Books Becoming Movies in 2025

The new year comes with the prospect of plenty of great new books and opportunities to see some of your favorite books receiving film adaptations. The hope is always that the stories that captured readers will also be able to captivate viewers. Whether you want to re-experience a favorite before it transitions from page to screen or read it for the first time in preparation, here are the books becoming movies or television shows in 2025.Bridget Jones: Mad About the BoyBy Helen FieldingBridget Jones: Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding is the fourth title in the series that is receiving a film adaptation. The film is based on the 2013 novel of the same name with both Renée Zellweger and Emma Thompson reprising their roles as well as Hugh Grant. The story follows Bridget navigating perils such as head lice epidemics, school-picnic humiliations, and the consequences of texting while drunk. Like previous books in the series, Mad About the Boy is full of witty observations, which will hopefully carry over to the movie. Bridget Jones: Made About the Boy will be released on 13 February 2025 by Peacock in the United States and on 14 February 2025 by Universal Pictures internationally.How to Train Your DragonBy Cressida CowellHow to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell already inspired the 2010 American animated fantasy film by DreamWorks Animation. The book features Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, son of the Chief of the Hairy Hooligans, who has to pass an important initiation test involving the catching and training of a dragon. Since Hiccup is a quiet and thoughtful young man his way of doing things is a little different from the rest of his Viking clan. The movie adaptation was followed by two sequels as well as a television series. The live-action remake, starring Mason Thames as Hiccup, Nico Parker as Astrid, and Gerard Butler as Stoick the Vast, is set to release on June 1,3 2025.  Animal FarmBy George OrwellAnimal Farm, the 1645 political satire novella by George Orwell has already received an animated film adaptation in 1954 as well as a live-action television version in 1999. However, both of these received criticism for taking significant liberties with the plot of the book. The story is about the oppressed animals on Mr. Jones’s farm taking over after a revolt against their human masters. The animals decide the run the farm themselves, but the egalitarian principles crumble as the pigs form a new dominion after being corrupted by power. A new animated fantasy comedy-drama film adaptation directed by Andy Serkis is set for release in 2025.Sword of DestinyBy Andrzej SapkowskiThe Witcher series by Andrzej Sapkowski has already inspired three hit video games as well as a Netflix show. Sword of Destiny is the follow-up to The Last Wish and features another collection of adventures starring Geralt the Witcher. One of the stories in this collection, titled “A Little Sacrifice” is receiving an animated film adaptation, titled The Witcher; Sirens of the Deep. The film is set for release on February 11, 2025, by Netflix and sees Doug Cockle, the voice of Geralt in the video games voicing the character. Joey Batey and Anya Chalotra from the live-action series will also be voicing their characters, Jaskier and Yennefer of Vengerberg, in the animated film.I Know What You Did Last SummerBy Lois Duncan-ArquetteI Know What You Did Last Summer by Lois Duncan-Arquette was first published in 1973 and received its first film adaptation in 1997. It is the story of four teens who become involved in a hit-and-run accident after a party. This results in the death of the person they hit, but the teens are unable to deal with the consequences and vow to never speak of the incident again. However, after receiving a note implying that someone knows about their terrible secret the teens find themselves hunted by a killer who is intent on exacting revenge. The 1997 movie received two sequels but will get a remake set to be released in 2025.   The Running ManBy Stephen KingThe Running Man is a 1982 novel by Stephen King, which was first published under the pseudonym of Richard Bachman. It is a dystopian thriller set in the year 2025 and stars a man named Ben Richards who is desperate to get the money needed to treat his daughter’s illness. His last hope is a game show called The Running Man where contestants have to survive a month-long chase by Hunters who have instructions to kill. The odds are brutal as the record for survival is a paltry eight days. The Running Man received a film adaptation in 1987 starring Arnold Schwarzenegger in the role of Richards. A new adaptation, starring Glen Powell, Josh Brolin, Michael Cera, and William H. Macy is scheduled for release on November 21, 2025. Klara and the SunBy Kazuo IshiguroKlara and the Sun by Kazuo Ishiguro is the tale of an Artificial Friend named Klara who was designed to ease the loneliness of those she lives with. While remaining hopeful that a customer will soon choose her, Klara uses her outstanding observational qualities to watch customers entering the shop where she’s located as well as the people passing by on the street outside. The film adaptation is directed by Taika Waititi and will star Jenna Ortega of Wednesday fame in the role of Klara. The movie will also feature Amy Adams, Simon Baker, Natasha Lyonne, and Davida McKenzie. The release date for Klara and the Sun is 2025 in the United States.