From page to screen, 2026 promises an exciting year for readers as top-tier books and classic literature get the movie and TV treatment. From bestselling thrillers and timeless romances to fantasy adventures and science-fiction epics, filmmakers are turning to beloved books for some of the year’s most anticipated releases. Here’s a look at the major adaptations arriving in 2026.

The Dog Stars

Set in a world devastated by a deadly pandemic, The Dog Stars follows Hig, a pilot trying to survive among violent scavengers known as Reapers. Still mourning the loss of his wife, he sets out on a journey that rekindles hope in an otherwise bleak future.

Director: Ridley Scott
Stars: Margaret Qualley, Jacob Elordi, Josh Brolin
Based on: The Dog Stars by Peter Heller
In theatres: August 28, 2026

Sense and Sensibility

Jane Austen’s beloved novel returns to the screen in a fresh adaptation that follows the Dashwood sisters as they navigate love, loss and societal expectations. Daisy Edgar-Jones and Bodhi Rae Breathnach lead the cast.

Director: Georgia Oakley
Stars: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Bodhi Rae Breathnach, Caitríona Balfe
Based on: Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
In theatres: September 11, 2026

Practical Magic 2

The Owens family reunites as generations of witches attempt to end a centuries-old curse that has denied them lasting love. Their journey forces them to confront hidden truths and make difficult sacrifices.

Director: Susanne Bier
Stars: Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Stockard Channing
Based on: The Book of Magic by Alice Hoffman
In theatres: September 18, 2026

Verity

Writer Lowen Ashleigh is hired to complete a bestselling author’s unfinished work after a tragic accident leaves Verity Crawford unable to write. As Lowen settles into the family’s home, she uncovers chilling secrets that blur the line between fiction and reality.

Director: Michael Showalter
Stars: Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, Josh Hartnett
Based on: Verity by Colleen Hoover
In theatres: October 2, 2026

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

Returning to Panem, this prequel unfolds during the 50th Hunger Games, also known as the Second Quarter Quell, revealing a pivotal chapter in the franchise’s history decades before Katniss Everdeen’s story begins.

Director: Francis Lawrence
Stars: Joseph Zada, Ralph Fiennes, Mckenna Grace
Based on: Sunrise on the Reaping by Suzanne Collins
In theatres: November 20, 2026

Narnia: The Magician’s Nephew

Greta Gerwig adapts C.S. Lewis’ classic novel, exploring the magical origins of Narnia and the extraordinary events that laid the foundation for the cherished fantasy series.

Director: Greta Gerwig
Stars: Beatrice Campbell, Meryl Streep, Carey Mulligan
Based on: The Magician’s Nephew from The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
In theatres: November 26, 2026

Dune: Part Three

Paul Atreides must face the consequences of becoming Emperor as political conspiracies and a galaxy-spanning holy war threaten the future he has foreseen. The film adapts Frank Herbert’s Dune Messiah.

Director: Denis Villeneuve
Stars: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Jason Momoa
Based on: Dune Messiah by Frank Herbert
In theatres: December 18, 2026