These Underrated YA Books Still Deserve TV or Movie Adaptations

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Many popular movies and TV shows aren’t based on original ideas – they’re adapted from existing books. These adaptations bring beloved stories to a wider audience, expanding the original world and creating exciting new experiences. Young adult (YA) novels are often a great source for these successful adaptations. These stories typically follow teenagers as they grow up and learn about themselves, facing significant obstacles along the way. In fact, many YA adaptations have become huge franchises, like Harry Potter, The Hunger Games, and Percy Jackson & the Olympians.

Many young adult novels have been adapted into TV shows and movies, but there are several fantastic books that haven’t gotten the attention they deserve. These five stories, particularly in the sci-fi and fantasy genres, are complex and captivating, and we believe they would translate beautifully to live-action. While some were published over a decade ago, they’re well worth reading and would make excellent adaptations – one even came close to being made!

5) Article 5 by Kristen Simmons

If you enjoyed the Hulu series The Handmaid’s Tale and are excited about The Testaments, you might also love Article 5 by Kristen Simmons. It explores similar themes of oppression and fighting back, but focuses on the characters’ journeys as they come of age. The story is structured as a trilogy, making it a perfect fit for a television adaptation.

Set in a not-so-distant future, Article 5 depicts a United States where cities like New York, Los Angeles, and Washington D.C. are deserted. The Bill of Rights has been replaced by harsh ‘Moral Statutes’ controlling every aspect of life – from clothing choices and media consumption to family structures. Those arrested for breaking these rules simply disappear. The story centers on Ember Miller, a 17-year-old whose life is shattered when her single mother is arrested for a minor offense. Article 5 is a gripping dystopian novel that blends romance and rebellion, and feels unsettlingly relevant to today’s world.

4) Delirium by Lauren Oliver

In the dystopian novel Delirium, set in 2091, society is confined to strictly controlled cities, and a totalitarian government considers love a dangerous illness. Every citizen is required to have an operation at age eighteen to eliminate their ability to feel. However, just before her scheduled procedure, teenager Lena Haloway falls for Alex, a boy from outside the city who fakes being cured. Alex is involved with a rebel group, and he shares a secret with Lena that leads her on a quest to uncover the truth about her past and fight against the oppressive government.

Lauren Oliver’s Delirium, the first book in a planned trilogy, was once in development as a TV series. Fox ordered a pilot episode in 2013 starring Emma Roberts, but the network ultimately decided not to move forward with the show. The pilot did briefly stream on Hulu in 2014 and many viewers thought it was good, proving the story could make a compelling series. Hopefully, it will be revisited for another chance on television someday.

3) In the After by Demitria Lunetta

Amy Harris’s world turned upside down when terrifying creatures began attacking and taking over. Her parents vanished, and society collapsed as these beings consumed people and ruined everything. After years of surviving in secret, Amy, along with a young child she’s protecting, finds what she thinks is safety at a place called New Hope. But New Hope holds a disturbing secret, and the creatures may not be what anyone believes.

The books In the After and In the End share similarities with The Last of Us, but offer some surprising turns. The story is a perfect length for a film adaptation. It consistently subverts expectations, and you’ll find yourself genuinely invested in Amy’s journey, particularly as she grows into a strong and capable character throughout the two books.

2) Beauty Queens by Libba Bray

Libba Bray’s Beauty Queens has been compared to Lost and Lord of the Flies, and while fans of those stories will likely enjoy it, that comparison doesn’t quite capture the book’s unique blend of adventure and social commentary. The novel centers on a group of beauty pageant contestants who crash-land on a strange island. They must find a way to survive, but they soon discover that the corporation sponsoring the pageant has a hidden agenda and is involved in some mysterious and questionable activities, drawing the beauty queens into a dangerous web.

“Beauty Queens” is a sharply funny book that cleverly critiques reality TV, the beauty industry, and our obsession with buying things. It’s both entertaining and makes you think, offering insightful observations about modern life. It was once considered for a film or TV adaptation, but the project fell through – and we believe it deserves another look.

1) The Morganville Vampires by Rachel Caine

The popular young adult urban fantasy series, following college student Claire Danvers as she lives in the vampire-run town of Morganville, Texas, has seen a limited adaptation. A web series, funded through Kickstarter by Geek and Sundry, is available on Prime Video, but it only covers the events of the first book. Fans agree the series has enough depth and complexity to warrant a full-length television or streaming adaptation.

The series, spanning 15 books, explores common themes like survival and friendship, but it stands out by flipping the typical vampire story – here, vampires rule and humans are subject to their power. Plus, Morganville isn’t just about vampires; other supernatural beings and dangers lurk within its world. It’s a fresh take on a classic story, and vampire narratives always translate well to the screen.

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2026-04-08 01:11