Your 2026 watchlist is basically just your bookshelf. Here are all the huge book adaptations coming next year.

Looks like Hollywood's New Year's resolution was to get a library card. The list of major book adaptations 2026 has to offer is genuinely impressive, moving beyond standard fare to give visionaries like Christopher Nolan, Greta Gerwig, and Chloé Zhao the keys to some of literature's biggest properties. Get ready for your bookshelf to become your watchlist. While global dates are confirmed, keep an eye on our What to Watch This Week in UAE hubs for exact local release shifts.

People We Meet on Vacation

The Emily Henry Cinematic Universe is officially expanding on Netflix. This is the book that defined the modern rom-com revival, following two opposite best friends on a final trip to fix their relationship. With Tom Blyth and Emily Bader in the leads, it’s the big streaming event for anyone who loves a good friends-to-lovers story.

Hamnet

For something a bit more emotionally devastating, Chloé Zhao is directing Paul Mescal and Jessie Buckley in this adaptation of Maggie O’Farrell’s bestseller. It explores the family life of William Shakespeare and his wife Agnes as they grieve the loss of their son. Expect stunning visuals alongside a guaranteed emotional gut-punch.

The Seven Dials Mystery

If you thought Agatha Christie was just 'cozy,' Netflix is here to disagree. This adaptation of one of her more adventurous mysteries stars Helena Bonham Carter and Martin Freeman. A prank involving seven alarm clocks ends in murder, kicking off a massive conspiracy. It looks like a lot more fun than your standard whodunnit.

Wuthering Heights

Emerald Fennell, fresh off Saltburn, is tackling Emily Brontë’s gothic classic with Margot Robbie and Jacob Elordi. It has already earned an R-rating for being far more explicit than previous versions. Of course it has. This 'tale of lust and madness' is guaranteed to be one of the most talked-about films of the year.

Project Hail Mary

Ryan Gosling is waking up alone in space. From Andy Weir, the author of The Martian, this sci-fi blockbuster follows a man on a mission he can't remember. It was shot specifically for IMAX, making it the big screen event of the spring. This is one of the most anticipated new movies in UAE cinemas for 2026.

The Odyssey

Only Christopher Nolan would look at a 2,800-year-old epic poem and think, 'This needs a non-linear timeline and a massive budget.' Matt Damon stars as Odysseus, joined by Tom Holland, Zendaya, and Anne Hathaway for the ten-year journey home. It's an ancient story poised to feel brand new.

Verity

The BookTok phenomenon that launched a thousand arguments is finally a movie. Dakota Johnson plays a writer hired to finish a series for an incapacitated author, played by Anne Hathaway, and uncovers a disturbing manuscript. Prepare for the 'Team Letter vs. Team Manuscript' debate to reignite your group chat.

The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping

Just when you thought you were out, they pull you back into Panem. This prequel explores the origin of Haymitch Abernathy during the 50th Hunger Games. It promises a more intense and political story than the original trilogy, which is saying something.

Narnia: The Magician's Nephew

Greta Gerwig is rebooting Narnia for Netflix, but not with the wardrobe. She's going right to the chronological beginning to show how the world was created. With a cast including Daniel Craig and Emma Mackey, this is either a genius move or a bold one. Possibly both.

When and where to watch in UAE

Many of these book adaptations 2026 have confirmed global release dates for cinemas or streaming platforms like Netflix. However, regional release schedules in the UAE can sometimes differ. Cinema dates may shift, and streaming availability on platforms like OSN+ or StarzPlay will be confirmed closer to the time. As always, check local listings and our weekly guides for the most accurate information.

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