With more than a dozen books making the jump to film and TV this year, 2026 is shaping up to be a huge year for adaptations. The lineup spans everything from thrillers and period dramas to beloved classics and eerie horror. While major titles like The Devil Wears Prada 2, Colleen Hoover’s Reminders of Him and Verity, and Emily Henry’s People We Meet on Vacation are already generating buzz, a few others stand out — for better or worse.
1. The Beauty — January 21
If you enjoyed the unsettling glamour of The Substance or consider Death Becomes Her a cult classic, Ryan Murphy’s The Beauty should be on your radar. Based on Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley’s graphic novel, the story follows FBI agents Drew Foster and Kara Vaughn as they investigate a deadly STD-turned-injection known as “the Beauty.” Its side effect? Perfect looks — at a fatal cost. In a world obsessed with aesthetics (hello, Ozempic era), the satire feels uncomfortably timely.
2. The Seven Dials Mystery — January 15
Agatha Christie adaptations never go out of style, and this year brings a fresh take on The Seven Dials Mystery. The three-part limited series stars Mia McKenna-Bruce and Helena Bonham Carter, reimagining Christie’s 1929 whodunnit. The plot centers on Bundle Brent, who investigates the murder of her lover — found dead in bed, surrounded by seven alarm clocks. Expect creative liberties, classic Christie twists, and plenty of intrigue.
3. The Bride! — March 6
After Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein dominated conversations in 2025, the universe expands again with The Bride!, directed by Maggie Gyllenhaal and starring Jessie Buckley. This retelling follows Dr. Euphronious as he resurrects a murdered woman to become Frankenstein’s companion. Set in 1930s Chicago, the film promises a feminist lens and a heroine who sparks social upheaval. As a longtime Frankenstein fan, I’m eager to see this shift in perspective.
4. Wuthering Heights — February 14
Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights is the blueprint for dark, gothic romance — intense, messy, and emotionally brutal. The film follows the destructive love between Heathcliff and Catherine Earnshaw, whose choices unleash generations of turmoil. While early trailers showcase gorgeous visuals, the casting and Emerald Fennell’s direction have sparked debate among classic lit fans. I’ll be re-reading the novel and watching with cautious curiosity.
4. East of Eden — Release Date TBA
Though the exact premiere date is still under wraps, this adaptation of John Steinbeck’s East of Eden is one of the year’s most anticipated. Florence Pugh, Christopher Abbott, and Mike Faist lead the cast, with Zoe Kazan directing — a meaningful connection, given her grandfather Elia Kazan directed the iconic 1951 film. The series revisits the intertwined lives of the Trask and Hamilton families in California’s Salinas Valley, echoing the Biblical story of Cain and Abel. For anyone with ties to California (or a love of Steinbeck), this one hits close to home.
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