From Pride and Prejudice to The Godfather, the film industry has a long history of turning novels into movies. And the trend continues apace – this year, there are a number of book adaptations coming to the big screen at Cineworld, or already showing, ranging from classic fairytales to autobiographical adventures.
With World Book Day falling on 6 March, we thought we’d round up the best ones, to help you fill your diary…
Dog Man (showing now)
Ask any child between the ages of about 9 and 14 what their favourite reading matter is, and we guarantee that a fair few of them will say the Dog Man series. Well, Dav Pikey’s uber-popular graphic novels have now been turned into an action-comedy movie directed by Peter Hastings (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles) and featuring the voice talents of Peter Davidson, Isla Fisher and Ricky Gervais.
Still showing at Cineworld at the time of publication, Dog Man is a suitably raucous romp that’s had kids – and even some parents – barking with joy.
The Monkey (showing now)
A cymbal-banging monkey toy becomes the emblem of violent death in this darkly comic Stephen King adaptation from director Osgood Perkins (Longlegs).
The Monkey hails from King's 1985 collection Skeleton Crew and is now given an irreverent twist. Theo James stars in a dual role as brothers Hal and Bill who must reckon with the demonic toy after it caused tragedy in their family.
Expect all manner of jaw-dropping, splattery deaths in this horror onslaught that proves death really is coming for us all.
Mickey 17 (showing now)
Such was the allure of Edward Ashton’s 2022 sci-fi novel Mickey7 that a big-budget movie adaptation had been agreed, filmed, and released all within the space of three years.
Directed by the Oscar-winning Parasite filmmaker Bong Joon Ho and starring Robert Pattinson as an expendable colony worker who’s cloned on each of the multiple times that he dies in the line of duty, Mickey 17 has set tongues wagging due to its epic scale, action-packed set pieces and stunning lead performances.
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy (showing now)
Helen Fielding’s best-selling novels have given both bookworms and movie fans a lot of joy over the years. Sadly, the journey finally ends with this fourth instalment, which sees Renée Zellweger once again reprise her role as the hapless heroine who always seems to come good in the end.
Equal parts hilarious and touching, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy sees Bridget looking for romance again following the untimely death of her husband Mark Darcy. As usual, she’s not short of potential suitors, but can she navigate this new chapter in her life without making a spectacle of herself? We think you know the answer!
BOOK BRIDGET JONES: MAD ABOUT THE BOY TICKETS
Disney’s Snow White (from 21 March)
A fairytale rather than a novel, the Brothers Grimm’s Snow White is nevertheless a literary classic. Of course, Disney have already adapted it into a movie – Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs – but that was way back in 1937, and the perennial favourite was long overdue for a reboot.
Directed by Marc Webb (The Amazing Spider-Man), and starring Rachel Zegler and Gal Gadot as Snow White and the Evil Queen respectively, this all-new musical blockbuster should provide a timely reminder as to why we love this enduring fable so much.
The Amateur (from 11 April)
Turned into a movie in the year of its release – 1981 – Robert Littell’s terse thriller gets a reboot courtesy of Slow Horses and One Life director James Hawes.
The story revolves around a CIA operative (played in this version by Bohemian Rhapsody Oscar winner Remi Malek) who embarks on a one-man revenge mission after his wife is killed in a terrorist attack. Packed with heart-thumping tension, and some quite exhilarating set-pieces, The Amateur will have you glued to the edge of your seat.
The Return (from 11 April)
Always wanted to read Homer’s epic poem The Odyssey (which is due a Christopher Nolan adaptation in 2026) but have never been able to find the time? Well, now you can cheat by watching an adaptation of the ancient Greek poem – or at least the last sections of it – on the big screen.
Directed by Uberto Pasolini, The Return stars Ralph Fiennes as the presumed-dead Trojan War soldier Odysseus who comes home to find that his grieving wife (Juliette Binoche) is being pressured to remarry. Described as “absorbing” and “gorgeous to look at”, this epic production is sure to introduce Homer to a whole new audience.
The Salt Path (from 30 May)
Back in 2018, Raynor Winn found herself thrust into the limelight when her autobiographical travel book The Salt Path became a Sunday Times bestseller. A deeply moving work, it charted the 630-mile walk along the South West Coast Path that she’d taken with her husband after their business floundered and he was diagnosed with a rare brain disease.
Seven years on, the story is coming to the big screen with Marianne Elliott directing Gillian Anderson and Jason Isaacs in the main roles. A tale of courage and determination, set against a majestic oceanside backdrop – what’s not to like?
The Running Man (from 7 November)
Stephen King’s novels have spawned numerous great movies, including Carrie (1976), The Shining (1980) and The Shawshank Redemption (1994). Another of his books, The Running Man, was turned into a 1987 film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger that remains a cult favourite to this day.
Despite that movie’s enduring popularity, though, it’s been remade, this time with man-of-the-moment Glen Powell (Twisters; Top Gun: Maverick) playing the role of Ben Richards – a man who finds himself appearing in a gameshow where the object is to escape murderous bounty hunters in exchange for money. With Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead; Baby Driver) taking the directorial reins, it's likely to be as colourful and frenetic as it is unpredictable.
The Housemaid (from 26 December)
Based on the 2022 page-turner by Freida McFadden, this psychological thriller stars Sydney Sweeney as Millie, a young woman who takes a live-in job as a housemaid for a rich couple (played by Amanda Seyfried and Brandon Sklenar). What appears at first to be a dream job quickly turns into a nightmare, though, as it becomes apparent that Millie’s new employers aren’t what they seem.
Directed by Paul Feig (Bridesmaids, Last Christmas), The Housemaid should provide plenty of winter chills.
If you want more movie inspiration, check out our list of 25 unmissable movies being released this year.
.jpg)
.png)
