We have several movies coming this year and many readers are awaiting their favorite book to be turned into a movie this year. Book readers might not always be pleased with the outcomes of their favorite books being turned into films, but we can’t help it but be the first to show up at the theater to see it on the big screen. Here are a few, confirmed, book-based movies to be released this year.
1. Forever My Girl (Jan 19) [See trailer]
Forever My Girl Official Poster
The romance novel by Heidi McLaughlin is the first book of The Beaumont Series (5 books). “Forever My Girl” follows Liam Page, a music superstar as he return to his small hometown after eight years of his departure and breakup with his high school sweetheart, Josie Preston. As Liam tries to reconnect with the town and the people he left behind, he realizes he left more than he had intended to and now he must try to win Josie’s heart back.
Though the plot seems cliche, many are awaiting this romance film to hit theaters. Watching a romantic cliche every once in a while can never hurt.
2. Maze Runner: The Death Cure (Jan 26) [See trailer]
Maze Runner: The Death Cure Fox Official Poster
The movie was set to be released on February 2017, but was delayed to allow Dylan O’Brien to recover from injuries sustained during filming. The Maze Runner is an adventure, science fiction, trilogy (with two prequels) that follows Thomas as he wakes up entering a maze full of boys who have no memory of their life before the maze. Everyone has a job in the small community, and as Thomas learns to adapt, he struggles with wanting to do more and trying to remember who he is. Thomas becomes a runner, his job is to run the maze that surrounds them, to trace the routes and try to find a way out. But when a girl, Teresa, enters the maze, everything starts to escalate and Thomas starts to question what his role and involvement in WICKED, the organization who put them in the maze, really was.
As in every movie adaptation, many things were changed and removed as they were in the books, Thomas and Teresa’s telepathic connection for example. But as the second film rolled around, the changes were more drastic, opening the breach between the book and the movies more. From the trailer, it can concluded that the last film will be nothing like the book, however readers are still excited to see the film in the big screen. Despite the significant changes, the movies are action-packed and have us at the edge of our seat. Many book fans are hoping that Newt’s desperate pleading at the end of the trailer has nothing to do with the scene from the book.
“Please, Tommy, Please.”
3. A Wrinkle in Time (March 6) [See trailer]
A Wrinkle in Time Movie Poster
The film is based off the book by Madeleine L’Engle with the same name. The story follows Meg Murry, her younger brother, Charles Wallace, and her friend Calvin as the travel through time and space to rescue her father, a gifted scientist who discovered a new planet and is now being held prisoner by evil forces.
4. Love, Simon (March 16) [See trailer]
Image Credit to Epic Reads
“Love, Simon” is based off Becky Albertalli’s young- adult novel “Simon vs. the Homosapiens Agenda”. The coming-of-age novel follows Simon Spier, a not-so-openly-gay sixteen year old whose life is about to get ten times more complicated when an email ends up in the wrong hands. Now, Simon is being blackmailed to be Martin’s (the class clown) wingman or his sexual identity will be revealed along with Blue, the pen name of the boy who he has been emailing with.
5. Ready Player One (March 30) [See trailer]
Ready Player One Official Poster
The movies is based off the science fiction novel by Ernest Cline. The year is 2044, where people log into the OAISIS, a virtual reality video game, that allows them to forget about the terrible world they live, which suffers of shortages, overpopulation, and unemployment. The story follows Wade Watts, an 18 year old gamer with a mission, which is to find the Easter Egg the creator left in the game and claim the treasure. To find the Easter Egg, Wade must pass through three gates, but first he must find the key to each of the gates.
6. Fifty Shades Freed (February 9) [See trailer]
Fifty Shades Freed Official Poster
The Fifty Shades of Gray trilogy comes to an end with this last film/book.This trilogy became widely popular for its BDSM themes, first topping the best-seller list and then leaving high earnings in the box office. The trilogy was originally a fanfiction based off twilight. Later, the author, E. L James,changed the character’s names in order to publish. This trilogy started off great, making heads turns and grasping the attention with its steamy scenes. Fifty Shades of Grey made 571.1 million USD box office; however, Fifty Shades Darker gave lower profits with 381.1 million USD. Regardless, people seem excited for the upcoming release, which is coming with more darker and thrilling scenes.
7. Every Day (February 23) [See trailer]
Every Day Official Poster
The young-adult, romance novel by David Levithan follows A, who is a bodiless spirit that wakes up in a different body everyday. A has no warning or indication of whose body it will be occupying next. A has made some rules: never getting too attached, do not interfere, and avoid being noticed. It all changes when A wakes up in Justin’s body and meets his girlfriend, Rhiannon. Now that A has found someone she wants to be with every day, the rules don’t apply.
8. Red Sparrow (March 2) [See trailer]
Red Sparrow March 2
The spy novel by Jason Matthews follows Dominika Egorova, known as “Red Sparrow” (casted as Jennifer Lawrence), who was forced by her uncle to undergo training to learn how to seduce the enemy. She’s a Russian spy, trained as a seductress. Dominika is assigned Nathaniel Nash, a CIA officer who handles the CIA’s most sensitive penetration of Russian intelligence but the two become tangled in an impossible love affair. Now, seeking revenge against her masters, Dominika becomes a double agent recruited by the CIA. The spy thriller is filled with deception, hunger of revenge, and a forbidden love affair driven by carnal desires.
9. The Hate U Give (unknown)
The Hate U Give By Angie Thomas
The novel by Angie Thomas is said to hit theaters this year as well, though no release date has been confirmed. The novel follows Starr Carter, a sixteen year old who lives in a poor neighborhood but attends a suburban prep school. The little balance between the two worlds she lives is shattered when she witnesses the fatal shooting of Khalil, her childhood friend, who was unarmed when shot by a police officer.
Amandla Stenberg is said to be playing Starr Carter. Khalil will be portrayed by Algee Smith and Sabrina Carpenter will play the role of Hailey, a white feminist who attends school with Starr (and claims she is not racist despite her racist comments showing otherwise).
Feel free to share this article and tell us which movie you’re most excited about!
