Before popping over to the movie theaters to see Christopher Nolan’s latest blockbuster in action. After all, fresh off his Oscar wins for Oppenheimer he is bringing to life one of the most iconic stories in history: The Odyssey.
Sure, the epic poem—attributed to the ancient Greek poet Homer—was a staple of the oral tradition before it was recorded for prosperity on paper, but for decades now, students all over the world have tackled the story in English class.
So, it’s no surprising that the sweeping epic is heading to theaters, complete with a jaw-dropping cast including Matt Damon, Tom Holland, Anne Hathaway, Zendaya, Robert Pattinson, Lupita Nyong’o and so many more. (And if that cast itself isn’t enough, let seeing the result of Damon’s headline-making transformation be the siren call that lures you to the theaters on June 17.)
Though The Odyssey may be a bit of a daunting read, prepare to be in good company as Pattinson cracked open the book before he turned up to set.
“I was like, ‘Yeah, can’t wait to read it,’” the Twilight alum recently admitted to GQ, before revealing Nolan’s surprise to his response. “He’s like, ‘You want to read it? Everyone else just said yes.’”
However, for those not looking to debate the best Odyssey translation—Is it Robert Fagles? Emily Wilson? Pick your poison!—to pick up before heading to theaters, there are plenty of other must-reads heading to screen.
And since it is summer, what better than to dive into a story with the Queen of the Beach Read herself, Elin Hilderbrand, with the Jennifer Garner-led Five-Star Weekend hitting Peacock July 9.
For cast member D’Arcy Carden, filming the series—following food blogger Hollis Shaw (Garner) who invites her closest friends to join her in Nantucket after the death of her husband—working alongside the Alias star was nothing short of a dream.
"As good as you think she is, she’s actually better," Carden told E! News at the 2026 Las Culturistas Culture Awards. "She’s real. She’s who she is. What you see is what you get."
In fact, the Barry alum admitted, "I would come home from working, and I’d sit on the bed talking to my husband and be like, ‘I’m in love with Jen Garner.’"
And prepare to continue to fall in love with her work when Five-Star Weekend hits screens. But those are just a glimpse at the books about to be turned into the next must-watch movie and show. For more, keep reading.
Based on: The Laura Ingalls Wilder series of the same nameCast: Alice Halsey, Luke Bracey, Skywalker Hughes, Crosby Fitzgerald and Jocko Sims Release Date: July 9 on NetflixYou know the books—not to mention the 1974 series—following the Ingalls family as they traveled through the Midwest in the late 19th century. Based on Laura Ingalls Wilder’s childhood diaries, this new series ushers the story in for a new generation. And prepare the wagon for the long haul as Netflix has already confirmed a second season is on the way.
Based On: Elin Hilderbrand’s 2023 novelStarring: Jennifer Garner, D'Arcy Carden, Chloë Sevigny, Regina Hall, Gemma Chan and Timothy OlyphantPremieres: July 9 PeacockHilderbrand is the queen of Nantucket beach read. Add in a megastar like Garner and its place in our queue is solidified. The Alias alum stars as Hollis, a food blogger whose life is turned update down by tragedy. As part of her healing journey, she resolves to host a “five-star” weekend with her closest pals—only for it to go awry as the cracks in her friendships deepen and game-changing secrets emerge. Yep, we are firmly seated.
Based On: Marissa Stapley's 2021 bookStarring: Anya Taylor-Joy, Drew Starkey, Annette Bening, Timothy Olyphant, Clifton Collins Jr. and Aunjanue Ellis-Taylor Premieres: July 15 on Apple TVIf seeing Anya and Drew leading the cast isn’t enough of a draw—and it should be!—the story itself is pretty thrilling, a young woman returning to the con artist life she was raised in an attempt to secure her future. And with Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine producing and a stellar supporting cast, we are already seated.
Based On: The epic poem of the same name by HomerCast: Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Tom Holland, Zendaya, Lupita Nyong’o, Robert Pattinson, Charlize Theron and morePremieres: In theaters July 17For starters, it’s a Christopher Nolan blockbuster—and his first since reaching Oscar-winner glory with Oppenheimer. And one of the most stacked casts in recent Hollywood memory was enlisted to tackle the iconic tale of Greek warrior Odysseus’ grueling trek home after the Trojan War. For the unlucky who haven’t already secured their tickets, prepare to embark on quite an odyssey to find an open seat.
Based On: The Book of Magic by Alice HoffmanStarring: Nicole Kidman, Sandra Bullock, Stockard Channing, Dianne Weist, Joey KingPremieres: In theaters September 18, 2026Another midnight margarita night is finally on the books. Nearly three decades after the original movie, the sequel, based on Hoffman’s 2021 novel, follows Sally (Sandra), Gillian (Nicole), Frances (Stockard) and Jet (Dianne) contend with their family’s curse as it begins to plague the next generations of Owens ladies.
Based On: Ali Hazelwood’s 2021 Novel of the Same Starring: Lili Reinhart and Tom BatemanPremieres: September 23 on Prime VideoThe fake dating romance that sent #BookTok into a spiral is heading to the big screen. And the novel that has roots in fanfiction centered on Star Wars characters Rey and Kylo Ren is starring none other than Rey actress Daisy Ridley’s IRL husband Tom—joined by the Riverdale alum. And if that’s not a reason to be excited by what’s to come—or at least curious—we don’t know what is.
Based On: Jane Austin’s 1811 NovelCast: Daisy Edgar-Jones, Esmé Creed-Miles, Caitríona Balfe, Frank Fillane, George MacKay and Fiona ShawPremieres: In theaters September 25, 2026 in U.K., October 16, 2026, in U.S.Who doesn’t love a Jane Austin adaptation? Though Pride and Prejudice often gets a lot of love onscreen, the novelist’s debut is taking center stage, following the three Dashwood sisters in the years after their dad’s death—seeking romance and security in Regency-era England.
Based on: Colleen Hoover's 2021 bookStarring: Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson and Josh HartnettPremieres: In theaters October 2, 2026For starters, we can look no further than Anne, Dakota and Josh. The book—which follows a struggling writer who is asked to complete a best-selling series after the author's mysterious accident—is already a wild, twisty ride. And with this trio at the center, seeing it brought to life on screen is all the more exciting.
Based On: Suzanne Collins’ 2025 novelStarring: Joseph Zada, Whitney Peak, Mckenna Grace, Elle Fanning, Maya Hawke, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Jesse Plemons and Ralph FiennesPremieres: In theaters November 20, 2026On the same day Collins’ latest trip to Panem was announced, Lionsgate confirmed it would be adapting the much-anticipated story following a young Haymitch Abernathy—Peeta and Katniss’ famously haunted mentor in the 74th Hunger Games—during his winning battle in the 50th Games.
Based on: Dune Messiah by Frank HerbertCast: Timothée Chalamet, Zendaya, Florence Pugh, Rebecca Ferguson, Anya Taylor-Joy, Javiar Bardem, Charlotte Rampling, Jason Momoa, Robert Pattinson and Josh Brolin.Premieres: December 18, 2026In the run up to Dune’s release in 2021, director Denis Villeneuve teased his vision for a trilogy, adapting Herbert’s 1965 novel and its first sequel Dune Messiah. And, at last, that dream has become a reality, with Villeneuve’s final installment tracking the fate of Paul Atreides (Chalamet), Chani (Zendaya) and as they face their biggest threat yet: Pattinson’s Scytale, who is desperate to overthrow Paul from his role as Padishah Emperor.
Based on: J.K. Rowling’s 1997 Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s StoneCast: Dominic McLaughlin, Alastair Stout, Arabella Stanton, Janet McTeer, Nick Frost, Paapa Essiedu and John LithgowPremieres: December 25, 2026While we are just a decade or so removed from the final installment in the film series starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint, a whole new trio are about to journey on the Hogwarts Express to the magical boarding school. In fact, HBO has already expressed a commitment to diving deep into the Wizarding World—covering details from the book omitted from the films—with the series planning to film over the next decade.
Based on: Elle Kennedy’s third Off Campus novel The ScoreCast: Mika Abdalla, Stephen Kalyn, Ella Bright, Belmont Cameli, Jalen Thomas Brooks, Antonio Cipriano, Khobe Clarke and India FowlerRelease: TBDLuckily, fans won’t have to wait too long to see the Prime Video series’ sophomore foray. Not only was the show renewed for season two ahead of the show’s debut, but the cast was already back on set in the weeks following its release. And with the love story between Hannah Wells (Bright) and Garrett Graham (Cameli) firmly in the books, Allie Hayes (Abdalla) and Dean Di Laurentis (Kalyn) get their time to shine in season two. And after their secret friends-with-benefits firmly in the maybe-something-more camp—before that explosive final scene—fans can expect a whole lot of drama (and steamy romance) to come.
Based on: Julia Quinn’s sixth Bridgerton Novel When He Was WickedCast: Hannah Dodd and Masali BaduzaPremieres: TBD 2027A major departure from the novels is heading to the ton. After the devastating death of Francesca Bridgerton’s husband John Stirling (Victor Alli) in season four, it seemed only fitting that the sixth Bridgerton sibling (Dodd) stepped into the spotlight next. And this time, the beloved romance series is following a queer love story.
“Two years after losing her beloved husband John, Fran decides to reenter the marriage mart for practical reasons, the season five synopsis teases. “But when John’s cousin Michaela returns to London to tend to the Kilmartin estate, Fran’s complicated feelings will have her questioning whether to stick to her pragmatic intentions or pursue her inner passions.”
Based on: Emily Henry’s 2020 novelCast: Phoebe Dynevor, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Andie MacDowell, Kevin Bacon and Kristen DavisPremieres: May 7, 2027Okay, so the casting caused a bit of a controversy as January Andrews (Dynevor) and Gus Everett (Schwarzenegger) are more than beloved by fans of Henry’s novels. Especially as the anticipation for this adaptation—following rom-com writer January and literary fiction scribe Gus who dare one another to write a story in the other’s style—has been high since it was revealed to be heading to the big screen in 2023. And as Henry emphasized on Today, like fans, she’s “along for the ride with the readers and we just have to trust the vision.”
Based On: Holly Gramazio’s 2024 novelStarring: Juno Temple, Joe Alwyn, Richard Gadd, Kingsley Ben-Adir, Joel Kinnaman, Daniel Ings, Bob Morley, Fehinti Balogun, Tom Basden, Joe Wilkinson, Gemma Whelan, Rebekah Murrell and Shazad LatifPremieres: TBD on Apple TVPrepare to meet more than one hundred husbands. Indeed, the story follows Lauren, who arrives home to be greeted by her husband Michael—only she has never seen him before in her life. A different husband soon takes his place, and she soon learns a seemingly-endless supply of spouses are coming from her attic. As she navigates this complicated romantic journey, key questions emerge, namely, what does she want from life and will she take the reins to get it?
Based on: Rachel Reid’s 2022 novel The Long Game Cast: Hudson Williams, Connor Storrie, Francois Arnaud, Robbie G.K., Christina Chang, Dylan Walsh, Callan Potter and Ksenia Daniela KharlamovaRelease: TBD Spring 2027Forget coming to the cottage, fans will be heading to HBO—or Crave for the Canadian fans—in droves when season two of the hockey romance returns. And while the upcoming installment—which will also weave in Reid’s novel Role Model—Ilya Rozanov (Storrie) and Shane Hollander (Williams) are firmly locked in, that brings new challenges for the pair, on top of feeling more pressure than ever as they approach life as elite athletes entering their 30s.
Based On: Stephanie Meyer’s 2020 novelStarring: TBDPremieres: TBD on NetflixWhile fans had to wait more than a decade for Meyer to release the retelling of Twilight from Edward Cullen’s POV, viewers will soon see an animated version of the story coming to their screens. And it’s safe to say catching a glimpse of an animated killer’s sparkly skin will be must-see TV.
Based On: Tessa Bailey’s 2021 novelCast: Nina Dobrev and Tyler HoechlinPremieres: TBDWho doesn’t love a fish-out-of-water story? Bailey certainly delivered in It Happened One Summer, following L.A. socialite Piper Bellinger who is exiled to the pacific northwest, where she encounters stoic king crab fisherman Brendan Taggart. And the author firmly believes Dobrev and Hoechlin are the perfect people to channel the duo onscreen.
“I'm just excited to see what they bring to the characters,” Bailey recently told E! News. “I think they're both such talented actors, and they're both really funny. So, I'm really excited to see the spin they put on Piper and Brendan. I think they're going to kill it.”
Based On: Emily Henry's 2024 novelStarring: TBDPremieres: TBD on NetflixAmong the many adaptations of Henry's novels coming to the big and small screen is her 2024 best-seller, which gives viewers a look at how Daphne finds herself again after Peter breaks off their engagement to be with his childhood best friend Petra. And of course, Daphne gets an assist from Petra's own ex-boyfriend, Miles.