14 Fall Movies Based on Books

By Shannon Vestal Robson

Updated on 11/4/2015 at 10:00 AM

20th Century Studios
20th Century Studios

There are a ton of movies coming out this Fall that are based on books, so we're pointing out which of the season's buzziest flicks came from the page. Some adaptations are also based on true stories, while some of these movies are based on books that were published hundreds of years ago. Check out the latest hot adaptations to hit the big screen.

01
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials by James Dashner
20th Century Studios

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials by James Dashner

  • What it's about: The second installment of the Maze Runner series continues as the Gladers and Thomas have escaped the maze but find themselves in their next test.
  • Who's starring: Dylan O'Brien plays Thomas again, along with much of the original cast; see who else is starring.
  • When it opened: Sept. 18
  • Watch the trailer for Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials.
Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials
20th Century Studios

Maze Runner: The Scorch Trials

Dylan O'Brien and Rosa Salazar in the adaptation.

02
Left For Dead by Beck Weathers
20th Century Studios

Left For Dead by Beck Weathers

  • What it's about: In this 1996 true story, a group of climbers embarked on a journey to the top of the tallest mountain, and not all of them survived. Author Weathers was part of the group.
  • Who's starring: In the film adaptation titled Everest, Jake Gyllenhaal, Keira Knightley, Josh Brolin (who plays Weathers), Jason Clarke, John Hawkes, and Sam Worthington star as the hikers.
  • When it opened: Sept. 18
  • Watch the trailer for Everest.
Everest
Universal Pictures

Everest

Jake Gyllenhaal, Michael Kelley, and Josh Brolin in the big screen version.

03
Black Mass by Dick Lehr and Gerard O'Neill
20th Century Studios

Black Mass by Dick Lehr and Gerard O'Neill

  • What it's about: The true-crime novel follows the infamous mobster Whitey Bulger, the head of the Irish mob in the '70s, and his relationship with childhood friend John Connolly, who grew up to work for the FBI.
  • Who's starring: Johnny Depp is playing Bulger, with Joel Edgerton as Connolly. Benedict Cumberbatch, Kevin Bacon, and Juno Temple are also in the supporting cast.
  • When it opened: Sept. 18
  • Watch the trailer for Black Mass.
Black Mass
Warner Bros.

Black Mass

Johnny Depp as real-life gangster Whitey Bulger.

04
The Martian by Andy Weir
20th Century Studios

The Martian by Andy Weir

  • What it's about: Astronaut Mark Watney gets stranded on Mars and must survive alone while NASA tries to rescue him in this sci-fi novel.
  • Who's starring: Matt Damon will play Mark Watney, while Jessica Chastain and Kristen Wiig will costar. Ridley Scott is directing.
  • When it opened: Oct. 2
  • Watch the trailer for The Martian.
The Martian
20th Century Studios

The Martian

Matt Damon stars in crowd-pleaser The Martian.

05
Room by Emma Donoghue
20th Century Studios

Room by Emma Donoghue

  • What it's about: A 5-year-old boy grows up in a small shed, which becomes the only world he knows because his mother hides the truth — they're being held captive.
  • Who's starring: Brie Larson is starring as Ma, the mother; see who else is starring.
  • When it opens: Oct. 16
  • Watch the trailer for Room.
Room
FilmNation

Room

Child actor Jacob Tremblay and Brie Larson in Room.

06
Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín
20th Century Studios

Brooklyn by Colm Tóibín

  • What it's about: A young girl from Ireland starts a new life in New York in the 1950s. She falls in love with an American but feels torn between him and her family back home.
  • Who's starring: Saoirse Ronan is set to play the lead opposite The Place Beyond the Pines' Emory Cohen.
  • Watch the trailer for Brooklyn.
  • Release date: Nov. 6
Brooklyn
Searchlight Pictures

Brooklyn

Saoirse Ronan stars in the period piece.

07
Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins
20th Century Studios

Mockingjay by Suzanne Collins

  • What it's about: In the third Hunger Games book, Katniss fights against the corrupt Capitol from within District 13.
  • Who's starring: Jennifer Lawrence and other franchise cast members will reprise their roles in the adaptation, the second half of which is coming in November. See the whole cast here.
  • When it opens: Nov. 20
  • Watch the trailer for Mockingjay —Part 2.
Mockingjay — Part 2
Lionsgate

Mockingjay — Part 2

Sam Claflin, Liam Hemsworth, Evan Ross, and Jennifer Lawrence in the final Hunger Games film.

08
The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith
20th Century Studios

The Price of Salt by Patricia Highsmith

  • What it's about: A young female department-store clerk becomes obsessed with another woman in the store in this 1950s drama.
  • Who's starring: In the renamed Carol, Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara play the leads, with Carrie Brownstein in a supporting role.
  • When it opens: Nov. 20
  • Watch the trailer for Carol.
Carol
The Weinstein Company

Carol

Rooney Mara and Cate Blanchett in Carol.

09
The Secret in Their Eyes by Eduardo Sacheri
20th Century Studios

The Secret in Their Eyes by Eduardo Sacheri

  • What it's about: An MI5 agent trying to solve a murder works for the FBI and uncovers a terrifying new truth.
  • Who's starring: Chiwetel Ejiofor plays the MI5 agent opposite Nicole Kidman and Julia Roberts.
  • When it opens: Nov. 20
  • Watch the trailer for Secret in Their Eyes.
Secret in Their Eyes
STX Entertainment

Secret in Their Eyes

Julia Roberts, Nicole Kidman, and Chiwetel Ejiofor in the adaptation.

10
Frankenstein by Mary Shelley
20th Century Studios

Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

  • What it's about: Mary Shelley's classic story follows Victor Frankenstein as he discovers the secret of life and puts together a body using corpses. Horrified by the monster he's created, Frankenstein flees until the monster returns to him.
  • Who's starring: Daniel Radcliffe will play Igor, the hunchback assistant to Victor Frankenstein (James McAvoy), in this adaptation, titled Victor Frankenstein.
  • When it opens: Nov. 25
  • Watch the trailer for Victor Frankenstein.
Victor Frankenstein
20th Century Studios

Victor Frankenstein

Daniel Radcliffe and James McAvoy in the film.

11
The Danish Girl by David Ebershoff
20th Century Studios

The Danish Girl by David Ebershoff

  • What it's about: The story of real-life artist Einar Wegener, who was one of the first people to have transgender surgery.
  • Who's starring: Eddie Redmayne stars opposite Alicia Vikander and Amber Heard, while Tom Hooper is directing.
  • When it opens: Nov. 27
  • Watch the trailer for The Danish Girl.
The Danish Girl
Focus Features

The Danish Girl

Eddie Redmayne in The Danish Girl.

12
In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick
20th Century Studios

In the Heart of the Sea by Nathaniel Philbrick

  • What it's about: The book tells the story of the Essex, a ship that was sunk by a whale in 1819, leaving the crew at sea for more than 90 days.
  • Who's starring: Ron Howard is adapting the book for the big screen, and the film will star Chris Hemsworth as first mate Owen Chase, Cillian Murphy as second mate Matthew Joy, and Benjamin Walker as Captain Pollard.
  • When it opens: Dec. 11
  • Watch the trailer for In the Heart of the Sea.
In the Heart of the Sea
Warner Bros.

In the Heart of the Sea

Chris Hemsworth stars in the adaptation.

13
The Revenant: A Novel of Revenge by Michael Punke
20th Century Studios

The Revenant: A Novel of Revenge by Michael Punke

  • What it's about: After a 19th-century fur trapper gets mauled by a bear and then left for dead by thieves, he embarks on a journey for revenge.
  • Who's starring: Leonardo DiCaprio and Tom Hardy will costar in the adaptation, which is being directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu.
  • When it opens: Dec. 25
  • Watch the trailer for The Revenant.
The Revenant
20th Century Studios

The Revenant

Leonardo DiCaprio in The Revenant.

14
I Smile Back
20th Century Studios

I Smile Back

I Smile Back
20th Century Studios

I Smile Back

Sarah Silverman and Josh Charles star in the film.