Summary
- The fantasy genre has a rich history of successful TV shows and films, with many of them being adaptations of popular books.
- These adaptations transport audiences to magical worlds filled with enchanting tales, offering an escape from everyday life.
- Prominent fantasy novels, such as
A Court of Thorns and Roses
and
Legendborn
, are currently being adapted into TV shows or movies.
Over the years, the fantasy genre has consistently delivered some of the most prominent television shows and films, with many of them being live-action adaptations of books. These narratives are full of magical world-building, which transports audiences to mesmerizing realms, that captivate a diverse range of individuals with their enchanting tales. They offer a journey through fantastical landscapes, providing an escape from the realism of everyday life. Notably, J. R. R. Tolkien’s legendary The Lord of the Rings novels had Academy Award-winning cinematic adaptations that changed the fantasy genre forever across film and television.
Likewise, George R. R. Martin’s Game of Thrones series had immense success, leading to the creation of the sequel House of the Dragon. These series and movies continue to resonate with audiences, whether delving into magical studies at Hogwarts in the upcoming Harry Potter TV show or fighting alongside Geralt of Rivia in Netflix’s The Witcher. There is no shortage of fantasy novels, which ensures studios have a wealth of options to bring to life. Here are 8 fantasy novels that are currently being adapted into their own TV show or movie.
The 15 Best TV Shows Based On Books (According To IMDb)
Books are a great source of inspiration to come up with a TV series. Here are the best shows based on books and novels, according to IMDb!
8 A Court Of Thorns And Roses
Based On The Novels By Sarah J. Maas
A Court of Thorns and Roses is a popular book series by Sarah J. Maas, currently spanning over four novels and one novella. This novel is now in the process of being adapted into a television series on Hulu, with Maas collaborating on the screenplay alongside Ron D. Moore, renowned for his role as both writer and producer of the successful Outlander adaptation. Who will play A Court of Thorns and Roses‘ Feyre Archeron remains to be seen, and the character is forced to cross the wall that separates the human lands from the faerie territory of Prythian.
The Hulu TV series was announced in 2021, and while there were rumors it had been scrapped, counter-reports in February 2024 suggest it’s still in active development.
A Court of Thorns and Roses immerses its audience in a fantastical universe with various courts, each distinguished by the seasons and time of day. There is an array of magical abilities, including elemental powers, shape-shifting, shadow manipulation, and mind control, which pull viewers into this immense world. However, at its core, the story revolves around the evolution of the protagonist, Feyre, as she develops into the fullest version of herself. The Hulu TV series was announced in 2021, and while there were rumors it had been scrapped, counter-reports in February 2024 suggest it’s still in active development (via Variety).
A Court Of Thorns And Roses: Everything We Know About The ACOTAR Adaptation
A Court Of Thorns And Roses news is starting to come in as the bestselling fantasy novel series is coming to Hulu. Here is what you need to know.
7 Folk Of The Air Trilogy
Based On The Novels By Holly Black
Universal Pictures has secured the film rights to Holly Black’s Folk of the Air series, with Michael De Luca as the producer. De Luca is known for Fifty Shades of Grey, Moneyball, and The Social Network. The first book in the series, The Cruel Prince, is slated to become a movie. The movie adaptation was first announced in 2017, although no cast members for The Cruel Prince have been announced yet, and details about the upcoming film based on a book are still scarce.
The narrative of Folk of the Air revolves around a mortal girl named Jude Duarte, who, along with her sister, is whisked away at a young age to live in the dangerous High Court of Faerie. Jude fights for acceptance among the fae, who subject her to torment due to her being human, with her main adversary being Prince Carden. However, as the story unfolds, Jude finds her inner strength and resilience.
6 Red Queen
Based On The Novels By Victoria Aveyard
The NBCUniversal streamer Peacock is set to develop a drama series based on Victoria Aveyard’s book series, Red Queen. The show is being executive produced by Elizabeth Banks and Max Handelman, who also produced Pitch Perfect. It was first announced in 2021, with Banks reportedly directing and also starring in the series after first being attached to a presumably abandoned movie of the series in 2015 (via Deadline). As far as the narrative is concerned, Red Queen unfolds within an alternate near-future America, where the traditional democratic system is instead a monarchy.
The story is full of tension as Mare must remain true to herself and loyal to the people she grew up with while navigating the treacherous and politically charged domain of the Silver Court.
This monarchy is led by those with superhuman abilities, who rule with an iron fist over those without. At the heart of the narrative is Mare Barrow, a woman who discovers she has a rare power, thrusting her into the intricate and corrupt world of the ruling monarchy. The story is full of tension as Mare must remain true to herself and loyal to the people she grew up with while navigating the treacherous and politically charged domain of the Silver Court.
10 Shows That Prove TV Is A Better Medium For Book Adaptations
TV shows provide more time for the narrative of a book to unfold organically, meaning they are often better-suited to adaptations than movies.
5 Legendborn
Based On The Novel By Tracy Deonn
Felicia D. Henderson, who is known for writing The Punisher and Gossip Girl, is currently in the process of adapting Tracy Deonn’s YA fantasy novel, Legendborn. The rights to the series have been acquired by Black Bear Television, with the announcement for the upcoming TV series arriving in 2022. Deonn’s novel offers a contemporary reimagining infused with a unique twist on the timeless Legend of King Arthur.
The narrative revolves around Bree Matthews, a determined young woman, who infiltrates a team of demon hunters in pursuit of the truth behind her mother’s mysterious death. The story centers on Bree’s relentless quest to secure her place among the Legendborns to find out the truth of the past. Despite being Deonn’s debut novel, Legendborns was critically acclaimed, becoming a New York Times bestseller in 2020 as well as winning or being nominated for multiple awards.
4 Ninth House
Based On The Novel By Leigh Bardugo
Amazon Studios is currently in the process of developing a Ninth House TV show based on Leigh Bardugo’s novel. Bardugo herself will be taking on the roles of both screenwriter and executive producer for the project. The show is being produced by Pouya Shahbazian, who is best known for the Divergent Trilogy, Love, Simon, and Shadow and Bone.
The collaboration between Bardugo and Shahbazian isn’t their first, as Bardugo is the creative force behind the Grishaverse, which turned into the show
Shadow and Bone
.
The collaboration between Bardugo and Shahbazian isn’t their first, as Bardugo is the creative force behind the Grishaverse, which turned into the show Shadow and Bone. The upcoming adaptation of Bardugo’s novel, Ninth House, follows the story of Galaxy “Alex” Stern, a high school dropout who is offered a mysterious scholarship to Yale, providing her with a second chance in life. Her benefactor, however, entrusts her with monitoring the eight Houses of the Veil, which harbor dark magic and power.
Will There Be Another Ninth House Book After Hell Bent? Alex Stern Future Explained
Hell Bent’s ending may leave readers wondering if another Alex Stern book is on the horizon. Here’s what to know about the next Ninth House sequel.
3 The Poppy War
Based On The Novel By Rebecca F. Kuang
Starlight Media, which is known for backing films like Crazy Rich Asians and Midway, has secured the rights to Rebecca F. Kuang’s 2018 fantasy novel, The Poppy War. This gripping trilogy is currently undergoing an adaptation into a television series. The project was first announced in 2020, and in some ways is the story coming full circle, as Kuang has cited multiple TV shows as inspiration including Avatar: The Last Airbender, as well as games like Dragon Age and Mass Effect.
The narrative centers around Rin, a war orphan from Southern China, who aspires to gain admission into the prestigious military institution, Sinegard Academy. Rin discovers that she has an ancient ability, which may be the only way to save her people from the impending Third Poppy war. Kuang has stated that her goal was to create a fantastical reimagining of Chinese history, and given the success of The Poppy War among readers, it’s safe to say she succeeded in her goal.
2 The Atlas Six
Based On The Novel By Olivie Blake
Amazon Prime has secured the rights to the enchanting fantasy novel The Atlas Six, written by Olivie Blake. The story was already a peculiar success story before the adaptation news came, as Blake originally self-published on Kindle. So successful was the book that a bidding war ensued for publishing rights, which led to Tor Books eventually reprinting under their own label in 2021. Amazon is developing the show with Brightstar, which is a London-based production company founded by Tanya Seghatchian, who produced The Crown, and John Woodward who produced Cold War.
Within this narrative, a captivating array of characters are pitted against one another, as they strive to survive and prove their worthiness for membership in the secret society.
The storyline of The Atlas Six revolves around six exceptionally gifted magicians, who are chosen for a rare opportunity to secure a coveted place within the esteemed Alexandrian Society — an opportunity only comes around once a decade. Within this narrative, a captivating array of characters are pitted against one another, as they strive to survive and prove their worthiness for membership in the secret society.
11 Book Adaptations To Get Second Chances As TV Shows
Whether or not the film adaptation was successful, novels like Percy Jackson and Interview with the Vampire have gotten second chances as TV shows.
1 From Blood And Ash
Based On The Novels By Jennifer L. Armentrout
Amazon Studios is in the process of developing Jennifer L. Armentrout’s From Blood and Ash novels into a television series. Anne Cofell Saunders, who is known for The Boys and Star Trek Discovery, is writing the screenplay and serving as showrunner on the project. The announcement of the series came in 2023, three years after the publication of the first novel in the series (via THR). The story follows Poppy Balfour, who holds the prestigious position of Maiden and is destined to Ascend, marking the dawn of a new era.
From Blood and Ash offers a paranormal romance with a unique twist on the traditional vampire and werewolf stories. As Poppy embarks on her journey, she unravels the truth behind a lifetime of deception, ultimately transforming her into the person she was always meant to be. Her journey will be represented in the live-action adaptation of the popular fantasy novel.
