Best of · Screen adaptations
Dark Romance Movies and Series Based on Books
Five books from the shelf are heading for the screen. Two films, two Netflix series, one more film with a studio behind it.
None of them is out yet. Every one is still in development, with no cast or release date. Below is what's been announced, and where it was reported. Nothing more.
Confirmed adaptations
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Haunting Adeline
H. D. Carlton
The author confirmed a film in July 2026. That's as far as it's gone: no studio, director, cast or date.
Status: In development (announced by the author, July 2026). No studio, director, cast or release date announced. Sources: Screen Rant, 18 Jul 2026, Collider, 16 Jul 2026, Author's movie updates page
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Lights Out
Navessa Allen
Netflix and Chernin Entertainment are making it a series, with Hannah Schneider as showrunner. No cast or date yet.
Status: In development. Allen read the screenplay in July 2026. No cast or release date announced. Sources: Deadline, 11 Feb 2026, TV Insider, 2026
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Alchemised
SenLinYu
Legendary bought the film rights in September 2025. No writer, director, cast or date since.
Status: Film rights bought by Legendary (September 2025). No writer, director, cast or release date announced. Sources: The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Sep 2025, The Bookseller, 12 Sep 2025
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Butcher & Blackbird
Brynne Weaver
Chris McKay is set to direct and Laura Kosann is writing. Still no cast or release date.
Status: In production. A casting call says it is shooting in upstate New York and lists stand-ins for Thomas Doherty and lead Emma Laird (reported, not officially announced). No release date. Sources: Variety, 27 Jun 2024, Deadline, 17 Jan 2025, Casting Networks listing, Oct 2026
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Twisted Love
Ana Huang
Netflix optioned the Twisted series in January 2025. Nothing on cast or a date since.
Status: In development. Ana Huang received the pilot script on 6 October 2026. No cast or release date announced. Sources: Variety, 9 Jan 2025, Yahoo Entertainment, Oct 2026
Every dark romance book adaptation in the works: the longer story
Questions readers actually ask
Is there a Haunting Adeline movie?
Not yet. H. D. Carlton announced one in July 2026, but no studio, director, cast or release date has been named.
Is Lights Out on Netflix?
Not yet. Netflix is developing it as a series with Chernin Entertainment, and Hannah Schneider is showrunner. No cast or release date so far.
When is the Alchemised movie coming out?
There's no date. Legendary bought the film rights in September 2025, and no writer, director or cast has been announced.