Pop Base: 2024’s Upcoming Movie/TV Adaptations of Books

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2024’s Upcoming Movie/TV Adaptations of Books

Movies and television shows have been adapted from books since the 1890s and in 2024 there are so many that are being released or announced. So far, we have seen popular adaptations like Bridgerton or Dune 2, and some not so popular ones like Madame Web and Argylle. It can be hard to find the perfect formula for an adaptation as changing things from a beloved book can be seen as disrespectful to the original media. Nonetheless, many adaptations have struck gold by bringing the story to life with actors and sets. Only time will tell how these upcoming adaptations will be perceived.

'The Perfect Couple'- September 5, 2024

One upcoming adaptation is Netflix’s The Perfect Couple. The mystery drama series stars Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Dakota Fanning, and Eve Hewson, and is adapted from Elin Hilderbrand’s 2018 novel of the same name. The series follows a woman who is about to marry into a wealthy family, when a body washes up on the beach. The six- episode season will be directed by Emmy and Oscar winner Susanne Bier. The novel is a New York Times best-seller, and the series looks to follow in the novel's footsteps with its star-studded cast.

'Three Women'- September 13, 2024.

Another upcoming adaptation is Three Women. The series follows a group of women who are on course to change their lives. Showtime acquired the rights to the book (written by Lisa Taddeo) in 2019, but in 2023 they decided to not air the completed series. This led to the show being shopped around and eventually being picked up by Starz. The series will finally air in September in the U.S., after originally airing in February in Australia. It stars Shailene Woodley, DeWanda Wise, and Betty Gilpin alongside other series regulars Blair Underwood, Gabrielle Creevy, and John Patrick Amedori. The book saw tremendous success as it debuted at number one on The New York Times non-fiction best sellers list. The series on the other hand has had some mixed reviews so far, with some feeling the story could have been told in less than ten episodes.

Uglies- September 13, 2024

The next adaptation coming to Netflix is Uglies. Uglies, blends action and science fiction and is based on the novel of the same name by Scott Westerfeld. The film which centers around an apocalyptic dystopian society stars Joey King as Tally Youngblood. It also stars Keith Powers, Chase Stokes, Brianne Tju, and Laverne Cox. Both the book and the movie follow “uglies” who turn into “pretties” after experiencing cosmetic surgery when reaching 16. Youngblood decides this may not be the best journey for her and thinks about rebelling. The book series has become popular with three other books released and four others being announced. This is not the first time that the book was scheduled to be adapted into a film. In 2006, 20th Century Fox bought the rights to the novel and the film was supposedly going to be released in 2011. Almost ten years later, Netflix acquired the rights to the novel and it's finally releasing this year.

Heartstopper- October 3, 2024

Season three of Heartstopper will be coming to Netflix in October. The show which stars Joe Locke (Charlie) and Kit Connor (Nick) follows two teens navigating their gay relationship in high school. The third season will see the relationship deepen and will see the couple face their biggest challenge ever. The shows also star William Gao, Yasmin Finney, Tobie Donovan, Corinna Brown, Kizzy Edgell as friends also navigating their high school experiences. The series is adapted from the LGBTQ+ young adult graphic novel and webcomic series. The novel’s writer and illustrator, Alice Oseman also acts as writer for the show and says that this season will offer something different from previous seasons. So far, the show has been very popular with multiple GLAAD Media Awards and Childrens and Family Emmy Awards. If follows the success of the novel as the novel is one of the UK’s fastest-selling graphic novels ever.

Wicked- November 22, 2024

One of the most anticipated adaptations of the year will be coming to theaters later this year. Wicked Part One, the musical fantasy film, is the first part of a two-part adaptation based on the stage musical based on the 1995 novel of the same name. The film directed by Jon M. Chu, will star Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, with many in supporting roles including Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum, Jonathan Bailey, and Bowen Yang. The story follows the earlier lives of Elphaba (Erivo) who later becomes the Wicked Witch of the West, and Galinda (Grande), who later becomes Glinda the Good. The film was first announced to be released in 2021, but due to the Covid-19 pandemic, production was shut down and rehearsals officially started in July 2022. The second part of the film will be released a year later, on November 26th, 2025. Many are expecting the films to follow the stage plays success which received three Tony Awards during its monumental run on Broadway.

Among these upcoming releases many other adaptations have been announced. This includes the new Hunger Games film, The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, multiple adaptations acquired by Netflix, and best-selling novel, Every Summer After coming to Amazon’s Prime Video.