Books to Screen in 2025: Hits or Misses?

Historical drama done right?

Hilary Mantel’s The Mirror and the Light brings Thomas Cromwell’s story to its inevitable end, and if the previous Wolf Hall adaptations are any indication, we’re in for another visually stunning, slow-burning political chess match. Mark Rylance returns as the ever-calculating Cromwell, a role he’s mastered, but the real challenge will be squeezing the dense, intricate plotting of Mantel’s novel into a digestible series. Can PBS pull off a historical epic without sacrificing the novel’s rich introspection? Fans will be watching closely.

A return to Bridget Jones—but can it capture the magic?

Helen Fielding’s Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy takes us into uncharted waters. Bridget is older, navigating single motherhood, and still finding ways to make us laugh (and cringe). But here’s the real question: Can a new Bridget Jones film work without Mark Darcy (played by Colin Firth, who… well, spoiler alert, won’t be in this one)? The book pulled it off with Fielding’s signature wit, but translating Bridget’s aging anxieties and modern dating struggles to film—without veering into melodrama—will be a challenge. If done well, it could be a hilarious and heartfelt revival. If done poorly? It might feel like one diary entry too many.

Paddington Goes to Peru—will it still be the cozy classic we love?

Everyone’s favorite marmalade-loving bear is heading home, and Paddington in Peru has some big boots to fill. The previous films perfectly balanced charm, humor, and heart, making them instant classics. But with a new director at the helm and a setting shift from London’s familiar streets to the jungles of Peru, will it feel like a true Paddington film? The risk here is losing the quintessential British warmth that made the first two movies so endearing. However, if done right, this could be a fresh adventure that adds new layers to the character’s story.

The Leopard’s second life

Giuseppe di Lampedusa’s The Leopard is a novel steeped in themes of change and decay, following a Sicilian prince as he watches his aristocratic world crumble. A previous 1963 adaptation by Luchino Visconti is widely regarded as a cinematic masterpiece. So why remake it now? Netflix’s upcoming miniseries will undoubtedly modernize the storytelling, but will it preserve the book’s poetic, melancholic tone? That remains to be seen.

Mickey17—more clones, more chaos?

Bong Joon Ho (Parasite, Snowpiercer) adapting the novel Mickey7 into film in Mickey17? That alone is enough to make sci-fi fans pay attention. Edward Ashton’s novel is darkly humorous and filled with existential dread as its protagonist, a disposable clone, realizes he may not be as replaceable as he thought. Bong is known for layering social commentary into his films, so it’s likely he’ll take Mickey’s story in bold, unexpected directions. The question is: Will the adaptation keep the book’s intimate focus on identity, or will it become a high-concept action spectacle?

The inevitable adaptation debate

Books and their screen counterparts will always be compared—sometimes unfairly. A film or series simply can’t replicate every detail or nuance of a novel, and yet, when done right, adaptations can breathe new life into a story, reaching audiences who might never have picked up the book. This year, we’ll see if these stories stay true to their roots or if they become another example of Hollywood missing the mark.

One thing’s for sure: Whether you’re a purist who insists on reading the book first or someone who prefers to experience stories on screen, 2025 is shaping up to be an exciting year for adaptations. Grab your popcorn—or your bookmark. Either way, you’re in for a ride.