With the May release of Remarkably Bright Creatures on Netflix, we are worked into a frenzy over which of our favorite books are being made into movies or tv shows in 2026. After all, most of us here working at the library read Remarkably Bright Creatures and watched the movie the minute it came out. We love being able to compare what was similar and different within the pages of the book versus the big screen.
Here are some other movies to be on the lookout for that you can read before watching:
Release Date: May 2026
Platform: Netflix
Remarkably Bright Creatures has been one of our most talked about books since it was released in 2022. Not many books are told from the point of view of an octopus named Marcellus, but this one is one you won't easily forget.
A heartwarming (and heartbreaking) story about family, grief, and community, we recommend you watch Remarkably Bright Creatures with your loved ones. Sally Field and Lewis Pullman lead the cast and do a phenomenal job bringing the story to life.
Release Date: June 2026
Platform: Amazon Prime
Every Summer After (retitled Every Year After as a show), premiers in June on Amazon Prime. Fresh off the popularity of other book to tv show adaptations like We Were Liars, or The Summer I Turned Pretty, society can't seem to get enough of these first-love dramatic stories.
This one is likely to continue in those footsteps. After spending 16 weeks on the New York Times Best-Seller list and selling over 1 million copies, Every Summer After is poised to be a huge hit.
Release Date: July 2026
Platform: Peacock
Often considered the queen of Summer beach reads, Elin Hilderbrand's The Five-Star Weekend is sure to be a summertime hit.
Starring Jennifer Garner and Regina Hall, The Five-Star Weekend is a perfect blend of a Nancy Meyer's movie, and Big Little Lies. A perfect excuse to get your friends together for a weekly tv night!
Release Date: July 2026
Platform: Theaters & IMAX
Shot on IMAX film, Christopher Nolan's
The Odyssey is generating a lot of (positive and negative) buzz. Nolan has always been an ambitious filmmaker, and his follow-up to his Oscar winning
Oppenheimer is no exception.
Telling a Greek myth sounds right up Nolan's alley to be honest, and with an amazing ensemble cast featuring Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, John Leguizamo and Lupita Nyong'o, this film, which was shot in six different countries is sure to be a feast for the eyes.
Lucky by Marissa Stapley
Release Date: July 2026
Platform: Apple TV+
As part of Reese Witherspoon's book club, and produced by Reese herself Lucky is sure to be a hit. The story follows Lucky, a troubled con-artist (played by Anya-Taylor Joy), who is on the run from the FBI and a ruthless crime boss.
Being made into a 7-episode miniseries, Apple TV+ subscribers will get to spend the summer with a weekly episode sure to get your heart pumping.
Release Date: August 2026
Platform: Theaters
You'd think that in a post-Covid world we would be sick of post-apocalyptic films where illness has devastated the population.
However, Ridley Scott is a great director to helm a take on this critically acclaimed best-seller by Peter Heller. Starring the "it" actors of the moment, Jacob Elordi and Margaret Qualley, (backed by veterans Allison Janney, Guy Pearce, and Josh Brolin), The Dog Stars has the ability to bring in a wide audience, we'll see if Scott's $110 million dollar gamble pays off!
Verity by Colleen Hoover
Release Date: October 2026
Platform: Theaters
The past couple of years have been filled with book-to-screen adaptations based on
Colleen Hoover books. While most of her books tend to focus on romantic, yet tragic stories, none are quite like
Verity.
Starring Josh Hartnett, Anne Hathaway and Dakota Johnson, this thriller will keep you on the edge of your seat. It's great for fans of Frieda McFadden and Gillian Flynn.
Release Date: Late 2026
Platform: Amazon
The Love Hypothesis which was released in 2021, gained notoriety on BookTok which launched it into the stratosphere and helped it become a New York Times best-seller.
Starring Lili Reinhart (who is also executive producing), the "fake turned real" relationship trope will delight fans of books by Ali Hazelwood, Emily Henry, and others.
Remain by Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shyamalan
Release Date: February 2027
Platform: Theaters
Truth be told, seeing a book with the names Nicholas Sparks and M. Night Shymalan seemed a bit confusing initially, but capitalizing off Nicholas Sparks previous success, it quickly became a best-seller. Shymalan and Sparks worked together to develop the characters with Shymalan writing the respective screenplay simultaneously as Sparks wrote the book.
With those two names behind it, this supernatural love story being released near Valentine's Day is sure to become a box-office success as well!
Release Date: February 2027
Platform: Theaters & IMAX
A reboot of the previous Narnia movie series, it stars Meryl Streep, Carey Mulligan, Daniel Craig and Emma Mackay. This multi-million dollar adaptation is certain be fun for the whole family with amazing effects and visuals!
