Books have been getting adapted into movies since the early days of film, and 2019 is no exception. Here are some of the biggest adaptations you can expect to hit the big screen this year. I’ll be back for adaptations coming to TV in a separate post.
Please note that release dates for these adaptations may be subject to change.
Little Women
Louisa May Alcott’s classic novel about the March sisters has no shortage of adaptations–each with an impressive cast. So what’s exciting about this one. For one thing, it’s director Greta Gerwig’s follow-up to Lady Bird. For another, she’s outdone herself with the cast: Meryl Streep, Emma Watson, Saoirse Ronan, Timothée Chalamet, Laura Dern, Bob Odenkirk, and Chris Cooper. (December 25)
The Goldfinch
Donna Tart’s novel about Theo Decker’s coming of age after his mother’s sudden death during a terrorist attack (during which Theo steals the titular painting) won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction. I DNF’ed it. Curiously, whenever this book comes up I hear people say “Oh, I love The Secret History” or “The Little Friend is one of my favorite books.” Everyone loves Donna Tartt’s other books, so where does the passion for this one come from? I’m waiting for a trailer to fully judge, but I’ll probably go see this regardless. (October 11)
Where’d You Go, Bernadette
I was only halfway a fan of Maria Semple’s quirky comic novel about a frazzled woman who disappears before a family trip to Antarctica. On the one hand, Semple has great comedic timing. On the other, her books feel soaked in ridiculous amounts of white privilege. Bernadette can afford to be a daffy eccentric, and indeed she’s admired for it, because she’s white and rich. It’s the same reason I called It’s Complicated a garbage movie. But I definitely want to see this movie. Why? Two words: Cate Blanchett. (March 22)
The Woman in the Window
You may remember this book because it was one of my least favorite reads from 2018, yet I’m still curious about this movie. Why? Because it stars Amy Adams, and I can’t recall her doing a thriller of this sort in her career. That’s enough to pique my interest, although I’m going to reserve most of my judgment for when a trailer is released. (October 4)
Greyhound/The Good Shepherd
I have not read this book, but since it stars Tom Hanks as a naval commander leading a convoy on a perilous journey across the Atlantic during WWII, you can count me in. The movie will be titled Greyhound to avoid confusion with the 2006 film called The Good Shepherd, which is unrelated. (March 22)
The Best of Enemies
Taraji P. Henson in full Hidden Figures mode starring in a movie about a Civil Rights activist fighting to end segregation in the south? With Sam Rockwell as the local KKK president in her way? Sure, there’s room for this to suffer from the same problems that have plagued Green Book, but in the meantime, where do I buy my ticket? (April 5)
The Art of Racing in the Rain
This novel, told from a dog’s point of view, was a runaway bestseller when it was released. I haven’t read it, but it will be interesting to see how they handle the dog’s perspective or if they abandon that approach. (September 27)
Pet Sematary
This isn’t one of my favorite King books, but I love the idea of it getting the creepy adaptation it deserves in the wake of the It movies. Plus, any movie with John Lithgow has great casting. (April 21)
It: Chapter Two
Speaking of Stephen King, the second volume of It hits theaters this year. I didn’t love the first part but I really liked the cast and the tone it adopted, so I’m looking forward to seeing the final showdown between Pennywise and the now-grown kids. (September 6)
The Aftermath
Keira Knightley and Alexander Skarsgård star in a period drama set in post-WWII Germany. Knightley plays a woman whose husband leaves her to share a house with the previous owner (played by Skarsgård), a German widower waiting to be relocated. A complicated web of love and betrayal ensues. (April 26)
Supposedly Fun 