From Harry Potter to Lord of the Rings, some of the most iconic films in history first captured hearts as books, immersing readers in unforgettable worlds. And if there’s one thing better than a great novel, it’s watching its characters and stories come alive on the big screen, reimagined with stunning visuals and powerful performances. 2025 is packed with exciting book-to-movie adaptations, from sci-fi epics like Mickey 17 to psychological thrillers like Verity, here are 10 of the most anticipated adaptations hitting theaters this year—and where you can watch them online in India.
Mickey 17
After winning the Academy Award for Best Picture for Parasite in 2019, South Korean filmmaker Bong Joon Ho is back with another mind-bending and darkly comedic film, Mickey 17. Based on the bestselling book Mickey7 by Edward Ashton, the film stars Robert Pattinson as an expendable employee who repeatedly sacrifices himself for the sake of a space mission. The highly anticipated sci-fi thriller was released in cinemas across India earlier this March.
Verity
Colleen Hoover has had an incredibly successful run as a writer, with multiple books landing on The New York Times bestseller list. However, she took a major leap into the world of film when her novel It Ends With Us made its way to the big screen. Despite all the drama surrounding the film, It Ends With Us became a global commercial success, paving the way for several of her other books to be optioned for adaptation. Building on this momentum, her psychosexual thriller Verity is set to hit the big screen next, following a struggling writer who takes on a ghostwriting project for a bestselling author—only to find herself pulled into a web of dark secrets. Filming for Verity is underway, with Anne Hathaway, Dakota Johnson, and Josh Hartnett bringing the bestselling novel to life—though the release date remains unconfirmed.
The Electric State
While you wait for the latest season of Stranger Things, you can catch Millie Bobby Brown in her latest Netflix sci-fi adventure, The Electric State, where she stuns in an all-new blonde bombshell look. Based on the bestselling book The Electric State by Simon Stålenhag, the movie is set in a dystopian future where humans and robots are at war. Millie plays Michelle, a rogue teenage drifter who teams up with a robot and Keats (Chris Pratt) on a perilous mission to rescue her brother, who is being held captive by a mysterious force. With an army of cute, quirky, and oddly endearing robots, a gripping plot, and stunning visuals, this sci-fi epic has been dominating Netflix’s Top 10 since its release on 14th March 2025.
Regretting You
Colleen Hoover has a busy year ahead, with two of her novels being adapted into films. Regretting You, based on her 2019 novel of the same name centers on the strained relationship between Morgan Grant and her teenage daughter, Clara, which is further complicated by a sudden tragic accident. This event forces them to navigate life's challenges together, unearthing a Pandora's box of secrets and lies. The film boasts a star-studded lineup, including Allison Williams as Morgan Grant, Mckenna Grace as Clara Grant, Dave Franco as Jonah Sullivan, Mason Thames as Miller Adams, Willa Fitzgerald, and Scott Eastwood. Directed by Josh Boone, Regretting You is set for a theatrical release on 24th October, 2025.
Bridget Jones: Mad About The Boy
The fourth and final book-to-screen adaptation from bestselling author Helen Fielding has been released! Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy takes us back to the humorous and chaotic world of Bridget Jones's love life. Set four years after the tragic death of her husband, Mark Darcy, Bridget is now a widowed single mother to two children. She has a supportive family, a steady job as a successful screenwriter, and a new love interest who’s significantly younger than her. The film explores Bridget's journey as she navigates modern dating, motherhood, and personal growth.
The Housemaid
One of the most highly anticipated book-to-movie adaptations, The Housemaid is based on Freida McFadden's bestselling novel of the same name, which spent over 63 weeks on The New York Times Best Sellers list. This riveting psychological thriller follows Millie, a down-on-her-luck woman who becomes a live-in housemaid for a wealthy family, aiming to turn her life around. However, she soon discovers that the family's hidden secrets are more dangerous and twisted than her own indiscretions. The film is set to release on 25th December, 2025, and stars Sydney Sweeney as Millie, Amanda Seyfried as Nina Winchester, Brandon Sklenar as Andrew Winchester, and Michele Morrone as Enzo, the enigmatic groundskeeper.
The Amateur
Coming to cinemas this April, The Amateur is a gripping spy thriller starring Rami Malek as Charles Heller, a CIA cryptographer whose life is upended when his wife is killed in a London terrorist attack. Frustrated by his superiors' inaction, Heller embarks on a perilous mission for vengeance, utilizing his intelligence expertise to track down those responsible. The movie is based on Robert Littell's bestselling novel of the same name. Directed by James Hawes, the film features a stellar cast, including Rachel Brosnahan, Caitríona Balfe, Jon Bernthal, Michael Stuhlbarg, and Laurence Fishburne.
Animal Farm
Most of us first came across George Orwell’s classic Animal Farm in school. The story follows a group of farm animals who rebel against their human owner, only to see their dreams of equality shattered as power corrupts their new leaders. Now, the book is being adapted for the screen for the third time by filmmaker Andy Serkis, best known for recently directing Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle, and Venom: Let There Be Carnage. This animated adaptation is currently in post-production, with a release date yet to be announced.
The Running Man
Based on Stephen King's 1982 novel, The Running Man is a gripping dystopian thriller about Ben Richards, a man who participates in a deadly game show where contestants are hunted by professional killers, all for a chance to win a cash prize to save his ailing child. This marks the second film adaptation of the novel; the first Running Man was released in 1987, starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The upcoming adaptation, directed by Edgar Wright, is set to release on 7th November 2025, with Glen Powell portraying the lead role of Ben Richards.
Wicked: For Good
Glinda and Elphaba's intertwined tale has journeyed from Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel, to the Broadway stage, and now to cinemas through a two-part feature adaptation by Universal Pictures. The first film, Wicked, was released in November 2024 and received both commercial success and critical acclaim, earning multiple Academy Award nominations and Golden Globe awards, including Best Director for Jon M. Chu and Best Original Song. The sequel, Wicked: For Good, continues the story, delving deeper into Elphaba's transformation into the Wicked Witch of the West and exploring the complexities of her relationship with Glinda. Fans can anticipate returning to the magical world of Oz when Wicked: For Good hits theaters on 21st November, 2025.
How to watch the most anticipated book-to-movie adaptations of 2025 in India
Interested in saving these movies to your watchlist before they hit the screens? Check out JustWatch’s streaming guide below to explore each title in detail. Click on a movie to see its release date, cast, and synopsis. You can also hit “Notify Me” to get updates on their availability. Check out the 10 must-watch adaptations below.
