December is a bit quieter in the world of books being adapted into films, but what it lacks in quantity it more than makes up for in quality.
The Housemaid is the big one this month. The book is the first from Freida McFadden to be adapted into a film. It has a huge BookTok following, and over 2 million copies of the book have been sold. There is definitely a large following for this book, anxiously awaiting its release.
Younger readers also have things to look forward to this month with the latest Diary of a Wimpy Kid movie and the newest season of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson & the Olympians Disney+ show.
Let’s take a look at all the books being adapted this month and find out what we’re watching.
New Film Adaptations
Isabel Greenberg‘s graphic novel The One Hundred Nights of Hero was adapted into the film 100 Nights of Hero and it finally hits theaters on December 5th, 2025. The film stars Emma Corrin, Nicholas Galitzine, Maika Monroe, Amir El-Masry, and Charli XCX in her film debut.
The Diary of a Wimpy Kid Series by Jeff Kinney is one of the biggest children’s series of all-time and has already been made into four feature films and three animated films. Now, another animated film comes just in time for Christmas with Diary Of A Wimpy Kid Christmas: The Last Straw will be released on Disney+ on December 5th, 2025. [Trailer]
It’s always interesting to see what books get into movies, and when. Most of the time, it is something semi-recent that had some success in book sales that led to a quick adaptation. That is not the case with Harry Whittington‘s Desert Stake-Out which is a book that came out in 1961! Better late than never. The movie adaptation is titled Frontier Crucible, and it will be released in theaters on December 5th, 2025. [Trailer]
In 2009, Nick Schuyler and three friends, including two NFL players, were involved in a boating accident in the Gulf of Mexico with no help in sight. He turned his experience into a book, and now that book has been turned into a movie directed by Joe Carnahan. Not Without Hope releases in theaters on December 12th, 2025. [Trailer]
Finally, this month’s biggest release is the long-awaited adaptation of Freida McFadden‘s The Housemaid. Paul Feig directs, with Sydney Sweeney, Amanda Seyfried, Brandon Sklenar, Michele Morrone, and Elizabeth Perkins starring. It is expected to be one of the biggest movies of the holiday season. The Housemaid hits theaters on December 19th, 2025.
Returning TV Show Adaptations
Rick Riordan‘s Percy Jackson & the Olympians is one of the best-selling series with over 180 million copies of the books sold worldwide. The series was adapted into a film in 2010, with a sequel in 2013, but the series was not completed. The books have found a new home on Disney+ with a television adaptation. Percy Jackson and the Olympians returns with Season 2 on Disney+ December 10th, 2025. A third season has already been confirmed. [Trailer]
Sanctuary: A Witch’s Tale returns with Season 2 on AMC+ December 25th, 2025. The series, based on the 2020 novel Sanctuary: A Novel of Suspense, Witchcraft, and Small Town Secrets by V.V. James, airs on Sundance Now.
That’s all of our adaptations for this month. We’ll see you in January with adaptations from Harlan Coben, John Le Carre, Emily Henry, and a whole lot more.
Of course, you can always follow your favorite authors to get the latest updates on their adaptations right to your inbox.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Vince is the Entertainment Editor at Book Notification. His first book was Green Eggs & Ham by Dr. Seuss, and his passion for reading took off from there. He'll read just about anything, but can usually be found re-reading his favorite Pynchon novels and Seattle Mariners box scores.