5 Books To Read Before You Watch The Adaptation In 2026

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Readers rejoice when their favorite book is on the brink of receiving a sequel, but they really come together when a beloved story is about to hit the big screen. There's just something spectacular about seeing the characters you imagined in your mind come to life in front of your eyes. It's exciting to see an actor you had on your list of "Who I wish would play who" step into the role, to have an unexpected actor take you by surprise, or to watch how a production team brings your favorite scenes to life.

Whether or not a film adaptation stays true to the story or takes its own creative path, it's always fascinating to see how words transform for the screen. While there are some beloved book-to-movie adaptations that blew up in everyone's faces, we can tell you that 2026's lineup of adaptations, just by their star-studded casts, will be far from disappointing. From Christopher Nolan's take on a classic literary work of art to Ryan Gosling suiting up for an intense high-stakes sci-fi adventure of a lifetime, 2026 is about to be the dream year for book lovers. If you haven't read the originals yet, it's the perfect time to dive in. These are the five books you must read before watching their adaptations in 2026. 

"People We Meet on Vacation" is the very first film adaptation of Emily Henry's many iconic rom-com books. The Netflix original film is set to release in January 2026, so this should be at the top of your TBR list. The story is about two friends from college, Alex and Poppy, who have made going on a yearly trip together their very own cherished tradition. But after one trip goes terribly wrong, the pair reunites for one more summer getaway two years later as a last-ditch effort to save their friendship. Will they be able to mend what was broken, or is their friendship done for? 

Readers who picked up the book as soon as it was released in 2021 were quick to deem it the perfect story to become a rom-com movie, and now their predictions are coming true. The Netflix original film will star Tom Blyth from "The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes" as Alex Nilsen and Emily Bader from "My Lady Jane"  as Poppy Wright. The best part? Yulin Kuang, author of "How to End a Love Story," wrote the screenplay, so fans can definitely expect charming dialogue and authentic storytelling.

Andy Weir's "Project Hail Mary" was one of the titles Redditors declared as a book that made them fall in love with reading, and it truly is an exhilarating adventure for sci-fi lovers. The story is about an astronaut, who actually isn't an astronaut but a molecular biologist-turned-middle school science teacher, on a dire yet very lonely mission to save planet Earth from its demise. The book has glowing reviews for its perfect balance of humor, tension, and emotional depth, with readers praising Weir for his witty dialogue and ability to make complex science approachable and exciting. 

Perhaps the only downside of this book is its length, as it's nearly 500 pages. It's why many reviewers believe the adaptation will be phenomenal, as one Amazon reviewer wrote, "I wish this book had been cut down by about one-third. It would have made everything feel much snappier and would have reduced a lot of the repetition. I'm betting the movie is going to be excellent for this very reason." 

"Project Hail Mary" should be another at the top of your TBR, as it's set to release in March 2026. The film stars Ryan Gosling as Ryland Grace, the astronaut who must save planet Earth, and you know that Gosling brings just the right amount of charm, humor, and heart to any role he takes on. 

Released in early 2025, "Sunrise on the Reaping: A Hunger Games Novel" was Suzanne Collins's long-awaited return to Panem. This time, Collins tells the story of Haymitch Abernathy as his name is drawn for the fiftieth annual Hunger Games. With twice as many tributes being sent into the deadly games for the occasion, Haymitch travels to the Capitol with three other District 12 tributes to play out the fight for his life in front of the entire nation. Any true fan of The Hunger Games series should want to learn more about Haymitch and his troubled past.

The film is set to be released in November 2026, so you have some time to dive into Haymitch's origin story before it hits the big screens. The star-studded cast, including McKenna Grace, Elle Fanning, Jesse Plemons, and Ralph Fiennes, alone, should be enough to get you excited. Add award-winning director Francis Lawrence into the mix, whose history with The Hunger Games franchise goes all the way back to 2012's "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," and you know this adaptation is going to keep viewers on the edge of their seats until the very last scene. 

Readers raced to pick up the book once the adaptation was announced. One reviewer wrote, "I didn't think it could be done again, knowing the ultimate end but the story and tie-in is fantastic. The characters are sewn into the next book so well. Love it! Can't wait for the movie!" 

Legendary filmmaker Christopher Nolan has taken one of the most epic stories told in classic literature and is bringing it to life with his upcoming adaptation of Homer's "The Odyssey." And, it almost feels meant to be because who better to reimagine such a powerful tale than Nolan, the master of visually striking and psychologically rich masterpieces? With award-winning actors like Tom Holland, Matt Damon, Zendaya, and Anne Hathaway leading the film, you know it's going to be a cinematic experience, sure to leave audiences absolutely floored. 

If you haven't had the chance to read the classic literary piece, consider yourself lucky. Our writer first read "The Odyssey" in a high school literature class, and it has remained one of her favorite books of all time. This is one of the world's oldest stories of love, loss, and resilience. Homer writes of Odysseus, who embarks on a long journey home after the Trojan War. On this perilous path, he will face mythical creatures, angry gods, and impossible odds that repeatedly test not only his strength but his will to survive. 

Short on time and not sure what to pick from this list? "The Odyssey" is a true literary classic that will stay with you long after you've closed the book. Reading it before heading into Nolan's highly anticipated adaptation, set to release in the summer of 2026, will only make the experience richer. 

Another literary classic, Emily Brontë's "Wuthering Heights" is getting a film adaptation set for an early 2026 release in February. So, this is another title you'll want to add to the very top of your reading list. This tale is a love story, but it's a dark and devastating one. The story follows Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff and their intense and ultimately destructive love. Brontë portrays the dire consequences of a passionate and dangerous love fueled by longing, passion, and resentment between Catherine Earnshaw and Heathcliff. 

The film adaptation will star Margot Robbie as the free-spirited and emotionally torn Catherine Earnshaw and Jacob Elordi as the complex, brooding, and at times intimidating Heathcliff. While fans of the book were surprised that Robbie was cast as an 18-year-old, we'd like to think Robbie will do what she does best and bring life to a character who embodies conflict, vulnerability, and longing. 

What's even more exciting is that the adaptation is being directed by Emerald Fennell, who is best known for shining a spotlight on the sharp emotional intensity that can sometimes be overlooked when it comes to book-to-film adaptations. Regarding the approach taken for directing the film, Fennell said in a September 2025 BBC interview, "I wanted to make something that made me feel like I felt when I first read it, which means that it's an emotional response to something. It's, like, primal, sexual." If you want to understand what Fennell means, do yourself a favor and read it first.