Books coming to screen in 2021
Studies have found that shows or movies based on books tend to do better than those which aren't, so it isn't surprising that every year more and more books find their way to the theatres or our TVs. With the pandemic still on, some movies release directly online the same time as they do in theatres. Here's a list of all the book adaptations coming to screen this year along with their release dates so you can read the book before watching the movie.
The Dig by John Preston
This historical novel is based on the famous archaeological dig in Britain at Sutton Hoo, Suffolk. Though based on a real event, the author takes literary licence in his account of the incident and the movie will surely differ too.
The story follows the farmer who found treasure in her backyard and the excavation that followed. The author is related to one of the excavators in the project.
Release Date: January 15, 2021
Photo: Penguin UK
French Exit by Patrick DeWitt
This book has a spectacular cast of odd characters who will no doubt be hilarious on screen. It follows Frances Price, who is a possessive mother and a socialite from New York who's part of a scandal. She decides to head to Paris where she goes into a rather destructive spiral.
The movie will star Michelle Pfeiffer and Lucas Hedges.
Release Date: February 12, 2021
Photo: Bloomsbury Publishing
Cherry by Nico Walker
This book was written while the author was in prison, serving time for bank robbery. Somewhat autobiographical, the book follows an unnamed American protagonist as a college student, a soldier during the Iraq war and his state after war, as a drug addict and bank robber.
The movie stars Tom Holland, Forrest Goodluck, and Bill Skarsgård
Release Date: February 26, 2021
Photo: Vintage
The Tale of Peter Rabbit by Beatrix Potter
The popular children's book on the rambunctious rabbit is known to many and just had a movie out on it in 2018 and this is the sequel. Titled Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway we see Peter struggling to be less naughty and running away to find those who appreciate his humour.
The movie has quite a star cast with Rose Byrne, Domhnall Gleeson, David Oyelowo, Elizabeth Debicki, Daisy Ridley, Margot Robbie, and James Corden.
Release Date: April 2, 2021
Photo: Racehorse for Young Readers; Illustrated edition
Two Kisses for Maddy: A Memoir of Loss & Love by Matthew Logelin
This heart wrenching book is a memoir, following Matthew Logelin who beloved wife died soon after their daughter was born. He has to raise a small baby while grieving for his loss.
Kevin Hart is playing Matthew in the movie with Alfre Woodard, Lil Rel Howery, Anthony Carrigan, and DeWanda Wise co-starring.
Release Date: April 16, 2021
Photo: Grand Central Publishing
Marry Me by Bobby Crosby
This graphic novel has a funny story- superstars musicians Kat Valdez and Bastian are to get married in a big public ceremony. However Kat finds out he's cheating on her and decides to marry someone holding a MARRY ME sign at her concert instead.
The cast is excellent Jennifer Lopez will play the music superstar, joined by Maluma, Owen Wilson, Sarah Silverman, John Bradley, and more.
Release Date: May 14, 2021
Photo: Keenspot
The Reincarnationist Papers by D. Eric Maikranz
This thought provoking book has a fascinating premise. There are some people who can remember their past lives and they have formed a secret society.
The movie has Mark Wahlberg playing the lead with Chiwetel Ejiofor, Dylan O'Brien, Jason Mantzoukas, and Rupert Friend.
Release Date: May 28, 2021
Photo: Barbary Press
101 Dalmatians by Dodie Smith
Movie: Cruella
The 101 Dalmatians have had a popular movie and animated movie series on them, but this upcoming movie will give the backstory of the villain
of the books, Cruella. If she's anything like the puppy stealing, kitten drowning antagonist from the book, it will surely be terrible.
The movie stars Emma Stone, Emma Thompson and Mark Strong
Release Date: May 28, 2021
Photo: Puffin Books
Deep Water by Patricia Highsmith
Deep Water is an old book, published in 1957. It follows Melinda and Vic Van Allen who are trapped in a loveless marriage. One of Melinda's lovers dies, Vic claims to have killed him to dissuade others from becoming her lovers.
Ana de Armas and Ben Affleck, who are a couple in real life, play the couple for the movie, co starring with Jacob Elordi and Finn Wittrock.
Release Date: August 13, 2021
Photo: Virago
The Last Duel: A True Story of Crime, Scandal, and Trial by Combat in Medieval France by Eric Jager
A story that involves a duel to death between two men to determine whether a woman's accusation is true and two best friends who turn enemies, all set during the Hundred Years’ War between France and England, this story will surely be dramatic and entertaining. It has quite a star cast in the movie too, with Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Jodie Comer, and Adam Driver.
Release Date: October 15, 2021
Photo: Crown; Reprint edition
The Nightingale by Kristin Hannah
The book tells the story of two sisters struggling to survive the German occupation of France during WWII. The story is sentimental but respectful.
Actual sisters Elle and Dakota Fanning will play the sisters in the movie.
Release Date: December 22, 2021
Photo: Pan
Mothering Sunday by Graham Swift
This book follows the protagonist Jane Fairchild in two time zones. One in the 1920's when she's a maid having a secret relationship with the heir of a neighbouring house and one far in the future where she's a famous author.
The movie has many famous faces from British cinema- Olivia Colman, Josh O'Connor, Colin Firth and Odessa Young.
Photo: Simon & Schuster
The Power of the Dog by Thomas Savage
This book is not for the faint of mind. It follows a two brothers who lived together on a ranch. Then when one marries, the other one tries to destroy his life.
Starring: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kristen Dunst and Jesse Plemons will star in the movie.
Photo: Vintage Classics
Monster by Walter Dean Myers
The Pulitzer winning children's book has been adapted into a movie titled 'All Rise'. It's the tale of a teenager incarcerated for a murder charge.
Starring: Kelvin Harrison Jr., Jharrel Jerome, John David Washington,
Jennifer Hudson, Tim Blake Nelson, Nas and A$AP Rocky.
Photo: Amistad
Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates
'Blonde' is about Marilyn Monroe and the author Joyce Carol Oates was very clear that this book is a work of fiction and should not be considered a biography. The movie should also be considered a historical fiction rather than the truth
Ana De Armas will be playing Marilyn Monroe .
Photo: Ecco
Those Who Wish Me Dead by Michael Koryta
A teenager witnesses a murder and is forced into the Witness Protection Program for to save his life. Unfortunately the killers haven't been caught and are hell bent on tracking and killing their one witness.
Angelina Jolie will be in the movie along with Nicholas Hoult, Tyler Perry, Jon Bernthal and Aidan Gillen.
Photo: Hodder Paperbacks
Always and Forever, Lara Jean by Jenny Han
This is the third part of the popular YA trilogy that started with 'To All the Boys I've Loved Before', where we see how all the entangled love connections finally work out.
Photo: Scholastic
The Knife of Never Letting Go by Patrick Ness
The Knife of Never Letting Go is the first part of Patrick Ness' best-selling YA trilogy. In a planet humans have colonised, all the women are dead and all the men have gone mad because they can hear each other's thoughts. In this world teenager Todd meets Viola, the first girl he's ever seen.
Starring Tom Holland, Daisy Ridley, Nick Jonas and Mads Mikkelsen, this movie might be the YA hit of the year.
Photo: Walker Books
The Last Letter From Your Lover by Jojo Moyes
Written by the author of 'Me before You', which was also adapted into a movie, 'The Last Letter From Your Lover' is about a secret Hollywood affair, told in letters a journalist is determined to uncover.
The movie will star Felicity Jones, Shailene Woodley, Callum Turner, and Joe Alwyn.
Photo: Hodder Paperbacks
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