Since young adult movie adaptations have been so successful, many more adaptations are coming next year! (source)
The Knife of Never Letting Go – Patrick Ness
What it’s about: Set within a dystopian “New World” where women don’t exist and everyone can constantly hear each other’s thoughts, Todd and his dog find a spot of silence — and a girl named Viola.
What we know: According to IMDB, this one has a January 1st, 2020 release. It began production in 2017, but in 2018 it was reported that much of it needed to be reshot after being deemed “unreleasable.” Yikes. However, it has a great cast with Tom Holland and Daisy Ridley as the leads, so hopefully they’ve made something work
P.S. I Still Love You – Jenny Han
What it’s about: This is the sequel to To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. Things take a turn when another boy who received one of Lara Jean’s love letters comes back into her life.
What we know: According to IMDB, this will drop on Netflix on February 12, 2020 — just in time for Valentine’s Day! Jordan Fisher (Teen Wolf) will take over the role of John Ambrose. We only have a few more months to go before we can officially stream this one!
All the Bright Places – Jennifer Niven
What it’s about: This YA contemporary novel is set in a small town in Indiana. Violet and Theodore, both struggling with past troubles, enter each other’s lives and are forever changed.
What we know: This movie drops on Netflix January 1st, 2020, so we don’t have to wait long. Elle Fanning and Justice Smith star opposite each other as the movie’s leads.
Stargirl – Jerry Spinelli
What it’s about: This 2002 YA contemporary novel follows a quirky new student named Stargirl and Leo Borlock — the boy who falls for her.
What we know: According to IMDB, this will drop January 1st, 2020 on Disney+. Grace VanderWaal and Graham Verchere will star as the film’s leads.
Shadow and Bone – Leigh Bardugo
What it’s about: This novel is a Russian-inspired YA fantasy set in the Kingdom of Ravka. It follows Alina Starkov as her world is turned upside down when she learns she can harness powers that might help her save her friend.
What we know: This is another Netflix adaption (way to go, Netflix) written by Eric Heisserer (Bird Box). Ben Barnes will play The Darkling. There’s no release date yet, but hopefully this television series will drop in 2020.
Love, Simon – Becky Albertalli
What it’s about: We don’t know much about the spinoff series, except that it will follow the character Victor, a new student at Creekwood High School, who goes to Simon for guidance navigating the troubling waters of high school.
What we know: This will be a television series on Disney+. Filming began in August, so there’s a good chance we’ll be able to stream this in 2020. Michael Cimino has been cast as Victor.
There’s Someone Inside Your House – Stephanie Perkins
What it’s about: This is a teen slasher novel that follows new student Makani Young who is troubled by the murders happening in her small town.
What we know: Shawn Levy and Dan Cohen are producing There’s Someone Inside Your House with Sydney Park set to play the lead character. IMDB says it’s in post-production, so hopefully we’ll see it on Netflix sometime in 2020 — preferably around Halloween.
The Gentleman’s Guide to Vice and Virtue – Mackenzi Lee
What it’s about: Set in the 18th century, this historical YA follows a bisexual scoundrel named Henry (Monty) Montague as he and his best friend Percy take a grand tour of Europe, but things take a surprising turn when one of Monty’s impulse decisions turns their trip into dangerous manhunt.
What we know: Greg Berlanti (Riverdale) is set to produce Lee’s 2017 best-selling novel, which will appear on HBO Max. This news only dropped a few days ago, so that’s all we know for now. Hopefully we can stream the movie next year!
Children of Blood and Bone – Tomi Adeyemi
What it’s about: This is a Nigerian-inspired YA fantasy novel set in the fictional land of Orïsha. The main character Zélie, her brother, and Princess Amari must travel and escape impending danger to outwit the crown prince Inan in order to save magic.
What we know: This was sold as a Fox2000 property, but Disney has now taken over. Kay Oyegun (This Is Us) might pen the new script adaptation. IMDB doesn’t have a ton of information, so there’s a chance we might not see this in 2020. Perhaps 2021?
A Very Large Expanse of Sea – Tahereh Mafi
What it’s about: This is a YA contemporary novel set in 2002, post-911. Shirin is a sixteen-year-old Muslim girl who wears hijab. She is targeted by her racist peers, but she releases her frustration by break-dancing with her brother.
What we know: Levantine Films (Hidden Figures) has optioned this one, which is thrilling. That’s literally all the information we could find. Mafi’s 2011 series, Shatter Me, has also been optioned by ABC Signature Studios, but there’s no info as to when it could drop either!
Opposite of Always – Justin A. Reynolds
What it’s about: This YA novel follows Jack and Kate, who date for three months before she dies. Things take an interesting twist when Jack keeps getting transported back in time to the day they met, and he believes it’s because he has to try and save her.
What we know: Paramount Players acquired the 2019 novel, which will be produced by Marty Bowen, John Fischer, and Isaac Klausner. According to IMDB, it’s in development.
Long Way Down – Jason Reynolds
What it’s about: This 2017 National Book Award finalist takes place in a 60-second elevator ride, where Will must decide whether or not he will seek revenge on the man who murdered his brother.
What we know: Universal has optioned the rights and it’s set to be produced by Michael De Luca and John Legend. That’s all we know for now, but maybe there’s a chance we’ll see it on our screens in 2020!
What If It’s Us – Becky Albertalli & Adam Silvera
What it’s about: This YA contemporary novel was published in 2018. Arthur is only visiting New York for the summer, and Ben is a local. The two of them have a meet-cute at the post office — is it meant to be?
What we know: Anonymous Content optioned the rights with Brian Yorkey (13 Reasons Why) set to adapt. That’s about all we know, but hopefully we’ll get more details soon.
The Sky is Everywhere – Jandy Nelson
What it’s about: This contemporary YA novel follows Lennie Walker, who is grieving over the death of her sister and unexpectedly falls in love.
What we know: A24 is the studio that will produce Nelson’s adaptation, with Josephine Decker directing and Nelson herself writing the screenplay. This news only came out last month, so while we can hope to see this in 2020, it might also be closer to 2021.
Illuminae – Amie Kaufman & Jay Kristoff
What it’s about: This 2015 YA sci-fi/space opera follows Kady Grant and her fighter pilot ex-boyfriend, Ezra Mason, who must work together to defeat a common enemy.
What we know: Brad Pitt’s Plan B Entertainment has acquired Illuminae, and Sarah Esberg is set as an executive producer. According to IMDB, it’s in development.
Happy reading,
Loes M.