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When it comes to adapting books into movies and tv series, there’s often a bit of controversy leading up to the film/series, during its run, and afterward. It’s not as good as the book. It changed too much. It can’t compete because there’s too much to explore. Inner dialogue and narration are not synonymous, and the effect is different. The casting doesn’t fit the novel’s character descriptions. The list goes on and on. You’ve heard all the arguments, but the conversations continue anyway. Yet, it’s no fun when you can’t engage in such discourse (no matter how overly debated such topics may be). So, before these movies and tv series come out, be sure to head to your local bookstore and snag a copy of the source material. 

Argylle | February 2 – Theaters

The Henry Cavill and Bryce Dallas Howard-led Argylle is based on the novel of the same name by Elly Conway. The book, which was released on Jan9, 2024, is a globe-spanning spy thriller evoking the likes of Bourne and Bond. A missing treasure lost for decades. A train speeding toward Moscow. A Nazi hoard entombed in the remote mountains of Poland. This story’s got it all…plus a cat destined to give us some laughs (based on the trailer). The action thriller is bound to be a high-octane ride with some slapstick and witty banter mixed in. Matthew Vaughn directs with a script from Jason Fuchs. 

It Ends With Us | June 21 – Theaters

It Ends With Us — a romantic drama starring Blake Lively, Brandon Sklenar, Justin Baldoni, Jenny Slate, and Hasan Minhaj — is based on the novel of the same name by Colleen Hoover published in 2016. Baldoni stars as Ryle, the love interest to Blake Lively’s Lily Bloom. As their romance takes shape, the two fall deeper in love, before Lily’s old flame reenters her life. The story deals with difficult issues around relationships and abuse but seeks to find the most healthy way of coping and moving forward.

Frankenstein | February 9 – Theaters

Although a very loose adaptation, Mary Shelley’s classic horror story, Frankenstein, is again being adapted in 2024 with Lisa Frankenstein. The comedy horror film will star Kathryn Newton as the daughter of Frankenstein who seeks to reanimate the corpse which happens to be the love of her life. Cole Sprouse plays the Frankenstein monster and love interest, as the pair must find all the parts they need to ensure a long and happy future together.

The Watchers | June 7 – Theaters

The Watchers follows Mina (Dakota Fanning), a 28-year-old artist who winds up stranded in an extensive forest in Western Ireland. She finds shelter, yet becomes trapped alongside three strangers who are stalked by mysterious creatures each night. In the novel, she resides in a room full of glass, where she is caged like a zoo animal for gawking at. Mina will not rest until she finds out who these “Watchers” are and what they want. The horror mystery film is based on the novel of the same name by A.M. Shine with director Ishana Shyamalan, daughter of the legendary thriller director M. Night Shyamalan, at the helm.

Mickey7 | March 29 – Theaters

Mickey17 is an upcoming science fiction story from the Academy Award-winning director behind Parasite Bong Joon-Ho. The film, based on the novel Mickey7 by Edward Ashtion, follows expendable space explorer Mickey Barnes (who will be portrayed by Robert  Pattinson) on a near-certain death expedition to colonize the ice world Niflheim. When one Mickey dies, another is cloned in his place with most of his memories intact, rendering the man virtually immortal. The film adaptation has a slightly different title, which suggests that the story may pick up several generations after the novel. Mickey 17’s plot is currently under wraps.

The Tiger’s Apprentice | February 2 – Paramount+

This children’s fantasy novel which blends modern life in San Francisco with Chinese mythology is being adapted into an animated adventure series aimed at younger audiences. Laurence Yep’s action-adventure fantasy novel is the first in The Tiger’s Apprentice trilogy, which charts a young boy’s life changing forever when he meets Mr. Hu, a talking tiger, and discovers he has magical powers. In this world where animals can take human form, the young boy joins up with a gang of creatures as they face off against an evil force trying to obtain an ancient talisman that the guardians protect.

Madame Web | February 14 – Theaters

Sony’s Spider-Man Universe continues in 2024 with Madame Web, starring Dakota Johnson as an atypical rendition of Cassandra Web, who is much younger than depicted in the comics. When the Sony Spider-Man Universe finally features the eponymous web-slinger in the flesh remains to be seen, but Madame Web will at least star Spider-People in the form of Julia Carptenter/Spider-Woman (Sydney Sweeney), Mattie Franklin/Spider-Woman (Celeste O’Connor), and Anya Corazón/Araña/Spider-Girl (Isabela Merced).

Honorable Mentions

 Netflix is a major player in this trend, adding new seasons to adapted series like Bridgerton and The Sandman, as well as producing new films like Spaceman.

What Books to Movies & TV Series in 2024 Are You Most Excited For?

Do you enjoy watching books becoming movies and tv shows? Which books to movies and tv shows in 2024 are you most likely to go see? As always, let me know in the comments!