Whether you don’t have time to read the book or can’t wait to see what the big screen does with your favorite words, 2014 is bringing some exciting book-to-movie adaptations to life. Here’s a look at what to expect.
1. “Vampire Academy”
School gets a little more exciting when you add supernatural creatures. “Vampire Academy” is the story of a half-human, half-vampire girl who is best friends and bodyguard to vampire royalty. Combining magical good and evil with “Mean Girls” makes this a fun escape from reality.
Perfect for you: If you’re looking for a guilty pleasure to fill the post-“Twilight” void in your life.
Hits theatres: Feb. 7
2. “Divergent”
In this dystopian universe, your entire life is based on which faction you choose.
Kind of like being sorted into houses at Hogwarts, the different factions portray different personalities, from the fearless Dauntless to the selfless Abnegation.
But Tris is different.
And she finds her life in danger when an authoritarian leader wants to end her kind.
She doesn’t fit into the cookie cutter mold she’s supposed to, and this causes all sorts of trouble.
Perfect for you: If you’re looking for the new “The Hunger Games.”
Hits theatres: Mar. 21
3. “The Fault in our Stars”
Hazel Lancaster and Gus Waters both have cancer.
But more importantly, Hazel and Gus fall in love at a cancer support group.
Yet again, John Green proves he is the master of the teen love story with this heartwarming tale of relationships, life and loss.
This is sure to be one of the most highly anticipated movies with social media already in a feelings frenzy over the heart-wrenching trailer that was released Wednesday.
Perfect for you: If you’re OK with shedding a few tears.
Hits theatres: June 6
4. “The Giver”
Before dystopian societies were cool, there was this book.
Jonas grows up in a deceivingly perfect society where everyone is the same, and everything is controlled. There is no war, pain or suffering.
But everything changes when he turns 12 and is chosen to learn about the beautiful and terrible past of the world from the Giver.
However, we caught a glimpse of Brenton Thwaites, the actor playing Jonas, and there is nothing pre-teen about him.
But with a cast that also includes Meryl Streep, Katie Holmes and Jeff Bridges, this movie shouldn’t disappoint.
Oh, and Taylor Swift is in it, too.
Perfect for you: If you remember loving this book in middle school.
Hits theatres: Aug. 15
[A version of this story ran on page 7 on 1/30/2014 under the headline "From page to screen: this year’s upcoming book adaptations"]
