The books you HAVE TO read before their movie adaptation

You’ve already gone through all 400 pages of Connemara before rushing to see it on the big screen last September 10, but you’re still craving more ? The Do It team gives you a little boost with this recap of the books you MUST read before their upcoming movie adaptations. From timeless classics to futuristic stories, including pop-erotic revisits of English masterpieces : it’s always better to review the basics before watching these stories come alive on the big screen, sometimes with a few liberties taken. Often backed by star-studded casts, we can’t wait to see these characters come to life in theaters. Enough to breathe new life into even the dustiest of books.

Genre ? Philosophical existentialism.

The pitch ? L’Étranger follows an ordinary man confronted with the absurdity of life. Set in 1930s Algeria, we meet Meursault, a modest and apathetic clerk whose life changes after he buries his mother without shedding a tear. This triggers a chain of events that will end with a seaside tragedy under a blazing sun. No spoilers for those who haven’t read it yet…

The adaptation ? With black-and-white perfection, a five-star cast, and slicked-back hair, François Ozon delivers his take on Camus’ iconic 1942 novel, offering his own vision of Camusian absurdity. For two hours, Benjamin Voisin - the new darling of French audiences - transforms into Meursault in another memorable period role, marking his return with Ozon after the acclaimed Été 85. Pierre Lottin and Rebecca Marder add the final touch to this exceptional cast. Another César nomination for the trio?

L’Étranger, in theaters October 29

Genre ? Dystopian crime.

The pitch ? In the near future, Paris has changed dramatically: the city is divided into three zones by social class, the police force ruled by the AI ALMA, whose mysterious inventor is murdered. Salia and Zem, two very different officers, are forced to work together to solve a crime that could shake the established order.

The adaptation ? Directed by Cédric Jimenez (Bac Nord, Novembre), this adaptation of Laurent Gaudé’s 2022 novel is set to draw crowds. His loyal collaborators Adèle Exarchopoulos and Gilles Lellouche reunite as the explosive cop duo, joined by other French cinema stars like Louis Garrel and Romain Duris. Packed with action, a dystopian setting, and high-profile actors, the trailer already promises thrills.

Chien 51, in theaters October 15

Genre ? Dystopian satire.

The pitch ? In this 1982 novel, Stephen King imagines a future that looks a lot like our present. In the U.S., one show captivates audiences : Running Man. Contestants must survive for thirty days while being hunted by killers to win the grand prize. This year, Ben Richards joins, willing to do anything to save his gravely ill daughter. His desperate race may just expose the flaws of the system.

The adaptation ? Glen Powell, clad in a yellow suit, embodies this man with nothing left to lose, fighting for his and his daughter’s lives. Directed by Edgar Wright (Last Night in Soho, Baby Driver), the film channels Hunger Games-style suspense. The trailer’s fast pace, fire, guns, and quirky humor feel like a promise we can’t wait to see fulfilled.

Running Man, in theaters November 5

Genre ? Psychological thriller.

The pitch ? Freida McFadden’s worldwide bestseller takes us inside the Winchester family’s New York home. Millie, an ex-convict, becomes their new housemaid, but appearances are deceiving. Expect hidden family dramas, toxic secrets, and a mysterious bedroom door that only opens from the outside...

The adaptation ? This is one of the year’s most anticipated adaptations, and fans of the 2022 phenomenon are eagerly waiting. The on-screen pairing of Amanda Seyfried - the seemingly perfect mother with pearls and flawless hair - and Sydney Sweeney - the maid slowly integrating into the household - is already a major event. And that red door in the trailer ? It gives us chills.

La femme de ménage, in theaters December 24

Genre ? Romance.

The pitch ? Colleen Hoover, queen of contemporary romance, strikes again. Her 2019 novel tells the story of a mother and daughter bound by unbreakable love, but with opposite personalities. Morgan Rant sacrificed her dreams to raise Clara, protecting her even to the point of suffocation. But when tragedy exposes an unimaginable betrayal, their fragile bond is shaken to its core.

The adaptation ? Directed by Josh Boone, this adaptation follows in the footsteps of The Fault in Our Stars and 500 Days of Summer. With Dave Franco, Mckenna Grace, and Allison Williams, expect to laugh, dream, and cry and struggle to move on afterward. Goodbye perfect fairytales, hello real life with all its messiness.

Regretting You, in theaters October 29

Genre ? Romantic gothic.

The pitch ? Emily Brontë’s Wuthering Heights has enthralled readers since 1847 with its tale of impossible love and family drama in Yorkshire. When Heathcliff, a young orphan, is adopted into the Earnshaw family, he disrupts everything: Catherine loves him passionately, while her brother Hindley grows increasingly vengeful. A timeless story of love, revenge, and heartbreak.

The adaptation ? Already stirring controversy for its highly sexualized aesthetic, this bold new take features Jacob Elordi and Margot Robbie, Hollywood’s most sought-after stars. Directed by Emerald Fennell (Saltburn), it reinvents the classic with pop colors, bold eroticism, and a Charli XCX soundtrack. February can’t come soon enough.

Hurlevent, in theaters February 18

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