Books Coming to a Movie Theater Near You in 2018
By Courtney Clark, Sangaree Branch Manager
I am always interested to read books that are being turned into movies because the stories are usually great – after all, a production company typically spends millions of dollars on making a movie, so they want to be sure they’re choosing good material! Here’s a list of movies based on books coming out in the beginning of 2018.
12 Strong – released January 19
12 Strong is based on the non-fiction title Horse Soldiers by Doug Stanton. The film follows stars Chris Hemsworth and Michael Shannon and their Special Forces team as they travel to Afghanistan after 9/11.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/Zxag9p-63RU
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1413492/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/4645750-horse-soldiers
Maze Runner: The Death Cure – released January 26
Based on the final book in the Maze Runner series, The Death Cure by James Dashner, the movie will follow teenage Thomas as he searches for a cure to a deadly disease. Dylan O’Brien stars as Thomas, and other stars include Aidan Gillen, Kaya Scodelario, and Patricia Clarkson.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/leFSYkUAaAw
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4500922/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/7864437-the-death-cure
Peter Rabbit – released February 9
Peter Rabbit is based on the classic books by Beatrix Potter featuring a rabbit in a blue jacket whose mission is to sneak into Mr. McGregor’s garden. Peter’s famous family includes sisters Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cottontail and cousin Benjamin Bunny. The film is a blend of animated animal characters and live-action actors. Late night host James Corden voices Peter Rabbit, and other celebrities lending their voices include Margot Robbie, Daisy Ridley, and singer Sia. Actors Domhnall Gleason and Sam Neill play Mr. McGregor.
Official movie website: http://www.peterrabbit-movie.com/
Trailer: https://youtu.be/7Pa_Weidt08
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5117670/
Goodreads (book): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19321.The_Tale_of_Peter_Rabbit
Goodreads (series): https://www.goodreads.com/series/82133-the-world-of-beatrix-potter-peter-rabbit
Fifty Shades Freed – released February 9
Fifty Shades Freed is based on the final book of E. L. James’ adult romance trilogy. Jamie Dornan and Dakota Johnson star as Christian Grey and Anastasia Steele. This film is intended for mature audiences.
Official movie web site: http://www.fiftyshadesmovie.com/
Trailer: https://youtu.be/8V08Gu1DOgE
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt4477536/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13536860-fifty-shades-freed
Black Panther – released February 16
Technically it’s not based on a book but several graphic novels. The Black Panther has been in comic books since 1966 when he first appeared in the Fantastic Four series. He hails from fictional African country Wakanda and is its super-powered king. The star-studded movie stars Chadwick Boseman, Michael B. Jordan, Lupita Nyong’o, Martin Freeman, Andy Serkis, Angela Bassett, and Forest Whitaker.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/fsT5SyBLlIg
Annihilation – released February 23
Annihilation is based on the 2014 book of the same name by Jeff VanderMeer, which is first in the Southern Reach trilogy. In the book, a team of four women scientists venture into Area X, which is a section of the United States that is largely abandoned. Each of the previous 11 expeditions all ended badly. Will they make it through the twelfth? The film stars Natalie Portman, Oscar Isaac, Gina Rodriguez, and Jennifer Jason Leigh.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/89OP78l9oF0
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2798920
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/17934530-annihilation
Every Day – released February 23
Every Day is based on popular young adult author David Levithan’s book of the same name. The main character, “A,” wakes up every day in a different body. A’s life is forever changed when he falls in love with a girl named Rhiannon. Disney Channel star Debby Ryan plays Rhiannon. The story continues in Levithan’s book Another Day, with a third book in the series (Someday) coming out this year.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/Uyp2pYUEVZo
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt7026672/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13262783-every-day
Red Sparrow – released March 2
Red Sparrow, based on the book by Jason Matthews, follows a Russian spy as she tries to seduce a CIA officer who deals with Russian intelligence. Jennifer Lawrence plays the Russian spy along with castmates Jeremy Irons, Mary-Louise Parker, and Joel Edgerton.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/PmUL6wMpMWw
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt2873282/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15803037-red-sparrow
A Wrinkle in Time – released March 9
Based on the classic 1962 children’s book by Madeleine L’Engle, the highly-anticipated movie has a star-studded cast including Oprah Winfrey, Reese Witherspoon, Chris Pine, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Mindy Kaling, and Zach Galifianakis. A father goes missing, and his children travel to magical worlds to save him.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/UhZ56rcWwRQ
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1620680/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18131.A_Wrinkle_in_Time
Love, Simon – released March 16
Love, Simon is based on the young adult book Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Abertalli. Simon is in love with someone he met online, but everyone else doesn’t know that he’s gay. The movie stars Nick Robinson, Josh Duhamel, Jennifer Garner, and Katherine Langford.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/ykHeGtN4m94
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt5164432
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/19547856-simon-vs-the-homo-sapiens-agenda
Ready Player One – released March 30
Based on Ernest Cline’s novel, Ready Player One follows 2044 teenager Wade Watts through a scavenger hunt in the virtual reality known as the Oasis. The film is directed by Steven Spielberg and stars Tye Sheridan, Olivia Cooke, and Simon Pegg. An untitled sequel to the book is rumored to be in the works.
Trailer: https://youtu.be/cSp1dM2Vj48
IMDB: http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1677720/
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/9969571-ready-player-one
