Romance Books Becoming Movies and TV Series in 2020
Discover which romance books are becoming movies and TV series in 2020. Check out these books to movies on the small screen or at a theater near you.
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Romance Books Coming to the Big and Small Screen in 2020
I think there are two camps of people when it comes to books made into a TV show or movie.
One camp can’t wait to see their favorite, beloved characters come to life on screen while the other camp cringes at the thought and would rather leave their favorite story on the page.
I fluctuate between which camp I fall into however there are many romance books being made into TV shows and movies in 2020.
Since I adore romance movies (and really love foreign language romance movies!) I’m usually a fan of romance books adapted for TV or the big screen though often agree that the book is so much better.
The book is often so much better than its screen version because it’s so hard to fit everything from a book into a two hour movie, however the trend toward making TV series is changing this fact.
As a professed romance book junkie, I don’t watch any more TV (sorry Grey’s Anatomy but we had a good, long run!) as I’d rather have my nose in a book.
The one exception to this is the Outlander TV series.
I’ve found that Ronald D. Moore, the creator of the Outlander series, and the writers and producers of subsequent seasons have done such a great job of capturing the essence of Diana Gabaldon’s stories.
I can also still remember having my eyes glued to the TV watching Nora Roberts books come to life on Lifetime, most notable Montana Sky and Northern Lights back in the day.
And with the recent success of Outlander and movies like Crazy Rich Asians, more studios such as Netflix, Sony Pictures Television, Lifetime and Starz are jumping on the bandwagon to bring more romance books to the screen.
For romance book lovers who can’t wait for their favorite books to make it to the big and small screen – I have news!
There are so many great romance books releasing as movies and TV series in 2020 so let’s check out what we have to look forward to below.
Romance Books to TV Series in 2020
Right now there are just two TV series based on romance books set for 2020 but several others are either in production or will begin production this year with premiere dates to come.
Outlander: Season 5
Outlander, Season 5, based on Diana Gabaldon’s book, The Fiery Cross, debuted on February 16, 2020.
Although Gabaldon categorizes her books as historical fiction versus romance, there’s no denying that a majority of the appeal to the books and the series is the relationship between Jamie and Claire Fraser and now perhaps Brianna and Roger MacKenzie.
You can catch up on past seasons and check out the new season of Outlander on Starz.
Virgin River: Season 2
Virgin River, based on the romance book series by Robyn Carr, first debuted in December 2019 as a 10-episode TV series on Netflix.
Due to its popularity, season 2 will release in November 2020.
Romance Book to TV Series in the Works
Several romance books to TV series are in development with filming either already begun or starting in 2020.
Intercepted
Starz is adding another romance book based TV series to its line up with Alexa Martin’s Intercepted. The cast is developing for this series but no dates have been set for its release.
Netflix is adding at least three new romance book based TV series.
Sex/Life
BB Easton’s 44 Chapters about 4 Men has been turned into an 8 episode dramedy called Sex/Life with filming supposed to start in the spring of 2020.
I absolutely love the new book cover and can’t wait to catch this show!
Bridgerton
Julia Quinn’s Bridgerton series, which begins with The Duke and I, is being adapted into a TV series on Netflix, produced by Shondaland. This series will debut on December 25, 2020.
I cannot wait to hear Julie Andrews as the voice of Lady Whistledown -OMG!!
Sweet Magnolias
The Sweet Magnolias romance book series by Sherryl Woods has also been picked up by Netflix. Casting is ongoing but no start date has been released yet for this anticipated TV series.
Forbidden
Lastly, there is no date for this TV series but it was announced in 2019 that the first book to screen deal under the partnership between romance book store, The Ripped Bodice, and Sony Pictures Television is for Forbidden by Beverly Jenkins.
There is no word yet on the who or when for this one but it’s one to keep your eye on for the future!
Romance Books to Movies in 2020
P.S. I Still Love You
P.S. I Still Love You, based on the book by Jenny Han, released on Netflix on February 12, 2020 following the success of the first book of the series, To All the Boys I Loved Before in 2018.
Emma
Next up is the latest adaptation of Emma by Jane Austen releasing on the big screen on February 21, 2020.
All the Bright Places
On February 29, 2020, the premiere of young adult romance book, All the Bright Places by Jennifer Niven will release on Netflix.
This book to movie adaptation features Elle Fanning and Justin Smith in the lead roles.
Have you heard of Passionflix?
Passionflix is dedicated to bringing romance books to the small screen as made for TV movies.
The Will
It released its latest movie, The Will, based on the book by Kristin Ashley, on February 14, 2020. Dante’s Inferno was also released in 2020 and you can catch Holiday Quickies releasing in December.
You can check out my list of Passionflix movies to see all the romance books that have been made into movies and those optioned for movies.
Romance Books to Movies In the Works
China Rich Girlfriend
Crazy Rich Asians 2, based on the next book in the series China Rich Girlfriend by Kevin Kwan, is in the works but filming is not slated to begin until possibly late 2020.
The Hating Game
Fans of the widely popular romance book, The Hating Game by Sally Thorne, is also coming to the big screen!
News has been released of the actors cast for the lead roles of Lucy and Josh which are Lucy Hale and Robbie Amell, but no other news of filming or projected premiere dates have been announced.
Which romance book to movie or TV adaptation are you most looking forward to watching? Share in the comments below!
Related Lists:
If you liked this post on romance books becoming movies and TV shows, then you’ll like these lists:
- Romance Books to Watch on Passionflix
- If You Liked This Romance Movie, Then Read This Romance Book
- Romance Books to Movies and TV Shows in 2021
- Romance Books to Movies and TV Coming 2022
- Romance Books to Movies and TV Series in 2023
- Romance Books to Movies & TV Coming in 2024
- Romance Book Series that Should be Made into Romance TV Shows
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I’m in the middle of the pack when it comes to adaptations. I’ll cringe but be hopeful. Unless it’s being done by Passionflix. Then i’ll just shake my fist at the sky and scream, "Nooo! Why?!" (Most of their movies are terrible. Even the passable ones are only good by the skin of their teeth through some kind of act of God.)
I am hoping that they don’t ruin The Hating Game. Lucy Hale and Robbie Amell seem a nanosecond too young for it but …. meh. And I can’t picture Robbie as Josh. 🙁 The problem with making books into movies is that the movies in our head are perfectly cast with our imaginary people. Not to sound too crazy. I sincerely hope it does well.
Unfortunately I saw that Passionflix has optioned an Amy Daws book which doesn’t mean too much at this point. I can only hope a better production company saves it.
Kate – A Grand Romance
Hi Kate, I too hope that The Hating Game movie comes out decent and that Passionflix doesn’t butcher Wait with Me!