There have been multiple successful page-to-screen adaptations over the years, ranging from teen media like "Harry Potter" and "The Hunger Games" to classics such as "Pride and Prejudice" and "Little Women." But, what about the books and series out there that have not been adapted yet, or are in need of a new adaptation? Here are seven of my top picks for books in need of an adaptation.
A Court of Thorns and Roses (ACOTAR)
This best-selling adult fantasy series by Sarah J. Maas begins as a loose retelling of the classic fairy tale, "Beauty and the Beast." It follows Feyre, a human girl who lives near a faerie kingdom, as she is taken prisoner by a faerie, Tamlin. She soon finds herself falling in love with him, and drama ensues. However, there is also an evil enchantress and corrupt faerie king she must deal with before time runs out.
Maas' intricate world-building makes this a prime candidate for being developed into a film. Feyre's character arc through the series, as well as her complicated love life, would also be extremely interesting to see portrayed in a visual medium.
A television series adaptation was initially announced in March 2021. However, as of February 2025, the adaptation has been scrapped and the future of an "ACOTAR" adaptation remains floating in limbo.
Woman, Eating
"Woman, Eating" is a literary, vampire-gothic novel by Claire Kohda. It follows Lydia, who struggles with her existence as a young vampire, her deep desire to live among humans and her unending hunger. Over the course of the novel, readers learn more about Lydia's past and how that affects her present and future while also finding themselves empathizing with this mythical creature.
Kohda's novel is a literary masterpiece providing many deep conversations on identity, belonging and dealing with an aging parent. It is for this reason that a television or limited series adaptation would be a great idea. I can also see a television adaptation doing remarkably well at awards shows for both the actress that would portray Lydia and the writing team if an adaptation were to happen.
The Vaster Wilds
This historical, survival narrative by Lauren Groff is set around the time of the tragic Jamestown colony in the early 1600s. It follows a young girl who makes her way from the crumbling civilization through a dangerous new world while struggling with survival. The narrative frequently includes flashbacks to the girl's time in Europe, on the ship to the "New World," and what pushed her to flee Jamestown.
The dense and sophisticated subject matter of this story is only amplified by Groff's masterful storytelling. There are many instances of beautiful imagery in the novel, which I believe would make this film stand along the ranks of "Life of Pi" and "The Revenant," as well as potentially give a film adaptation the title of a cinematic masterpiece that demands to be seen in theaters.
Red Queen
Victoria Aveyard's "Red Queen" is a young-adult, dystopian-fantasy series that takes place in a world divided by blood. The red-blooded inhabitants of this world live in poverty as they are ruled by the silver-blooded royalty who also possess unique magical abilities. The protagonist, Mare, learns in the beginning of the series that while she is red-blooded, she possesses a unique superpower unlike any others that soon comes to rival those of the Silvers.
Like Maas' "ACOTAR," this series has remarkable world-building of a fantasy world mixed with a dystopian Earth. Easily, I believe this series could be made into a multiple-season television series, as there are four main books in the series that could be adapted.
A television adaptation is in the very early stages of development as of April 2025, and the series is set to premiere on Universal's streaming service, Peacock.
The Institute
This science-fiction horror novel, one of Stephen King's most recent, follows a twelve-year-old genius, Luke, who is taken captive in the middle of the night. He then wakes up in The Institute, a place that houses and experiments on dozens of children who possess telekinetic and telepathic abilities. Luke, along with a group of new friends, plot their escape as more and more of their fellow prisoners begin disappearing.
King's "The Institute" is elaborately rich in science-fiction action and story, making this novel a prime candidate for a screen adaptation. But, would an adaptation be able to elevate the novel to fame much like King's other works?
Eleanor Oliphant is Completely Fine
Gail Honeyman introduces audiences to Eleanor Oliphant, a woman with a traumatic past who often does not find herself fitting in with society. Over the course of the novel, audiences are also introduced to Eleanor's fascination and feelings for a singer, while also witnessing her destructive tendencies and learning more about her past.
This novel has a remarkable twist towards the end, which makes readers re-question the way they read the book. This unique characteristic, I believe, would make this novel a beautiful film, were it to be made into one. Plus, with the titular Eleanor being such a remarkable character, I feel like this would be a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for an up-and-coming actor to make their mark.
Film rights for an adaptation were acquired by Reese Witherspoon's company, Hello Sunshine, though a film has yet to be officially announced.
Beautiful Creatures (The Caster Chronicles)
This fantasy-romance teen series, written by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl, provides a new take on witches. It is mostly told from the perspective of Ethan Wate, a resident of a small town in South Carolina, who falls for the mysterious new girl, Lena, who just so happens to be a part of the mysterious outsider family in town. Ethan learns that Lena is a "caster," or someone who can work magic, though she is also struggling with a familial curse that could be the biggest decision of her life in the best and worst ways.
Some might remember that a film adaptation was released on Valentines Day in 2013. However, because the film was a box-office bomb, a sequel was never made. A television series may be the way to go, to reintroduce the massive fictional universe to general audiences with a new cast and script. There is much to unpack over the four novels in the series that I believe would make this a fantastic new adaptation.
Adaptations of books date back several decades, and can sometimes be great way for studios to make some money. These seven books and series could make remarkably successful jumps from page to screen, but will studios want to take those risks? Only time will tell.
