Everybody knows that the book is almost always better than any movie adaptation, and history offers few rare exceptions, but that’s an article for another day. Reading a book before its movie release immediately gives a person an air of intellectual pretentiousness they can carry forever, but more importantly, it makes the viewing experience far more engaging. It allows the audience to grasp the delicate synthesis between a director’s vision and the author’s original intent: what was kept, emphasised, or altered entirely. Movie adaptations, fan-fic-like spins, and directorial choices form a distinct art of their own that, when executed well, breathes new life into a story for both readers and non-readers to enjoy, appreciate, and even find inspiration in. However, that conclusion can only be reached by first immersing oneself in the deckled pages, hardback covers, and the world as the author originally intended.
Here are four books you’ll want to pick up before their movie adaptations hit the screen!
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley was merely 18 years old when she wrote Frankenstein, the gothic novel first published in 1818. However, the edition most widely read today is the 1832 version, which she revised in her 30s, much later in life. Her novel, a cornerstone of science fiction, follows Victor Frankenstein, a young scientist whose attempt to create life sets off tragic consequences that endanger everything he holds dear. A profound philosophical tale that explores ambition, isolation, and a deep and relatable yearning for belonging. Arguably one of the English Romanticism’s greatest works of prose fiction, inspiring numerous movie adaptations, the latest released in theatres on October 30th this year.
If any director was going to take on this project, Mexican filmmaker and author Guillermo del Toro is the right man for the job. He is well known for his works in horror and fiction. Some of his notable displays of creativity include “The Shape of Water”, “Pan’s Labyrinth”, and “Crimson Peak”, to name a few. The casting of this movie has the pop-culture world in an excited frenzy due to the talented actors and actresses who will bring life to our Netflix screens with this upcoming release. Jacob Elordi, a rising actor in the industry, best known for his intense portrayals of morally complex characters such as Nate Jacobs in Euphoria and Elvis Presley in Priscilla. Mia Goth notably known for her roles as Maxine Minx and Pearl, and Oscar Issac, playing Victor Frankenstein, coming off the Dune Series, are all starring in this movie, and the range of raw talent and skill of this cast should be enough to move this book up on anyone’s TBR (to be read) list.
Hamnet by Maggie O’Farrell
Maggie O’Farrell’s award-winning novel Hamnet reimagines the life of William Shakespeare’s family in 16th-century Stratford, as they grapple with the loss of their son, brother, and friend. Shifting perspectives reveal how grief, identity, and mourning shape each family member in profoundly different ways, creating a layered portrait of loss. O’Farrell’s lyrical prose and purposeful use of repetition suspend time for the reader, making the story feel both intimate and timeless—a quality that makes it an ideal candidate for the big screen.
The historical drama adaptation is directed by Chloé Zhao, the Chinese filmmaker, screenwriter, and producer best known for Nomadland. That film, which follows Fern (Frances McDormand) as she embarks on a road-bound life after an economic collapse in rural Nevada, earned Zhao critical acclaim and made her one of only three women ever to win Best Director at the Golden Globes. For this project, Zhao is joined by author Maggie O’Farrell, who co-wrote the screenplay, blending her lyrical storytelling with Zhao’s cinematic vision. The film stars Paul Mescal as William Shakespeare and Jessie Buckley as his wife, Agnes—two talents well-suited to carry the emotional weight of this intimate story. Inspired by the real-life death of Shakespeare’s young son, Hamnet is set to release on November 27, with a runtime of 2 hours and 5 minutes.
The Odyssey by Homer
The Odyssey is one of the oldest surviving works of Western literature and remains a cornerstone of higher education curricula. The epic follows Odysseus on his 10-year journey home after the Trojan War, while also weaving in the struggles of his son, Telemachus, and his wife, Penelope. Penelope, a grieving wife, faces relentless pressure from suitors to remarry and accept that her husband is gone. Meanwhile, Telemachus is forced to step into his father’s role too soon, confronting both literal and metaphorical monsters in his quest to protect his mother and search for Odysseus. At its heart, the story is about grief: Odysseus loses his men, Penelope loses her husband, and Telemachus loses his father. With such an ancient text, much of today’s discourse centers on which translation best captures its essence, with a few modern contenders leading the debate: Robert Fitzgerald, Robert Fagles, Simon Armitage, and the first female translator of the Greek works, Emily Wilson.
British filmmaker Christopher Nolan seems to be the only director that avid movie-watchers trust with this massive project. A story this old and beloved by the masses needs precision, and a cinematic effect that takes its sweet time with this classic and perfects each character. Nolan is known for performing well with massive films like Interstellar, Oppenheimer, Insomnia, and Tenet. The movie adaptation‘s stacked cast is full of fan favourites like Tom Holland, Matt Damon, Zendaya, and Robert Pattinson, to name a few. It is not crazy to believe this move might break the movie theatres, but hopefully, readers are breaking the spine of their copy of Homer’s epic before the July 17th, 2026, release date.
Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë
Wuthering Heights is a famous twisted revenge tale written by English author Emily Brontë in 1847 under the pen name “Ellis Bell”. Brontë is argued to be the strongest writer out of her two similarly well-regarded sisters, Charlotte and Anne, and Wuthering Heights is her best work. The story follows Catherine and Heathcliffe, who examine a toxic, destructive kind of love between these two characters from different social classes, through the perspective of a housemaid, Nelly Dean.
Set against the cold, desolate backdrop of northern England, the novel unfolds with a stark portrayal of human nature, its haunting prose steeped in dark desires and tortured emotions. The characters’ unlikability, coupled with the gothic melancholy that permeates every page, has cemented the book as a favourite winter read for many. Long debated as either a romance or a tragedy, this latest film adaptation—directed by Emerald Fennell—chooses its stance on the question by premiering on Valentine’s Day.
The film adaptation of Wuthering Heights has yet to have a true-text movie adaptation. Emerald Fenell is a writer, director, and producer who has worked on period dramas: Anna Karenina (2012), The Danish Girl (2015), and Vita and Virginia (2018). So, taking on the dull colours of Yorkshire Moor and the antiquated language of the 1800’s won’t be out of the ordinary for this established director.
The casting choice of this film sparked online discourse given that Heathcliff (Jacob Elordi) is canonically described as a person of colour, a detail that deeply shapes his perspective and social position within the novel. Starring opposite the Australian native of Basque descent is Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw. These two high profile leads in addition to BRAT summer artist, Charli XCX haunting the trailer with her vocals has created an atmospheric edge that has generated widespread buzz, sparking conversations not only about the film’s interpretation but also inspiring many to finally dust off the classic from their shelves or borrow it from local libraries in anticipation.
