2016 is set to be a big year for book-to-film adaptations. Several highly anticipated novel-inspired projects, like Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Find Them and Girl on the Train, are scheduled to hit theaters over the coming months. Can’t decide which ones are worth checking out? Here are 12 books being made into movies this year.
1. the divergent series: allegiant, premiered on March 18
the third installment in the divergent franchise follows tris (shailene woodley) and four (theo james) on their journey beyond the wall that encloses chicago. for the first time, they leave the only city and family they have ever known to find a peaceful solution. but once outside, they learn shocking new truths that make old discoveries meaningless. As the merciless battle threatens humanity, Tris and Four must quickly decide who to trust to survive. Ansel Elgort, Naomi Watts, Mile Counter, Octavia Spencer and Jeff Daniels co-star.
You are reading: Books becoming movies in 2016
2. the jungle book, released on april 15
Disney’s live-action/CGI early release follows the story of an orphaned boy named Mowgli who is raised in the jungle by a pack of wolves, a bear named Baloo, and a black panther named Bagheera. Directed by Jon Favreau, the film stars newcomer Neel Sethi as Mowgli. It also features the voices of A-list stars including Bill Murray, Ben Kingsley, Idris Elba, Lupita Nyong’o, Scarlett Johansson, Giancarlo Esposito, and Christopher Walken.
3. a hologram for the king, released on april 22
Tom Hanks stars in this comedy-drama as Alan Clay, a desperate and failed American salesman who travels to Saudi Arabia to secure the contract from you for a massive new complex being built in the middle of the desert. Based on Dave Eggers’ 2012 novel of the same name, the adaptation also co-stars Tom Skerritt and Sarita Choudhury.
4. the bfg, released on July 1
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directed by steven spielberg, the upcoming fantasy adventure film, based on the novel by roald dahl, tells the story of sophie, who meets the great friendly giant. Despite her intimidating appearance, the BFG turns out to be a kind soul who is considered an outcast by the other giants because, unlike his peers, he refuses to eat boys and girls. Mark Rylance Stars as BFG, while Ruby Barnhill plays Sophie. Bill Hader, Penelope Winton, Rebecca Hall and Jermaine Clement also co-star.
5. mike and dave need dates for the wedding, released on july 8th
adam devine and zac efron co-star as real-life brothers mike and dave stangle, who post a craigslist ad for their wedding dates only for the ad to go viral. The two brothers recounted their experience with the ad and subsequent nationwide search in their 2015 book of the same name. Anna Kendrick and Aubrey Plaza will also star in the upcoming comedy.
6. the light between oceans, released on September 2
based on m.l. Stedman’s novel of the same name, the upcoming drama stars Michael Fassbender as lighthouse keeper Tom Sherbourne and Alicia Vikander as his wife Isabel, who are living off the coast of Western Australia when they find a girl washed up on the shore in a boat. lifeguard and decide to keep her for themselves. Rachel Weisz, Caren Pistorius, Florence Clery, Anthony Hayes, and Emily Barclay co-star in Light Adaptation Between Oceans.
7. the girl on the train, october 7th
Emily Blunt stars in the upcoming thriller, based on Paula Hawkins’ bestselling 2015 debut novel of the same name. The film stars Franca as Rachel Watson, a troubled alcoholic who is struggling to come to terms with the end of her marriage when she witnesses a murder and begins to realize that she may have been involved in the crime. Justin Theroux co-stars as her ex-husband Tom, while Rebecca Ferguson plays her new love interest Anna. Haley Bennett, Luke Evans and Lisa Kudrow also co-star in the film, which will be directed by Assistant Director Tate Taylor.
8. calls a monster, October 14
Based on the 2011 novel of the same name by patrick ness, the film will follow the story of conor, a boy who is struggling to cope with his mother’s terminal illness and is repeatedly visited in the middle of the night by a monster that tell stories. Lewis MacDougall will play Conor while Felicity Jones will play his mother. Meanwhile, Liam Neeson will co-star as the monster and Sigourney Weaver as Conor’s grandmother.
9. hell, october 28
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Directed by Ron Howard and based on Dan Brown’s 2013 novel of the same name, the upcoming suspense drama will see Tom Hanks reprising his role as symbology professor Robert Langdon. After waking up in a hospital room in Florence, Italy, with no recollection of what has transpired in the past few days, Langdon suddenly finds himself the target of a manhunt and must team up with Dr. Sienna Brooks (played by Felicity Jones) to try to escape while he solves the most intricate puzzle he has ever faced. Omar Sy, Ben Foster, Irrfan Khan, Sidse Babett Knudsen and Ana Ularu also co-star in Inferno.
10. fantastic beasts and where to find them, november 18
The long-awaited Harry Potter spin-off stars Oscar winner Eddie Redmayne as Newt Scamander, an eccentric English “magizoologist” who bounces around the world and travels to New York with his trusty briefcase full of magical creatures. when some of the creatures escape from the briefcase, he sends the American wizarding authorities after the merman, further threatening the already strained state of magical and non-magical relations. Katherine Waterston, Alison Sudol, Ezra Miller, Colin Farrell, Jon Voigt and Ron Perlman co-star in the adaptation, which was written by J.K. rowing herself.
11. the queen of katwe, september 30
The film, inspired by the book of the same name by tim crothers, follows the life of phiona mutesi, a Ugandan teenage chess prodigy who becomes a master candidate after her performances at the world chess olympics. David Oielowo will play the man who is Fiona’s mentor, while Lupita Nyong’o will play her mother. charity rose pimer will play phiona herself. the film is expected to be released sometime this fall.
12. silence, december 23rd
Martin Scorsese’s next project is based on Shūsaku Endō’s 1966 novel of the same name. The historical drama flick will follow two Jesuit Portuguese priests, who face violent persecution when they travel to Japan to seek out their mentor and spread the teachings of Christianity. Andrew Garfield will star as Father Sebastiao Rodrigues in the film, while Adam Driver and Liam Neeson will play Father Franchisco Garrpe and Father Cristovao Ferreira, respectively.