie
This detective drama mystery is a story of love and betrayal when a young beautiful girl is found murdered while travelling on a recreational cruise. The 1978 British film adaptation of the novel was nominated for Best Foreign Film at the Golden Globes, and it won best costume design at the Academy Awards.
9. Deep Water
> Genre: Thriller
> Starring: Ben Affleck, Ana de Armas
> Based on: “Deep Water” (2003) by Patricia Highsmith
The 1957 novel is a psychological thriller that tells the story of a married man who accepts his wife’s affairs in order to keep his family together. But murder complicates their strange arrangement, and things start to go haywire. The movie will be released in January of 2022.
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10. Escape from Hat
> Genre: Animation, adventure, comedy
> Starring: N/A
> Based on: “Escape from Hat” (2020) by Adam Kline
The children’s novel tells the story of a fortunate bunny, an evil cat, and one unlucky young boy as he journeys to find a heartless magician who causes chaos in the boy’s life. The motion picture will be directed by Mark Osborne, known for his Oscar-nominated work with children’s movies “Kung Fu Panda” (2008) and “Little Prince” (2015).
11. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 3
> Genre: Adventure, family, fantasy
> Starring: Mads Mikkelsen, Jude Law, Eddie Redmayne
> Based on: The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling
“Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them 3” is inspired by the world of Harry Potter, the majestic series written by J.K. Rowling. Exploring the rise of famous wizards and witches as they fight evil, the film will be released in April 2022.
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12. High in the Clouds
> Genre: Animation, adventure, comedy
> Starring: N/A
> Based on: “High in the Clouds” (2005) by Paul McCartney, Philip Ardagh, Geoff Dunbar
The epic children’s adventure novel was written in part by legendary musician and songwriter Paul McCartney and tells the story of a squirrel who loses his home due to human development. He seeks to create a home called Animalia, where he and his animal friends can live freely. The film will be released on Netflix.
13. Influx
> Genre: Thriller, suspense
> Starring: N/A
> Based on: “Influx” (2015) by Daniel Suarez
Written by New York Times Bestselling author Daniel Suarex, “Influx” imagines a dystopian future where a team expects to receive acclaim for an innovative discovery, but instead the government shuts down their lab. The film will be directed by Dave Wilson, known for his work on “Bloodshot” (2020) and “The Avengers: Age of Ultron” (2015).
14. Jurassic World: Dominion
> Genre: Action, adventure, sci-fi
> Starring: Bryce Dallas Howard, Chris Pratt, Sam Neill
> Based on: “Jurassic Park” (1990) by Michael Crichton
The 1990 science fiction novel tells a cautionary tale of genetic engineering, when a team recreates dinosaurs that are frighteningly similar to their prehistoric predecessors and the experiment goes out of control. The book was remade into the classic blockbuster by Steven Spielberg, which spawned a successful franchise. The 2022 installment (third in the Jurassic World trilogy) will be directed by filmmaker and screenwriter, Colin Trevorrow.
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15. Legally Blonde 3
> Genre: Comedy
> Starring: Reese Witherspoon, Jennifer Coolidge
> Based on: “Legally Blonde” (2001) by Amanda Brown
The second sequel to the original film starring Reese Witherspoone, the Legally Blonde franchise was originally inspired by the comedy novel of the same name by author Amanda Brown. The book was inspired by the author’s own experience while attending Stanford Law School.
16. Lt. Ramsey’s War
> Genre: Action, Biography, war
> Starring: N/A
> Based on: “Lieutenant Ramsey’s War: From Horse Soldier to Guerrilla Commander” (1990) by Edwin Price Ramsey, Stephen J. Rivele
The nonfiction autobiographical book tells the story of a lieutenant who must command tens of thousands of guerilla troops against the Japanese. The novel discusses the lieutenant’s internal struggles to stay sane amidst his involvement with the horrific war around him. In 2016, the book was also made into a documentary titled “Never Surrender: The Ed Ramsey Story.”
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17. Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
> Genre: Family, fantasy, musical
> Starring: Javier Bardem, Constance Wu
> Based on: “Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile” (1987) by Bernard Waber
This children’s book was published in 1965 and tells the story of Lyle, a crocodile living in New York City. While most people love the friendly reptile, his grumpy neighbor causes him trouble. The movie will be an animated musical comedy directed by Will Speck and Josh Gordon.
18. Mrs Harris Goes to Paris
> Genre: Drama
> Starring: Jason Isaacs, Lesley Manville, Rose Williams
> Based on: “Mrs. ‘Arris Goes to Paris” (1989) by Paul Gallico
The 1989 novel takes readers on a journey of Mrs. Harris, a cleaning lady for the rich who seeks to find her own financial freedom. This period drama was made into a film in 1992, as well as a musical play called “Flowers for Mrs Harris” (2016), which received wide acclaim.
19. Operation Mincemeat
> Genre: Drama, war
> Starring: Colin Firth, Matthew Macfadyen, Kelly Macdonald, Penelope Wilton
> Based on: “Operation Mincemeat: How a Dead Man and a Bizarre Plan Fooled the Nazis and Assured an Allied Victory” (2010) by Ben Macintyre
This book is an autobiographical account of a successful ploy to trick the Nazis into thinking the Allies are going to attack Greece or Sardinia as opposed to Sicily, using a corpse and false papers. The war drama film has a release date of Jan. 7, 2022.
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20. Our Top Story
> Genre: Drama
> Starring: Paul Wilson
> Based on: “Our Top Story: How Ted Bundy Changed Us Forever” (2021) by John Wilson, Tony Panaccio, Paul Wilson
When notorious serial killer Ted Bundy was put to death at Florida State Prison in 1989, newspaper reporter Tony Panaccio and veteran TV news anchor John Wilson were among the witnesses to the execution. Wilson’s son Paul, a junior at Florida State University and a reporter for its radio station, was across the street, waiting to interview those who had witnessed the scene. Another local anchorman, Reginald Roundtee, subsequently interviewed the three men for a joint oral history about how the event affected their lives. The resulting book is slated to become a motion picture.
21. Pinocchio
> Genre: Animation, drama, family
> Starring: Christoph Waltz, Tim Blake Nelson, Finn Wolfhard
> Based on: “Le avventure di Pinocchio: Storia di un burattino” (1883) by Carlo Collodi
By now, most people know the story of Pinocchio, a puppet who dreams of becoming a real boy. The story was originally written by Italian writer Carlo Colladi and is well known for its classic Disney adaptation released in 1940. The 2022 remake will be a live-action adaptation.
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22. Rainbow
> Genre: Drama
> Starring: Ester Expósito, Rossy de Palma, Hovik Keuchkerian, Carmen Maura
> Based on: “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” (1900) by L. Frank Baum
The 1900 fantasy children’s novel “Wonderful Wizard of Oz” tells the story of Dorothy and her journey through a magical land filled with talking scarecrows, tin men, witches, and more. The book has been adapted numerous times, most famously the 1939 classic starring Judy Garland. The 2022 Spanish film “Rainbow” is a free adaptation of the novel and tells the story of a modern day Dorothy as she faces the challenges of growing up. It will be distributed by Netflix.
23. Redeeming Love
> Genre: Drama, history, romance
> Starring: Abigail Cowen, Tom Lewis, Famke Janssen
> Based on: “Redeeming Love” (1991) by Francine Rivers
The novel by Francine Rivers is a historical romance set during California’s Gold Rush in the mid 1800s. It tells the story of a woman who seeks to discover love after being sold into prositution as a child and is based on the Bible’s story of Hosea and Gomer.
24. Royalteen
> Genre: Drama, romance
> Starring: Veslemøy Mørkrid, Elli Rhiannon Müller Osborne
> Based on: “Arvingen” (2020) by Anne Gunn Halvorsen, Randi Fuglehaug
This Norwegian film is a modern fairy tale based on a popular young adult series. It will tell a contemporary, royal love story about learning to live with mistakes, facing your fears, and dealing with online fame.
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25. She Said
> Genre: Drama
> Starring: Zoe Kazan, Carey Mulligan, Samantha Morton
> Based on: “She Said: Breaking the Sexual Harassment Story That Helped Ignite a Movement” (2019) by Jodi Kantor, Megan Twohey
The American drama film is based on the true story of two New York Times journalists who exposed Harvey Weinstein’s history of sexual misconduct and abuse. The book of the same name won a Pulitzer Prize for its catalytic role in the #MeToo movement.
26. Sherlock Holmes 3
> Genre: Action, adventure, mystery
> Starring: Robert Downey Jr., Jared Harris, Jude Law
> Based on: The Sherlock Holmes series by Arthur Conan Doyle
Originally set to release in late 2020, the film’s production was put on hold during COVID-19 lockdowns. The production team argued that this film would be the best of the series, which has been based on the renowned mystery novels by Arthur Conan Doyle that gained popularity in the late 1800s.
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27. The Cat in the Hat
> Genre: Animation, adventure, comedy
> Starring: N/A
> Based on: “The Cat in the Hat” (1957) by Dr. Seuss
One of Dr. Suess’ most famous books, “The Cat in the Hat,” will be reimagined as a computer animated musical fantasy film in its third screen adaptation. This will be the first time that the screen telling will go beyond the initial stories of the childhood books.
28. The Good Nurse
> Genre: Crime, drama, mystery
> Starring: Jessica Chastain, Eddie Redmayne, Kim Dickens, Noah Emmerich
> Based on: “The Good Nurse: A True Story of Medicine, Madness, and Murder” (2013) by Charles Graeber
This crime thriller is based on the book of the same name. The book tells the true story of Charles Cullen, a nurse who is considered to be one of America’s most prolific serial killers. Throughout his 16-year-long nursing career, it’s estimated that he caused the death of between 300 and 400 patients.
29. The Passion of the Christ: Resurrection
> Genre: Drama
> Starring: Jim Caviezel, Maia Morgenstern, Christo Jivkov, Francesco De Vito
> Based on: The Bible
This is the sequel to Mel Gibson’s original 2004 “Passion of Christ,” which also starred Caviezel as Jesus, and will tell the story of the events that occurred after Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection. Zaviezel was quoted as saying, “It’s going to be the biggest film in world history.” That’s not impossible. The original movie grossed more than $900 million (in today’s dollars), and is considered the highest-grossing independent film of all time.
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30. Where the Crawdads Sing
> Genre: Drama, mystery
> Starring: Garret Dillahunt, David Strathairn, Daisy Edgar-Jones
> Based on: “Where the Crawdads Sing” (2018) by Delia Owens
This film is based on the 2018 novel of the same name. It tells a coming-of-age love story of a young, misunderstood, abandoned girl named Kya. Despite her high level of intelligence, the town deems her as an outcast and involves her in criminal rumors.
31. The Nightingale
> Genre: Drama, history, war
> Starring: Dakota Fanning, Elle Fanning
> Based on: “The Nightingale” (2015) by Kristin Hannah
This film is based on the gothic novel about two sisters who struggle to survive during World War II. The film will star the Fanning sisters, who both debuted as actors in the acclaimed 2001 drama, “I Am Sam.”
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32. My Father’s Dragon
> Genre: Animation, adventure, comedy
> Starring: N/A
> Based on: “My Father’s Dragon” (1948) by Ruth Stiles Gannett
This film will be created by Cartoon Saloon, an Oscar-nominated studio. It is based on the illustrated children’s book from 1948 about a young boy exploring a fantastical island full of wildlife.
33. Luckiest Girl Alive
> Genre: Drama, mystery
> Starring: Mila Kunis, Connie Britton, Justine Lupe
> Based on: “Luckiest Girl Alive” (2015) by Jessica Knoll
This film is based on the 2015 mystery novel. It was the author’s debut and became an instant success. The novel, about a young woman who struggles to keep her deepest darkest secret hidden away, was a New York Times and USA Today bestseller.
34. The Unbreakable Boy
> Genre: Drama
> Starring: Zachary Levi, Patricia Heaton, Meghann Fahy
> Based on: “The Unbreakable Boy: A Father’s Fear, a Son’s Courage, and a Story of Unconditional Love” (2014) by Scott LeRette, Susy Flory
This film is based on the true story of a teenager with autism and a brittle-bone disease, who also endured a stay in a psychiatric ward. It was written by the boy’s father, who celebrates his child’s resilience and optimism.
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35. Who Framed Roger Rabbit 2
> Genre: Animation, adventure, comedy
> Starring: N/A
> Based on: “Who Censored Roger Rabbit?” (1981) by Gary K. Wolf
This live action/animated sequel is based on the 1981 mystery novel, which saw widespread success and multiple adaptations from both Disney and Amblin Entertainment. The 1988 film was the first film remake and was praised for its cunning humor.
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