August is serving up a literary buffet for screen lovers and bookworms alike, and frankly, I’m not complaining. Whether you’re the type who insists on reading the book before watching the movie (we see you, purists) or someone who discovers a story through its adaptation and then dives into the pages, this month’s lineup has something for every flavor of reader.
From gritty noir to soul-searching romance, these seven book-to-screen releases are more than just entertainment: they’re invitations to explore deeper themes, richer characters, and parallel reads that echo, challenge, or expand the original narrative.
So grab your annotated bookmarks and your streaming passwords. These are the August book adaptations worth watching, and the perfect pair reads to keep the story going long after the credits roll.
Why These Adaptations Matter
This month’s adaptations aren’t just about translating books to screen, they’re about expanding the emotional resonance of the original stories. Whether it’s the aching romance of My Oxford Year, the feral survival of She Rides Shotgun, or the cozy chaos of The Thursday Murder Club, each film offers a new lens through which to experience the narrative. And with thoughtfully chosen pair reads, you can deepen your engagement, challenge your perspective, or simply stay in the world a little longer.
So whether you’re streaming from your couch or heading to the theater, August invites you to read, watch, and reflect. And if you’re still deciding where to start, I can help you build a personalized watch-and-read list based on your favorite genres or moods. Just say the word.
1. My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan
Streaming on Netflix – August 1
Ella Duran arrives in Oxford with a Rhodes Scholarship and a plan: one year of academic excellence before returning to the U.S. for a promising political career. But Oxford, with its cobblestone charm and literary ghosts, has other ideas. Enter Jamie Davenport, a witty, enigmatic tutor who complicates Ella’s carefully laid path. What begins as flirtation quickly deepens into something more profound, and Ella must confront the tension between ambition and love, legacy and presence.
The Netflix adaptation stars Zoey Deutch as Ella and George MacKay as Jamie, bringing a grounded vulnerability to their roles. Directed by Vanessa Caswill (Little Women miniseries), the film leans into the emotional core of Whelan’s novel, with sweeping visuals of Oxford’s dreaming spires and a tone that balances romance with introspection.
While early previews suggest a slightly more commercial polish, the heart of the story remains intact: a woman learning that sometimes the most meaningful year of your life isn’t the one you planned.
Perfect Pair Read: Me Before You by Jojo Moyes. If My Oxford Year is about the unexpected detour, Me Before You is about the collision course. Both novels explore transformative relationships and the emotional cost of loving someone whose future is uncertain. Moyes’ book will wreck you, in the best way, and deepen your appreciation for stories that don’t shy away from hard choices.
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2. She Rides Shotgun by Jordan Harper
In Theaters – August 1
Nate McClusky is fresh out of prison and already marked for death. His daughter, Polly, is next on the list. What follows is a brutal, high-octane journey across California as father and daughter evade a violent gang and try to forge a bond that was never given the chance to grow. Polly isn’t your typical child protagonist: she’s sharp, feral, and heartbreakingly loyal. And Nate? He’s the kind of antihero you root for even as he drags everyone into the fire.
The film stars Taron Egerton as Nate and Ana Sophia Heger as Polly, with John Carroll Lynch and Odessa A’zion rounding out a cast that leans into the story’s raw emotional stakes. Directed by Duncan Skiles, the adaptation retains the grit of Harper’s Edgar Award-winning novel. Expect a survival tale with teeth, one that’s as much about redemption as it is about escape.
Perfect Pair Read: Winter’s Bone by Daniel Woodrell. Another young girl navigating a violent adult world, Winter’s Bone is a haunting, atmospheric novel set in the Ozarks. Ree Dolly’s quest to find her missing father mirrors Polly’s journey in tone and urgency. Both books are unflinching, poetic, and anchored by fierce female leads who refuse to be victims.
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Subscribe to our weekly newsletter3. Freakier Friday by Mary Rodgers
In Theaters – August 8
You know the drill: mother and daughter swap bodies, hijinks ensue, empathy blossoms. But Freakier Friday isn’t just a reboot, it’s a reimagining with a surreal twist. This time, the swap isn’t limited to two people, and the consequences ripple through an entire community. Think Freaky Friday meets Russian Doll, with a dash of Gen Z existentialism.
Lindsay Lohan and Jamie Lee Curtis reprise their iconic roles, joined by Julia Butters, Sophia Hammons, and Manny Jacinto. Directed by Nisha Ganatra, the film updates Mary Rodgers’ classic with sharper humor and a more inclusive lens. While the original novel was groundbreaking in its time, this version expands the concept to explore identity, generational trauma, and the ripple effects of empathy. It’s funny, fresh, and surprisingly philosophical.
Perfect Pair Read: Switch by A.S. King. A.S. King doesn’t write typical YA. Switch is a mind-bending exploration of time, identity, and family dysfunction. It’s weird, wonderful, and deeply philosophical, perfect for readers who want more than just body-swap comedy. Pair it with Freakier Friday and you’ll get two sides of the same metaphysical coin.
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4. The Night Always Comes by Willy Vlautin
Streaming on Netflix – August 15
Lynette is thirty, exhausted, and desperate to buy the house she’s lived in with her mother and disabled brother. But Portland’s real estate market is ruthless, and the city she’s known all her life is slipping away. Over two harrowing days, Lynette confronts her past, her family, and the brutal realities of economic survival.
Vanessa Kirby leads the cast as Lynette, with Jennifer Jason Leigh, Zack Gottsagen, and Stephan James in supporting roles. Directed by Ramin Bahrani (The White Tiger), the film captures the quiet desperation of Vlautin’s novel, which was praised for its empathy and urgency. The adaptation leans into the noir tension and urban decay, painting a portrait of a woman on the edge: economically, emotionally, and existentially.
Perfect Pair Read: Evicted by Matthew Desmond. If Vlautin’s novel is fiction rooted in truth, Evicted is the truth laid bare. Desmond’s Pulitzer-winning study of housing insecurity in America provides the context behind Lynette’s struggle. Read them together and you’ll see the systemic forces that turn personal crises into national tragedies.
5. The Map That Leads to You by J.P. Monninger
Streaming on Amazon Prime – August 20
Heather is a recent college graduate on a European adventure with friends. Then she meets Jack, a charming, mysterious stranger with a journal full of secrets and a plan that doesn’t include staying in one place. Their whirlwind romance unfolds across cities and train stations, each stop revealing more about who they are and what they want.
Madelyn Cline and KJ Apa star as Heather and Jack, with Sofia Wylie and Josh Lucas adding depth to the ensemble. Directed by Brian Kirk, the film leans into the wanderlust and emotional vulnerability of Monninger’s novel, which reads like a love letter to travel and self-discovery. It’s idealized, yes, but sometimes, that’s exactly what we need.
Perfect Pair Read: Love & Gelato by Jenna Evans Welch. Another tale of young love abroad, Love & Gelato adds a layer of mystery and self-discovery to the travel romance genre. If The Map That Leads to You is about falling in love with someone, Love & Gelato is about falling in love with a place, and maybe yourself.
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6. The Thursday Murder Club by Richard Osman
Streaming on Netflix – August 28
In a quiet retirement village, four unlikely friends meet weekly to solve cold cases. But when a real murder lands on their doorstep, they find themselves in the middle of a mystery that’s anything but cozy. With wit, charm, and a surprising amount of danger, The Thursday Murder Club is a delightful twist on the classic whodunit.
Helen Mirren, Pierce Brosnan, Ben Kingsley, and Celia Imrie headline the cast, with David Tennant and Naomi Ackie adding flair and intrigue. Osman’s debut novel became a sensation for good reason: it’s clever, warm, and genuinely funny. The Netflix adaptation promises to capture that magic, blending British humor with real emotional stakes. It’s Agatha Christie meets The Golden Girls, and honestly, we’re here for it.
Perfect Pair Read: The Marlow Murder Club by Robert Thorogood. Another ensemble of older sleuths, The Marlow Murder Club, offers similar vibes with a slightly darker edge. If you loved the banter and brainpower of Osman’s crew, Thorogood’s trio will keep the mystery momentum going.
7. Caught Stealing by Charlie Huston
In Theaters – August 29
Hank Thompson is a washed-up baseball player turned bartender who gets dragged into a violent underworld after a simple favor goes horribly wrong. What follows is a blood-soaked, adrenaline-fueled… descent into chaos, with Huston’s signature blend of noir grit and sardonic humor. Hank isn’t a hero; he’s a guy who gets caught in the gears of something much bigger and much uglier. And yet, you can’t look away.
The film adaptation stars Austin Butler as Hank, with Matt Smith, Zoë Kravitz, Regina King, and Vincent D’Onofrio rounding out a cast that’s as eclectic as the story itself.
Directed by Drew Goddard (The Cabin in the Woods), the movie leans into the pulp aesthetic with stylized violence, kinetic editing, and a grimy New York backdrop that feels like a character in its own right. Huston’s novel, first in the Hank Thompson trilogy, is a cult favorite for fans of hard-boiled fiction, and the film looks poised to deliver the same bruised charm and brutal momentum.
Perfect Pair Read: The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death by Charlie Huston. If Caught Stealing is a plunge into the criminal underbelly of New York, The Mystic Arts of Erasing All Signs of Death is a grimy, sun-bleached tour of Los Angeles’ death-cleaning industry. Huston’s protagonists are always damaged, sarcastic, and weirdly endearing, and this novel is no exception. It’s a perfect companion read: same author, same voice, different flavor of existential dread. Together, they form a gritty duology of urban decay and reluctant redemption.
