18 YA Novels That Are Currently Being Developed For TV And The Big Screen

Yes, the books are always better than the movies, BUT you can't deny that seeing literary worlds come to life can be really ~magical~ sometimes.

Farrah Penn / BuzzFeed

1. Cinder (Lunar Chronicles), Marissa Meyer

Square Fish

What it's about: The Lunar Chronicles is a series loosely based on classic fairy tales, but it's focused on a post-apocalyptic world with cyborgs, an evil space queen, and a race to save the human population.

What the rumors are: On her website, Meyer said that the rights have been optioned and the script is "in the works." Hopefully we'll see something soon!

2. Shadow and Bone (Grisha Trilogy), Leigh Bardugo

Macmillan

What it's about: Following an orphan girl named Alina Starkov, the Grisha Trilogy is about a young woman's quest to discover the true power of herself and save a darkened land with her light.

What the rumors are: Entertainment Weekly announced that the rights were sold to DreamWorks and Harry Potter's David Heyman would produce. Unfortunately this was announced in 2012 and there haven't been any updates.

3. Love Letters to the Dead, Ava Dellaira

Macmillan

What it's about: The story is about a girl named Laurel who is asked to write a love letter to a dead person for a class assignment. She soon finds herself writing endless letters to celebrities, artists, and other people of importance, revealing secrets about her friends, family, and the abuse she suffered when her deceased sister was supposed to be protecting her.

What the rumors are: The rights have been sold to Fox 2000 and Temple Hill. Wyck Godfrey and Marty Bowen, who both produced John Green's The Fault in Our Stars, are producing.

4. Unremembered, Jessica Brody

Macmillan

What it's about: When a flight crashes into the Pacific Ocean, the world is shocked that a 16-year-old girl has survived. She doesn't remember her life before or after the crash, and even stranger, it seems as if her existence was wiped away from the world. A boy who remembers her from before the crash might just hold the answers she's looking for.

What the rumors are: The rights to the first book in this YA trilogy have been acquired by Reliance Entertainment and Kintop Pictures.

5. Monument 14, Emmy Laybourne

Macmillan

What it's about: This post-apocalyptic novel focuses on a group of kids trapped in a superstore after the outside world is left in shambles. Together they must learn to survive.

What the rumors are: Reel FX and Strange Weather bought the rights, and in 2016 it was announced that Sandy Widyanata would direct.

6. The Queen of the Tearling, Erika Johansen

HarperCollins

What it's about: This fantasy trilogy follows Kelsea Raleigh, who learns of her mysterious past and must go on a quest to help save her kingdom.

What the rumors are: Before the book even came out, it was announced that Warner Bros. had bought the rights, with Harry Potter's David Heyman producing and Emma Watson starring. Watson will also executive produce.

7. Uglies, Scott Westerfeld

Simon Pulse

What it's about: Tally is about to turn 16, which means she will go under the knife and transform from an "Ugly" to a "Pretty." But when her friend Shay expresses doubts and runs away before the operation, Tally learns about the dirty side of the pretty world and is faced with a choice: find her friend and turn her in, or never be pretty at all.

What the rumors are: Scott Westerfeld sent a cryptic tweet about a potential movie, but there haven't been any public updates since.

8. Legend, Marie Lu

Penguin

What it's about: This dystopian novel is told in a dual narrative by June and Day. June is a prodigy with the Republic's (formerly the United States) army, while Day is known for being a wanted criminal. When their worlds collide with secrets and tragedy, they must learn to work together.

What the rumors are: While Legend was picked up by a production company, the last update came in 2013, saying they were still on the hunt for a director. Hopefully something will come of it soon!

9. Red Rising, Pierce Brown

Random House

What it's about: This dystopian novel is set in a world divided by castes, and Darrow is a Red — the lowest tier. When injustice occurs, Darrow and his caste rise up to infiltrate the Institute to bring down the enemies.

What the rumors are: Early last year, Brown said that the movie was in development with director Marc Forster (World War Z). There haven't been any updates since.

10. Matched, Ally Condie

Dutton Books for Young Readers

What it's about: This dystopian story takes place within the Society, who determine your life — when you'll marry, when you'll die. Cassie is excited for her matching day, but she begins to question everything when she believes an error has occurred.

What the rumors are: A movie version of this dystopian trilogy was in the works with Disney. There haven't been any updates since.

11. The Selection, Kiera Cass

HarperTeen

What it's about: This series is The Hunger Games meets The Bachelor. America Singer must compete with several other girls to win Prince Maxon's heart and help run their kingdom in the midst of a rebellion.

What the rumors are: Back in 2012, The CW had optioned the rights for this series. However, neither the first nor the second pilot was picked up. Warner Bros. grabbed the movie rights in 2015, and in 2016 it was announced that a movie may be in the works. Fingers crossed.

12. Shatter Me, Tahereh Mafi

Harper

What it's about: In a dystopian world, a girl has been incarcerated for having a fatal touch. But when the Reestablishment decides to use her as a weapon, she must decide to concede or fight.

What the rumors are: In 2015, Mafi tweeted, "thrilled to say that ABC Signature Studios has optioned SHATTER ME for TV, and that I'll be a consulting producer for the show." At the end of 2016, when people were starting to wonder if the project was still on, she tweeted an update, saying, "everything is very good! just slow! (a quiet cue: as long as the #shattermetv tweet is pinned to my timeline the project is still alive."

13. Looking for Alaska, John Green

Speak

What it's about: This contemporary YA follows Miles as he attends a boarding school for the first time. There he meets a small group of friends, including Alaska Young, who changes everything.

What the rumors are: In 2015, John Green announced via Twitter that Looking for Alaska had a director, Becca Thomas. But in 2016, he followed up by saying Paramount owns the rights and they refuse to sell them back. So it's questionable if the movie will actually follow through.

14. Red Queen, Victoria Aveyard

Harper

What it's about: In a world divided by Red and Silver bloodlines, Mare Barrow discovers that, despite having common Red blood, she possesses Silver abilities — abilities that attract the attention of the King and Queen.

What the rumors are: Back in 2015, it was reported that Elizabeth Banks would be directing the movie adaption of Red Queen. There haven't been any updates since.

15. The Sky Is Everywhere, Jandy Nelson

Dial Books

What it's about: A coming-of-age story that follows Lennie, who is attempting to cope with her older sister's death.

What the rumors are: In 2015, it was reported that this book was optioned by Warner Bros. We haven't had any updates since.

16. Illuminae, Amie Kaufman and Jay Kristoff

Knopf

What it's about: This sci-fi novel follows Ezra and Kady, who must flee the comfort of their home after an enemy warship attacks, and are forced to discover the mystery behind it.

What the rumors are: Back in 2015, it was reported that this book was optioned by Warner Bros. and Plan B Entertainment, managed by Brad Pitt. There haven't been any updates since.

17. Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda, Becky Albertalli

Balzer + Bray

What it's about: This story follows Simon, who is gay but not open about it. But someone has found out his secret, and they're threatening to blackmail him if he doesn't do what they ask.

What the rumors are: It looks like this adaptation is very close to becoming a reality. Fox 2000 is set to release the movie, and it's already in the process of casting actors. Also, #bless Becky for creating her own Tumblr thread for keeping up with movie updates.

18. Throne of Glass, Sarah J. Maas

Bloomsbury

What it's about: Celaena Sardothien is an assassin, and to pay for her crimes, she is captured and brought before Prince Dorian. But he grants her an offer: her freedom for helping him find a new royal assassin.

What the rumors are: In 2016, it was reported that Hulu picked up this series to adapt for television. Hopefully it'll be streaming soon!