The Best Book Adaptations to Stream Right Now

Not your average love story, Normal People is a miniseries that follows Marianne (Daisy Edgar-Jones) and Connell (Paul Mescal), two people from different backgrounds who come in and out of each other's lives over several years. It beautifully explores change and how we shape each other's lives. Based on the novel by Sally Rooney.

Based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning book American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, Oppenheimer tells the story of the man who led the development of the atomic bomb. It's a harrowing story that will make you reflect on both the fragility of life and the (sometimes outsized) power humans have to impact the world and the course of history.

Lessons in Chemistry explores the many societal obstacles Elizabeth Zott (Brie Larson) faces in the 1950s as a female scientist. When she lands an unexpected gig as a TV cooking show host, she uses the platform to teach viewers more than just how to make dinner. The miniseries is based on the novel by Bonnie Garmus.

A poignant chronicling of the mysterious murders that swept the Osage Nation in 1920s Oklahoma, Killers of the Flower Moon covers an overlooked (and unnerving) chapter of American history. The movie adaptation, starring Golden Globe-winner Lily Gladstone, is as compelling as the nonfiction book by David Grann, upon which it's based. If you have the time, though, I'd recommend reading the book first, as it frames the story as a mystery, while the movie jumps into telling viewers who the coldblooded culprit is. 

Adapted from Frank Herbert's best-selling science fiction novel, the first part of the Dune film trilogy follows Paul Atreides (Timothée Chalamet), a gifted young man who journeys to the most dangerous planet in the universe to preserve the future of his people. He becomes caught up in conflict over a valuable substance called "the spice," which extends life and advances thought. Once you've watched this, you can catch Dune: Part Two in theaters. 

While there's also a movie adaptation from 2011 of David Nicholls' bestselling novel, the Netflix miniseries is the one getting attention on social media right now, and for good reason. One Day follows Emma Morley (Ambika Mod) and Dexter Mayhew (Leo Woodall) as they reunite on the same day over two decades. It's heartbreaking and moving, and will make you reflect on the simultaneously unforgiving and healing nature of time and love. 

There's no way not to include the Harry Potter film franchise on this list. If you're looking for a healthy dose of escapism and fantasy, there's no better place than this series of eight movies, adapted from the globally bestselling series by JK Rowling. 

This film series vividly brings Suzanne Collins' dystopian trilogy -- and its many colorful characters and costumes -- to life through gripping sequences and dazzling visuals. In what was once North America, young citizens compete to the death, with the contest being televised to the rest of the nation. The movies, like the books, are poignant and unsettling, and will leave you reflecting on the state of the world.  

In the peaceful town of Monterey, California, mayhem and murder lurk among families striving to maintain a facade of perfection. This drama series, based on the book by Liane Moriarty, follows three mothers and their struggles to grapple with the challenges of marriage, parenthood and friendships. 

This 2023 version of the film, based on the novel by Alice Walker, is a testament to the bonds of sisterhood and resilience in the face of hardship. Unlike the 1985 version of the movie, this one is a musical. It packs some serious star power, too, with actors including Taraji P. Henson, Halle Bailey and Fantasia Barrino. It's produced by Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg, Scott Sanders and Quincy Jones.

If you're a fan of fantasy (and have plenty of time on your hands), you can stream the entire The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, based on the books by J.R.R. Tolkien. (And if you're hungry for more, you can also catch The Rings of Power series on Amazon Prime Video, which takes place thousands of years before The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.)

This timeless story gets new life in the most recent adaptation of Louisa May Alcott's 1868 novel, about four sisters coming of age. Its themes around womanhood and love are equally compelling in the modern age, and are brought to life through actors like Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Emma Watson, Laura Dern and Timothée Chalamet.