Books Getting Movie or TV Adaptations in 2026 (Read Them First)

These fantasy and romantasy books are officially being adapted for screen in 2026 — here's what's confirmed, and why you should read the books before the adaptations drop.

7/29/20262 min read

Pouring hot water into a coffee maker
Pouring hot water into a coffee maker

Books Getting Movie or TV Adaptations in 2026 (Read Them First)

Reading the book before the adaptation drops has become its own small ritual in the fantasy and romantasy community — partly to avoid spoilers, partly because casting news always sparks a wave of "wait, is that how I pictured them?" Here's a rundown of confirmed adaptations coming out of the fantasy and romantasy space in 2026, based on official studio announcements.

Fourth Wing — Officially Heading to Prime Video

This is the big one. Fourth Wing, by Rebecca Yarros, has received a formal series order from Amazon MGM Studios / Prime Video, marking the biggest confirmed step yet for The Empyrean series on screen. If you haven't read it yet, now is genuinely the moment — check our full Fourth Wing review if you're deciding whether to start, and our Iron Flame review for the sequel.

Shatter Me — Film Rights Acquired by Warner Bros

Tahereh Mafi's dystopian YA romantasy series has a new shot at adaptation: as of June 2026, Warner Bros. Pictures acquired the film rights, with Mafi attached as an executive producer. The project is still in early development — no casting or release date confirmed yet — but it's a real, funded step forward for one of BookTok's longest-running romance-driven fantasy franchises.

Powerless — TV Series in Development at Amazon MGM

Lauren Roberts's romantasy hit Powerless is officially being adapted into a television series at Amazon MGM Studios. For readers who haven't picked it up yet, this is a good window to read ahead of casting news and promotional buildup.

The Magician's Nephew — Greta Gerwig's Return to Narnia

Netflix is backing Greta Gerwig's next major literary adaptation: The Magician's Nephew, the origin story of C.S. Lewis's Chronicles of Narnia, covering the creation of Narnia and the first appearance of the White Witch. With a late-2026 release planned, it's positioned as one of the year's biggest fantasy screen events.

Practical Magic 2 — The Sequel Nobody Expected

Based on the fourth book in Alice Hoffman's romantic fantasy series, this sequel brings back Sandra Bullock, Nicole Kidman, Stockard Channing, and Dianne Wiest reprising their roles from the original 1998 film. If you loved the movie but never read the books, this is a good excuse to finally start the series.

Why Read the Book First

  • Spoiler control. Trailers and casting news tend to reveal major plot beats well before release — reading ahead means you control when you learn what happens, not a marketing campaign.

  • You'll actually understand the discourse. Adaptation announcements always spark casting debates online — reading the source material first means you can actually engage with (or ignore) that conversation from an informed place.

  • Books almost always have more depth than a 2-hour film allows. Even well-adapted TV seasons tend to compress or cut subplots — reading first gives you the fuller version before the adaptation inevitably simplifies it.

Final Thoughts

2026 is a genuinely big year for fantasy and romantasy adaptations, with Fourth Wing's Prime Video series leading the pack as the most significant confirmed project. Whether you're trying to beat the spoilers or just want the full story before Hollywood's version arrives, now is the moment to catch up on these before the first trailers start dropping.