“When you’re making a movie of a book, people are always waiting with their knives.”
There’s nothing quite like seeing your favourite book being brought to life on the big screen. When done well, movie adaptations can capture the magic of a story, transforming pages into stunning visuals and characters into unforgettable performances. From literary classics to contemporary bestsellers, the book world offers filmmakers endless inspiration. But for every beloved book that gets its time in the cinematic spotlight, dozens of others remain untapped leaving fans pondering: Why has this been made into a movie yet? Today at What We Reading we’ll be delving into some of the best books that deserve the Hollywood treatment. Whether it’s a heart-stopping thriller, a sweeping fantasy epic or an emotional drama, each book is practically begging to be adapted for the screen. So, grab some popcorn because these picks will ignite your imagination and have you dreaming of what could be!
Malibu Rising – Taylor Jenkins Reid
Kicking off our books that should be movies is Taylor Jenkins Reid’s Malibu Rising. Set against the backdrop of the sun-soaked California coastline, Malibu Rising follows the Riva siblings as they prepare for their famed annual party. Beneath the glamour and fame lies a tangled web of family secrets, heartbreak and the crushing weight of their father’s abandonment – all of which come to a fiery climax come the end of the night.
Why It Would Make a Great Movie: The vibrant 1980s Malibu setting, combined with the Riva family’s drama, would make for a visually fun and emotionally compelling film. The mix of fame, surfing culture and complex relationships feels tailor-made for the screen. Fans of ensemble dramas like The Big Chill or Little Fires Everywhere would flock to this adaption.
Why It Hasn’t Been Adapted Yet: While Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novels are immensely popular, adaptations often take time to develop. Malibu Rising may just be waiting in line behind Daisy Jones & The Six. With its strong cinematic appeal, it’s surprising to see it hasn’t been picked up yet – but it’s undoubtedly a contender.
Check Out The Best Books Like Malibu Rising
The Priory Of The Orange Tree (The Roots Of Chaos #1) – Samantha Shannon
The Priory of the Orange Tree whisks readers to a world where kingdoms teeter on the brink of war as an ancient dragon awakens from its slumber. With powerful queens, fierce warriors and forbidden magic, The Priory of the Orange Tree is a richly woven tale of loyalty, love and the fight to protect a fragile world.
Why It Would Make a Great Movie: This book is a visual feast waiting to happen. From fire-breathing dragons to sprawling kingdoms and lush, diverse landscapes, it offers the grandeur of The Lord of the Rings combined with the intrigue of Game of Thrones. The layered characters and strong feminist themes would also resonate with modern audiences craving more women-led fantasy stories.
Why It Hasn’t Been Adapted Yet: The sheer scope of Shannon’s books may intimidate filmmakers. Condensing 850 pages into a film or series is no easy feat. However, with the rise of epic fantasy adaptations, it’s surely only a matter of time before someone takes it on!
Lock Every Door – Riley Sager
When Jules Larsen lands a dream job as an apartment sitter in Manhattan’s exclusive Bartholomew building, it all seems too good to be true. With strict rules to follow and a lavish apartment all to herself, she soon starts uncovering chilling secrets about the building – and the residents – pitting her in a race against time to discover the truth before it proves too late.
Why It Would Make a Great Movie: The Bartholomew’s eerie, gothic atmosphere would translate perfectly to the screen, creating a chilling sense of foreboding. The suspenseful plot, filled with twists and turns, would captivate audiences, delivering the kind of edge-of-your-seat tension that thrillers like The Girl on the Train or Gone Girl have mastered. The blend of glamour and horror makes this a natural fit for a psychological thriller movie.
Why It Hasn’t Been Adapted Yet: Whilst Paramount has acknowledged the book’s big-screen potential, things may still be in the early stages of development. Additionally, translating its claustrophobic atmosphere and shocking twists to screens requires an ambitious director who can balance tension with subtlety.
Check Out The Best Books Like Lock Every Door
Cane River – Lalita Tademy
Spanning four generations, Cane River is a powerful family saga that traces the lives of Tademy’s own ancestors – enslaved women and their descendants – on a Louisana plantation. Through the intertwined stories of strong, resilient women, the novel explores themes of love, survival, and the unrelenting pursuit of freedom and identity in the face of systemic oppression.
Why It Would Make a Great Movie: With its vivid characters, emotional depth and historical richness, Cane River is ripe for an adaptation that could bring its layered narrative to life. It’s a story of generational strength and perseverance that would land with audiences who loved The Color Purple or 12 Years a Slave. The striking plantation setting and deeply personal storytelling would make this a visually interesting and emotionally arresting cinematic experience.
Why It Hasn’t Been Adapted Yet: While its historical focus and personal resonance make it one of the best books that should be movies, Cane River’s multi-generational structure could be a challenge condensing into a single film. However, the rise of limited series adaptations could offer the perfect format to do this sweeping story justice.
This Savage Song (Monster Of Verity #1) – Victoria Schwab
In the divided city of Verity, monsters born from human violence roam the streets, and the fragile truce between its two ruling factions is on the edge of snapping. Kate Harker, a ruthless human, and August Flynn, a monster who longs to be human, form an unlikely alliance in this gripping tale of loyalty, morality and survival.
Why It Would Make a Great Movie: With its dark urban setting, morally complex characters and action-packed storyline, This Savage Song would be an instant hit on the big screen. Its themes of humanity versus monstrosity, paired with the intense relationship between Kate and August, offer plenty of emotional depth. The unique presence of monsters born from acts of violence could offer a plethora of haunting moments reminiscent of The Hunger Games or A Quiet Place.
Why It Hasn’t Been Adapted Yet: The rights for the book were optioned in 2017, but no significant updates have been announced since. The intricate world-building and moral nuances may require a clued-in director and screenwriter to realise Schwab’s vision fully.
The Secret History – Donna Tartt
A group of eccentric college students become entangled in a murder that changes their lives forever in Donna Tartt’s The Secret History. Narrated by Richard Papen, the story follows the mysterious and enigmatic professor, Julian Morrow, and his small tight-knit group of students as their obsessions with ancient Greek culture lead them down a dangerous path of crime, deception and guilt.
Why It Would Make a Great Movie: With its atmosphere of intellectualism, decadence and foreboding, The Secret History is tailor-made to be added to your movie adaptation wishlist. The dark undercurrents of academia, mixed with the allure of Greek mythology, would make for an intellectually stimulating movie. The psychological tension and tragic consequences would appeal to fans of films like Dead Poets Society or Atonement.
Why It Hasn’t Been Adapted Yet: One of the most infamous books that should be movies, The Secret History has gone through a multitude of different attempts to be adapted over the years, though none have ever come to fruition. Its dense, introspective narrative and intricate character dynamics and Tartt’s infamous reputation for protecting her work have proven to be the two biggest hurdles so far.
Check Out The Best Books Like The Secret History
The Paper Palace – Miranda Cowley Heller
In Miranda Cowley Heller’s The Paper Palace, Eleanor, a woman in her 50s finds herself at a crossroads after a tragic event occurs at her family’s summer home on Cape Cod. The novel shifts between Eleanor’s present-day struggles and flashbacks to her tumultuous relationships, exploring themes of love, betrayal and the family secrets that have haunted her for decades.
Why It Would Make a Great Movie: The book’s evocative setting – brimming with memories of long, hot summers – and its emotionally charged plot would translate wonderfully to the screen. With its rich exploration of complicated relationships and difficult choices, it’s a character-driven story that would hook audiences in the same manner as The Affair or Big Little Lies.
Why It Hasn’t Been Adapted Yet: Though The Paper Palace is a perfect candidate for adaptation, its intimate, reflective nature may require a delicate approach to fully capture its emotional depth. While a book-to-film adaptation could work, its slow-burning intensity may make it more suitable for a limited series.
The Seven Deaths Of Evelyn Hardcastle – Stuart Turton
In The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle, Aiden Bishop wakes up every day in a different person’s body, forced to relive the same day over and over until he is able to solve the murder of Evelyn Hardcastle. As he navigates this twisted, time-loop mystery, Aiden must uncover the truth while racing against a deadline, all whilst trying to find out of the cycle holding him captive.
Why It Would Make a Great Movie: The high-concept premise and intricate plot make this novel a thrilling, mind-bending film opportunity. Its mix of mystery, suspense and supernatural elements would appeal to fans of Inception and Groundhog Day, with a dark and more psychological edge. The constant switch in perspective – each time Aiden inhabits a new host – would provide an exciting opportunity for visual storytelling and unique character portrayals. The setting of Hardcastle Manor also adds a layer of intrigue, making it the perfect backdrop for a tense, striking movie.
Why It Hasn’t Been Adapted Yet: In December 2020, Netflix announced they would be adapting The Seven Deaths of Evelyn Hardcastle into a seven-part series, before cancelling the series after two years in development.
Part-time reader, part-time rambler, and full-time Horror enthusiast, James has been writing for What We Reading since 2022. His earliest reading memories involved Historical Fiction, Fantasy and Horror tales, which he has continued to take with him to this day. James’ favourite books include The Last (Hanna Jameson), The Troop (Nick Cutter) and Chasing The Boogeyman (Richard Chizmar).
