There is something uniquely satisfying about seeing a favourite book come to life on screen. While some adaptations stay remarkably faithful to their source material, others add fresh layers to beloved stories, giving audiences a new way to experience them. From heartwarming dramas and gripping murder mysteries to psychological thrillers and crime series, Netflix has built an impressive library of book-to-screen adaptations. Here are five popular books that you can both read and watch on the streaming platform.
Remarkably Bright Creatures by Shelby Van Pelt
Shelby Van Pelt’s bestselling 2022 novel was adapted into the 2026 Netflix drama Remarkably Bright Creatures, directed by Olivia Newman. The film stars Sally Field, Lewis Pullman, Joan Chen, Kathy Baker, Beth Grant, Sofia Black-D’Elia and Colm Meaney, while Alfred Molina lends his voice to the wise octopus Marcellus.
Plot
After losing both her husband and son, elderly widow Tova Sullivan spends her nights cleaning a local aquarium, where she develops an unusual bond with a remarkably intelligent giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus. When a stranded young drifter named Cameron arrives in town and begins working at the aquarium, Tova slowly forms a meaningful friendship with him. As hidden connections from the past begin to surface, the trio embarks on an emotional journey of healing, hope and unexpected family.
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder by Holly Jackson
Holly Jackson’s bestselling mystery novel inspired the British thriller series A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder. The first season premiered in 2024, followed by a second in 2026, with a third and final season expected in 2027.
Emma Myers stars as determined teenager Pip Fitz-Amobi, joined by Zain Iqbal as Ravi Singh, Asha Banks as Cara Ward, Henry Ashton as Max Hastings, Carla Woodcock as Becca Bell, Jude Morgan-Collie, Yali Topol Margalith, Gary Beadle, Anna Maxwell Martin and Peter Sullivan.
The Chestnut Man by Søren Sveistrup
Based on Søren Sveistrup’s acclaimed Danish crime novel, The Chestnut Man premiered on Netflix in 2021. Its second season, titled The Chestnut Man: Hide and Seek, arrived in 2026.Plot
More than three decades after a brutal family murder shocked Denmark, Detective Naia Thulin investigates the killing of a young woman in Copenhagen. Alongside her reluctant new partner Mark Hess, she discovers a small chestnut figurine left beside the victim. As more disturbing clues emerge, the investigation becomes increasingly complex, pointing toward secrets that refuse to stay buried.
The Whisper Man by Alex North
Alex North’s bestselling psychological thriller is being adapted into The Whisper Man, an upcoming Netflix crime thriller directed by James Ashcroft. The cast includes Robert De Niro, Michelle Monaghan, Adam Scott, Michael Keaton, John Carroll Lynch, Hamish Linklater and Owen Teague.
Plot
After his eight-year-old son is abducted, a widowed crime writer reluctantly turns to his estranged father, a retired police detective, for help. Their desperate search uncovers disturbing links between the disappearance and the decades-old crimes of an infamous serial killer known only as The Whisper Man.
I Will Find You by Harlan Coben
Harlan Coben’s 2023 novel I Will Find You has been adapted into a Netflix crime drama miniseries starring Sam Worthington, Britt Lower, Milo Ventimiglia and Erin Richards. The series premiered in June 2026.
Plot
David Burroughs is serving a prison sentence after being wrongly convicted of murdering his young son, Matthew. Five years into his imprisonment, his former sister-in-law Rachel brings him astonishing information suggesting that Matthew may still be alive. Determined to uncover the truth, David risks everything to solve the mystery and clear his name.
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