A LOOK AT THE EXCITING 2021 BOOK TO SCREEN ADAPTATIONS
If ever there was a perfect marriage of topics on Finding Wonderland, it would be book to screen stories. Why is this you ask? Well, these are two of my favorite topics individually, and so placing them together is like the cherry on top of the perfect sundae. This is why today we’ll take a look at some of the 2021 book to screen adaptations that will make their way to our screens.
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Like anything, this will not be an all-inclusive list. This is for a few reasons, one of which being, it’s early in the year and I’m not going to find every adaptation making its way to a screen this year. Another is that some are just not what Finding Wonderland primarily covers and so, therefore, I’m not going to take the time to feature those here. That said, there is still lots to talk about and plenty of varying genres. This includes romance and drama, comedy and nostalgia, no matter what you like, hopefully you’ll find something to interest you.
*If I learn more about any of these or see date changes (which are all subject to change), I’ll try to be thorough and update them here. I may also add in new titles if I find them, or save that for a ‘part 2.’
2021 BOOK TO SCREEN ADAPTATIONS
Sorted by release date, then alphabetically
1: Chaos Walking (Film)
When: January 22 | Where: Limited
What: Haven’t ever heard of this book to screen adaptation that’s actually based on a novel titled The Knife of Never Letting Go. That said, it is based off a novel by Patrick Ness who’s a super popular author, and will feature Tom Holland and Nick Jonas.
2: The Dig (Film)
When: January 29 | Where: Netflix
What: This one is about an archeologist in the late 1930s. Sounds like it might be an interesting historical drama. The novel is written by John Preston.
3: Firefly Lane (TV Show)
When: February 3 | Where: Netflix
What: Based on the novel of the same name (written by Kristin Hannah), this Netflix show has Sarah Chalke and Katherine Heigl playing two best friends in a series that follows their ups and downs from the beginning of their friendship to their present.
4: To All the Boys: Always and Forever (Film)
When: February 12 | Where: Netflix
What: Based on the third and final Lara Jean novel by Jenny Han (which is titled Always and Forever, Lara Jean), this YA romance is set to follow Lara Jean as she returns from a vacation and her reunion with boyfriend Peter. So long as this ends happily, I cannot wait to finally watch this third part, which was also filmed back-to-back with the sequel, To All the Boys: P.S., I Still Love You.
5: Last Letter from Your Lover (Film)
When: March 12 | Where: Limited, Netflix
What: Expected in March in the U.K., and also on Netflix in 2021, this is an adaptation of the Jojo Moyes novel about a woman who becomes interested in learning about a romance from the 1960s. It has an all-star cast including Shailene Woodley, Felicity Jones, and Joe Alwyn.
6: Moxie (Film)
When: March 20 | Where: Netflix
What: A film about a teen who organizes a feminist movement in her small Texas high school. This one is PG-13 in part for “strong language.”
7: Redeeming Love (Film)
When: Spring | Where: Limited
What: Based on the novel by Francine Rivers, this takes place during the 1800s Gold Rush and follows a fallen women, and the man who loves her wholly.
8: Finding You (2021)
When: April 23 | Where: Limited release
What: Based on the novel There You’ll Find Me by Jenny B. Jones, this YA story follows a girl, Finley, who’s emotionally hurting and her adventures in Ireland, including her budding friendship with a major movie star.
9: Shadow and Bone (TV Show)
When: April | Where: Netflix
What: Based on the popular Grishaverse novels by Leigh Bardugo, while I am curious about this one, I have a feeling it may wander too deep into the dark, mature fantasy that I see (too much of) nowadays.
10: Marry Me (Film)
When: May | Where: Unknown
What: This is one of those comedies I’d read about quite some time ago, but what I didn’t know is that it’s actually based on a graphic novel. Jennifer Lopez stars as a pop star whose fiancé (and her musical partner) leaves her. This leads her to get to know Owen Wilson’s single father, and presumably a possible romance will form? Or maybe just a good friendship. Either way, it might be fun.
11: Cruella (Film)
When: May 28 | Where: Theaters (or Disney+)
What: Based on a novel by Dodie Smith, this one features Emma Stone in an origin story for Cruella De Vil.
12: Peter Rabbit 2: The Runaway (Film)
When: June 11 | Where: Unknown
What: I had to add this one into the mix because it’s based on the classic by Beatrix Potter, and yes, I can admit I did find Peter Rabbit (the first film) so cute. Who can resist this jacket wearing rabbit who gets himself into trouble while eating the neighbor’s garden?
13: The Kissing Booth 3 (Film)
When: August (?) | Where: Netflix
What: Not sure if this is technically an adaptation since I think the books are written post scripts. Still, I’ll allow it because I do think these films are cute. Only thing is I have a feeling our heroine, Elle, will end up with the new guy after the writers have made us fall in love with the Noah/Elle ship. Not cool.
14: Death on the Nile (Film)
When: September 17 | Where: Unknown, but presumably in some theaters
What: Based on the novel by Agatha Christie, this is the follow up film to the 2017 release Murder on the Orient Express with Kenneth Branaugh, who plays Hercule Poirot. New players include Gal Gadot, Armie Hammer, Role Leslie and Annette Benning.
15: Dune (Film)
When: October 1 | Where: Theaters, and HBO Max
What: A fantasy base don the novel by Frank Herbert about a man who leads a group fighting to control a desert world.
16: The Nightingale (Film)
When: December 22 | Where: Unknown
What: This feature film is set to star real-life sisters Dakota and Elle Fanning in a story about sisters during WWII, and the many struggles they face in the dangers of war. This is also based on a novel by Kristin Hannah.
17: Sherlock Holmes 3 (Film)
When: December 22 | Where: Unknown
What: Inspired by the novels by Sir. Arthur Conan Doyle, I’m not sure if this title is a fact or rumor. Reason being, we’ve been hearing (for years now) that a third installment of Guy Ritchie’s version of the famous detective was in the works, but there’s been no real news. It’s hard to believe that suddenly, there’s a release date of December 2021. That said, if Robert Downy Jr.’s Sherlock does return this year, I won’t complain.
RUMORED 2021 ADAPTATION RELEASES
- A Boy Called Christmas (Film, Netflix)
- Brideshead Revisited (TV Mini-Series)
- Death Comes as the End (TV Mini-Series)
- Gossip Girl (TV Show, re-boot for HBO Max)
- Hello, Goodbye and Everything In-Between (Film)
- Jack Reacher (TV series, Amazon)
- Miss Marple (TV series)
- Mothering Sunday (Film) | This one features Colin Firth, plus lots of other British talent in a story about a maid during WWI who plans to run away with the man she loves, a man who’s about to be married. Sadly, the more I read about this story, the less interesting it sounds (and I say sad because the cast looks good).
- One of Us is Lying (TV series)
- Operation Mincemeat (Film)
- Persuasion (Film) | Another Austen adaptation is supposedly in the works, but as of yet, I haven’t heard new news on it; last I saw with the announcement and Anne Elliot’s casting, which I’ve already documented on this space.
- The Pursuit of Love (TV Mini-Series)
- There’s Someone Inside Your House (Film)
- The Statistical Probability of Love at First Sight (Film)
- The Sky is Everywhere (Film, Apple TV+)
- They Came to Baghdad (TV Mini-Series)
- Turn of the Screw (TV series)
- Wicked (Film)
That’s a wrap on (some of) the 2021 book to screen adaptations coming to our screens. Tell me, which of these makes you most curious? Have you seen any of these 2021 book to screen adaptations? Do you plan to? Are there any I neglected? Comment all of your thoughts down below!
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A LOOK AT THE EXCITING 2021 BOOK TO SCREEN ADAPTATIONS. A guide to some of the 2021 Book to Screen adaptations coming our way! #Adaptations #Romance #PeriodDrama #Movies #WhattoWatch #Netflix Share on XThank you for visiting
What a great compilation of adaptations coming out this year! Thank you so much for sharing it. <3
Thank you for the visit, Dedra. Appreciate that. :)
Wow! So exciting! I’d love a new Persuasion, although I really loved Rupert Penry-Jones in the last one.
I really need to re-watch the newest Persuasion, but I know it still doesn’t feel like “the one” definitive version (though I do really like it). Something that is probably weird for me to say since I haven’t read the book. ;)
I’m most excited for To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before: Always and Forever. I was hoping this would premiere around Valentine’s Day. I’m so glad I don’t have long to wait! I’m also excited for Death on the Nile. I’ve been wanting to get into Agatha Christie – so reading this book before it premieres seems like a good place to start.
RIGHT!? Lara Jean’s final chapter is just around the corner! I’m both EXCITED and nervous it’s going to end in a way that will make me sad. Reading the book now though. “Death on the Nile” looks good!! Hope you enjoy it, and let me know if you read the book, Chanel. I’d be curious to know what you think. :)