Here are some books adapted as movies that you should look out for this year
Lila Weber
Book lovers can all agree that since the beginning of film adaptations, books have often been done wrong. I remember the first time I saw A Wrinkle in Time in the theatre, and even though the movie itself was beautifully made, I hated the fact that they didn’t involve more of Aunt Beast. From then on, I claimed to despise the movie because it did not correctly cover the book. This is an experience I know has been shared by a lot of bookworms. Tenzing Yangdon, senior, says, “I think we should be adapting books into movies because it brings a wider audience to the story. However, I feel like a lot of recent adaptations make major changes that remove very key elements of the original books.” Even though some movies are more inspired by the book than actually staying true to it, these films are becoming more popular than ever. 2026 has been big for entertainment, and with these movies starting off the year, we can only wait in anticipation for what is coming next.
Netflix started the year off strong with a rom-com beach novel adaptation that leaves the audience swooning. People We Meet on Vacation is perfect for your next cozy night in, wishing for a summertime fling. Donica Paras, senior, says, “I thought it was really funny and that’s what makes romantic comedies interesting.” Although the romance of the book and the movie has drawn many audiences, it still does not ring true to the novel. Lise Arnaud, senior, says, “The movie was lacking a lot; they changed the story, which was sad.” Emily Henry’s books are very popular, so it’s no wonder the movie would be too, though. According to Variety, the movie set off with 17.2 million views over the release weekend.
Wuthering Heights has been a box office smash with an estimated 80 million dollars in ticket sales. The global hit is an eerie, intriguing take on Emily Brontë’s classic, doomed romance novel. The book has gained a lot of attention because of the controversy of casting Jacob Elordi as the lead, and Aashiana Gupta, senior, noticed this before she watched the movie. Despite this, she says, “I thought it was a really good movie despite the controversy. I saw that there was an element missing, but the movie adaptation of ‘Wuthering Heights’ is completely different, and they just kept the whole concept. It was just a romance; it didn’t have those layers that are so deep in the actual book.” This opinion is shared by so many who viewed this movie. Although the casting is perceived by the public as flawed and the storyline is roughly based on the novel, viewers loved the spin on the haunted novel.
Another one for the top charts is Project Hail Mary. This Sci-Fi adventure book turned flick stars Ryan Gosling and has a lot of readers excited to rush to the theatre. Lost memories, a need to save the world, and more, all set in the middle of space, this story has so much potential to be a beloved film this year. When asked about the book, Rudolph Blythe, junior, says, “I loved it, it was kind of life changing, I don’t really read that often but [Andy Weir’s] writing style is insane…the only book where there is thirty pages of a guy explaining math but, he writes it in the most riveting, entertaining way possible. Beautiful, life-changing, amazing.” The movie has so much potential to be just as amazing. Project Hail Mary is directed and produced by Phil Lord and Christopher Miller, who made the Spider-Verse series, and has the cinematographer from Dune.
2026 has a lot of potential for life-changing films, and People We Meet On Vacation, Wuthering Heights, and Project Hail Mary are only a few out of many potential book-turned blockbusters.
