Whether it be classic literature or BookTok fan-favorites, many exciting romance movie adaptations are coming out, and we can’t wait to see these ten. Swoonworthy stories and tragic romances have always had a place in pop culture, both in books and onscreen.
Some look for spicy books while others look for period romances. Some look for LGBTQ+ novels, while others look for romantasy. The great thing about romance stories is that there’s something for almost everyone, and there is plenty of crossover between subgenres.
Luckily, producers have recognized the potential in adapting popular romance novels as movies. Fans will get to experience these ten book stories on the screens, and we cannot wait to see them.
10
Book Lovers
Book Lovers by Emily Henry is highly praised by critics as one of the best contemporary romance novels, and the rights to the novel were optioned for a movie by Tango Entertainment. The studio previously produced the BAFTA-nominated movie Aftersun, so Book Lovers should be in good hands.
The story follows Nora Stephens, a cutthroat literary agent who agrees to a sister getaway in the small town of Sunshine Falls, but she can’t relax when she keeps running into her rival, book editor Charlie Lastra. These two can’t stand each other in the publishing world, but they soon discover they have more in common than expected.
While it’s still early, fans should look forward to Book Lovers because of Emily Henry’s involvement. Henry has teased on Instagram that the movie will be “funny, cozy, and messy.” Plus, the success of People We Meet On Vacation could be the momentum needed to move the project forward faster.
9
Sense & Sensibility
Jane Austen’s first book, Sense and Sensibility, has been adapted many times. The most recent take on the novel is the upcoming movie produced by Focus Features, the folks behind the Golden Globes-nominated Hamnet and Bugonia.
Sense and Sensibility follows the Dashwood family, who lose their money and move to a cottage after the father’s death. The two oldest sisters, Elinor and Marianne Dashwood, become romantically entangled with the engaged man Edward Ferrars and the morally questionable man John Willoughby, respectively.
The movie will star established names like Daisy Edgar-Jones and George MacKay, as well as up-and-comers like Bodhi Rae Breathnach and Frank Dillane. Additionally, it brings fresh talent to the board in the form of director Georgia Oakley. The exciting new version of the film will be released on September 11, 2026.
8
Girls Like Girls
Hayley Kiyoko was already an actor and a talented singer when she got her breakthrough as a musician. She put out the song “Girls Like Girls,” followed by a hit music video. It was Kiyoko’s first time directing. She went on to write her titular debut book that expanded on the music video. Now, that book is being adapted for the big screen.
The story follows a 17-year-old girl, Coley, who moves to rural Oregon after her mom’s death and develops an intense attraction to a girl named Sonya. Coley worries that she can’t open her heart again, afraid that she’ll lose Sonya. Meanwhile, Sonya worries about what it means for her to like a girl.
Girls Like Girls is destined to be incredible if it’s even half as good as the music video or book. Luckily, it will be written by Kiyoko and Stefanie Scott. The latter appeared in the music video. Additionally, this movie, which releases on June 19, marks Kiyoko’s directorial debut.
7
The Love Hypothesis
Many fan fictions have been adapted into movies, with the latest being The Love Hypothesis, originally an AO3 Rey and Kylo Ren fan fiction that became a bestseller by Ali Hazelwood. Hazelwood and Lili Reinhart will serve as executive producers.
The story follows PhD candidate Olive Smith, who impulsively kisses Professor Adam Carlsen to prove she’s dating again. They agree to a fake relationship, but feelings develop, complicating matters. The novel is a romantic comedy using the grumpy/sunshine and fake-dating tropes.
Starring Reinhart as Olive and Tom Bateman as Adam, The Love Hypothesis has a built-in fanbase and mainstream appeal. Reylo fans will definitely see it, and with star power involved, it can attract those unfamiliar with the book.
6
The Cuban Girl’s Guide To Tea & Tomorrow
The Latinx YA novel The Cuban Girl’s Guide to Tea & Tomorrow by Laura Taylor Namey was picked up for a film back in 2022 by ACE Entertainment, the producers of the To All The Boys trilogy. It has been one of the most anticipated YA romance movies.
The story follows Lila, who lives in Miami and works at her Abuela’s bakery. However, she leaves for the summer to cook at her aunt’s inn in London. There, she meets a young man named Orion, a clerk at a tea shop, and they bond over food.
Stars Kit Connor, of Heartbreaker fame, and Maia Reffico, of Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin fame, will play Orion and Lila. Surprisingly, the movie has already been finished, and now we’re just waiting for a release date.
5
Heartstopper: Forever
Speaking of Kit Connor, he hasn’t finished his most famous role quite yet. Heartstopper ran for three incredible seasons, bringing Alice Oseman’s beloved graphic novels to life. They captured the spirit of the love story between Charlie and Nick, even incorporating animation from the books alongside the live-action in a magical way.
However, Netflix decided to end with a movie instead of a fourth season. As expected, Kit Connor and Joe Locke will return as Nick Nelson and Charlie Spring in Heartstopper Forever.
The movie will wrap up their love story in a beautiful way, though details about the story are extremely scarce. Luckily, we won’t have to wait too much longer to find out how their story ends. Heartstopper Forever will release this year on Netflix.
4
Hana Khan Carries On
In 2021, the rom-com book Hana Khan Carries On by Uzma Jalaluddin was picked up by Amazon MGM Studios (then just Amazon Studios) and the incredible Mindy Kaling. The story feels like a classic movie from the golden age of rom-com with its You’ve Got Mail-esque premise, while also feeling fresh.
The story follows a 25-year-old Canadian Muslim hijabi woman named Hana Khan, who struggles to balance her dreams of becoming a radio broadcaster with saving her family’s restaurant. In the midst of this, she connects on a dating app with a man named Aydin, not knowing that he owns the restaurant conglomerate that threatens to put her family out of business.
Luckily, the movie version of Hana Khan Carries On has a great team behind it that offers representation behind the cameras. Sahar Jahani is the screenwriter, and Fawzia Mirza is the director. This will give the story some authenticity.
3
Wuthering Heights
The Gothic novel Wuthering Heights by Charlotte Brontë is one of the most misunderstood books. While it’s painted as a sweet love story, the novel is actually a progenitor of the dark romance or romantic thriller genres. Everything about the upcoming onscreen adaptation of Wuthering Heights suggests that this version of Heathcliffe and Catherine’s relationship is as dangerous as it is sultry.
The story is set against the backdrop of the Yorkshire moors in 18th-century England. A man named Heathcliffe falls in love with a wealthy woman, Catherine, leading to a seductive tale of romance and revenge.
This version features a star-studded cast, including Margot Robbie as Catherine Earnshaw, Jacob Elordi as Heathcliff, and Golden Globe-winning actor Owen Cooper as Young Heathcliff. The characters are in good hands.
2
Pillion
A24 made the daring choice to adapt Adam Mars-Jones’s novel Box Hill: A Story of Low Self-Esteem for the big screen, renaming it Pillion, and they made significant changes that, according to those who have seen it, are for the better. The gay BDSM romantic dark dramedy debuted at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival, but it won’t debut in US theaters until February 6, 2026.
The story follows a shy young man named Ray, who gets swept up when he meets a confident gay biker. The two initiate a submissive and dominant BDSM relationship, which many members of the community have praised (via The Guardian).
The writer/director, Harry Lighton, put attention and time into properly representing the community. The director learned about the Gay Bikers Motorcycle Club and even spent a day as a pillion. He also hired members of the community to serve as advisors and actors (via YouTube). This authenticity makes Pillion one of the most exciting upcoming romance movies.
1
You Deserve Each Other
The rom-com book You Deserve Each Other by Sarah Hogle is extremely entertaining, and it has been picked up for a movie adaptation by Amazon MGM Studios. Luckily, the film, which has a What Happens in Vegas-esque premise, has already filmed, meaning it could potentially be released this year.
The story follows an engaged couple, Nick and Naomi, who have fallen out of love but can’t call it off because of unrefundable wedding costs. So, they start a massive prank war, knowing that whoever calls it off has to pay.
The biggest reason to be excited about the romance movie You Deserve Each Other is that Meghann Fahy and Penn Badgley will lead the project. Both have recent successes that have proven they can lead stories.
