10 Most Exciting Upcoming Romance Movies Based On Books

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Lots of exciting romance movies are on the way, from adaptations of classic books to popular stories from BookTok! Heartwarming and heartbreaking love stories have always been a big part of what people enjoy, both when reading and watching movies.

Romance readers have diverse tastes – some enjoy steamy stories, while others prefer historical settings. There’s a growing interest in LGBTQ+ romances and fantastical worlds, too. The beauty of romance is its variety; there’s a book for nearly everyone, and many stories blend different themes and styles.

Good news for book lovers! Filmmakers are starting to turn popular romance novels into movies, and ten beloved stories are already planned for the big screen. We’re excited to see these adaptations come to life!

10. Book Lovers

Emily Henry’s Book Lovers is receiving rave reviews and has been optioned for a film adaptation by Tango Entertainment. Given Tango’s previous success with the critically acclaimed Aftersun, the movie is expected to be well-made.

Nora Stephens is a tough literary agent who joins her sister for a vacation in the charming town of Sunshine Falls. However, she finds it hard to unwind because she keeps bumping into Charlie Lastra, a book editor she absolutely clashes with at work. Despite their rivalry in the publishing world, Nora and Charlie begin to realize they actually have a lot in common.

Even though it’s still in the early stages, fans have reason to be excited about the Book Lovers movie adaptation, especially with Emily Henry involved. She’s shared on Instagram that it will be a “funny, cozy, and messy” story. And, given how well People We Meet On Vacation did, this project seems to have good momentum and could progress quickly.

9. Sense & Sensibility

Jane Austen’s novel, Sense and Sensibility, has seen numerous adaptations. The latest version is a new movie from Focus Features, the company that produced the critically acclaimed films Hamnet and Bugonia.

Jane Austen’s Sense and Sensibility tells the story of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, and their family’s struggles after losing their fortune. Following their father’s death, they move to a simpler life in the countryside, where both sisters find themselves falling in love – Elinor with the reserved Edward Ferrars, and Marianne with the dashing but unreliable John Willoughby.

The film features a talented cast including well-known actors Daisy Edgar-Jones and George MacKay, alongside rising stars Bodhi Rae Breathnach and Frank Dillane. It also marks the directorial debut of Georgia Oakley. Moviegoers can expect the new version to hit theaters on September 11, 2026.

8. Girls Like Girls

Hayley Kiyoko had already established herself as both an actress and a singer before finding success as a musician. Her breakthrough came with the song “Girls Like Girls” and its accompanying music video, which she also directed for the first time. She later developed the story from the music video into her debut book, and now that book is being made into a movie.

This story centers on Coley, a 17-year-old who moves to the countryside of Oregon following her mother’s passing. There, she finds herself strongly drawn to a girl named Sonya. Coley struggles with letting herself fall for Sonya, fearing another loss, while Sonya grapples with her own feelings for a girl.

I’m so excited for Girls Like Girls! Honestly, if the movie captures even a fraction of the magic from the music video or the book, it’s going to be amazing. What makes it even better is that Kiyoko is writing it, and Stefanie Scott, who was fantastic in the video, is involved too. Plus, this is a huge moment – it’s Kiyoko’s first time directing a feature film! It comes out on June 19th, and I’ve already marked my calendar.

7. The Love Hypothesis

It’s becoming increasingly common for stories first shared by fans online to be turned into movies. A recent example is The Love Hypothesis, which began as a popular fan fiction on AO3 about the characters Rey and Kylo Ren before author Ali Hazelwood turned it into a bestselling novel. Both Hazelwood and actress Lili Reinhart will be involved as executive producers on the film adaptation.

Olive Smith, a PhD student, spontaneously kisses her professor, Adam Carlsen, to convince her family she’s moved on. They decide to pretend to be a couple, but real feelings start to emerge, making things much more complicated. It’s a fun, lighthearted romance built around the popular tropes of opposites attract and a fake relationship.

With Rebecca Rittenhouse as Olive and Tom Bateman as Adam, the movie The Love Hypothesis already has a dedicated following and broad appeal. Fans of the ‘Reylo’ pairing will likely be interested, and the well-known actors could draw in viewers who haven’t read the book.

6. The Cuban Girl’s Guide To Tea & Tomorrow

Laura Taylor Namey’s young adult novel, The Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea & Tomorrow, is being adapted into a film by ACE Entertainment, the company behind the popular To All The Boys movie series. Fans have been eagerly awaiting this romance movie since it was announced in 2022.

Lila spends her days baking at her grandmother’s bakery in Miami, but she takes a summer job cooking at her aunt’s inn in London. While there, she connects with Orion, who works at a local tea shop, and the two of them find common ground through their love of food.

Kit Connor, known for his role in Heartstopper, and Maia Reffico, from Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin, will star as Orion and Lila in the upcoming film. Interestingly, the movie is already completed and is awaiting a release date.

5. Heartstopper: Forever

Kit Connor is still known for his role in Heartstopper, which had three amazing seasons. The show beautifully adapted Alice Oseman’s popular graphic novels, perfectly capturing the heartwarming story of Charlie and Nick. It even cleverly blended live-action with animation from the original books, creating a truly special experience.

Instead of continuing with a fourth season, Netflix has chosen to conclude the Heartstopper story with a movie. Kit Connor and Joe Locke will reprise their roles as Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring in Heartstopper Forever.

The film promises a lovely conclusion to the couple’s romance, but details are currently limited. Fortunately, fans won’t have to wait long to see how everything unfolds, as Heartstopper Forever is set to premiere on Netflix this year.

4. Hana Khan Carries On

Uzma Jalaluddin’s 2021 romantic comedy, Hana Khan Carries On, is being adapted into a movie by Amazon MGM Studios and Mindy Kaling. The story has a charming, classic rom-com feel—similar to You’ve Got Mail—but also feels modern and new.

Hana Khan is a 25-year-old Muslim woman who wears a hijab and lives in Canada. She’s trying to follow her dream of becoming a radio host while also working to save her family’s restaurant. Things get complicated when she meets Aydin on a dating app – she doesn’t realize he’s the owner of the company that could force her family to close their business.

The film adaptation of Hana Khan Carries On benefits from a talented team working both on and off screen. Sahar Jahani wrote the screenplay, and Fawzia Mirza is directing, which should help ensure the story feels genuine and true to life.

3. Wuthering Heights

Charlotte Brontë’s novel Wuthering Heights is often misinterpreted. Though commonly seen as a simple love story, it’s actually a foundational work for today’s dark romance and romantic thriller genres. The new film adaptation hints that this version of Heathcliff and Catherine’s relationship will be as intense and thrilling as it is passionate.

This story takes place on the wild Yorkshire moors in 1700s England. It centers on Heathcliff, who falls deeply in love with the rich and beautiful Catherine, sparking a passionate and ultimately vengeful relationship.

This adaptation boasts a fantastic cast, with Margot Robbie playing Catherine Earnshaw, Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, and award-winning actor Owen Cooper portraying the young Heathcliff. The story is clearly being brought to life by talented performers.

2. Pillion

A24 took a chance by turning Adam Mars-Jones’s novel, Box Hill: A Story of Low Self-Esteem, into a film called Pillion. Early viewers say the changes they made actually improved the story. The movie, a dark and funny romantic drama with mature themes, premiered at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, and will be released in US theaters on February 6, 2026.

The film centers on Ray, a reserved young man, whose life changes after he encounters a self-assured gay biker. They begin a BDSM relationship built on dominance and submission, which has been positively received within the community (according to The Guardian).

Harry Lighton, the writer and director, clearly prioritized accurately portraying the community in his film. He thoroughly researched the Gay Bikers Motorcycle Club, even experiencing a ride with them as a passenger, and thoughtfully included community members as both advisors and actors, discovered through YouTube. This dedication to authenticity is what makes Pillion a particularly promising new romance movie.

1. You Deserve Each Other

Okay, so I just finished reading You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle, and it was seriously hilarious – a really fun rom-com! Even better, Amazon MGM Studios is turning it into a movie, which I’m super excited about. The premise reminds me a little of What Happens in Vegas, and the best part? They’ve already filmed it, so we might actually get to see it this year! Fingers crossed!

Nick and Naomi are engaged, but their relationship has fizzled out. However, they’ve already paid for their wedding and can’t get the money back, so they decide to settle their issues with an all-out prank war. The loser – the one who admits they want to cancel the wedding – has to foot the bill.

The main draw of the upcoming romantic comedy, You Deserve Each Other, is the pairing of Meghann Fahy and Penn Badgley. Both actors have recently starred in popular shows, demonstrating their ability to carry a film.

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2026-01-24 22:37