Fantasy and Sci-Fi Fanatics

The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani

Streaming on Netflix

This delightful book premiered as a movie Oct. 18, 2022, then debuted on Netflix the next day. The story follows Sophie and Agatha, who are dropped off at the School for Good and Evil. But Sophie, who loves pink and dreamed of being a princess since she’s been little, is dropped off at the School of Evil, much to her horror.

Meanwhile, Agatha, who seemed a perfect fit for the School of Evil with her black frocks and dislike of people, is dropped at The School of Good.

Wicked by Gregory Maguire

Releasing November 27, 2024 in theaters.

After being a Broadway musical for about 21 years, this prequel of The Wizard of Oz is finally making it to the big screen! As a fan of the musical, I hope the movie includes at least some of the songs. They show up in the trailer, so one can hope!

Dune by Frank Herbert

Currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video, TNT, and available to buy/rent on Apple TV and Google Play

The first two Dune movies are out, which cover the first book. Journey to Arrakis–a planet where spice is mined–with Paul Atreides, the heir to a noble house. When their family is betrayed, Paul must venture forth into the dangerous sands, becoming a savior long prophesied.

The Martian by Andy Weir

Currently streaming on Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube and SlingTV.

Another sci-fi book, but this one takes place on a planet closer to home–Mars. Mark finds himself stranded and alone on Mars, and it will take all his skills and determination to survive.

The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes by Suzanne Collins

Watch on Starz, Hulu, Roku Channel, YouTube, Sling, Amazon Prime Video, Philo

Before The Hunger Games, there was The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. This prequel follows Coriolanus Snow (who’s President Snow in the original series) as a mentor who must guide the female tribute from District 12 to victory for his one chance at glory.

Uglies by Scott Westerfeld

Streaming on Netflix

Before The Hunger Games, there was Uglies. I grew up reading this first of a dystopian trilogy, and I’m super excited (and a bit nervous) about the movie, which came out September 2024 on Netflix. Fellow Uglies fans, it appears from the trailer that the movie follows the book pretty closely, but I can’t be certain until I watch the movie.

For those new to the Uglies world, welcome! Everyone here gets a surgery when they turn 16 to be a Pretty. But right before Tally’s surgery, her best friend runs away, exposing a different world. And it’s anything but pretty.

The Giver by Lois Lowry

Currently streaming on Max, Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, YouTube, and SlingTV

Another dystopian movie. Apparently they’re popular books to adapt into movies. This one’s been out for a while, but it’s still worth watching or rewatching if you want a movie with epic vibes but deep themes.

Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfar

Adapted as Spaceman. Currently Streaming on Netflix.

Adam Sandler plays the role of Jakub Procházka, the first Czech astronaut. While on a dangerous mission to Venus, Jakub realizes, too late, that he has sacrificed his wife, Lenka, to his ambitions.

In deep space, Jakub encounters a possibly imaginary giant alien spider, who becomes his unlikely companion as they talk about love, life, and death.

Be aware that the movie is rated R, seemingly for language, and a scene where a woman takes off most of her clothes.

Harold and the Purple Crayon by Crockett Johnson

Streaming on Netflix, Fandango at Home, Prime Video or Apple TV

This whimsical classic children’s book made its way to theatres in August. But instead of a boy going on adventures and using his purple crayon to get himself out of them, in the movie, a man enters the real world, and of course, evil forces want his power to himself.

Mickey 7 by Edward Ashton

Releases January 31, 2025 in theatres. Adapted as Mickey 17.

A sci-fi novel featuring clones, an icy planet, and potential hostile locals is coming to the big screen with Robert Pattinson playing all the Mickey expendables. The book sounds serious, but the trailer makes the movie look silly and fun (with serious bits thrown in).

Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir

Releases 2026 in theatres.

Jason Bourne meets space thriller/mystery in this sci-fi book adaptation. When Ryland Grace wakes up in space without his memory and his two crew members dead, it’s up to him not only to survive, but to save Earth from an extinction-level threat. If the movie is as good as the adaptation of The Martian, then this will be worth seeing in theaters!

Lore by Alexandra Bracken

Being developed by Universal Studios.

This Greek mythology YA fantasy novel tells the story of Lore Perseous, who left the gods’ deadly hunt behind. But when Castor, a childhood friend of Lore believed long dead, and a gravely wounded Athena, come to her for help, Lore’s decision to rejoin the hunt will come at a deadly cost–and still may not be enough to stop the rise of a new god with the power to bring humanity to its knees.

I’m looking forward to seeing what the movie wizards do with this one!

The Fifth Season by N.K. Jemisin

Being developed by Sony Pictures Entertainment and TriStar Pictures.

Another dystopian that will see the big screen in the not-to-distant future. In this first book of a trilogy, Essun comes home to find that her husband has brutally murdered their son and kidnapped their daughter.

Meanwhile, Sanze–the world-spanning empire whose innovations have been civilization’s bedrock for a thousand years–collapses as most of its citizens are murdered to serve a madman’s vengeance. And worst of all, across the heart of the vast continent known as the Stillness, a great red rift has been torn into the heart of the earth, spewing ash enough to darken the sky for centuries.

Now Essun must pursue the wreckage of her family through a deadly, dying land. She doesn’t care if the world falls apart around her. She’ll break it herself, if she must, to save her daughter.

Children of Blood and Bone by Tomi Adeyemi

Being developed by Paramount Pictures.

This popular YA African-based fantasy follows Zélie Adebola who lives in a world where magic is outlawed, maji killed.

Now Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers and her growing feelings for an enemy.

The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis

Being developed by Netflix.

The movie wizards are trying again with this beloved classic. Rumors are that there will be at least two movies, and I hope The Voyage of the Dawn Treader has no weird green mist this time around. A TV series would do the best justice to these lovely books (one season per book), but sadly, I was out of town when the movie wizards asked my opinion. 😉

Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo

Streaming on Netflix

This series was an interesting (and at times, bizarre) blend of Bardugo’s Six of Crows heist book and her Shadow and Bone trilogy. Thankfully both take place in the same world with fantastic worldbuilding,

The show is not 100% clean (kissing/sex) and has LGBTQ+ scenes. Also, the series abruptly (and sadly) ends after Netflix canceled the show after season two.

The Silmarillion by J.R.R. Tolkien

The first and second season are streaming on Amazon Prime Video as The Rings of Power.

It’s tricky to say what this series is actually an adaptation of, because originally Amazon didn’t have rights to the Silmarillion, but there have been rumors that Amazon has now acquired the rights from the Tolkien estate for the second season of the show. They also apparently have the appendices to LOTR.

Regardless, the Rings of Power take place in the second age of Middle Earth, thousands of years before the events of LOTR, and already in the first season there were hints of the forging of the Silmarils into the rings, Sauron, Galadriel, and other important figures and features found in The Silmarillion.

I was pleasantly surprised at how clean season one was, and have my fingers crossed it will continue in season two. 🤞

The Wheel of Time Series by Robert Jordan

The first and second season are streaming on Amazon Prime Video.

This fourteen-book long epic adult fantasy series begins when Moiraine Damodred arrives in Emond’s Field on a quest to find the one prophesized to stand against The Dark One, a malicious entity sowing the seeds of chaos and destruction.

When a vicious band of half-men, half beasts invade the village seeking their master’s enemy, Moiraine persuades Rand al’Thor and his friends to leave their home and enter a larger unimaginable world filled with dangers waiting in the shadows and in the light.

I was disappointed, in the first season, how the creators dramatically changed several major plot points in the books. There was also a ton of gore and “spicy” scenes, so I will not be returning for a second season.

Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan

Streaming now on Disney+.

Experience the Greek gods and goddesses and all the legendary monsters in this TV adaptation. The first season follows the first book, The Lightning Thief, and does a good job of sticking to the main plot points (better than the movies). Rick Riordan even helped with the screenplay, so that’s always bonus points.

The second season, which supposedly follows book two in the series, The Sea of Monsters, is supposed to stream in 2025.

Station Eleven by Emily St. John Mandel

Streaming on Max, Hulu, YouTube, and Amazon Prime Video

The miniseries of this post-apocalyptic book premiered on HBO Max in 2021 and ran for ten episodes until 2022.

The story follows Kirsten Raymonde twenty years after a pandemic destroyed civilization as they knew it. She travels with a group of actors and musicians who call themselves The Traveling Symphony. When they encounter a violent prophet, their group’s existence and meaning of humanity is threatened.

Foundation Series by Isaac Asimov

The first two seasons are streaming on Apple TV.

Apparently, this series is a very loose adaptation of Asimov’s Foundation series. The basic plot remains the same: mathematician Hari Seldon foretells the fall of the Galactic Empire. He establishes the Foundation in order to preserve knowledge and, hopefully, civilization in the years to come.

The Three Body Problem by Cixin Liu

Streaming now on Netflix.

The creators of the Game of Thrones series has taken a whack at adapting a sci-fi alien-invasion series set in China. While aliens prepare to invade, different groups on earth form, some intent to welcome the beings while others prepare to fight. When you can’t have dragons, aliens might be the next best thing.

Sisterhood of Dune by Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson

Will premier as Dune: Prophecy Nov. 17, 2024 on Max.

This prequel to the Dune movies is inspired by the Sisterhood of Dune novel. Set more than 10,000 years before Dune, it explores the origins of the Bene Gesserit sect: the order of powerful witches that influence so many of the empire’s politics in the main series. It looks slightly gory and like there might be some sex scenes.

The Murderbot Diaries by Martha Wells

Being developed by Apple TV.

All Systems Red, a novella, is the first in this robotic sci-fi series where that tackles questions of the ethics of sentient robotics (she’d probably be good friends with Isaac Asimov).

The main character is a security droid that has bypassed its restrictive programming and is balanced between self-discovery and an idle instinct to kill all humans. Scornful of humans, all it really wants is to be left alone long enough to figure out who (or what) it is. But when a neighboring mission goes south, it’s up to the scientists and their Murderbot to get to the truth.

The Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling

Being developed by HBO and supposedly airing in 2026.

I’m equal parts excited and nervous about this series! On one hand, it feels too soon to remake the Harry Potter films (I’ll always see Emma Watson as Hermione on screen). But I’m also looking forward to seeing all the parts they can include in a longer TV series.

Red Queen by Victoria Aveyard

Being developed by Peacock.

This YA dystopian is supposedly being developed into a TV show. I couldn’t find much information about it, but if you love this story about the common Reds ruled by the Silver elite, then keep your eyes peeled!

Legendborn by Tracy Deonn

Being developed by Black Bear Television.

After her mother dies in an accident, sixteen-year-old Bree Matthews wants nothing to do with her family memories or childhood home. A residential program for bright high schoolers at UNC–Chapel Hill seems like the perfect escape until Bree witnesses a magical attack her very first night on campus.

This would make an epic fantasy show!

Ninth House by Tracy Deonn

Being developed by Black Bear Television.

Leigh Bardugo is returning to the screen with her adaptation of this adult paranormal/horror novel. In it, Galaxy “Alex” Stern, at the age of twenty, is the sole survivor of a horrific, unsolved multiple homicide. At her hospital bed, she’s offered a second chance: to attend one of the world’s most elite universities on a full ride. But she wonders what’s the catch and why her?

This book looks much darker than her previous series, with hints of the occult. I’m doubt I’d be brave enough to read or watch it.

The Poppy War by R.F. Kuang

Being developed by Starlight Media.

This popular historical fantasy novel takes place in China during the opium wars.

When Rin aced the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies—it was a shock to everyone. That she got into the most elite military school was even more surprising. But not all surprises are good…

From Blood and Ash by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Being developed by Amazon Prime TV.

In this YA romantasy, Poppy is a Maiden, which means she’s never touched, looked upon, or spoken to. The entire kingdom’s future rests on her shoulders. And when Hawke, a golden-eyed guard honor bound to ensure her Ascension, enters her life, destiny and duty become tangled with desire and need. Meanwhile, a fallen kingdom is rising once more, determined to take back what they believe is theirs through violence and vengeance.

Circe by Madeline Miller

Being developed by HBO Max.

Another Greek retelling will hopefully soon make it to the screen. This story follows Circe, a goddess who can transform rivals into monsters and menace the gods themselves. When her power threatens Zeus, she’s banished to an island where she crosses many famous characters from Greek mythology.

Danger comes for her, and she must decide whether she belongs with the gods or the mortals she loves.