New Book to Screen Releases To Kick Off 2025

It's a new year, so it's time to add books to your TBR stack! 2024 was a big year for adaptations, and 2025 isn't slowing down. You can start with book-to-screen adaptations from the end of December, and coming up in January and February. The slate of movies and television shows adapted from books span genres, from beloved children's classics to thrilling mysteries.

Seeing your favorite book realized on the screen is exciting because the whole creative team behind the movie or show probably loves the book as well. For these thirteen upcoming shows and movies, you can read the whole story and look out for changes from page to screen.

The Nickel Boys by Colson Whitehead

In theaters now

Whitehead's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel follows the life of Elwood Curtis after he's sent to the reformatory school Nickel Academy. At the repressive school, he meets Turner and their friendship is a balm against the cruelty and danger of the Academy. Even after they leave, they stay connected and the trauma of the school shapes their futures.

The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas

In theaters now

The French revenge thriller has captivated readers since its serialized publication in the 1840s. In the midst of the Napoleonic Wars, Edmond Dantès receives a promotion to captain of his ship. Right before Dantès is supposed to get married, his crewmate Danglars and a man named Fernand conspire to ruin Dantès. His plot succeeds, but more than two decades later, Dantès has disguised himself as the Count of Monte Cristo and returns to exact revenge on those who ruined him.

Dylan Goes Electric!: Newport, Seeger, Dylan, and the Night That Split the Sixties by Elijah Wald

A Complete Unknown is in theaters now

In the first half of the 1960s, Bob Dylan gained prominence in the folk revival movement. The image of him with an acoustic guitar, crooning into a microphone was already iconic. At the Newport Folk Festival in 1965, Dylan showed up with an electric band and unexpectedly played rock, shocking the other musicians, folk music fans, and the world.

Missing You by Harlan Coben

Now streaming on Netflix

When searching the Internet for potential matches, Kat Donovan sees an entirely unexpected face: the ex-fiancé who broke her heart and left her reeling. She chooses to reach out to him, but it's not what it seems. She uses her resources as an NYPD Detective to investigate and is also faced with the unresolved case of her father’s death.

The Witching Hour by Anne Rice

Season 2 of Mayfair Witches is currently airing weekly on AMC

In the city of New Orleans, also the setting of Interview with the Vampire, neurosurgeon Rowan Mayfair brings a drowned man back to life. She discovers she is descended from ancient, powerful witches. Anne Rice weaves the past and present together to uncover the mysteries of the Mayfair witches. The second season of the television adaptation promises even more magic and mystery.

Welcome to Dead House by R.L. Stine

Goosebumps: The Vanishing premieres on Disney+ and Hulu on Jan. 10

Goosebumps has been providing chilling tales to children for decades. Before the next season of the new television adaptation premieres, catch up with the book that started it all. When Amanda and Josh's parents move them into a big old house, they immediately notice haunted happenings. The more they explore, the more they uncover.

To All the Boys I've Loved Before by Jenny Han

Season 2 of XO, Kitty will premiere on Netflix on Jan. 16

Lara Jean Song Covey is a dreamer. She dreams of falling in love and she writes letters to all of her big crushes. When the letters get sent to her crushes, she faces the consequences of dreams turning into reality. To hide her feelings from her older sister's ex-boyfriend, she strikes up a fake relationship with one of the letter recipients, Peter Kavinsky. The television show XO, Kitty follows the romantic entanglements of Lara Jean's younger sister, Kitty.

Sherlock Holmes: The Complete Novels and Stories, Vol. 1 by Arthur Conan Doyle

Watson will air weekly on CBS starting Jan. 26

Arthur Conan Doyle's famed detective has received many film and television adaptations, but this new series will follow the life and work of Dr. John Watson after Sherlock Holmes' death alongside Moriarty. In the original Holmes stories, Watson is the scribe of Holmes' adventures and case-solving prowess.

The Amazing Spider-Man by Stan Lee and Steve Ditko

Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man will premiere on Disney+ on Jan. 29

The latest animated adaptation of everyone's favorite webslinger will pay homage to Stan Lee and Steve Ditko's series that introduced Spider-Man to the world. This anthology collects Spider-Man's early adventures that made him one of the most beloved heroes in Marvel comics.

Dog Man by Dav Pilkey

Coming to theaters on Jan. 31

With the head of a dog and the body of a human policeman, Dog Man is the ultimate creature to sniff out crimes. As much as Dog Man wants to run and play like a puppy, he's driven by his sense of justice and a need to ensure everyone is being kind to each other.

Sword of Destiny by Andrzej Sapkowski

The Witcher: Sirens of the Deep premieres on Netflix on Feb. 11

Even before the Netflix television show, the world of The Witcher was a global sensation. The upcoming Netflix movie set in the Witcher universe is an adaptation of the short story "A Little Sacrifice" included in the Sword of Destiny collection. Catch up with Geralt's magical adventures before the film premieres.

Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding

Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy premieres on Peacock on Feb. 13

In the third book in the beloved series, Bridget Jones takes on the challenge of single parenting. With her trademark wit and penchant for publicly embarrassing situations, we follow Bridget through her new world of parent drama and school competition. Bridget never fails to find the humor in a situation, which is what makes her so relatable.

Paddington Abroad by Michael Bond

Paddington in Peru is coming to theaters on Feb. 14

Everyone's favorite bear is about to go on a big journey. After he's gotten accustomed to life in England with the Browns, they take him on vacation with them to France. Paddington takes to the cultural differences with his usual optimism. When he decides to go on a tricycle ride, he gets caught up in the Tour de France. In the upcoming movie, Paddington will get into mischief in Peru.

Do you have any favorites you're looking forward to this year? Let us know! We're excited to watch these adaptations, and looking forward to everything else coming out in 2025. It's shaping up to be a great year for book lovers.

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