Looking for a good movie to watch in theatres this fall? What better way to decide than off the book that the movies are based?
Granted that book-to-film adaptations don’t always work out as well for book fans. So often we hear “Well, the book was much better”. And yet on occasion a film can be effective by differing from the book, like The Shining, sometimes they can be a solid straight-forward take on the book like Gone Girl, and on the rare occasion a film surpass the quality of the book, like Forrest Gump.
So given the potential success of these adaptations, we thought it would be a good time to check out the upcoming book-to-movie features coming in 2016. There are potential blockbusters, small indies and some Oscar contenders to check out. See which of your favourite books are heading to the big screen and which books you should check out before they become the talked-about films of the Fall.
Blood Father
The book- Written by Peter Craig; Published 2005
The movie- Directed by Jean-Francois Richet; Starring Mel Gibson, Erin Moriarty, Diego Luna; In theatres August 12
Peter Craig’s thriller may be the least known books of the bunch and the movie after which it is based will likely not be as high-profile as some of the others on this list. Yet the novel received considerable praise for its pulpy read and the movie looks to be a fun late summer thriller. The story falls a young woman being chased by the mistakes of her past and her troubled ex-convict father who comes to her rescue. The movie is being touted as a comeback vehicle for Mel Gibson and it looks like the role of a grizzled family man could be a winner for him.
The Light Between Oceans
The Book- Written by M.L Stedman; Published March 2012
The Movie- Directed by Derek Cianfrance; Starring Michael Fassbender, Alicia Vikander, Rachel Weisz; In theatres September 2
Stedman’s debut novel was met with extremely positive reviews upon its release and the Australian war fiction has attracted an impressive group of talent for its film adaptation. The film’s writer-director has only made two films to date (Blue Valentine and The Place Beyond the Pines) but both were widely acclaimed. The cast also boasts quite a pedigree with Weisz and Vikander both Oscar winners. The story follows a young married couple living in the post-war who raise an abandoned child as their own, only for the child’s real mother appear years later.
The Queen of Katwe
The book- Written by Tim Crothers; Published 2012
The movie- Directed by Mira Nair; Starring Madina Nalwanga, Lupita Nyong’o, David Oyelowo; In theatres September 23
This novel was actually based on the incredible true story of Phiona Mutesi, a poor girl living in the slums of Uganda who found to have an unexpected skill at chess and went on to become a chess champion. It’s not hard to see why such an inspiring tale would be given the big screen treatment. Hopefully with such a mammoth studio like Disney backing it, this will be a movie seen by millions.
Miss Peregrine’s Home For Peculiar Children
The book- Written by Ranson Riggs; Published June 2011
The movie- Directed by Tim Burton; Starring Eva Green. Samuel L. Jackson, Judi Dench; In theatres September 30
Looking for something a bit more on the fantasy side? This could very well do the trick. Riggs’ debut novel told its story of a mysterious orphanage for outcasts through photographs. The film will take a more traditional narrative. But with director Tim Burton at the helm, the man behind Edward Scissorhands and Beetlejuice, it will certainly be a visual compelling movie.
The Girl on the Train
The Book- Written by Paula Hawkins; Published February 2016
The Movie- Directed by Tate Taylor; Starring Emily Blunt, Rebecca Ferguson, Justin Theroux; In theatres October 7
Hawkins’ mystery novel was the must-read book this year. Similar to Gone Girl, this page-turner became so popular it didn’t take long for it to get the big-screen treatment. The mystery follows Rachel Watson, a woman struggling with life after a painful divorce. Everyday Rachel takes the train into town passing by the same perfect house and seeing the same perfect couple enjoying their perfect marriage, until one day she sees something she wasn’t supposed to see. Expect people to be talking about this one in the fall.
Inferno
The book- Written by Dan Brown; Published May 2013
The movie- Directed by Ron Howard; Starring Tom Hanks, Felicity Jones, Irrfan Khan; In theatres October 14
This is the fourth entry in Brown’s extremely popular Robert Langdon series and the third of the series to be adapted to film. Ron Howard and Tom Hanks previously collaborated on the adaptations of The Da Vinci Code and Angels & Demons. While those films were met with mixed reactions, the third film, which follows Langdon’s attempt to stop a plot of global apocalypse, looks to be a much bigger film.
A Monster Calls
The book- Written by Parick Ness; Published May 2011
The movie- Directed by J.A Bayona; Starring Liam Neeson, Felicity Jones, Sigourney Weaver; In theatres October 21
This award-winning children’s book has a very powerful story behind its conception. The plot cconcerns a young boy who is trying to cope with his mother’s terminal illness who begins to be visited each night by a kindly monster. While Ness is the author of the book, it is credited as the original idea of Siobhan Dowd, who herself died on cancer before being able to write the book. Now her story is getting the chance to live on in film as well, with Liam Neeson perfectly cast as the titular monster.
The Lost City of Z
The book- Written by David Grann; Published 2009
The movie- Directed by James Gray; Starring Charlie Hunnam, Robert Pattinson, Tom Holland; In theatres October 27
The story behind the Lost City of Z has been kicked around Hollywood quite a few years, and now with the help of Grann’s account, it will finally make it to theatres. It tells the true story of Percy Fawcett who led a famous search into the Amazon for a rumored lost city. The film looks to take a smaller scale look at the exhibition and what Fawcett risked in his journey.
Billy Lynn’s Long Halftime Walk
The book- Written by Ben Fountain; Published May 2012
The movie- Directed by Ang Lee; Starring Joe Alwyn, Steve Martin, Vin Diesel; In theatres November 11
Fountain’s Iraq war satire was met with several awards and high praise upon its release and the film looks to take home a few awards of its own. The story follows a young man returned home after a harrowing tour in Iraq and sent on a much publicized “Vicotry Tour”. The novel highlights the dramatic disconnect between the war at home and those fighting aboard. Director Ang Lee (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon and Brokeback Mountain) already has two Oscars under his belt and he looks to make his hat-trick with this film. This is definitely one to see in theatres.
Fantastic Beasts & Where to Find Them
The book- Written by JK Rowling; Published 2001
The movie- Directed by David Yates; Starring Eddie Redmayne, Katherine Waterston, Colin Farrell; In theatres November 18
The inclusion of the name JK Rowling should alone make this a must-see, and it is indeed her return to the world of magic. While not focused on Harry Potter, this story is within the same universe of the boy wizard and is a look at the magical creatures of the world. The film adaption features a solid cast and will be helmed by David Yates, the director of several of the Harry Potter films.
Silence
The book- Written by Shūsaku Endō; Published 1969
The movie- Directed by Martin Scorsese; Starring Andrew Garfeild, Adam Driver, Liam Neeson; In theatres December 22
This book-to-film adaptation is certainly the longest-gestating one of the list. The historical fiction from Japanese writer Endō has been a passion project of legendary director Martin Scorsese for decades. It tells the story of two Jesuit priests who face violence and persecution as they travel to Japan to find their mentor. Expect this one to be talked about come award season.
Which book-to-film adaptation are you most looking forward to?