What's New and Coming Soon in Book-to-Screen

Including 'The Spiderwick Chronicles', 'It Ends With Us', 'House of the Dragon', 'Lady of the Lake', and more

There's a lot going on in the book-to-screen world right now. We're excited to watch, but first we want to read (or reread), because, as we all know, the book is (almost) always better. Here are sixteen of the books that inspired the latest, greatest adaptations. Order your copy of the source material so you can read before you watch.

The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black

Streaming now on the Roku Channel

This middle-grade fantasy series follows the Grace family who move into their ancestral home. While exploring the ramshackle old mansion, the Grace children, Mallory and twins, Jared and Simon, discover a magical—and maybe dangerous—faerie world existing parallel to our own. The series stars Christian Slater, Joy Bryant, and Noah Cottrell.

Dissolution: A Matthew Shardlake Mystery by C. J. Sansom

Shardlake is streaming now on Hulu

This historical mystery novel, the first in a series, serves as the inspiration for a new four-part drama series. It's 16th-century London and lawyer Matthew Shardlake (Arthur Hughes) and Jack Barack (Anthony Boyle) race to uncover the truth behind a horrific murder. They are assigned to the task by none other than Thomas Cromwell (Sean Bean), right-hand man to Henry VIII.

Romancing Mr. Bridgerton by Julia Quinn

Streaming now on Netflix

It's the fourth novel in the saucy Bridgertons series that serves as the inspiration for season three of sizzling adaptation from Shonda Rhimes. Each Regency-set romance focuses on one of eight close-knit siblings from one family in London's high society. This one, starring Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton, features the love story between Colin Bridgerton and Penelope Featherington.

Thelma the Unicorn by Aaron Blabey

Streaming now on Netflix

Thelma is an ordinary little horse who dreams of being a unicorn. Then in a pink and glitter-filled moment of fate, Thelma's wish comes true—but at an unexpected cost. In this animated adaptation, written by Jared and Jerusha Hess (Napoleon Dynamite), Thelma (voiced by the great Brittany Howard) aspires to be a famous singer. Also featuring Will Forte, Jon Heder, and Jemaine Clement.

Garfield by Jim Davis

In theaters now

In this new animated adaptation, the world-famous, Monday-hating, lasagna-loving indoor cat (voiced by Chris Pratt) is about to have a wild outdoor adventure. After an unexpected reunion with his long-lost father, a scruffy street cat called Vic (Samuel L. Jackson), Garfield and his canine friend Odie are forced from their perfectly pampered life into a hilarious, high-stakes heist.

The Young Woman and the Sea by Glenn Stout

In theaters now

By age twenty, at the height of the Jazz Age, Trudy Ederle was the most accomplished swimmer in the world. She'd won Olympic gold and set a host of world records. But the greatest challenge remained: the English Channel. Daisy Ridley stars in the adaptation of this exhilarating true story about the first woman to swim the English Channel.

Robot Dreams by Sara Varon

In theaters now

This whimsical, nearly wordless graphic novel tells the story of a dog and robot who become friends. After a trip to the beach leaves the robot rusted and immobilized in the sand, the dog must return alone to the life they shared as both cling to their memories and the hope that they will be reunited. The much-lauded adaptation received an Oscar-nomination for Best Animated Film.

The Boys by Garth Ennis

Season four of The Boys is streaming on Prime Video now

Billy Butcher, Wee Hughie, Mother's Milk, The Frenchman, and The Female are The Boys: A CIA-backed team of very dangerous people dedicated to the struggle against the most dangerous force on Earth—superpower. When superheroes go bad, that's when you call in The Boys. The gory campy series stars Karl Urban, Jack Quaid, Antony Starr, and Erin Moriarty.

Treasure by Lily Brett

In theaters now

Journalist Ruth Rothwax finds order and meaning in the words she writes for other people, but she can't find words to understand the loss her family experienced during World War II. Returning to Poland with her father, Edek, she tries to make sense of her family's past in hopes of confronting her own future. The moving film stars Lena Dunham and Stephen Fry.

Fire & Blood by George R. R. Martin

Season two of House of the Dragon is now streaming on HBO

Centuries before the events of A Game of Thrones, House Targaryen—the only family of dragonlords to survive the Doom of Valyria—took up residence on Dragonstone. Their tale begins with the legendary Aegon the Conqueror, creator of the Iron Throne. Read more about the bloody HBO series dramatizing the brutal civil war that threatens to tear their dynasty apart.

Queen's Gambit by Elizabeth Freemantle

In theaters now

Not to be confused with Walter Tevis's novel about a pill-popping orphan who becomes a chess prodigy, this historical drama imagines the story of the sixth wife of the dangerously powerful Henry VIII. Widowed for the second time at age thirty-one, Katherine Parr hopes at last to marry for love. Instead, she receives a royal proposal she can't refuse. The film stars Alicia Vikander and Jude Law.

The Bikeriders by Danny Lyon

Coming to theaters June 21

First published in 1968, this slight volume explores firsthand the stories and personalities of the Chicago Outlaws Motorcycle Club. With original black-and-white photographs, the book features interviews, made from 1963 to 1967, when Lyon was a member of the Outlaws gang. Jodie Comer, Austin Butler, and Tom Hardy star in a film inspired by his account.

The Search for WondLa by Tony DiTerlizzi

WondLa comes to Apple TV+ on  June 28

Eva Nine was raised in an underground sanctuary by the robot Muthr. When her home is invaded, the twelve-year-old girl is forced to flee aboveground. Searching for others like her, Eva faces dangers and adventures she's never even imagined. Can she find where she belongs? The animated series stars Jeanine Mason, Teri Hatcher, and Brad Garrett.

Lady in the Lake by Laura Lippman

Debuts on Apple TV+  July 19

1960s Baltimore: Maddie is a middle-aged-housewife turned aspiring reporter determined to make her mark. When she pursues the murder of a young Black woman, her investigation brings her into contact with a world that used to be on the periphery of her life. Combining modern psychological insights with elements of classic noir, the series adaptation of the gripping novel stars Natalie Portman.

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

Coming to theaters August 2

One evening Harold takes a walk in the moonlight. Armed only with an oversize purple crayon, young Harold draws himself a landscape full of wonder and excitement. Full of funny twists and surprises, this enduring storybook celebrates the power of imagination. The live-action adaptation of the beloved classic stars Zachary Levi, Zooey Deschanel, and Lil Rel Howery.

It Ends With Us by Colleen Hoover

Coming to theaters August 9

Lily has had to work hard to get where she is. When she meets Ryle, a gorgeous neurosurgeon, it seems too good to be true. But Ryle isn't the easiest person to love and questions about her relationship start to creep in. When her first love suddenly reappears in her life, everything she has built with Ryle is threatened. The much-anticipated film stars Blake Lively and Jenny Slate.

Most Anticipated

Here are a few of the most exciting upcoming adaptations we've got on our radar.

• Uglies by Scott Westerfeld—An upcoming Netflix film adaptation will star Joey King
• The Perfect Couple by Elin Hilderbrand—An upcoming Netflix series will star Nicole Kidman, Liev Schreiber, Dakota Fanning, and Eve Hewson.
• Out of My Mind by Sharon Draper—The film premiered earlier this year at Sundance and will be coming to Disney + later this year.
• Trust by Hernan Diaz—The Pulitzer Prize-winning novel will be adapted into an HBO series starring Kate Winslet.
• Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch by Gregory Maguire—The long-anticipated film starring Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande is slated for theater release in November.

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Read more by Ashly Moore Sheldon