10 Books To Read Before They Hit The Screen
Culture
/

10 Books To Read Before They Hit The Screen

Whether you're a page-before-screen purist or are just looking for your next read, these buzzy book adaptations are about to hit streaming platforms and cinemas – and you’ll want to say you read them first. From gritty thrillers and swoony romances to reimagined classics, here are the ones to read before they blow up your group chat.
By
/
Save To My Favourites

All products on this page have been selected by our editorial team, however we may make commission on some products.

The Thursday Murder Club

Richard Osman’s cosy crime juggernaut was destined for the screen. Set in a sleepy retirement village, it follows a gang of pensioners who meet weekly to solve cold cases – until they stumble upon a fresh murder. Witty, sharp and surprisingly heartfelt, it’s easy to see why it’s sold over ten million copies. Launching on Netflix on 28th August, Helen Mirren (The Queen), Pierce Brosnan (James Bond) and Ben Kingsley (Sexy Beast) lead the all-star cast. Done right, this could be Netflix’s answer to Knives Out.

Available at AMAZON.CO.UK

My Oxford Year

If One Day and Me Before You are your idea of a good cry, bump this to the top of your list. Arriving in early August, My Oxford Year follows American political prodigy Anna (Ella in the book), who lands a scholarship at Oxford and plans to keep things strictly professional – until she meets the charming Jamie Davenport. Netflix’s romantic drama stars Sofia Carson (Purple Hearts) and Corey Mylchreest (Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story).

Available at AMAZON.CO.UK

She Rides Shotgun

Also dropping in August is this gritty, Edgar Award-winning debut from Jordan Harper. When ex-con Nate is released from prison, he discovers there’s a hit out on his family – and ends up on the run with Polly, the young daughter he barely knows. Brutal, fast-paced and unexpectedly moving, the adaptation stars Taron Egerton (Rocketman) and Odessa A’zion (Day Shift). Think high-stakes crime drama meets twisted father-daughter bonding.

Available at AMAZON.CO.UK

Frankenstein

Guillermo del Toro (The Shape of Water) directs this lavish new take on Mary Shelley’s gothic classic (out in cinemas in December).  Known for his dark fairy tales and rich visual style, del Toro’s version promises to be both faithful and refreshingly modern. If you’ve never read the original novel – or only skimmed it at school – now’s the perfect time to revisit it. This long-awaited take on Frankenstein stars Oscar Isaac (Dune), Mia Goth (Pearl), Jacob Elordi (Euphoria) and Christoph Waltz (Inglourious Basterds).

Available at AMAZON.CO.UK

Caught Stealing

Charlie Huston’s cult noir is getting the full A-list treatment in late August. Directed by Darren Aronofsky (Black Swan), this stylish thriller stars Austin Butler as Hank, a washed-up baseball player who gets dragged into a violent underworld after a case of mistaken identity. Set in early-2000s New York, it’s fast, bloody and bursting with chaotic energy – A24 vibes all over this one. Zoë Kravitz co-stars, alongside Regina King and Matt Smith. 

Available at AMAZON.CO.UK

Regretting You

Even for Colleen Hoover, this one’s a tearjerker. Told from dual perspectives, Regretting You explores the fractured relationship between mother and daughter Morgan and Clara after a devastating accident turns their world upside down. Grief, betrayal and generational healing sit at the heart of this emotional rollercoaster. Mckenna Grace (The Handmaid’s Tale), Allison Williams (Girls) and Dave Franco star, with The Fault In Our Stars director Josh Boone at the helm. US cinemas get it this autumn – there’s no UK date yet, but trust us, you'll want to see it as soon as it drops.

Available at AMAZON.CO.UK

The Running Man

Coming in November, Stephen King’s dystopian cult classic gets a slick rework from Edgar Wright (Baby Driver). In a future where convicted criminals are thrown into a deadly reality TV show, Ben Richards must survive while the world watches. Glen Powell (Hit Man) stars alongside William H. Macy, Emilia Jones and Josh Brolin. Originally published under King’s pseudonym Richard Bachman, the novel’s social commentary feels eerily close to home in 2025.

Available at AMAZON.CO.UK

Washington Black

This sweeping historical saga, based on Esi Edugyan’s Booker-shortlisted novel, lands on Disney+ this month. When 11-year-old Wash escapes a Barbados sugar plantation, he sets off on a globe-spanning journey that challenges everything he knows about identity, family and freedom. From the Caribbean to the Arctic, Washington Black blends adventure with deep emotional resonance. The cast includes Sterling K. Brown, Ernest Kingsley Jr., Iola Evans, Tom Ellis and Rupert Graves. Expect something bold, moving and visually rich.

Available at AMAZON.CO.UK

Watermelon

Marian Keyes’s beloved rom-com gets a modern TV reboot courtesy of the BBC this year. Based on Watermelon – and the broader Walsh Sisters series – this new drama explores the messy, funny, deeply relatable lives of five chaotic Irish sisters. The story focuses on Claire, who’s grappling with heartbreak, a newborn and an unexpected return home after her partner walks out, but the whole series is definitely one to get stuck into.

Available at AMAZON.CO.UK

The Housemaid

BookTok’s favourite psychological thriller is headed for the big screen. When Millie accepts a live-in housekeeping job for the wealthy Winchester family, things quickly turn sinister. Full of jaw-dropping twists and tense set-ups, The Housemaid is compulsive reading – and the film promises just as much chaos. Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried and Michele Morrone star in this dark domestic thriller, expected in cinemas this December.

Available at AMAZON.CO.UK

DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at info@sheerluxe.com.