The resurgence of page-to-screen adaptations has become one of this year’s most remarkable pop culture highlights. We can’t help but feel like giddy, lovestruck teenagers again as we witness the local and international bestselling stories we’ve grown up with come to life on the big screen.
Throughout the year, multiple TV shows and films based on widely loved books have become comfort media we didn’t know we needed. We instantly got hooked on their relatable narratives, swoon-worthy character dynamics, and spot-on portrayals of our favorite fictional characters by various promising actors in the entertainment industry.
Photo: VIVA TV, Netflix/YouTube
Titles like The Summer I Turned Pretty, Ang Mutya ng Section E, and Golden Scenery of Tomorrow might come to mind when recalling some of this year’s standout page-to-screen adaptations. These shows have given us our weekly doses of kilig and emotionally charged performances that do justice to their original material.
Book-to-screen adaptations thrived globally this year, and we’ll continue to support them next year as new releases light up our screens. We’re especially stoked to watch these six iconic stories finally get the live-action transformations they deserve.
Ang Mutya ng Section E: Book 2 (The Dark Side)
Our favorite classmates are back for new adventures full of fun, chaos, and exciting twists. Following the massive success of the first season, Ang Mutya ng Section E returned to Viva One on December 5, 2025, for its highly anticipated second installment. We’re looking forward to spending the holiday season (and new year) with Jay-jay (Ashtine Olviga), Keifer (Andres Muhlach), Yuri (Rabin Angeles), and the rest of Section E as they cause chaos in and out of the classroom. Keep an eye out for numerous new faces who’ll join the show’s diverse cast, too.
Hell University
Class is in session at Hell University, a spine-chilling upcoming series based on the hit Wattpad novel by KnightinBlack. This thrilling tale follows a group of students who grapple with their school’s most haunting secrets, scandals, and mysteries. Hell University features some of this generation’s up-and-coming Filipino actors, including Heart Ryan, Aubrey Caraan, Lance Carr, and Andre Yllana. The show will premiere on Viva One on January 9, 2026.
Project Loki
Project Loki is a youth-oriented crime thriller based on the Wattpad story by Chris Ibarra, who also goes by AkoSiIbarra. The upcoming nine-episode series, directed by Xian Lim, revolves around Loki (Dylan Menor), Lorelei (Jayda Avanzado), and Luthor (Marco Gallo), who form an exclusive club with their friends to solve the complex mysteries that haunt their school.
People We Meet on Vacation
Emily Henry’s bestselling 2021 romance novel is finally getting a film adaptation five years after its publication. In People We Meet on Vacation, best friends Alex (Tom Blyth) and Poppy (Emily Bader) go on summer getaways around the world to make new memories and gain unforgettable experiences together. But the pair’s carefree days soon come to a halt as they struggle to address their growing feelings for each other. We can’t wait to say “sana all” when Alex and Poppy’s story premieres on Netflix on January 9, 2026.
Reminders of Him
Reminders of Him is a sentimental romantic drama that will make you believe in second chances. In this new movie, adapted from Colleen Hoover’s 2022 novel, we follow Kenna (Maika Monroe) as she returns to her hometown and starts anew after serving seven years in prison. While looking for a job, she meets Ledger (Tyriq Withers), a local bar owner who helps her get back on track despite her troubled past. Reminders of Him will have its theatrical release on March 13, 2026.
The Summer I Turned Pretty: The Movie
View this post on Instagram
The season three finale of The Summer I Turned Pretty isn’t the last we’ll see of Belly (Lola Tung) and Conrad (Chris Brinley). Not long after Jenny Han’s iconic series ended, she announced that a movie would be in production soon to conclude Belly and Conrad’s love story on a high note. If you grew up reading Jenny’s bestselling young adult books, you definitely wouldn’t want to miss this upcoming film once it hits theaters or becomes available to stream.
ALSO READ: “She Gets The Girl” Is The Sapphic Campus Romance You’ve Been Waiting For
Which of these adaptations are you excited to watch next year? Share your picks with us in the comments below!
Do you have a story for the WhenInManila.com Team? Email us at wheninmanila@gmail.com or send us a direct message at WhenInManila.com’s Facebook Page. Interact with the team and join the WhenInManila.com community at WIM Squad, and join our Viber group to stay updated with the latest around the Philippines and beyond!
