6 Highly Anticipated Book Adaptations Coming in 2026

From a forensic thriller series to a sci-fi epic, these upcoming TV shows and movies based on books are must-see events.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Many fantastic books will become movies and TV series in 2026, and these six adaptations are ones that you cannot miss. Hollywood has always loved mining novels for stories that work well on the big and small screens. Several fan-favorite books, such as Swan's Song by Robert McCammon and Fourth Wing by Rebecca Yarros, have on-screen adaptations in the works, but these six TV shows and movies based on books coming out in 2026 will bring entertaining stories to life with the help of impressive casts and creative teams.

Why it matters

Book-to-screen adaptations allow beloved stories to reach wider audiences and often introduce new readers to the source material. These upcoming adaptations span various genres, from forensic thrillers and character-driven dramas to epic sci-fi and classic literature, showcasing the diversity and enduring appeal of literary works.

The details

The six book adaptations include the forensic thriller series Scarpetta on Prime Video, the character-driven drama Remarkably Bright Creatures on Netflix, the sci-fi epic Project Hail Mary in theaters, the classic epic poem The Odyssey from director Christopher Nolan, the psychological thriller Imperfect Women on Apple TV+, and the thriller miniseries Cape Fear on Apple TV+. These projects feature impressive casts, acclaimed directors, and the potential to captivate audiences with their faithful interpretations of the source material.

  • The Scarpetta series received a two-season order to start.
  • Remarkably Bright Creatures will be released as a Netflix movie in 2026.
  • Project Hail Mary is slated for a 2026 theatrical release in various premium formats.
  • Christopher Nolan's The Odyssey is expected to premiere in 2026.
  • Imperfect Women and Cape Fear are both scheduled to debut on Apple TV+ in 2026.

The players

Waymo

An American autonomous driving company and is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.

Walker Reed Quinn

A 45-year-old San Francisco resident who has a history of vandalism and was out on bail for prior cases related to Waymo vehicles.

Rainbow Grocery Cooperative

A local food natural foods grocery store, organized as an employee-owned co-op and born out of a 1970s grassroots natural food movement calling for access to nutritious and organic food.

Gordon Edgar

A 31-year employee who oversees Rainbow's cheese counter.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.