Many classic sci-fi books have been turned into movies, but some incredible titles are yet to be adapted for the screen. Several of the best epic sci-fi movies of all time are based on legendary pieces of literature, so it’s surprising that some of the most notable novels from the genre haven’t received their own film yet. These titles are groundbreaking and redefine science fiction in massive ways, and they absolutely deserve to be viewed in the cinematic format.
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A lot of these ambitious sci-fi books are remembered across the ages because of their themes, imagery, and characters. By traveling through time, space, or both, readers also find that these sci-fi books are more fiction than science, too. However, this isn’t a bad thing, as the genre is supposed to be imaginative and complex, which makes these classic novels perfect movie candidates as well.
10 Neuromancer (1984)
Written By William Gibson
Neuromancer is a curious story that is often defined as the original cyberpunk novel. William Gibson’s book follows ex-computer hacker Henry Case, who is headhunted by a suspicious former military service member for his services. Neuromancer is the origin of the cyberpunk subgenre and a title that inspires several art forms and broadcast media across the world.
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Neuromancer
is the origin of the cyberpunk subgenre and a title that inspires several art forms and broadcast media across the world.
Gibson’s iconic novel has been optioned multiple times over the years, but it has yet to receive a movie adaptation. Apple TV+ is currently working on a Neuromancer show, however, but there is currently no release date announced. But just because there is a TV adaptation coming, that doesn’t mean that the classic sci-fi tale shouldn’t be made into a film.
Henry’s journey between the real and virtual worlds is a compelling read that would be perfect for a feature-length motion picture, and legendary sci-fi movies like Blade Runner, another book adaptation, and The Matrix prove this. Neuromancer is mind-blowing and perplexing, and the blurred lines between reality and the artificial are the perfect basis for a movie.
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9 The Restaurant At The End Of The Universe (1980)
Written By Douglas Adams
The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy’s adaptation is a notable sci-fi movie, but surprisingly, the second book in Douglas Adam’s trilogy, The Restaurant at the End of the Universe, hasn’t been remade for the silver screen. While the 2005 film does cover parts of all three books, it mainly follows the events of the first, with some twists and early arrivals from characters who are introduced in The Restaurant at the End of the Universe. Viewers are typically most familiar with the first segment of Arthur Dent’s adventure, but there is more to discover.
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Although The Restaurant at the End of the Universe is the middle installment of the trilogy, it could work as a sequel or a standalone movie, too. Dent could arrive as an already seasoned traveler, facing his quest to find the universe’s Ruler, and the events of the first book can be explained through flashbacks and his origin story. Trillian actress Zooey Deschanel is open to a Hitchhiker’s Guide sequel and has spoken about this before, and it would be great to see the film’s stellar cast reunite again.
8 The Moon Is A Harsh Mistress (1966)
Written By Robert A. Heinlein
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Robert A. Heinlein’s The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress looks at a war between Earth and a colony based on the Moon. The inhabitants of the colony, the Loonies, are dictated by a supercomputer and, in an act of defiance, put a stop to wheat shipments in order to cause Earth’s civilization to collapse. While it is a sci-fi title, The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress is also full of themes that are relatable to many in the present day.
The book delves into political rebellion, class divide, and the struggles that the exiled face when trying to reenter society. Even issues like sexism and poverty are tackled, too. The Hugo Award winner for Best Novel is a great potential movie, but not just because of its deeper subplots.
The concept of a community living on the Moon and their rivalry with the planet below would likely result in scenes with some beautiful cinematography and special effects. The author is a sci-fi master, and Alien is an amazing spiritual adaptation of Heinlein’s Starship Troopers, so there’s no reason that The Moon Is a Harsh Mistress wouldn’t be the same.
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7 The Left Hand Of Darkness (1969)
Written By Ursula K. Le Guin
The Left Hand of Darkness is one of Ursula K. Le Guin’s best books, and it is an endearing tale that definitely warrants its own film. The Left Hand Of Darkness jumps into the future and looks at the Ekumen, a federation of various planets, and their attempts to get the people of Gethen to join them.
The Left Hand of Darkness is a fascinating piece of feminist literature that investigates the inner workings of gender and sexuality through the ambisexual Genthens, which is a truly intriguing plot for a science fiction film. Le Guin’s standout 1969 novel is amazingly ahead of its time.
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The Left Hand of Darkness has also received a plethora of accolades, including both the Hugo and Nebula Award for Best Novel in 1970. Genly Ai’s first meeting with the Gethen, who are not defined to any biological gender until they wish to mate, is a brilliant take on the fluid states of femininity and masculinity. His attempts to get them to step out into the wider universe is a compelling story, but the lessons he learns in understanding their culture are even more powerful.
6 Childhood’s End (1953)
Written By Arthur C. Clarke
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Childhood’s End by Arthur C. Clarke is renowned for its exploration of humanity’s role in the wider universe and a classic story about the arrival of extraterrestrials. Earth’s progression from a utopian world, thanks to the mysterious Overlords, and its subsequent loss of society is a gripping concept. On the surface, Childhood’s End is a classic story about an alien invasion, but on a deeper layer, it’s also about identity and the consequences of trying to improve lives. Ultimately, Childhood’s End makes readers reflect on themselves.
When released,
Childhood’s End
sold its entire first printing of 200,000 copies rather quickly (via
Centipede Press
).
Some of Clarke’s works are already successful films. There are some differences between 2001: A Space Odyssey’s movie and the books and short stories that are inspired by it, but generally, Clarke’s stories make for fantastic cinematic experiences. There are already some adaptations of Childhood’s End, but they are for TV and radio, and Clarke’s brilliant novel still hasn’t been turned into a movie. The story is best fitted for the film format, however, and Clarke’s imaginative visuals translated to the big screen would be an amazing watch.
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5 At The Mountains Of Madness (1936)
Written By H. P. Lovecraft
At The Mountains of Madness is a book that perfectly blends sci-fi and horror and is about a harrowing expedition to Antarctica. William Dyer’s discovery of an alien civilization is both tense and thrilling, especially when evidence is uncovered that suggests that the extraterrestrials were far from peaceful.
At The Mountains of Madness’ narration from Dyer is unique, and although readers know he survives because he recalls the events, the possibility of a chilling fallout keeps them on edge throughout. At The Mountains of Madness introduces some weird and wonderful life forms, which would offer a movie version a great challenge to recreate.
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The blind penguins, shoggoths, and Mi-Go are all strange products of H. P. Lovecraft’s imagination that would have mass appeal in the world of sci-fi movies. Even though it might be a difficult title to adapt, it isn’t impossible either. Rumors of Guillermo del Toro’s At The Mountains of Madness have been circulating for years, and hopefully, the director will finally release a solid movie of Lovecraft’s thriller.
4 The Martian Chronicles (1950)
Written By Ray Bradbury
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Ray Bradbury’s The Martian Chronicles is a collection of short stories republished into one book, but the segments are linked in such a way that it could work as a singular film or even a franchise. The Martian Chronicles is split into three chunks that follow one another chronologically. The first follows humanity and the Martians discovering each other for the first time, the second on Earth’s colonization of Mars, and the third on the very last Martians’ survival of Earth’s nuclear war.
Across the chapters, readers witness two disasters that impact the universe between 1999 and 2026. Ray Bradbury’s classic comic stories and iconic books make him an integral figure in the progression of sci-fi. The Martian Chronicles looks at how humanity’s intentions to be better and explore space, while layered with enthusiasm, are actually detrimental.
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A movie based on the chronicle could look at the points of view of both races, too. There hasn’t been an adaptation of it since the ‘80s, but each attempt has either been a very loose recreation or only certain elements are used. The Martian Chronicles deserves its own sole adaptation that just focuses on Bradbury’s original material.
3 The Caves of Steel (1954)
Written By Isaac Asimov
The Caves of Steel by Isaac Asimov has surprisingly never been adapted into a movie. Asimov is a staple name in the sci-fi genre, and The Caves of Steel proves just how intelligent the author’s work truly is. The Caves of Steel is also a detective story, and Asimov does this to prove that science fiction can be applied to any genre of literature, which also makes it a fabulous premise for a film.
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Asimov’s novel looks at an overpopulated Earth and the integration of robots, specifically how humanity’s rejection of them could stop them from solving their problems. The Caves of Steel ’s story has already been seen several times throughout popular culture, especially in plots that look at humans being forced to work with an unnatural entity.
Films like Alien Nation and video games like Detroit: Become Human have similar themes and are hugely popular. Isaac Asimov’s movie and TV adaptations are plentiful, too, and many are relatively successful, like Apple TV+’s Foundation TV series and the Will Smith film I, Robot. The Caves of Steel’s general subject matter may have been done before, but a direct adaptation of it could be better than other previous attempts.
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2 Snow Crash (1992)
Written By Neal Stephenson
Neal Stephenson’s Snow Crash is another fantastic cyberpunk novel that is set in a version of the future that revolves around virtual realities. Hiro Protagonist is suddenly thrust into a world of strange new narcotics when he encounters a conspiracy surrounding the titular drug, which not only impacts users in their real lives but also their digital avatars, too.
Readers of Snow Crash have been calling out for an adaptation for a long time, and although HBO was supposed to create a TV series based on it, it’s no longer happening. Stephenson’s world-building is a staple of his works, and Snow Crash is a perfect example of this. The Metaverse is a significant influence on the sci-fi genre, as is the novel overall, and the digital world would look amazing on the silver screen.
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Snow Crash
also offers a lot of social commentary as well, which highlights the harsh realities of capitalism and artificial intelligence.
Snow Crash also offers a lot of social commentary as well, which highlights the harsh realities of capitalism and artificial intelligence. In this day and age, a movie of Stephenson’s book would be incredibly relatable and easy to market, even though some consider Snow Crash to be a book too twisted to be made into a film.
1 Stranger In A Strange Land (1961)
Written By Robert A. Heinlein
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Several other Robert A. Heinlein books deserve adaptations, such as Stranger in a Strange Land. The novel focuses on Valentine Michael Smith, a human raised by Martians who is eventually brought back to Earth. Valentine’s discovery of human culture and his first interactions with them is a compelling and unusual story, but it’s an interesting point of view for sci-fi.
It’s not uncommon to see stories about Martians and humanity’s cultural divides, but Valentine is right in the middle and has to learn how to understand both. Stranger in a Strange Land is mainly about identity and how Valentine tries to find his place in a world where he technically belongs, but he doesn’t feel that he does.
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His sudden fame on Earth and creation of his own church is a wild character arc, but it also demonstrates just how easily the planet’s society consumes him. The Stranger in a Strange Land TV series from Paramount hasn’t received an update in quite a while, so it can be assumed it’s no longer happening, which opens up the opportunity for the classic sci-fi book to be adapted.