13 books you should read before they're turned into movies and TV shows this year
Business Insider provides a curated list of 13 books being adapted into films or television shows in 2026. The list includes titles like 'Dune Messiah' and 'Wildwood,' encouraging readers to engage with the source material before the screen adaptations release.
Why it matters
Book-to-screen adaptations are a major driver of consumer interest in literature and entertainment media.
Timothée Chalamet stars in "Dune." Warner Bros. Some of the most hyped films of 2026 are based on blockbuster novels. You still have a few weeks to read "Dune Messiah" before "Dune: Part Three." There are a couple of holiday books getting adapted, too. Any booklover knows that news of an adaptation can be complicated: Can we trust the directors, screenwriters, and actors to bring our favorite stories to life? This year's movie slate is filled with books that are near and dear to thousands of readers, including classics that are decades (or centuries) old, like " Pride and Prejudice , "A Christmas Carol," and "Dune Messiah." There are also some new classics set to be adapted this year, including "Klara and the Sun" and "Sunrise on the Reaping." We've compiled a list of 13 must-read books that you should crack open before they're adapted this year. 'Whalefall' "Whalefall."
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