There are so many movies to get excited about in 2020, but it’s even easier to feel that anticipation when it’s a familiar story making its way to screen. That’s exactly why we’re extra hyped about these 10 upcoming movies, which are all based on beloved books. Whether a crime aficionado, a lover of Y.A. romance, obsessed with classics, or just a general reader, there’s something for you to love and look forward to in this list. Here are the 10 book-to-movie adaptations we’re most excited to watch in 2020.
Netflix
To All The Boys: P.S. I Still Love You
Based on Jenny Han’s 2015 novel, P.S. I Still Love You, this is the sequel to Netflix’s hit film To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. It follows Lara Jean (Lana Condor) and Peter (Noah Centineo), who are now a full-fledged couple, learning to juggle high school life with their blooming romance. But when old crush John Ambrose (Jordan Fisher) reenters the picture, Lara Jean must contend with her feelings for both boys. A third film, To All the Boys: Always and Forever, Lara Jean, is already in post-production.
Release Date: February 12
Emma.
There are countless adaptations of this 1815 novel by Jane Austen, including 1995’s Clueless. So what sets this one apart? The pop-colored and feisty new take also follows Emma Woodhouse (Anya Taylor-Joy) as she meddles in love lives of those around her. Trailers show it to be a more straightforward version of the story, and there’s nothing wrong with that—in fact, we love a good classic costume comedy. The rest of the cast includes Bill Nighy, Johnny Flynn, Mia Goth, and Miranda Hart.
Release Date: February 21
Universal Pictures
The Invisible Man
Elisabeth Moss stars in this very loose adaptation of the classic H.G. Wells story, directed by Leigh Whannell (Saw, Insidious). Moss plays Cecelia Cass, a woman trapped in an abusive relationship with scientist Adrian Griffin (Oliver Jackson-Cohen). When Griffin commits suicide, he leaves his fortune to Cass, but soon an unseen force terrorizes her; she suspects Griffin isn’t really gone. The film bears only a passing relationship with its source material, but we love a fresh take on a horror staple, and this one looks inventive and genuinely scary.
Release Date: February 28
The Woman in the Window
Based on the controversial novel by A.J. Finn, this thriller follows an agoraphobic woman named Anna Fox (Amy Adams) who spends her days binge drinking wine and spying on the people outside. One day, she witnesses a crime in the home of her new across-the-alley neighbors, involving her in their strange drama. The film was supposed to come out in 2019 but was retooled after poor test audience reactions. Let’s hope the new version delivers. The Woman in the Window also stars Julianne Moore, Gary Oldman, Anthony Mackie, and Jennifer Jason Leigh.
Release Date: May 15
Disney
Artemis Fowl
Eoin Colfer’s Artemis Fowl series has been a popular staple in children’s libraries since 2001, and is finally getting the big-screen treatment. The first book will make its way to theaters this May, and follows the journey of the eponymous character, a 12-year-old boy genius who is a descendent of a long line of criminal masterminds. He’s looking for his father, who mysteriously disappeared. Ferdia Shaw stars as Artemis Fowl, with Nonso Anozie, Josh Gad, and Judi Dench in supporting roles.
Release Date: May 29
Death on the Nile
Following the success of 2017’s Murder on the Orient Express, director Kenneth Branagh is back with another Agatha Christie adaptation. This one, based on the 1917 detective story of the same name, once again features Belgian detective Hercule Poirot (Branagh) as he investigates a new murder, this time of a young heiress aboard a cruise ship on the Nile River. The film also stars Annette Bening, Russell Brand, Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Letitia Wright, Sophie Okonedo, and Rose Leslie.
Release Date: October 9
Jonathan Cape
The Witches
We’re not sure what to make of Robert Zemeckis adaptation of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s novel. Zemeckis has been a little off his mojo for his last couple of films; the 1990 film version starring Anjelica Huston is a stone-cold classic. But we’re optimistic, given the talent involved. Anne Hathaway will star as Grand High Witch, an evil character who turns a young boy into a mouse when he’s vacationing with his grandmother. Octavia Spencer, Stanley Tucci, and Chris Rock will costar.
Release Date: October 9
Dune
It was 36 years ago that Dune last made its way to the big screen, as the famously derided David Lynch adaptation. Finally, Frank Herbert’s epic science fiction story is getting a new chance to make an impact on a generation of genre fans. This version, directed by Denis Villeneuve, stars Timothée Chalamet as Paul Atreides, of the House Atreides, who travels with his family to the planet Arrakis—a.k.a. Dune—to mine a valuable substance known as “the spice,” which lends its taker magical properties like extended life and superhuman abilities. The family is embroiled in a rivalrous relationship with their enemies, the Harkonnens, and must contend with betrayal and brutal life on Arrakis. The film also stars Oscar Isaac, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, Stellan Skarsgård, Zendaya, Jason Momoa, and Javier Bardem.
Release Date: December 18
Victor Gollancz
Rebecca
These next two titles are both Netflix releases. Ergo, we don’t have exact release dates, though they’re both for 2020. The first is an adaptation of Daphne du Maurier’s classic novel, previously brought to life by Alfred Hitchcock. Lily James stars as Mrs. de Winter, the new wife of Maxim (Armie Hammer), who has a hard time living up to his mysterious and dead first wife, Rebecca. The gothic story is directed by Ben Wheatley (Kill List, Free Fire) and costars Kristin Scott-Thomas and Ann Dowd.
Release Date: TBD
The Devil All The Time
This creepy generational thriller between World War II and the Vietnam War follows several dysfunctionally intertwining storylines. Based on the novel of the same name by Donald Ray Pollock, it stars a seriously impressive and stacked cast: Tom Holland, Sebastian Stan, Robert Pattinson, Bill Skarsgård, Mia Wasikowska, Eliza Scanlen, Jason Clarke, Riley Keough, and more.
Release Date: TBD
Featured Image: Netflix
