Big-screen reads
10 books headed to the cineplex this year.
If one of your New Year’s goals is to read more, then you have some quality pages to turn this year.
From childhood classics to actionpacked adventures, 2018 has some exciting book-to-film adaptations, featuring stars such as Oprah Winfrey, Tom Hanks, Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Hemsworth. Kick off your reading resolution with these 10 books set to hit the big screen this year:
1. A Wrinkle in Time by Madeleine L’Engle
The classic fantasy tells the story of 13-year-old Meg Murry and her galactic adventure with Mrs. Whatsit, Mrs. Who and Mrs. Which. The Ava DuVernaydirected feature (in theaters March 9) stars Reese Witherspoon, Oprah Winfrey, Mindy Kaling and Chris Pine.
2. Personal History by Katharine Graham
The Washington Post publisher’s autobiography about her unlikely rise in the company her father owned following her husband’s suicide won her a Pulitzer Prize in 1998. Screenwriter Liz Hannah wrote The Post script (in theaters nationwide) based on Graham’s book. The Steven Spielberg film stars Meryl Streep, Hanks and Sarah Paulson.
3. Red Sparrow by Jason Matthews
Former CIA operative Matthews weaves a tale about a spy game between the Americans and the Russians in his
2013 thriller. Lawrence reunites with Hunger Games director Francis Lawrence for the movie (in theaters March
2), also starring Joel Edgerton, MaryLouise Parker and Jeremy Irons.
4. Ready Player One by Ernest Cline
Skip ahead to 2044 in Cline’s novel about a dystopian future world in an energy crisis and a teen’s journey to find a fortune. Spielberg brings the 1980s to the 2040s with Tye Sheridan and Olivia Cooke in his retro sci-fi fantasy (in theaters March 30).
5. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
Things get Crazy in Kwan’s debut novel centering on the life of Chinese- American economics professor Rachel Chu and the comedy that ensues when she enters her boyfriend’s world of the Asian rich and famous. Fresh Off the
Boat star Constance Wu helms the movie (in theaters Aug. 17) based off the first book in Kwan’s series.
6. Annihilation by Jeff VanderMeer
VanderMeer’s first novel in his South-
ern Reach Trilogy follows a team of four women on their journey through the mysterious Area X. Natalie Portman, Gina Rodriguez, Jennifer Jason Leigh and Tessa Thompson star in the horror thriller (in theaters Feb. 23).
7. Mary Poppins by P.L. Travers
The popular series of eight children’s books follows the life of the magical nanny. Emily Blunt takes over the iconic role from predecessor Julie Andrews in
Mary Poppins Returns, the sequel to the original film, (in theaters Dec. 25) also starring Lin-Manuel Miranda, Streep and Colin Firth.
8. Horse Soldiers by Doug Stanton
Doug Stanton tells the true story of Special Forces soldiers who secretly entered Afghanistan to fight the Taliban following 9/11. The catch? They have to do it on horseback. Hemsworth rides onto the silver screen in the film adaptation (in theaters Jan. 19).
9. The Leisure Seeker by Michael Zadoorian
An elderly couple suffering from cancer and Alzheimer’s decide to sneak away from their doctors and take a cross-country trip in their RV in Michael Zadoorian’s novel. The movie (in theaters March 9) stars Helen Mirren and Donald Sutherland as the couple on their last hurrah.
10. Fifty Shades Freed by E.L. James
The final installment of one of the most popular book-to-movie adaptations follows Anastasia Steele and Christian Grey as they settle into married life in their own kinky and dramatic way. Dakota Johnson and Jamie Dornan star in the steamy ending to the trilogy (in theaters Feb. 9).