Great films start with a great story. Utilizing a pre-existing novel is one way to ensure that the story is already loved by many. It guarantees that the film will have a strong pre-existing fanbase, and therefore hopefully has a solid chance of bringing in box office audiences.

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Classics such as Emma, or contemporary pieces like The Silver Linings Playbook, are given new life on-screen. Many adaptations remain true to the source, while others change key elements to highlight certain themes. Either way, the book-to-movie pipeline is a tried and true method of seeing some of our favorite stories on the big screen, as well as introducing us to new books along the way.

No Exit by Taylor Adams

No Exit

College student, Darby Thorne, finds herself stuck with four strangers at a highway rest stop because of a blizzard. There, she discovers a young child kidnapped in the back of the van parked next to her car. Darby is trapped with a dangerous predator but does not know who.

Up and comer, Havana Rose Liu plays Darby Thorne in this Scott Frank produced adaptation. It will be released via Hulu on February 25th.

Deep Water by Patricia Highsmith

Deep Water Patricia Highsmith

A psychological thriller written in 1957 explores the delicate facade of domestic married life. When Vic Van Allen has had enough of the arrangement in which his wife, Melinda, can take any man she pleases, a dark and twisted tale of murder and lies ensues.

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The film adaptation stars Ben Affleck and Ana de Armas as the troublesome couple and is directed by Adrian Lyne. This marks 20 years since Lyne’s last feature and is sure to be a thrilling return. Deep Water is set to be released on March 18th.

Mrs. ‘Arris Goes To Paris by Paul Gallico

Mrs. 'Arris Goes to Paris Angela Lansbury

The plot of this novel centers on Ada Harris, a charwoman who falls in love with her employer’s designer wardrobe. She decides that she must go to the House of Dior in Paris to purchase her own evening gown. As a comedic tale, Mrs. Harris meets a wide range of colorful characters and experiences all sorts of situations.

This adaptation features Lesly Manville in the titular role and is directed by Anthony Fabian. Originally set to be released in May, the film will now be in theaters on July 15th.

Where The Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Where the Crawdads Sing Novel

Set in the marshlands of North Carolina, Where The Crawdads Sing follows the life of Kya as she navigates poverty, love, and nature. Through town gossip and exaggerated myth, she is ostracized by her community and left to fend for herself in the swamp. One day, a young man is found dead, and she is blamed.

Starring Daisy Edgar-Jones of Normal People fame as the titular character, and with Reese Witherspoon’s production company, Hello Sunshine, backing the feature, it is certain to be a hit. The film will be released in theaters on July 22nd.

Salem’s Lot by Stephen King

salems-lot-social-feature
Image via CBS

This one is a delight for horror fans. After a writer returns to his hometown in search of a story, he receives more than he bargained for. Cue a bloodthirsty vampire hell-bent on turning the entire town.

Related: 7 Stephen King Adaptations That Got It RightWritten and directed by Gary Dauberman, the man behind horror favorites, Annabelle (2014), It (2017), and their sequels, Salem’s Lot is sure to be a horrifying incarnation of the novel. It is scheduled to be released on September 9th in theaters.

White Bird: A Wonder Story by R.J. Palacio

White Bird A Wonder Story

Written as a companion piece to Wonder, White Bird follows Auggie’s bully, Julian, as he learns about his grandmother’s experience in Nazi-occupied France. As a young Jewish girl, she was hidden by a classmate and his family.

Starring Gillian Anderson and Helen Mirren, this exceptional cast ensures that the film will touch the hearts of many. While originally scheduled to be released in September 2022, the film was pushed back to October 14th.

White Noise by Don DeLillo

White Noise Novel

First published in 1985, the novel won the U.S. National Book Award for Fiction. The story follows the lives of Jack Gladney, his wife Babette, and his four children as they navigate consumerism and the deathly ‘toxic airborne event’.

This film sees the returning collaboration of Noah Baumbach and Adam Driver. Baumbach is set to direct with Driver playing the titular role. Greta Gerwig, Baumbach’s partner, and renowned director in her own right will play opposite Driver. An exact release date has not been announced.

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