2025 has been a big year for book lovers and binge-watchers alike. Whether you’re the kind who always insists “the book was better,” or you simply want to know which stories made the jump from page to screen, this list is your one-stop ticket.
Here are seven standout books that got the Hollywood (or streaming) treatment in 2025—and trust us, they’re worth reading and watching.
Missing You by Harlan Coben
Genre: Thriller | Adaptation: Limited Series on Netflix
Another year, another Harlan Coben mystery hits our screens—and this time, it’s Missing You, a twisty thriller that follows NYPD detective Kat Donovan as she uncovers the dark secrets of a dating site linked to her long-lost fiancé. Packed with Coben’s signature turns and streaming-era suspense, the screen version is sleek, but the book digs deeper into Kat’s personal grief and resilience. A must-read if you’re into fast-paced psychological thrillers.
Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy by Helen Fielding
Genre: Contemporary Romance/Comedy | Adaptation: Feature Film
Yes, Bridget is back—and she’s navigating single motherhood, loss, and online dating with her usual chaotic charm. The 2025 film brought back Renée Zellweger for one last hurrah, but the book adds layers of wit and introspection that even the most charming film montage can’t quite capture. If you loved Bridget in the ’90s and 2000s, her grown-up glow-up in this novel is just as hilarious and heartfelt.
Wish You Were Here by Renée Carlino
Genre: Romance/Drama | Adaptation: Streaming Movie
This tearjerker of a novel got a visually dreamy adaptation this year—and it had everyone reaching for tissues. A story of love, timing, and letting go, Wish You Were Here explores what happens when you meet the right person at the wrong time. The adaptation beautifully captures the novel’s emotional weight, but the book’s lyrical prose and reflective tone hit differently on the page.
The Unbreakable Boy by Scott Michael LeRette
Genre: Memoir/Inspirational | Adaptation: Movie Release
Based on the true story of a boy with autism and a rare genetic disorder, The Unbreakable Boy is a heartwarming, at times heartbreaking, memoir about resilience, parenting, and the lessons that come from raising a child with unique challenges. The 2025 film brought audiences to their feet—but the book, written by his father, offers raw, behind-the-scenes depth and vulnerability that film can only hint at.
Long Bright River by Liz Moore
Genre: Literary Thriller | Adaptation: HBO Limited Series
Set against the opioid crisis in Philadelphia, this gripping novel weaves a detective mystery with a poignant family saga. HBO’s adaptation is gritty and slow-burning, but it’s the novel’s introspective storytelling and complex female protagonist that elevate it from procedural to profound. A powerful story of sisters, systems, and survival.
Ransom Canyon by Jodi Thomas
Genre: Western Romance | Adaptation: Amazon Prime Series
Sweeping Texas landscapes, rugged cowboys, and small-town secrets—Ransom Canyon brought back the Western romance genre in a big way this year. While the adaptation leaned into the drama, the book charms with its rich emotional arcs, layered characters, and quiet strength. Fans of slow-burn romance and frontier vibes will love riding through this series.
The Electric State by Simon Stålenhag
Genre: Sci-fi/Artbook | Adaptation: Directed by the Russo Brothers (Netflix)
With its haunting digital art and quiet dystopian vibes, The Electric State was always destined for the screen—and in 2025, it finally got there. The film adaptation wowed visually, but if you really want to appreciate the eerie, melancholic universe, the book is essential.
Part narrative, part graphic art, it’s unlike anything else on this list. Think Black Mirror meets The Road—but with robots.
Final Take
2025 proved one thing: books are still the best source material for unforgettable stories. Whether you’re watching these tales unfold on screen or flipping through their pages, these adaptations prove that great storytelling transcends format.
📚 Which of these stories did you read before watching? Or are you adding a few to your TBR now? Let us know!
