Emily has a PhD in English from the University of Southern Mississippi, MS, and she has an MFA in Creative Writing from GCSU in Milledgeville, GA, home of Flannery O’Connor. She spends her free time reading, watching horror movies and musicals, cuddling cats, Instagramming pictures of cats, and blogging/podcasting about books with the ladies over at #BookSquadGoals (www.booksquadgoals.com). She can be reached at emily.ecm@gmail.com.
It’s a new year, and there are a bunch of book-to-screen adaptations coming out to kick off our bookish 2026 with a bang. Whether you’re into action, romance, drama, or fantasy, there are quite a few adaptations to add to your must-watch list this month. Here are the most exciting adaptations hitting theaters or your favorite streaming service this January.
The Dutchman (Theatrical Release, January 2)
Based on the 1964 play The Dutchman by Amiri Baraka, this film stars André Holland as Clay, a successful Black businessman who has a troubling subway encounter with a white woman, Lula, played by Kate Mara. Zazie Beetz co-stars as Kaya, Clay’s wife. Andre Gaines wrote, directed, and produced. The film premiered at the 2025 SXSW Film Festival, and it will premiere in theaters on January 2.
There Was a Cute Girl in the Hero’s Party, So I Tried Confessing to Her (Crunchyroll, January 6)
This anime series, based on the light novel series written by Suisei and illustrated by La-na, has one heck of a name. But it does aptly describe the anime’s subject matter. It follows Yōki, a demon who encounters a Hero’s party and falls for the party’s priestess, Cecilia. When he confesses his love to her, a unique fantasy romance story ensues. Kôhei Amasaki stars as Yōki, and Kana Hanazawa voices Cecilia.
People We Meet on Vacation (Netflix, January 9)
Romance author Emily Henry has a bunch of adaptations in the works, but it starts with People We Meet on Vacation coming out this month. This is about two friends—Poppy Wright (Emily Bader) and Alex Nilsen (Tom Blyth)—who meet up every summer to go on a vacation. They’re complete opposites, but the chemistry between them is undeniable. Could they possibly become more than friends? This film was directed by Brett Haley from a screenplay by Yulin Kuang (How to End a Love Story).
All You Need is Kill (Theatrical Release, January 16)
This anime feature film is based on the Japanese light novel All You Need Is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka, illustrated by Yoshitoshi Abe. Think Groundhog Day, but make it a sci-fi action movie. This story follows a soldier who is fighting an alien invasion and finds himself caught in a time loop. If that story sounds familiar to you, it’s because the film Edge of Tomorrow, starring Tom Cruise and Emily Blunt, is also based on Sakurazaka’s novel.
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A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms (HBO, January 18)
Game of Thrones fans, we’re getting another prequel in January! This series, created by George R.R. Martin and Ira Parker, is based on Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas. This is the story of Ser Duncan the Tall (“Dunk”), played by Peter Claffey, and his squire Aegon Targaryen (“Egg”), played by Dexter Sol Ansell. This six-episode series premieres on January 18, with new episodes coming out every week until February 22.
H is for Hawk (Theatrical Release, January 23)
H is for Hawk is a drama film based on the 2014 memoir by Helen Macdonald. Claire Foy stars as Helen, who cares for a Goshawk following the death of her father. Brendan Gleeson plays her father, Alisdair MacDonald. This film also stars Denise Gough, Sam Spruell, Josh Dylan, Emma Cunniffe, and Lindsay Duncan. It’s directed by Philippa Lowthorpe (The Crown), who co-wrote the screenplay with Emma Donoghue (Room).
Bridgerton (Netflix, January 29)
You love books, so you probably already know that the first half of Bridgerton season 4 is coming out this year. If not, we’re so happy to break the news to you! This season is based on An Offer from a Gentleman, the third book in Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton romance novel series. It covers the love story of Benedict Bridgerton. Yerin Ha plays his love interest, Sophie Baek. January 29 will give fans the first four episodes of their love story. The second half of the season will be released a month later on February 26.
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