Classic Books Becoming Movies and Miniseries in 2019
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Want to find out what classic book-to-movie adaptations are coming out in 2019? Check out this list of classic books becoming movies and TV miniseries for the big screen, Amazon, Netflix, and the BBC.
Classic Book-to-Movie Adaptations for 2019 (Updated with Trailers and Streaming Info)
I get excited when I hear that a classic book is getting a film adaptation. Sometimes they turn out great (like this and this), and other times they fall short. But the anticipation is always pleasant. I love to see the books I’ve read brought to life, and I’m always most satisfied when the movie follows the book as closely as possible.
How well do the filmmakers understand the author? How well will they respect the reader-turned-viewer? This year, we’re about to find out with 17+ book-to-film adaptations of classic novels.
Update: I’ve made updates in red to note where you can watch these, or if there is new information about them. Pin this post so you can save it for later!
Looking for the 2023 list? Get it here!
Classic Books Becoming Movies in 2019
Look for the following new movies based on classic novels to hit the big screen:
Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase (March 15)
This could be fun, but I think most Nancy Drew fans will wish this had a vintage setting and was the start of a miniseries instead of a movie. Which could actually be coming our way, since the CW network owns the rights to the books and is currently working on a series!!
Here’s the trailer for the new movie:
Nancy Drew and the Hidden Staircase isn’t available on Netflix in the U.S. or on Amazon Prime, but the DVD can be purchased here. Meanwhile, the CW Network’s Nancy Drew TV series now has three seasons. Their take is a modern-day, supernatural mystery series aimed at older teens and adults.
Note: In case you missed it, here’s my post on 11 things Nancy Drew taught me about life.
Little Women (December 25)
There’s a reason Lousia May Alcott’s classic is getting so many remakes lately–2018 was the novel’s 150th anniversary! The BBC released their miniseries in spring of 2018 (I reviewed it here), and the classic got a modern retelling later that year. This year’s period piece is directed by Greta Gerwig and stars Saoirse Ronan (Jo), Emma Watson (Meg), and Meryl Streep (Aunt March).
Here’s the official Little Women trailer:
Although not my favourite, this is a lovely adaptation and I definitely recommend it! You can buy the DVD, or stream with STARZ on Amazon.
Cats (December)
Andrew Lloyd Weber’s musical is being turned into a movie, but his original source material was Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats, a collection of poems by T. S. Eliot. Here’s the official Cats trailer:
CATS is available to stream here, or get on DVD here.
The Secret Garden
Like Little Women, this is another major classic that hasn’t gotten a big-screen remake since the 90s. This version of Francis Hodgson Burnett’s novel will star Colin Firth as Mr. Craven. They’ve changed the time period from early 1900s, as it is in the book, to post World War II.
The Secret Garden can be found on Amazon.
The Personal History of David Copperfield
Dickens’s favourite novel is getting a big-screen adaptation this year, with a cast that includes Dev Patel, Tilda Swinton, and Hugh Laurie.
The Personal History of David Copperfield is available on DVD here.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Paul King (of the recent Paddington movies), is directing a film version based on Roald Dahl’s 1964 children’s classic. It might not exactly be a book adaptation, though…sounds like going to be more of a prequel story with background on Wonka and the Oompa-Loompas.
This film was pushed back to 2023, and there still aren’t many details about it! Here’s the IMDb page. Timothée Chalamet (who played Laurie in the 2019 Little Women), will be Willy Wonka.
Call of the Wild
Jack London’s 1903 adventure novel is about a dog who is stolen from his home to become a sled dog in the harsh conditions of the Yukon. The upcoming film adaptation has a promising cast, including Harrison Ford, Dan Stevens, and Karen Gillan.
Call of the Wild is on HBO Max. Get the DVD here.
1984
This famous novel by George Orwell will be getting a movie soon. Paul Greengass, who directed three of the Bourne films, is directing.
Update 1/29/2020: This film has stalled, and no new details have been released!
Note: Megan listed this in her Books That Make You Think post.
The Bell Jar
A big-screen adaptation of Sylvia Plath’s novel has been in the works for awhile now. It looks like it will be released this year or next, but I can’t find a definite date. It will be Kirsten Dunst’s first directorial feature.
Update 1/29/2020: No release date for this yet, but we know that Kirsten Dunst is no longer directing. And apparently it will be a television series instead.
Witness for the Prosecution
Ben Affleck is directing and starring in this adaptation of a short story and play by Agatha Christie. Christie’s detective Poirot isn’t featured in this, so you don’t have to wonder whether Affleck is right for the role!
Update 1/29/2020: This film did not come out in 2019, and there are no more details about its progress on the IMDB page.
Classic Books Becoming T.V. Miniseries in 2019
Check out Netflix, Amazon Prime, and BBC/Masterpiece for these upcoming book-to-TV adaptations! Note that for some BBC productions, you can watch episodes for free on the Masterpiece website, but only for a limited time.
The ABC Murders (February)
This Agatha Christie adaptation was released in the U.S. on Amazon Prime earlier this year. John Malkovich stars as a controversial Poirot. I haven’t seen the miniseries, but I hear it’s a bit gruesome in parts. I’m no Malkovich fan, so I might give this one a pass.
Here’s the trailer if you’re curious:
Les Misérables (April 14)
Many BBC period drama aficionados know Andrew Davies for his work on Pride and Prejudice (1995), Wives and Daughters, Sense and Sensibility, and countless other miniseries. Now he’ll be screenwriting for a new adaptation of Victor Hugo’s massive novel. It will be a six-part series and promises to be a faithful adaptation. (The picture at the top of this page has scenes from Les Mis.)
I watched this when it came out and it is excellent! I haven’t read the book, I’m afraid, but I love this story and all three film adaptations of it that I’ve seen so far! (This, the Hugh Jackman one, and the Liam Neeson). Here’s the BBC version on DVD.
A Christmas Carol (December, 2019)
Apparently, the BBC is getting ready to release another run of Charles Dickens adaptations! The first in this series will be A Christmas Carol, with Stephen Knight directing and Ridley Scott and Tom Hardy producing. There will be 3 60-minute episodes.
A Christmas Carol is available to stream now on FX. It can also be purchased for streaming on Amazon.
Dracula
Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat are bringing Bram Stoker’s Gothic novel to the screen sometime in late 2019 or early 2020. Although the two reworked Sherlock Holmes in a modern setting, Dracula will (mostly) be a period piece! There will be 3 episodes, 90 minutes each as a collaboration between Netflix and the BBC.
Although Dracula is one of my favourite Victorian novels, mentioned in my Gothic novels post and my Gryffindor House reading list, I found this adaptation to be a disappointment. There’s major changes to the book, and the horror is either campy or downright disgusting.
Animal Farm
George Orwell’s allegorical novel hasn’t been filmed much, but Andy Serkis (aka Gollum) is going to give it a try. The movie will be released as a Netflix original, probably sometime in 2019.
Update 1/29/2020: This hasn’t been released on Netflix, yet. It’s still in the works.
Death Comes As the End
Agatha Christie’s mystery novel will be made into a 3-part BBC miniseries, released sometime this year. It’s an interesting Christie novel to adapt, because instead of playing out in English country houses it’s set in ancient Egypt!
Update 1/29/2020: This film was pushed back and will hopefully be released in 2021.
The Chronicles of Narnia
Netflix now has the rights to adapt all seven novels in C. S. Lewis’s fantasy series. They have plans to make a “Narnia universe” using both feature films and TV series, and may release the first this year. I’m keeping my expectations safely low, but I’d love to be pleasantly surprised.
Update 1/29/2020: This is still in the works!
Which of the above titles are you most looking forward to? I’m most interested in The Secret Garden, Little Women, and Dracula. Most nervous about Dracula.
If you need a good period movie to watch NOW, without waiting for one of these, check out my list of 20 excellent period films. I’ve also got a complete guide to Anne of Green Gables film adaptations, which can be found here. And if you’d like to see 7 underrated classics that should be made into movies, head here!
More classic books coming to film:
I did not know about most of these! Thanks for sharing! I loved The Secret Garden as a child, so I am definitely interested in a new adaptation! (And Narnia! Please be good this time! I mean, the newer ones weren’t bad, but they also never finished the series…)
You’re welcome! It was fun researching. I loved The Secret Garden–book and movie. It is so magical. The old, low-budget BBC Narnia movies hold a special place in my heart, but I would love, love to see the complete series made, and for them not to try anything fancy (like green mist). Just stick to the beautiful, wondrous books, please. I did like the newer ones, and Prince Caspian’s divergences from the book weren’t bad, actually…for the most part. But yes, could someone PLEASE make all 7?!
Wow that’s an amazing cast for Little Women! My husband will be thrilled to hear about the Cats movie. That’s his favorite musical (sigh).
I know, I’m excited about it. And super glad they cast Emma Watson as Meg and not as Jo. She’s already been a bookish brainy girl a couple of times, so this will be a nice difference! Lol about Cats! Guess you have a date night lined up(;
Yes! I assumed when I first heard the news that Emma Watson would be playing Jo, and I’m sure she would be fine in that role, but I’m curious to see her as Meg! Also excited about David Copperfield, Call of the Wild, and Les Mis…most apprehensive about Narnia. Please, Netflix, don’t mess up Narnia!!!
I know you read and loved David Copperfield. I think that’ll be my Dickens read for the year!
Oh my goodness, Dracula!!! How exciting!
Yay for another Dracula fan! I hope it’s good.
According to European fans, the Les Mis series was not faithful to the book in a lot of big ways. Disappointing, but I’m so excited for a lot of the other shows/films! Especially Little Women.
Oh, that is too bad! I still want to see it, but I wish they’d made better use of the opportunity! Let’s hope Little Women is a good rendering.
Not a Malkovitch fan either but The ABC Murders was well made and watchable. Malkovitch was actually very good and believable and showed another side to Poirot. Please do give it a try😊
Okay, thanks for that opinion. That does make me willing to watch!
I’ve also heard Theo James will be playing the main Male role in an upcoming film called Sanditon after one of Jane Austen’s unfinished novels. I’m so excited! Also, please no more Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory reboots. No Gene Wilder, no Willy Wonka.
Oh, awesome! I will keep an eye out for that!
Mid January 2020…Sanditon is on local PBS station, 9pm Eastern time on Sundays. Spectrum Cable has On Demand episodes, too.
Looking forward to the Narnia series. Love the movies that have already come out.
There were some things I didn’t like about the Narnia movies, but also a lot of things that I loved seeing brought to life onscreen. There were also the old BBC miniseries of the first 4 books…and as low budget as they were, I really loved them as a child. Still do, in fact.
I’m so looking forward to the new Little Women! I loved the Susan Sarandon/Winona Ryder version, but Meryl Streep as Aunt March is PERFECT casting. I hadn’t heard of the new David Copperfield, but SO excited to see that Hugh Laurie will get a run in it! 2019 is going to be a great year for adaptations!
I think it will be! Meryl Streep is going to have fun with that role. How could you not?
These are great. I am really looking forward to Death comes as the end, it’s a great novel, and I’d be interested in the ancient Egyptian setting.
Me, too! It’s a really interesting one to adapt.
Wow. I’m pretty impressed with someone taking on Animal Farm. Seems like it would be a really hard one to do well. I find talking animals pretty hilarious, so it’s going to take some to put some gravity into this movie. 🙂 Will definitely watch it! Also looking forward to 1984, which is my preferred Orwell novel. I saw a movie version of it back in high school, but it would be nice to see an updated version.
I haven’t read Animal Farm, but I know the gist of it and I agree–it will take some creativity to convey it properly!
My husband and I gave up on the ABC murders after the first episode because it is so unfaithful to the book. Given how many productions have changed the plot so significantly recently (I’m also looking at you Ordeal by Innocence) I don’t know if we’ll bother with any other adaptations unless they’re done by the marvellous Kenneth Brannagh. You used to be able to rely on the BBC much more than ITV to stay faithful to the author and their writing but they seem to care more about production values now.
Hmm, that is too bad. I did really enjoy and respect Brannagh’s Murder on the Orient Express, so I’m hoping he continues his adaptations!
Would love to see a film version of 1984. Not nearly as excited for one of Animal Farm. I just don’t see that working out well.
Yes, that is one I can’t envision either!
“This version of Francis Hodgson Burnett’s novel will star Colin Firth as Lord Craven.”
There is no Lord Craven in “The Secret Garden”. Mary’s uncle is Mr. Archibald Craven.
Thanks for noticing that! I will correct the post!
The interesting thing is, Colin Firth played the grown-up Colin Craven at the end of the 1987 Hallmark made-for-TV version.
Oh really? That’s a neat tidbit!