20 Book to Movie & TV Adaptations 2020

2020 is finally here, which means, along with a whole host of new book releases (see here and here for the top ones to look out for), we're heading into a new year of book to movie/TV adaptations. It looks like there are some great books making their way to the screen next year, so here's a list of 20 adaptations to keep your eye out for:

TV adaptations

Little Fires Everywhere 

What we know: Little Fires Everywhere is set to become an 8-part series on Hulu starring Reese Witherspoon and Kerry Washington, based on Celeste Ng's 2017 novel of the same name.

My thoughts: YES. YES. YES. I am SO excited for this! I love Celeste Ng, and although I actually preferred Everything I Never Told You to this book, I am still really excited to see how this translates to the screen. I hope it's done well, because I feel like her books have an emotional depth and complexity it may be hard to get across on TV.

Tiny Pretty Things 

What we know: Netflix has ordered a 10 part miniseries based on the book of the same name by Sona Charaipotra, with an unspecified release date in 2020. It has been described as Pretty Little Liars meets Black Swan, and follows the lives of three dancers at a top Manhattan ballet school.

My thoughts: I hadn't actually heard of this book until I began writing this blog post, but it sounds like something I would really enjoy so I will 100% be reading AND watching this in 2020.

Normal People 

What we know: Normal People is set to become a 12 part series on BBC Three and Hulu, starring Daisy Edgar-Jones as Marianne and Paul Mescal as Connell. It's been adapted by Sally Rooney along with Alice Birch and Mark O'Rowe.

My thoughts: I really can't wait to see this on TV. I listened to the audiobook a few months ago and it really took me by surprise with how much I enjoyed it. I think it will suit the screen really well too - I'm excited to see how it all comes across!

Nine Perfect Strangers

What we know: Liane Moriarty's 2018 novel of the same name is set to be adapted into a Hulu series, with Nicole Kidman both starring and executive producing the show. The show will premiere in late 2020, and is set to be co-written by David E. Kelley (who also worked on Big Little Lies) and John Henry Butterworth.

My thoughts: I haven't actually read this book yet, but I am otherwise I huge fan of all of Liane Moriarty's work, and I enjoyed the first series of Big Little Lies (series 2...not so much). I think if this is done well it could be really good. Fingers crossed!

The Luminaries

What we know: The Luminaries is being adapted by Working Title Television and Southern Light Films by novelist Eleanor Catton and director Claire McCarthy. It will be aired on BBC Two, starring Eva Green.

My thoughts: I've owned this book since it was released, and shamefully never read it. I've just heard so many mixed things and complaints about the slow plot (plus it's such a long book) that I've always been put off picking it up. I'm also not sure it's 100% my thing, but I can see the appeal and may be tempted to give it a go before the series is released.

The Outsider 

What we know: This miniseries based on the novel of the same name by Stephen King is set to be released on January 12, 2020 by HBO.

My thoughts: I've never read a Stephen King novel, nor seen any other adaptations of his work! I'm not really sure why, because I am a fan of thrillers - maybe I will finally give this one a go.

Movie adaptations

P.S. I Still Love You

What we know: Following the release of To All the Boys I've Loved Before, based on Jenny Han's novel of the same name, the sequel is set to be released in 2020, starring Lana Condor and Jordan Fisher as new love interest John Ambrose.

My thoughts: I've read the entire trilogy and loved it, and I remember really liking the second book in particular because I was a huge fan of John Ambrose. Shamefully, I've never actually seen the first film, To All the Boys I've Loved Before, so I definitely need to get around to that before the second one comes out.

All the Bright Places

What we know: Based on Jennifer Niven's YA novel of the same name, All the Bright Places is an upcoming romantic drama film set to be released by Netflix on 28 February 2020. It stars Elle Fanning and Justice Smith.

My thoughts: I haven't read this one yet, but I've heard great things and I love Elle Fanning so I'm excited to see how it turns out.

How to Build a Girl

What we know: Based on the novel by Caitlin Moran, How to Build a Girl stars Beanie Feldstein, Alfie Allen, Paddy Considine, Emma Thompson and Chris O'Dowd, directed by Coky Giedroyc.

My thoughts: I'm expecting this to be hilarious so I hope it all comes off on the big screen.

The Invisible Man

What we know: This science fiction psychological horror film has been written and directed by Leigh Whannell as a loose adaptation of the novel of the same name by H.G. Wells. It stars Elisabeth Moss, Oliver Jackson-Cohen, Aldis Hodge, Storm Reid and Harriet Dyer. It is set to release on February 28, 2020.

My thoughts: I'm not a huge fan of science fiction, so H.G. Wells has never been a go-to author of mine, but the psychological element may tempt me to watch this one!

The Woman in the Window

What we know: Set to be released on 15 May 2020, this adaptation of A.J. Finn's 2018 psychological thriller stars Amy Adams, Gary Oldman and Julianne Moore amongst others.

My thoughts: I haven't read this book yet but I have been meaning to forever (story of my life!). Now that a film version is set to be released it's shooting to the top of my list - I'm a big fan of thrillers.

The Turning / The Turn of the Screw

What we know: The Turning is set to be released on 24 January 2020, based on Henry James's 1898 ghost story, The Turn of the Screw. Directed by Floria Sigismondi and written by Carey W. Hayes, Chad Hayes and Jade Bartlett, it stars Mackenzie Davis, Finn Wolfhard, Brooklynn Prince and Joely Richardson.

My thoughts: The Turn of the Screw is one of those stories that really gets under my skin and I love it, so I can't wait to see what a modern version looks like.

Rebecca

What we know: This new adaptation of Rebecca, directed by Ben Wheatley, has no set release date but is rumoured to be set for some time late in 2020. It will star Lily James as Mrs de Winter and Armie Hammer as Maxim de Winter.

My thoughts: This is the adaptation that I am hands down most excited about. I read Rebecca for the first time in 2019, and I absolutely loved it - far more than I ever expected to. And not only that, but I love Lily James and Armie Hammer too! I've got everything crossed for this adaptation to be perfect, because Rebecca is such a wonderful story that it really deserves it.

The Secret Garden

What we know: Produced by StudioCanal and Heyday Films, this new adaptation will be directed by Marc Munden, with a screenplay from Jack Thorne.

My thoughts: I used to love this story when I was younger, but I haven't seen/read it for years, so I'm looking forward to a new version of the film.

Death on the Nile

What we know: Following Kenneth Branagh's adaptation of Murder on the Orient Express comes a new adaptation of Death on the Nile, set to star Armie Hammer, Gal Gadot and Rose Leslie amongst others.

My thoughts: I'm a big Agatha Christie fan and love to see her work being refreshed and rejuvenated for the big screen so I am excited for this one!

Emma

What we know: Directed by Autumn de Wilde and written by Eleanor Catton, this new adaptation of Emma stars Anya Taylor-Joy, Johnny Flynn and Bill Nighy. It is set for release in the UK on February 14, 2020, and in the US on February 21.

My thoughts: I have really enjoyed previous adaptations of Emma, although I am yet to read the novel, so I will hopefully get around to it this year before watching the new one.

David Copperfield

What we know: The Personal History of David Copperfield, based on the novel by Charles Dickens, is a comedy-drama written and directed by Armando Iannucci. It stars Dev Patel, Peter Capaldi, and Daisy May Cooper amongst others. It is set for release in the US on May 8, 2020, and in the UK on 24 January, 2020.

My thoughts: Although I find Dickens quite dry to read, I always love the the TV and film adaptations, so I am very excited to see this one - hoping the comedic element gets brought through well!

Dune

What we know: Directed by Denis Villeneuve, this epic science fiction film is an adaptation of Frank Herbert's 1965 novel. Its vast cast includes Timothee Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Oscar Isaac, Stellan Skarsgard and Jason Momoa. It is set for release on December 18, 2020.

My thoughts: Again, science fiction isn't my usual thing, but the production and cast of this film sounds amazing - even I might give it a go!

Fatherhood

What we know: Based on Matthew Logelin's memoir Two Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Loss and Love, this film from Paul Weitz stars Kevin Hart, Alfre Woodard, Melody Hurd and Paul Reiser. It is set for release on April 3, 2020. 

My thoughts: This is set to be an extremely emotional one, but it is the kind of thing I prefer to watch rather than read so I'm looking forward to the adaptation. 

The Devil All the Time

What we know: Based on the book by Donald Ray Pollock, this film has been directed by Antonio Campos and produced by Jake Gyllenhaal and Randall Poster. The cast includes Sebastian Stan, Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland and Mia Wasikowska. It's coming to Netflix sometime in 2020.

My thoughts: I don't know much about this book/movie other than that it's a psychological thriller set in postwar Ohio, but anything with Robert Pattinson in grabs my interest!

So there you have it! 20 movie and TV releases based on books coming your way in 2020. Now it's time to get reading all of the books as preparation...