14 Fall Movies Based on Books

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

Johnny Depp as real-life gangster Whitey Bulger.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• What it's about: Author Amy Koppelman's novel follows a a housewife struggling with depression and addiction. Read about Koppelman's experience making the film in her illuminating essay.
• Who's starring: Sarah Silverman stars with Josh Charles.
• When it opened: Oct. 23
• Watch the trailer for I Smile Back.