21 Books-to-Screen We Can’t Wait to See in 2023
BY SCOTTIE KNOLLIN
The Color Purple
Based on the 2005 stage musical The Color Purple by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, Stephen Bray and Marsha Norman, which is based on the 1982 novel The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Release date: December 25, 2023
Directed by Blitz Bazawule (“Black is King”), the musical coming-of-age film marks the film adaptation of the stage musical that is based on Walker’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel. Steven Spielberg, who directed the first screen adaptation of the novel in 1985, returns to produce this film, alongside Quincy Jones, Scott Sanders and Oprah Winfrey. The story of the life-long struggles of an African American woman living in the South during the early 1900s is brought to life by an ensemble cast that includes Fantasia, Colman Domingo, Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, H.E.R., Ciara, Halle Bailey, Louis Gossett Jr. and Aunjanue Ellis.
Dumb Money
Based on the 2021 book The Antisocial Network: The GameStop Short Squeeze and the Ragtag Group of Amateur Traders That Brought Wall Street to Its Knees by Ben Mezrich
Release date: October 20, 2023
Directed by Craig Gillespie (“I, Tonya”), the biographical comedy-drama tells the story of the Reddit-based investors who banded together to put the “squeeze” on at least two hedge funds that had bet that GameStop shares would fall. Gillespie has enlisted an incredible ensemble to help tell the story, including Paul Dano, Sebastian Stan, Seth Rogen, Pete Davidson, Shailene Woodley, America Ferrera and Nick Offerman.
Dune: Part Two
Based on the 1965 novel Dune by Frank Herbert
Release date: November 3, 2023
Directed by Denis Villeneuve (“Arrival”), the epic science fiction film is the direct sequel to the 2021 film, “Dune,” which was based on the first half of Herbert’s bestselling novel. The film, which explores the continuing journey of its hero as he seeks revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family, stars Timothée Chalamet, Rebecca Ferguson, Josh Brolin, Dave Bautista, Charlotte Rampling, Florence Pugh, Austin Butler and Zendaya.
Eileen
Based on the 2015 novel Eileen by Ottessa Moshfegh
Release date: Fall 2023
Directed by William Oldroyd (“Lady Macbeth”), the period psychological thriller set in 1960s New England finds Eileen working at a prison when a captivating, glamorous counselor arrives and helps her access new facets of her personality—though not everything is what it seems. The film, starring Thomasin McKenzie, Anne Hathaway, Shea Whigham and Owen Teague, premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival where it received critical praise and was purchased by Neon for a late-2023 release.
Fairyland
Based on the 2013 memoir Fairyland: A Memoir of My Father by Alysia Abbott
Release date: Fall 2023
Directed by Andrew Durham in his feature-length directing debut, the coming-of-age drama tells the story of a girl living in 1970s San Francisco with her recently-out father, a poet and activist. The film, which stars Emilia Jones, Scott McNairy, Geena Davis, Cody Fern, Adam Lambert and Maria Bakalova, explores the bonds of a father and daughter against the backdrop of the rise of the HIV/AIDS crisis in the U.S. It premiered at the 2023 Sundance Film Festival to rapturous critical praise.
Harold and the Purple Crayon
Based on the 1955 children’s book Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson
Release date: June 30, 2023
Directed by Carlos Saldanha (“Rio”) in his live-action directorial debut, the family-friendly adventure follows a boy named Harold who embarks on a magical mission with the help of his purple crayon. Zachary Levi, Lil Rey Howery, Zooey Deschanel and Ravi Patel lead the cast. This is the first time the story of Harold has made it to the big screen, despite several attempts by the likes of Maurice Sendak, Spike Jonze, David O. Russell, Will Smith and James Lassiter.
A Haunting in Venice
Based on the 1969 novel Hallowe’en Party by Agatha Christie
Release date: September 15, 2023
Directed by Kenneth Branagh (“Henry V”), the supernatural thriller finds Branagh reprising his role as Hercule Poirot in another Agatha Christie mystery. Now retired, Poirot must solve the murder of a guest at a séance he attends. Other cast members include Tina Fey, Jude Hill, Kelly Reilly, Michelle Yeoh and Jamie Dornan.
Killers of the Flower Moon
Based on the 2017 non-fiction book Killers of the Flower Moon: The Osage Murders and the Birth of the FBI by David Grann
Release date: October 6, 2023
Directed by Martin Scorsese (“Taxi Driver”), the Western crime drama centers on a series of Oklahoma murders in the Osage Nation during the 1920s, committed after oil was discovered on the tribal land. Leonardo DiCaprio stars in the film and serves as an executive producer. Jesse Plemons, Lily Gladstone, Brendan Fraser, John Lithgow and Robert De Niro also star. The film is the seventh collaboration between Scorsese and DiCaprio and the eleventh collaboration between Scorsese and De Niro. With a budget of $200 million, it is the largest amount ever spent on a film shot in Oklahoma. The film will have its world premiere at the 76th Cannes Film Festival ahead of a theatrical release before its final release on Apple TV+.
The Last Voyage of the Demeter
Based on “The Captain’s Log,” a chapter from the 1897 classic novel Dracula by Bram Stoker
Release date: August 11, 2023
Directed by André Øvredal (“Trollhunter”), the supernatural horror film tells the story of the doomed crew who attempt to survive the ocean voyage for the merchant ship Demeter. Corey Hawkins leads the cast as a doctor who joins the crew. The rest of the cast includes Aisling Franciosi, Liam Cunningham, Woody Norman and Jon Jon Briones.
Leave the World Behind
Based on the 2020 novel Leave the World Behind by Rumaan Alam
Release date: December 8, 2023
Directed by Sam Esmail (“Comet”), the psychological thriller takes place during a family vacation on Long Island that is interrupted by two strangers being news of a mysterious blackout. Julia Roberts, Mahershala Ali, Ethan Hawke, Myha’la Herrold and Kevin Bacon make up the cast of the film set to release on Netflix.
The Little Mermaid
Based on the 1989 animated film, which is based on the 1837 fairy tale The Little Mermaid by Hans Christian Anderson
Release date: May 26, 2023
Directed by Rob Marshall (“Chicago”), the musical fantasy follows Ariel, the youngest daughter of the kingdom of Atlantica’s ruler King Triton, as she saves Prince Eric from a shipwreck and falls in love with him. Halle Bailey stars as Ariel, with Jonah Hauer-King, Daveed Diggs, Awkwafina, Jacob Tremblay, Javier Bardem and Melissa McCarthy rounding out the cast. The film marks the latest live-action adaptation of a classic Walt Disney Pictures animated film. The first full-length trailer for the film debuted during the 95th Academy Awards. Disney reportedly paid ABC $10 million to show the trailer during the ceremony.
The Marsh King’s Daughter
Based on the 2017 novel The Marsh King’s Daughter by Karen Dionne
Release date: June 2023
Directed by Neil Burger (“The Illusionist”), the psychological thriller is told from the perspective of a woman recounting her life when she was young and her mother was abducted by her father, who escapes from prison. Daisy Ridley stars in the film, with Brooklynn Prince playing the younger version of Ridley’s character. Ben Mendelsohn, Garrett Hedlund and Caren Pistorius also star. The film will premiere on the opening night of the 2023 Tribeca Film Festival before being released on Prime Video by Amazon Studios.
Occupied City
Based on the 2019 book Atlas of an Occupied City, Amsterdam 1940-1945 by Bianca Stigter
Release date: TBD 2023
Directed by Steve McQueen (“12 Years a Slave”), the documentary film shows life in Amsterdam under Nazi occupation during World War II. A24 and New Regency will release the film following its premiere at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival as a special screening. The film is McQueen’s first documentary feature.
Oppenheimer
Based on the 2005 book American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin
Release date: July 21, 2023
Directed by Christopher Nolan (“Memento”), the biographical film follows Robert Oppenheimer, an American theoretical physicist credited with being the “father of the atomic bomb,” and his role in the Manhattan Project. Cillian Murphy stars as Oppenheimer, with a supporting cast that includes Emily Blunt, Robert Downey Jr., Matt Damon, Rami Malek, Florence Pugh, Benny Safdie, Josh Hartnett and Kenneth Branagh. Nolan filmed the picture using a combination of IMAX 65mm and 65mm large-format film—including, for the first time, sections in IMAX black-and-white analog photography. Much of the film’s special effects were achieved using practical effects with minimal computer-generated imagery.
Pain Hustlers
Based on “The Pain Hustlers,” a 2018 New York Times Magazine article, and the 2022 novel The Hard Sell, both by Evan Hughes
Release date: October 27, 2023
Directed by David Yates (“Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix”), the conspiracy drama tells the story of high school dropout Liza Drake who lands a job with a failing pharmaceutical start-up in a strip mall in Central Florida. Emily Blunt, Chris Evans, Andy Garcia, Catherine O’Hara, Jay Duplass and Brian d’Arcy James make up the cast.
The Perfect Find
Based on the 2016 book The Perfect Find by Tia Williams
Release date: June 23, 2023
Directed by Nume Perrier (“Jezebel”), the romantic comedy stars Gabrielle Union as a 40-year-old woman who makes a career change into the world of beauty journalism, soon running into problems when she realizes her nemesis, who is now her boss, is also the mother of the company’s videographer, whom she recently began dating. Gina Torres, Keith Powers, La La Anthony and Remy Ma co-star. Perrier also appears in a supporting role.
Poor Things
Based on the 1992 novel Poor Things by Alasdair Gray
Release date: September 8, 2023
Directed by Yorgos Lanthimos (“The Favourite”), the science fiction romance sees a young woman brought back to life by a brilliant and unorthodox scientist. Emma Stone leads a starry cast, which includes Willem Dafoe, Mark Ruffalo, Ramy Youssef, Jerrod Carmichael, Christopher Abbott and Margaret Qualley. The film is the second collaboration between Lanthimos and Stone, who will collaborate again in the film “And,” which could also receive a 2023 release. “And” will also star Dafoe and Qualley alongside Stone, with Jesse Plemons, Hong Chau, Joe Alwyn and Hunter Schafer also includes in the cast.
Priscilla
Based on the 1985 memoir Elvis and Me by Priscilla Presley
Release date: TBD 2023
Directed by Sofia Coppola (“The Virgin Suicides”), the biographical film follows Priscilla Presley and her life with Elvis. Cailee Spaeny stars as Priscilla opposite Jacob Elordi as Elvis. The real Priscilla Presley serves as an executive producer. The film is expected to premiere during the film festival season of the fall of 2023, followed by a release by A24.
Red, White & Royal Blue
Based on the 2019 novel Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
Release date: August 11, 2023
Directed by Matthew Lopez, in his directorial debut, the film centers on the first son of the United States and his romantic relationship with a British prince. Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine star as the two lovers, with Uma Thurman, Clifton Collins Jr. and Stephen Fry appearing in supporting roles. Amazon Studios won an auction for the film’s rights shortly after the novel was published. The film will be released exclusively on Prime Video.
Spaceman
Based on the 2017 novel Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfař
Release date: Fall 2023
Directed by Johan Renck (“Downloading Nancy”), the science fiction drama is set on the edge of the galaxy where an astronaut has been sent to collect mysterious ancient dust and, during his mission, he finds his earthly life falling to pieces. Adam Sandler fills the boots of the lone astronaut, with Paul Dano, Carey Mulligan, Kunal Nayyar and Isabella Rossellini performing in supporting roles. The film will release on Netflix following a short limited run in cinemas.
The Zone of Interest
Based on the 2014 novel The Zone of Interest by Martin Amis
Release date: TBD 2023
Directed by Jonathan Glazer (“Under the Skin”), the drama is set in Auschwitz and tells the story of a Nazi officer who has become enamored with the camp commandant’s wife. Sandra Hüller, Christian Friedel, Daniel Holzberg, Medusa Knopf, Sascha Maaz and Max Beck star in the film, which was filmed on location in Auschwitz. The film will have its world premiere at the 2023 Cannes Film Festival.
