Skip Nav
Love It. Save Your Favorites Now.
19 Books You Need to Read Before They Hit the Big Screen This Fall

Books Becoming Movies Fall 2018

19 Books You Need to Read Before They Hit the Big Screen This Fall

Books Becoming Movies Fall 2018
Image Source: Lionsgate

The book may always be better than the movie, but when the movie's casting is incredible, then it's totally worth seeing regardless. From astronauts to ballerinas, here are the true stories, novels, and classics that will be coming to the big screen this Fall — we promise we won't tell anyone if you only pretend to have read these books before seeing them come to life in theaters.

Related:
Fall Movies 2018
Fall Movie Preview: 50 Movies You Need to Know About

1 Bel Canto by Ann Patchett

Bel Canto by Ann Patchett
  • What it's about: An American soprano named Roxane travels to South America to perform a private concert, not expecting that it will crashed by guerrilla forces.
  • Who's starring: Julianne Moore will star as Roxane, alongside Ken Watanabe and Demián Bichir.
  • Release date: Sept. 14
1 / 19

2 The Children Act by Ian McEwan

The Children Act by Ian McEwan
  • What it's about: Based on the novel by Atonement author Ian McEwan, a High Court judge in London is asked to rule on the case of a brilliant boy who is refusing the blood transfusion that will save his life.
  • Who's starring: Emma Thompson will star alongside Stanley Tucci and Fionn Whitehead.
  • Release date: Sept. 14
2 / 19

3 A Simple Favor by Darcey Bell

A Simple Favor by Darcey Bell
  • What it's about: A fledgling vlogger tries to solve the sudden disappearance of her glamorous but unknowable best friend.
  • Who's starring: Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively costar in this thriller.
  • Release date: Sept. 14
3 / 19

4 The Land of Steady Habits by Ted Thompson

The Land of Steady Habits by Ted Thompson
  • What it's about: Feeling trapped, a wealthy financier retires from his job and leaves his wife in the hopes of getting a second chance.
  • Who's starring: Ben Mendelsohn and Edie Falco costar as husband and wife in this domestic drama.
  • Release date: Sept. 14
4 / 19

5 The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt

The Sisters Brothers by Patrick deWitt
  • What it's about: Two brothers named Eli and Charlie Sisters embark on a mission to kill a thieving gold prospector.
  • Who's starring: Jake Gyllenhaal, Joaquin Phoenix, and John C. Reilly will star in the film.
  • Release date: Sept. 21
5 / 19

6 The House With a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs

The House With a Clock in Its Walls by John Bellairs
  • What it's about: When 10-year-old orphan Lewis goes to live with his uncle in a creepy old house, he accidentally fractures the town's sleepy facade and releases a secret world of witches and warlocks.
  • Who's starring: Cate Blanchett and Jack Black will star alongside Owen Vaccaro, who will play Lewis.
  • Release date: Sept. 21
6 / 19

7 Little Women by Louisa May Alcott

Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
  • What it's about: To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Louise May Alcott's classic novel, the remake will offer a modern retelling of the four March sisters.
  • Who's starring: The cast will include Lea Thompson, Lucas Grabeel, and Ian Bohen.
  • Release date: Sept. 28
7 / 19

8 First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong by James R. Hansen

First Man: The Life of Neil A. Armstrong by James R. Hansen
  • What it's about: Based on James R. Hansen's biography, First Man will offer a biopic of astronaut Neil Armstrong, the first man to walk on the moon.
  • Who's starring: Ryan Gosling is playing Neil Armstrong, with Claire Foy costarring as his wife, Janet. Jon Bernthal also costars.
  • Release date: Oct. 12
8 / 19

9 Break My Heart 1,000 Times by Daniel Waters

Break My Heart 1,000 Times by Daniel Waters
  • What it's about: Based on Daniel Water's novel, I Still See You is about high schooler Veronica, who grapples with the aftermath of an apocalyptic event that killed millions and left the world inhabited by ghosts.
  • Who's starring: Bella Thorne stars in the film as Veronica, with Dermot Mulroney and Richard Harmon costarring.
  • Release date: Oct. 12
9 / 19

10 Beautiful Boy by David Sheff

Beautiful Boy by David Sheff
  • What it's about: Based on David Sheff's memoir, a father tries to help his troubled son Nic overcome his meth addiction.
  • Who's starring: Steve Carell and Timothée Chalamet star as David and Nic, respectively.
  • Release date: Oct. 12
10 / 19

11 Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple

Where'd You Go, Bernadette by Maria Semple
  • What it's about: After her eccentric mother, Bernadette, disappears, 15-year-old Bee dives into her digital and written correspondence to try and find her.
  • Who's starring: Cate Blanchett has been cast as Bernadette, with Kristen Wiig, Billy Crudup, and Judy Greer also set to star.
  • Release date: Oct. 19
11 / 19

12 The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas

The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
  • What it's about: Sixteen-year-old Starr struggles to balance the worlds of her fancy private school and poor black neighborhood after she witnesses the police shooting of her childhood best friend, Khalil.
  • Who's starring: Amandla Stenberg will appear as Starr, alongside K.J. Apa and Anthony Mackie.
  • Release date: Oct. 19
12 / 19

13 Can You Ever Forgive Me? by Lee Israel

Can You Ever Forgive Me? by Lee Israel
  • What it's about: A down-on-her-luck biographer begins selling letters that she has forged but claims were been written by deceased writers, playwrights, and actors.
  • Who's starring: Melissa McCarthy stars as Leonore Carol "Lee" Israel.
  • Release date: Oct. 19
13 / 19

14 Galveston

Galveston
  • What it's about: A wanted man with lung cancer and a teenage runaway flee from New Orleans to Galveston, TX.
  • Who's starring: Ben Foster and Elle Fanning star in the film, with Lili Reinhart also appearing.
  • Release date: Oct. 19


14 / 19

15 Boy Erased by Garrard Conley

Boy Erased by Garrard Conley
  • What it's about: A young gay Baptist is forced to go to a conversion program hosted by his church.
  • Who's starring: Nicole Kidman, Russell Crowe, and Joel Edgerton are starring.
  • Release date: Nov. 2
15 / 19

16 The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffman

The Nutcracker and the Mouse King by E.T.A. Hoffman
  • What it's about: Based on E.T.A. Hoffman's classic story, The Nutcracker and the Four Realms will provide a modern twist on the old tale of Clara and her magic nutcracker doll.
  • Who's starring: Mackenize Foy will play Clara, Keira Knightly will play the Sugar Plum Fairy, Morgan Freeman will play Drosselmeyer, and Helen Mirren will play Mother Ginger, to name just a few of the impressive cast members.
  • Release date: Nov. 2
16 / 19

17 How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Suess

How the Grinch Stole Christmas! by Dr. Suess
  • What it's about: In a CGI animated remake of Dr. Seuss's original, The Grinch will tell the story of the green character who schemes to ruin Whoville's Christmas.
  • Who's starring: Benedict Cumberbatch will lend his voice to The Grinch.
  • Release date: Nov. 9
17 / 19

18 The Girl in the Spider's Web by David Lagercrantz

The Girl in the Spider's Web by David Lagercrantz
  • What it's about: In the first book since David Lagercrantz took over the Millennium trilogy from the late Stieg Larsson, Lisbeth investigates an organization called the Spider Society.
  • Who's starring: Taking over Rooney Mara's role, Claire Foy will play Lisbeth Salander in this latest installment.
  • Release date: Nov. 9
18 / 19

19 Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them by J.K. Rowling
  • What it's about: In the second installment of J.K. Rowling fantasy novel, Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald will follow magizoologist Newt Scamander as he joins forces with a young Albus Dumbledore to prevent Gellert Grindelwald from raising an army of pure-blood wizards.
  • Who's starring: Eddie Redmayne will reprise his role as Newt Scamander, with Jude Law and Johnny Depp appearing as Dumbledore and Grindelwald, respectively.
  • Release date: Nov. 16
19 / 19
Angourie Rice on Writing, Acting, and Friendships
Books
Angourie Rice on How Connection Fuels Her Creativity
by Lena Felton 5/15
In Praise of How Devil Wears Prada 2 Treats Being Child-Free
Fertility
The Romance in "Devil Wears Prada 2" Was Underwhelming — and That's Kind of the Point
by Kristine Thomason 5/05
Shop the "Wuthering Heights" Aesthetic
Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie's "Wuthering Heights" Aesthetic Is the Perfect Mood Board For Spring
by Naomi Parris 3/04
Shop Adrienne Bailon-Houghton's Outfits in "Chef's Kiss"
Fashion Shopping
Adrienne Bailon-Houghton's "Chef’s Kiss" Wardrobe Deserves a Starring Role
by Haley Lyndes 2/10
Margot Robbie's "Wuthering Heights" Home Tour
Margot Robbie
Margot Robbie’s "Wuthering Heights" Home Is Basically a Gothic Fairy Tale IRL
by Haley Lyndes 2/05
These Actors Turned Their "Cancer Friendship" Into a Film
Friendship
These Actors Forged a Friendship Amid Cancer — Then Made a Movie About It
by Chandler Plante 1/09

From Our Partners

Now You Know

Love Is Blind: Where Do Those Engagement Rings Come From?

Fashion

Everything to Know About the "Love Is Blind" Engagement Rings

by Sarah Wasilak 2/19

shopping

Oprah's Favorite Things List Has Major Gems, Including an Under-$100 Air Fryer

by Balim Tezel 11/06/25

Fitness

Paralympians Earn the Same Pay For Medals as Olympians, but Is It Enough?

by Karenna Meredith 8/29/24

health

How Often Should We Be Getting COVID Vaccines?

by Alexis Jones 8/23/24

Food

Pumpkin Spice Season Is Back Aug. 22

by Lauren Mazzo 8/21/24

Beauty

The Exact Red Lipstick Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez Swears By

by Alaina Demopoulos 8/20/24

health

What to Know About the Latest Mpox Outbreak, According to MDs

by Alexis Jones 8/16/24

health

Céline Dion Promised Her Children She’d Live: “They Already Lost a Parent.”

by Sara Youngblood Gregory 6/11/24

Latest Entertainment
We're Hiring! Write For Us Advertise With Us Accessibility Contact Archives
Power Your Happy
Terms Privacy Policy
©2026 Vox Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.