10 Books To Read Before They Hit The Big Screen As Movie Adaptations

Hollywood is currently obsessed with superheroes from the comics, but they haven't completely forgotten about books either. After the success of the films based on the Hunger Games trilogy there has been a big demand for more young adult novels to make the leap to the big screen. Both the Divergent and The Maze Runner titles got book-to-film adaptations, but there is more to come. It is not only the YA genre that is seeing a lot of interest, but also thrillers and even classic children's books.

The bar has been set quite high for movie adaptations of popular books, so the future is looking very bright for fans. Check out the list of books below to find out what you will be able to enjoy in the cinema very soon and then add them to your reading list in preparation.

1. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children – Ransom Riggs

This young adult book follows the adventures of a boy who follows a trail of clues to an abandoned orphanage in the wake of a family tragedy. The orphanage is located on a remote island off the coast of Wales, but the crumbling ruins might not be as deserted as the boy first thought. Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children is the debut novel from author Ransom Riggs and went on to become a New York Times best seller.

Bringing this dark fantasy adventure to life rests on the shoulders of director Tim Burton. It will feature a star studded cast, including Samuel L. Jackson, Chris O'Dowd, Asa Butterfield and Eva Green. The filming began in February 2015 already and fans can expect it on the big screen by December 2016.

2. Ready Player One – Ernest Cline

Ready Player One is set in the dystopian future of 2044 where people spend their time logged into the virtual utopia of the OASIS. The creator of this virtual world hid clues within it to his vast real-life fortune, sparking a contest after his death. When one of the most unlikely candidates, Wade Watts, completes the first step he discovers that there are other players who are willing to kill in order to get their hands on the prize.

Steven King is taking the director seat for the movie adaptation, but there is still time to catch up on the book as the film is scheduled for a December 2017 release.

3. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies - Seth Grahame-Smith

Author Seth Grahame-Smith decided that the classic Jane Austen novel, Pride and Prejudice, was lacking in one vital area; zombies. Thus he created this parody novel that features the familiar tale of a fiercely independent heroine and a dashing gentleman, but along with different social classes they also have to deal with the living dead.

Director Burr Steers is responsible for the big screen adaptation and features Lilly James as Elizabeth Bennet along with Sam Riley as Mr. Darcy. Its release date of February 5th 2016 is perfect for a romantic date night.

4. Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There – Lewis Carroll

Everyone is familiar with Alice's Adventures in Wonderland, a book that has seen numerous film adaptations already, but it also has a sequel called Through the Looking-Glass, and What Alice Found There. The book is a sequel to the original story of Alice and this time she climbs through a mirror to enter the world she sees beyond it.

The film adaptations is set for release on May 27, 2016 by Walt Disney Pictures and is the sequel to their previous film, Alice in Wonderland. Tim Burton is the producer and returning stars include Mia Wasikowska, Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway and Johnny Depp.

5. The Girl on the Train – Paula Hawkins

Touted by many critics as the next "Gone Girl," The Girl on the Train is the work of British author Paula Hawkins. It is a psychological thriller that stayed on The New York Times Fiction Best Sellers of 2015 list for 13 weeks in a row. It is the story of Rachel Watson, a divorced woman whose daily train commute takes her past the house where she lived with her husband. As he still lives there with his new wife and child Rachel decides to concentrate on the lives of a couple who lives a few houses down. However, things change when she notices something shocking transpire between the couple as her train passes one day.

Director Tate Taylor is at the helm for the movie version that will star Emily Blunt as Rachel Watson. The film is expected in cinemas on 7 October 2016.

6. Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them – J. K. Rowling

British author J. K. Rowling needs no introduction, but in addition to the Harry Potter books she also wrote Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them under the pseudonym of Newt Scamander. The book features descriptions of different magical species that are found around the world as documented by magizoologist Newt Scamander.

The film, which will be released in cinemas on 18 November 2016, is set seventy years before Harry Potter reads the book in school. It features the adventures of writer Newt Scamander as he navigates the secret community of witches and wizards in New York. The film is the first in a planned trilogy and will star Eddie Redmayne from Jupiter Ascending and They Theory of Everything fame as Newt.

7. The Circle – Dave Eggers

The Circle is a book that explores the way that society is changing due to its dependency on technology and connectedness. The protagonist, Mae Holland, starts her dream job at a powerful technology company called The Circle just after graduating college. As Mae climbs the corporate ladder she finds that she has to sacrifice more and more of her own privacy.

Filming for the movie adaptation of the novel started on September 11, 2015 and is being directed by James Ponsoldt. Emma Watson will be playing one of the lead roles along with Tom Hanks, Karen Gillan, Ellar Coltrane and John Boyega. There is no official release date yet, but it should be out sometime in 2016.

8. The Girl with All the Gifts – M.R. Carey

The Girl With All The Gifts is another tale set in a dystopian future, but this time it was a fungal infection that wiped out most of humanity. The protagonist of this gripping tale is a special girl named Melanie. Not much can be said about the book without spoiling its plot, but it has received acclaim from critics for deviating from the cliches of most zombie stories.

No exact release date for the film have been issued yet, but it will more than likely occur some time in 2016. Stepping into the role of Helen Justineau will be actress Gemma Arterton while her co-stars include Glenn Close and Paddy Considine.

9. The Lost City of Z – David Grann

Written by author David Grann, The Lost City of Z is actually based on a true story of a British explorer named Percy Fawcett. Percy, along with his son, disappeared in 1925 while searching through the Amazon for an ancient lost city. The search for Fawcett also claimed the lives of more than 100 people, but according to David Grann the city of Z may have really existed. Part biography and part detective story, the novel found a favorable reception with critics.

The official release date of the film version is yet to be announced, but it will star Charlie Hunnam as Colonel Percy Fawcett, Sienna Miller as his wife and Robert Pattinson as Henry Costin.

10. Inferno – Dan Brown

American author Dan Brown achieved great success with his Robert Langdon series, starting with Anegls & Demons, The Da Vinci Code and The Lost Symbol. Inferno is the fourth book in the series and once again stars Langdon who becomes the target of a manhunt. While trying to escape his pursuers he must solve an intricate riddle based on The Divine Comedy by Dante.

Tom Hanks will be reprising his role in the film adaptation that is expected to hit cinemas in October 2016. Joining him will be Felicty Jones as Dr. Sienna Brooks while Ben Foster dons the mantle of the villain.