8 Most Exciting Upcoming Horror Shows Based on Books

Lots of great horror novels are being adapted for TV and film, and here are eight we’re particularly looking forward to. Horror is a long-standing genre, with roots in classic stories and films – even today’s scary tales often build on works like Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein and the early silent movie Nosferatu.

There’s a unique thrill in being genuinely frightened by a scary movie or book. It’s enjoyable to feel your heart race and adrenaline surge. Beyond that, horror stories often delve into our deepest personal fears and the anxieties of society as a whole.

Horror is becoming increasingly popular on television. We’re seeing more original horror shows being made for TV, and producers are also adapting popular horror novels into series. Here are eight upcoming book-to-TV adaptations that we’re particularly looking forward to.

Swan Song

A television series based on Robert McCammon’s novel, Swan Song, is in the early stages of development (according to MovieWeb). The story takes place after a nuclear war devastates the United States, leaving a dangerous wasteland where survivors battle both monstrous creatures and ruthless groups of raiders.

Russell Rothberg is writing, executive producing, and running the show. Greg Nicotero will executive produce and direct the first episode. Their involvement makes this adaptation especially promising.

Following the show’s announcement, Rothberg posted on Instagram that Swan Song deeply impacted his writing, even influencing his book In Darkness. Greg Nicotero told Deadline he’s been a fan of McCammon’s work for years and believes the timing is right for a Swan Song adaptation. Because both creators admire the source material, the adaptation is likely to stay true to the book.

There’s a lot to look forward to with the Swan Song TV show, especially because its themes feel incredibly timely. The story is about simply trying to survive in a harsh world, but it also emphasizes the importance of holding onto hope, even when things seem darkest.

Something Is Killing The Children

The popular and award-winning graphic novel series, Something Is Killing The Children, is getting not one, but two adaptations! Blumhouse, a leading horror production company, will create both a live-action movie and an animated TV show. While Netflix and Mike Flanagan previously tried to adapt the series, the project stalled. Fortunately, the story is now in the hands of a new team.

In a world where monsters are visible only to children, the town of Archer’s Peak, Wisconsin, is plagued by disappearances. Those who remain tell terrifying stories, but no one believes them—until Erica Slaughter, a strange monster hunter, comes to town. But Erica isn’t what she seems, and she’s connected to a secret organization with hidden goals.

I really enjoy Mike Flanagan’s horror series, but I’m excited that Blumhouse is now producing Something Is Killing The Children. They have the experience and funding to make a successful adaptation. Importantly, Boom! Studios has stated that Jason Blum is dedicated to staying true to the original comic book creators, James Tynion IV and Werther Dell’Edera’s, vision.

Carrie

Mike Flanagan, known for his horror work, won’t be adapting the comic book series Something Is Killing The Children, but he is tackling a new version of Stephen King’s classic novel, Carrie. While Carrie has been made into films and even a Broadway musical before, this will be its first time as a television miniseries.

The story of Carrie, a teenager tormented by religious abuse and bullying who takes revenge on her school after a humiliating prank, continues to resonate with audiences. The themes of fear surrounding growing up, religious control, and bullying remain powerfully relevant even decades after the book was first published. With Mike Flanagan’s consistently excellent horror miniseries, we have high hopes that his adaptation of Carrie will be fantastic.

The show also boasts a talented cast. Summer H. Howell, the lead actress, is quickly becoming known as a fantastic horror performer. Samantha Sloyan seems ideally suited to play Margaret White, judging by her work on Midnight Mass, and Matthew Lillard consistently delivers excellent performances. We’re really excited to see this new take on Carrie.

Gothictown

Emily Carpenter’s upcoming Southern gothic horror novel, Gothictown, is turning heads – and already heading to TV! AMC greenlit a show based on the book nearly six months before it even hit shelves, even though details about the story were scarce. The early excitement was clearly justified, as Gothictown is proving to be an excellent read.

Billie Hope, a New York City restaurant owner, relocates her family to the quiet town of Juliana, Georgia, drawn by a unique offer: a house for just $100 and help starting a new business. But life in Juliana isn’t what it appears to be, and a creepy, unsettling atmosphere begins to build, hinting at a dark folk horror story.

Despite being a novel, Gothictown reads like a movie, which makes it a great fit for television. Author Penelope Douglas Carpenter isn’t directly writing the scripts for the upcoming AMC series, but she shared with Book Notions that she’s a co-producer and will be involved in guiding the showrunner and writers.

They were still writing scripts at the end of March and hadn’t started casting actors yet. Hopefully, we’ll have more news soon.

Shadecraft

Joe Henderson and Lee Garbett’s graphic novel series, Shadecraft, blends horror with the challenges of growing up. It centers on Zadie Lu, a sixteen-year-old who believes the shadows are alive and dangerous. To survive, she has to confront her fears and uncover the secrets of her family’s past.

I was really intrigued when I heard about this new Netflix series! It was announced around mid-2021, and it’s being brought to life by some seriously talented people. Joe Henderson, who wrote Shadecraft and was the showrunner for Lucifer, is working with Georgia Lee, a writer-producer from The Expanse. Honestly, the vibe they’re going for feels a lot like I Am Not Okay With This, which is a huge plus in my book – that show was fantastic, and I think fans of it will definitely enjoy this new horror and coming-of-age story.

It looks like the Shadecraft TV show is facing significant delays, with no recent news about its progress. However, because the Shadecraft books are so popular, there’s still a chance it might eventually be released.

The Devil In Silver

I usually focus on brand new TV adaptations when I make lists, so I don’t include shows that are already on the air, even if they’re continuing with another season. But I’m making an exception for Victor LaValle’s The Devil In Silver. It’s being adapted as part of The Terror, an anthology series where each season features a completely new story.

The Devil in Silver tells the story of Pepper, who is wrongly committed to a mental asylum. While at New Hyde Psychiatric Hospital, he faces both the terrifying realities of the institution and a growing supernatural danger that threatens everyone inside.

Season 3 of The Terror, with six new episodes, is highly anticipated because the first two seasons were so well-received. The show already excels in its visuals and atmosphere, and now it needs compelling stories, direction, and performances to match.

Season 3 of The Terror boasts a strong cast, led by Dan Stevens, known for his roles in horror films like The Ritual, Abigail, and Cuckoo. The season will also feature a talented ensemble of twelve experienced actors, including Judith Light (Before) and Chinaza Uche (Silo). Fans can look forward to the new season arriving in 2026.

The Talisman

For nearly 40 years, making a movie based on Stephen King and Peter Straub’s The Talisman has been incredibly difficult. Numerous attempts failed due to challenges with funding, technology, and overall production. Fortunately, the project is moving forward as a TV series on Netflix.

In The Talisman, twelve-year-old Jack Sawyer goes on an epic quest to find a magical talisman that could save his mother, who is seriously ill. His journey takes him through both the real world and a dangerous, shadowy alternate reality. Fortunately, the upcoming Netflix series is in the hands of a talented team with a strong track record.

The creators of Stranger Things, the Duffer brothers, are thrilled to be working on an adaptation of The Talisman, calling it a long-held ambition. Joining them is Steven Spielberg, who will serve as a co-executive producer, and Curtis Gwinn, a producer and writer from Stranger Things, will lead the show as showrunner. I have complete confidence in this team to deliver a fantastic adaptation.

The Final Girl Support Group

I absolutely loved The Final Girl Support Group by Grady Hendrix! It’s a horror novel that really gets what makes slasher movies so great, and it’s all about the women who actually survive those terrifying situations. It’s become a huge hit – it even won the Goodreads Choice Award for Best Horror in 2021! And now, the really exciting news is that HBO Max is turning it into a TV series, which I can’t wait for!

The story centers on Lynette Tarkington and her involvement in a therapy group for women who all survived attacks by serial killers – each character is based on a famous ‘final girl’ from horror movies. The group becomes fearful when one of its members mysteriously disappears, leading them to believe a new killer is targeting them.

There’s a lot to look forward to in this new show! The story and characters are fantastic, and it’s expected to adapt really well to television. Plus, acclaimed horror director Andy Muschietti is producing and directing, with Charlize Theron joining him as a producer. Together, they seem like the perfect team to bring The Final Girl Support Group to life on screen.

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2025-11-15 18:54