Seven book-to-film adaptations you must see this year

Book-to-film adaptations were all the rage in this year's Hollywood awards season, with four making it into the Oscars' shortlist for best picture. Here are the seven of the hottest books-turned-movies to watch out for this year:

Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them

In case you missed JK Rowling's announcement, the film adaptation of a Harry Potter backstory is due out later this year. Starring Eddie Redmayne, the film will revolve around the adventures of Newt Scamander, the author of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them (a wizarding textbook, for all you Muggles Out there).

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Set mostly in the United States, part of Newt's adventures will revolve around a Hogwarts-like wizardry school but with a script from Rowling herself, fans are not too worried about the plot. Former Harry Potter director David Yates will be at the helm and – did we mention it's going to be a trilogy?

Out 18 November

The Circle

Based on the book by Dave Eggers, The Circle stars Tom Hanks, Emma Watson and John Boyega in a dystopian thriller where people are obsessed with what they do online.

Watson plays Mae Holland, a woman employed at giant tech company The Circle, which is run by "Three Wise Men" (think Google meets Ministry of Truth). Her life unravels as she climbs the company's ladder. Meanwhile, the mystery man in her life (Boyega) has something to hide. This is Orwell for the 21st century, so get ready to be spooked.

Out this autumn

The Girl on the Train

Last year's debut thriller by Paula Hawkins was an instant bestseller and was promptly snapped up by Hollywood. The London-based story has been moved across the pond to New York and stars Emily Blunt as Rachel, a divorced and depressed alcoholic.

When a woman she sees on her daily train commute ends up dead, Rachel thinks she might have a clue or two about who did it. The book's plot twists and turns and the film should be no different. If only they'd kept King's Cross in.

Out 7 October

Tulip Fever

A love story straight out of a Vermeer painting, Tulip Fever comes from the pen of Deborah Moggach, of the Best Exotic Marigold Hotel adventures.

Set in 17th-century Amsterdam, in the middle of a tulip mania gripping Dutch traders, a married woman sits for a portrait and becomes enthralled with the painter. A plan to elope is hatched, but everything goes horribly wrong. Starring Alicia Vikander and Christoph Waltz, this is a doomed love affair and possibly a great film. Another Oscar for Alicia?

Out autumn 2016

The BFG

The Roald Dahl classic gets a live-action remake, directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Mark Rylance, Rebecca Hall and Ruby Barnhill. The Big Friendly Giant meets a little orphaned girl one night and takes her back to Giant Country.

Children are usually a giant's favourite food, but the BFG has been ostracised by the other giants for refusing to eat them. Instead, he fills his time with blowing dreams through children's windows. Enchantment guaranteed, with possible nominations in the future for sound and special effects.

Out 22 July

Me Before You

Starring Emilia Clarke - sans Game of Thrones' dragons - and Sam Claflin of the Hunger Games trilogy, this is a girl-meets-boy romance based on the book by Jojo Moyes. Louisa is a young woman in need of a job and a life mission who finds both in Will, who has been left permanently disabled after an accident.

She becomes his carer and he becomes her love interest, although his thoughts revolve more around whether he can live his entire life as a disabled man. Think Nicholas Sparks - and equally as tragic.

Out 3 June

One for 2017: On Chesil Beach

Seeing as Saoirse Ronan can do no wrong, get your Oscar predictions ready for this one. This is the second Ian McEwan novel turned film for the actress after Atonement, which won her an Oscar nomination.

Set in 1960s' England, On Chesil Beach is the story of a just-married couple on honeymoon in Dorset, who in the course of a day have to decide whether their union can actually withstand their wildly different natures.

Out in January 2017