We all know that the book is the cake to the movie’s dry bread, the bottom of the iceberg, the gourmet chateaubriand to the fast food burger. But how can we disparage a film’s desperate attempt to faithfully replicate the intricacies of a good book if we haven’t read it yet?
These are the films due out this year that are based on books; take note, go out and buy them, read them and then spend the entire film moaning about how badly they’ve got every single thing wrong.
The 5th Wave
16-year-old Cassie Sullivan is one of the few people left alive and now facing The 5th Wave she must fight to stay alive and save her little brother from The Others.
The 5th Wave US
The 5th Wave UK
Release Date January 22nd
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies.
Jane Austen’s classic novel is given a fun makeover by Seth Grahame-Smith. A kick ass heroine and a plethora of zombies makes for a not to be missed movie adaptation.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies US
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies UK
Release date February 5th
Me Before You.
Louisa has lost her job and thinks she’s falling out of love, Will Traynor has lost his independence after an accident left his quadriplegic. Will this film be able to the book justice?
Me Before You US
Me Before You UK
Release date March 4th
Through the Looking-Glass.
I cannot wait for this one. Johnny Depp reprises his role as The Mad Hatter in Lewis Carroll’s sequel to Alice in Wonderland.
Through the Looking-Glass US
Through the Looking-Glass UK
Release date May 27th
The BFG.
Another of Roald Dahl’s books gets the Hollywood treatment.
Release date July 1st
The Girl on the Train.
This book drove me scatty; I wanted to throttle the protagonist, in fact I could have happily strangled the entire character list; but the writing was utterly brilliant. Will the film makers be able to keep that brilliance when adapting this wonderful book.
The Girl on the Train US The Girl on the Train UK
Release date October 7th
A Monster Calls.
Conor has the same dream every night, ever since his mother first fell ill, ever since she started the treatments that don’t quite seem to be working. But tonight is different. Tonight, when he wakes, there’s a visitor at his window. It’s ancient, elemental, a force of nature. And it wants the most dangerous thing of all from Conor. It wants the truth. A story made into a book made into a film.
A Monster Calls US A Monster Calls UK
Release Date October 4th
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children.
Sixteen-year-old Jacob journeys to a remote island after a family tragedy and discovers the ruins of Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children. As he explores the hallways of the building, he realizes the children were more than just peculiar — they may have been dangerous, and possibly still alive.
Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children US Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children UK
Release date December 25th
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.
A must watch for all Harry Potter fans, Fantastic Beasts is written by J.K. Rowling. It is the adventures of writer Newt Scamander in New York’s secret community of witches and wizards 70 years before Harry Potter’s birth.
Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them US Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them UK
Release date November 18th
I think there’s over fifteen hours worth of disappointment there. No, let’s give the film makers the benefit of the doubt and hope that these films really do showcase the books they are based on and prove to be exceptions. Every single one of them.
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