It is lovely to see just how many book-to-movie adaptations are coming out. As you may know, our very own All the Bright Places is in the beginning stages of getting the Hollywood treatment as well! Get ready to mark your calendars and stop by your library because I have found 23 adaptations that have release dates this year. Here is your 2016 calendar of book-to-movie adaptations so you can read the book before the movie comes out.
1. 13 Hours: The Inside Account of What Really Happened in Benghazi by Mitchelle Zuckoff (Jan 15th)
The true account of the controversial Battle of Benghazi, as told by the men on the ground. Directed by Michael Bay. Starring John Krasinski from The Office.
2. The 5th Wave by Rick Yancey (Jan 22nd)
After Aliens invade Earth, Cassie embarks on a mission to rescue her brother at all costs. Starring Chloë Grace Mortez.
3. The Finest Hours: The True Story of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Most Daring Sea Rescue by Michael J. Tougias and Casey Sherman (Jan 29th)
The story of a 1952 Coast Guard rescue mission to save the men aboard two destroyed oil tankers off the coast of Cape Cod. Starring Chris Pine, Eric Bana, and Casey Affleck.
4. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies by Jane Austen and Seth Grahame-Smith (Feb 5th)
Everything you love about the classic Austen tale but with a new twist: zombies! Starring Lily James (Cinderella) as Elizabeth Bennet and Matt Smith (Doctor Who) as Mr. Collins.
5. The Choice by Nicholas Sparks (Feb 5th)
Another year, another heart-wrenching Sparks adaptation. This time it’s the story of Travis and Gabby, two next-door neighbors who fall in love, taking place (where else) in an enchanting, small waterfront town in North Carolina. Starring Teresa Palmer (Warm Bodies) and Benjamin Walker (Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter).
6. How to Be Single by Liz Tuccillo (Feb 12th)
Friends learn how to have a good time being single in New York City in this fun, contemporary rom-com. Starring Dakota Johnson, Rebel Wilson, Alison Brie, and Leslie Mann.
7. The Great Gilly Hopkins by Katherine Paterson (Feb 19th)
A middle grade book about Gilly, a 12-year-old foster kid who is at battle with the world until she meets Maime Trotter; then her attitude starts to melt. Starring Julia Stiles, Kathy Bates, and Sophie Nélisse (The Book Thief).
8. The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Kim Barker /Movie Title: Whiskey Tango Foxtrot (March 4th)
Journalist Kim Baker’s humorous story of her wartime coverage and adventures in Afghanistan and Pakistan. Starring Tina Fey and Margot Robbie.
9. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes (March 4th)
Louisa Clark, a small town girl who thrives on knowing what comes next, starts taking care of Will Traynor, who has lost his will to live after a motorcycle accident. Starring Emilia Clarke and Sam Claflin.
10. The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry (March 18th)
The movie adaptation of this classic children’s book is about how the story of The Little Prince, filled with riddles and philosophy, can touch people of all ages. Starring the voices of Rachel McAdams, Benicio Del Toro, Paul Rudd, James Franco, Marion Cotillard, and Jeff Bridges.
11. Allegiant by Veronica Roth (March 18th)
In part 1 of the 2-part finale of the Divergent trilogy (part 2 is set come out in 2017), Tris and Four explore the world beyond the fence, where they meet up with the Bureau of Genetic Welfare. Starring Shailene Woodley and Theo James.
12. The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling (April 15th)
Disney’s next live-action flick is based on the classic children’s book about an orphan raised by animals in the jungle. Starring Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Lupita Nyong’o, and Scarlett Johansson.
13. Through the Looking Glass by Lewis Carroll (May 27th)
In the children’s classic sequel to Alice in Wonderland, Alice returns to Wonderland for another adventure where time is running backwards. Starring Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, and Anne Hathaway.
14. The BFG by Roald Dahl (July 1st)
In another classic tale by the author of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda, Sophie is captured by a Giant, who turns out to be a “Big Friendly Giant,” outcast by his peers because he refuses to eat children. Directed by Steven Spielberg. Starring Bill Hader.
15. Tarzan of the Apes by Edgar Rice Burroughs / Movie title: The Legend of Tarzan (July 1st)
Tarzan learns the secrets of the jungle as he is raised by apes, but his life changes when a group of men, and one woman, Jane, invade his jungle. Directed by David Yates. Starring Alexander Skarsgård and Margot Robbie.
16. Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates: And a Thousand Cocktails by Dave Strangle and Mike Strangle (July 8th)
Two brothers’ outrageous misadventures as they look for strangers to bring as dates to their cousin’s wedding. Starring Zac Efron, Adam DeVine, and Anna Kendrick.
17. The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins (Oct 7th)
Rachel watches a “perfect couple” every day on the commuter train until one day she witnesses something. The book won Goodreads Choice 2015 for Mystery & Thriller. Starring Emily Blunt.
18. A Monster Calls by Patrick Ness (Oct 14th)
A very old and dangerous monster starts visiting Conor in his nightmares as he tries to deal with his mother’s serious illness. Starring Felicity Jones, Liam Neeson, and Sigourney Weaver.
19. Inferno by Dan Brown (Oct 14th)
In this 4th book in the Robert Langdon Series, Langdon must decode Dante’s Inferno while battling adversaries in this mystery thriller. Starring Tom Hanks and Felicity Jones.
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20. Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk by Ben Fountain (Nov 11th)
Home for a victory tour, soldier Billy Lynn and his squadron ride a media whirlwind and face the American public’s misdirected, political anger in this satire. Starring Garrett Hedlund, Kristen Stewart, Vin Diesel, and Steve Martin.
21. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by Newt Scamander, AKA J.K. Rowling (Nov 18th)
An encyclopedic look at the creatures of the Harry Potter universe has inspired its very own adventure-filled movie. Proceeds from the book go to Comic Relief. Directed by David Yates. Starring Eddie Redmayne.
22. Let It Snow by John Green, Maureen Johnson, and Lauren Myracle (Dec 9th)
A Christmas Eve snowstorm in a small town is the backdrop for the stories of three separate couples.
23. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children by Ransom Riggs (Dec 25th)
Jacob traces his grandfather’s mysterious past to a remote island in Wales, where he discovers the crumbling ruins of a seemingly abandoned orphanage. The book is filled with real vintage photographs that inspired Riggs’ story. It is hands down my most anticipated adaptation of 2016! Directed by Tim Burton. Starring Judi Dench, Samuel L. Jackson, and Asa Butterfield.
Bonus! Here are the names of 10 book-to-movie adaptations that are also set to come out in 2016, but they still don’t have a release date yet:
Fallen by Lauren Kate
Silence by Shūsaku Endō, Translated by William Johnston
The Circle by Dave Eggers
The Queen of Katwe by Tim Crothers
The Zookeeper’s Wife by Diane Ackerman
Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness by Susannah Cahalan
The November Criminals by Sam Munson
Nerve by Jeanne Ryan
The Light Between Oceans by M.L. Stedman
A Hologram for the King by Dave Eggers
American Pastoral by Philip Roth