3 Fantasy Books Coming in 2026 That Already Need Movie or TV Adaptations

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As a huge fantasy fan, I’m always excited about what’s coming next, and 2026 looks really promising! We’re still waiting to hear about adaptations of some amazing books from 2025, but the new releases for 2026 are already starting to appear, and they sound fantastic. There’s a great mix of brand new authors and established writers adding to the genre this year, which is super exciting.

Several highly anticipated fantasy books are continuations of popular series—Leigh Bardugo and V.E. Schwab are both adding to their existing stories, Alex Stern and Villains, respectively. Fans are also eager for the final book in Pierce Brown’s Red Rising Saga, with Red God potentially arriving in 2026. But the most exciting releases are entirely new stories, and these fresh ideas really make up the heart of the year’s fantasy offerings. I’m particularly hoping to see adaptations of these new books—from a werewolf story to the latest novel by Divergent author Veronica Roth.

3) The Red Winter by Cameron Sullivan

In the 1760s, France was terrorized by a mysterious creature known as the Beast of Gévaudan. Cameron Sullivan’s first novel, The Red Winter, offers a new take on this historical event. Set in 1785, this fantasy story follows Sebastian Grave, a professor and monster hunter, as the beast returns. Sebastian must once again try to stop its killing spree, facing not only the creature itself but also a dangerous rival and the scrutiny of a suspicious church. Adding to the challenge, he discovers the beast has a demonic connection and must confront his complicated past with an ex-lover.

Sullivan’s upcoming book has all the hallmarks of a great fantasy story: compelling stakes, a touch of romance, and a fascinating world. It also looks to incorporate elements of horror, and it’s already receiving rave reviews from well-known authors like T. Kingfisher and Alix E. Harrow (according to Goodreads). Many believe it could be a standout fantasy release of 2026, and its strong qualities make it a prime candidate for a film or TV adaptation. With horror and fantasy currently very popular, the timing seems perfect, and it could gain significant attention when it’s released on February 24th.

2) The Elsewhere Express by Samantha Sotto Yambao

Booklist compared Samantha Sotto Yambao’s The Elsewhere Express to the enchanting worlds of Studio Ghibli films, and it’s easy to see why this book would make a fantastic movie! The cover art and story description both promise a whimsical and colorful adventure. The story centers around a magical train that appears to people who feel lost, and follows Raya and her friend Q as they travel on it. They encounter amazing things, but their journey is complicated by a mysterious stowaway who puts everyone on board at risk.

With its incredibly original idea, The Elsewhere Express, coming out in 2026, is a story that immediately grabs your attention – and would translate well to the screen. Based on the book’s cover and plot, a film or show adaptation would likely be visually beautiful. The story’s blend of personal thought and suspense would make it enjoyable even for those who haven’t read the book. Because it’s a complete story on its own, it would work perfectly as a short limited series or a full-length movie. The Elsewhere Express will be available on January 20th.

1) Seek the Traitor’s Son by Veronica Roth

Veronica Roth, the author of the popular Divergent series, is stepping into new territory with her 2026 novel, Seek the Traitor’s Son. This book combines her talent for dystopian stories with the fantasy genre. Described as a “romantic dystopian fantasy,” the story follows Elegy Ahn, a soldier caught in a conflict with the Talusar nation. The Talusar worship a deadly fever that kills most who contract it, but those who survive gain incredible powers. A prophecy foretells that Elegy and one of the Talusar generals will determine the outcome of the war, though it remains to be seen who will ultimately win.

I’m so excited about Roth’s upcoming 2026 novel! It feels like exactly the kind of fantasy story a lot of us are looking for – it hits all the right notes with familiar elements, but promises something fresh too. Roth clearly knows how to blend genres – she’s fantastic at fantasy, romantasy, and dystopian stories, as we’ve seen in her other books. With dystopian fiction gaining popularity again thanks to the new Hunger Games movie, I think her book is perfectly timed. Honestly, I’m hoping it gets adapted into a show or film – it would be amazing, and maybe finally give us the ending we deserved after the Divergent movies!

Which fantasy book coming out in 2026 do you think would make a great movie or TV series? Share your thoughts in the comments and discuss it with other fans in the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-14 05:40