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For book lovers, there’s nothing more exciting and terrifying than learning that your favourite novel is being adapted for the big screen.
It’s always hard to know whether the actors will get your beloved characters right and whether the adaptation can really capture what it was that you loved so much about the book.
From #BookTok favourites to little known Australian gems, these are the book-to-screen adaptations you need to know about in 2024.
Funny Story
Emily Henry’s beloved Funny Story is being made into a film—and the author is doing the adapting herself.
Following Daphne, a children’s librarian grieving her broken engagement to Peter (who left her for his childhood best friend Petra), the story sees Daphne become roommates with Petra’s ex Miles. Together, the pair decide to make a plan to get back at their ex’s.
The film version of the beloved book will be written by Henry.
It’s the latest of her bestselling romance books to get the film treatment with People We Meet On Vacation, Book Lovers and Beach Read all being adapted into films and Happy Place being turned into a TV series.
Where to read the book: Shop it at Amazon and Angus & Robertson
Where to watch it: Release date still to come
It Ends With Us
Colleen Hoover’s It Ends With Us is one of the most highly-anticipated book-to-movie adaptions of the year.
Blake Lively is (controversially) taking on the role of Lily Bloom, the novel’s 23-year-old protagonist, while her love interests will be played by Justin Baldoni (in the role of Ryle) and Brandon Sklenar (in the role of Atlas)
Being a #Booktok favourite, the book’s fans have particularly high expectations for their beloved story and characters.
Where to read the book: Shop it at Booktopia, Amazon and Angus & Robertson
Where to watch it: In cinemas 9th August 2024
The Narrow Road To The Deep North
Australian author Richard Flanagan’s The Narrow Road To The Deep North is being turned into a TV series with Jacob Elordi in the starring role.
The story follows Lieutenant-Colonel Dorrigo Evans (Elordi), an Australian doctor during World War Two, from childhood through to his time in the war and then his later life.
Where to read the book: Angus & Robertson and Amazon
Where to watch it: Prime Video (no release date yet)
Wicked
You might be aware that the upcoming Wicked movie is based on the beloved stage musical but did you know that the musical is actually based on book by Gregory Maguire?
The novel, The Life And Times Of The Wicked Witch Of The West, is in turn, an exploration of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel, The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz.
The film stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba Thropp, the misunderstood protagonist who becomes the Wicked Witch Of the West and Ariana Grande as Galinda Upland, a popular girl who becomes Glinda the Good.
Where to read the book: Shop it at Amazon and Angus & Robertson
Where to watch it: In cinemas November 27, 2024.
Uglies
Scott Westerfeld’s bestselling 2005 novel Uglies is being turned into Netflix adaptation with Joey King.
The novel is the first in an extremely popular dystopian book series about a compulsory operation that wipes out physical differences and makes everyone beautiful.
The Netflix adaptation doesn’t have a a release date yet but we’re looking forward to when it does.
Where to read the book: Amazon
Where to watch it: Netflix (no release date yet)
The Watchers
A.M Shine’s chilling The Watchers book has been adapted into a horror movie by M. Night Shyamalan.
The new film stars Dakota Fanning as Mina, a young artist who gets stranded in a forest in Western Ireland.
The film is currently in cinemas but we recommend reading the book before seeing the film.
Where to read the book: Amazon
Where to watch it: In cinemas now
Runt
Craig Silvey’s beloved Australian children’s book, Runt, is being turned into film with Celeste Barber, Jai Courtney, Jack Thompson, Deborah Mailman, Lily LaToree and a real rescue dog called Squid.
The story follows eleven-year-old Annie Shearer and her adopted stray dog, Runt in their attempt to save their family farm by competing in a prestigious dog agility contest in London.
The book hasn’t only won major literary prizes but the hearts of thousands of Australian families.
Where to read the book: Booktopia and Amazon
Where to watch it: In cinemas September 19, 2024.
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