Every month, all the major streaming services add a host of newly acquired (or just plain new) shows, movies, and documentaries into their ever-rotating libraries. So what's a dedicated reader to watch? Well, whatever you want, of course, but the name of this website is Literary Hub, so we sort of have an angle. To that end, here's a selection of the best (and most enjoyably bad) literary film and TV coming to streaming services this month. Have fun.
NEW:
The Sandman
Stream it on: Netflix, 8/5
Literary bona fides: based on Neil Gaiman's The Sandman (1989-1996)
Like you, we've been anticipating the adaptation of Neil Gaiman's classic—and extremely literary—comic book series for some time now. The cast is exciting, the first look photos are alluring, so now we'll just have to see.
Five Days at Memorial
Stream it on: Apple TV+, 8/12
Literary bona fides: based on Sheri Fink's Five Days at Memorial (2013)
Fink's National Book Critics Circle Award-winning book—expanded from her Pulitzer Prize-winning article, originally published in the New York Times Magazine—details the harrowing aftermath of Hurricane Katrina at Memorial Medical Center, where thousands of staff and patients were trapped for five days without power, and the later ramifications of the decisions the staff were forced to make. Not exactly easy summer viewing, but likely to be worth your time nonetheless.
House of the Dragon
Stream it on: HBO, 8/21
Literary bona fides: based on George R.R. Martin's Fire & Blood (2018)
This Game of Thrones prequel is set 200 years before the events of the popular series and is primarily concerned with the elaborate backstory of House Targaryen. You know, the ones with all the dragons!!!
THROWBACK:
You've Got Mail (1998)
Stream it on: Hulu, 8/1
Literary bona fides: it's the old Big Bookstore vs. Tiny Indie 90s e-romance Nora Ephron classic!
Was You've Got Mail trying to warn us about the internet? Is it—despite being "the quintessential literary film of the 90s"—actually bad? Why was this subplot about a creepy author deleted? These are the true questions of our time.
Bridget Jones' Diary (2001)
Stream it on: Netflix, 8/1
Literary bona fides: based on Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones' Diary (1996), itself based roughly on Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice (1813)
The film that brought us the best-ever Mr. Darcy (not to mention a top five author cameo) is always worth a re-watch. And hey, just like with the book—even men will laugh!
The Devil Wears Prada (2006)
Stream it on: Hulu, 8/1
Literary bona fides: based on Lauren Weisberger's The Devil Wears Prada (2003)
Listen, it's the Stanley Tucci for me, but Meryl is also obviously iconic in this better-than-it-needs-to-be adaptation.
Synecdoche, New York (2008)
Stream it on: Hulu, 8/1
Literary bona fides: it's right there in the name, guys
Charlie Kaufman's directorial debut isn't an adaptation, but it is my idea of a "literary" film, concerned as it is with the blurry lines between reality and art—not to mention being a portrait of obsession, my favorite literary topic. Plus, not for nothing, but any movie named after a figure of speech...
Fantastic Mr. Fox (2009)
Stream it on: Hulu, 8/1
Literary bona fides: based on Roald Dahl's Fantastic Mr. Fox (1970)
Wes Anderson's second-best film (don't @ me) is exceedingly charming and worth a re-watch, whether you have little children who need air conditioned entertainment this week or not.
Under the Skin (2014)
Stream it on: HBO, 8/1
Literary bona fides: based on Michel Faber's Under the Skin (2000)
Warning: this movie is extremely weird. It does not, necessarily, make any sense. It doesn't make one feel good, either. But I saw it in theaters when it came out and I have never forgotten it—it's a haunting, discomfiting, enduring work of art.
Room (2015)
Stream it on: HBO, 8/1
Literary bona fides: based on Emma Donoghue's Room (2010)
A harrowing book that became a harrowing movie—but one that's definitely worth your time.
The End of the Tour (2015)
Stream it on: HBO, 8/1
Literary bona fides: based on David Lipsky's Although of Course You End Up Becoming Yourself (2010)
No matter what your opinion on David Foster Wallace and his attendant lit-bros, you gotta admit that Jason Segel nails it.
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