Yahoo Movies BookTok: The social media trend transforming TV and film
Lessons in Chemistry, Heartstopper and more BookTok hits are dominating the silver screen
Lessons in Chemistry has landed on Apple TV+ today, ushering in a new era in entertainment in which BookTok dominates the silver screen.
The social media trend — largely centred on TikTok — has already taken the literary industry by storm and it is looking to do the same with the TV and film industry, thanks to its unparalleled popularity online.
Read more: How BookTok trends are influencing what you read – whether you use TikTok or not (The Conversation, 4-min read)
But not everyone necessarily may know or even understand what BookTok is and why it is changing the face of entertainment.
With that in mind, here's everything you need to know.
What is BookTok?
BookTok is a sub-genre of TikTok, the Instagram equivalent is named Bookstagram, and it focuses on the promotion and discussion of books.
The social media platform has become a community all its own, with influencers and book fans coming together to share their thoughts about the latest book releases.
BookTok can make an author's career, or even reinvigorate it overnight as became the case with Colleen Hoover in 2022 which has led to her books shooting up the charts long after their original publication date.
While this is the case, BookTok also sees many of the same authors and books being promoted by users — the platform has become a business in itself and its enduring popularity has seen more time and energy being dedicated to supporting it outside of social media.
BookTok becoming a money-making industry has meant that it has begun to influence the film and TV industry in a big way, with studios scrambling to win the rights to adapt books that have a huge following and — most likely — will see profit for the studio.
Which brings us to the biggest adaptations on screen.
What are some of the BookTok hits being adapted for the screen?
There are a number of hit books to earn a film or TV adaptation thanks to its popularity on BookTok, some of which viewers may not realise even began on the social media platform.
Some adaptations have worked incredibly well and others have struggled with criticism before they have even got off the ground. Here are some of the main BookTok sensations coming to, or already on, a screen near you.
Lessons in Chemistry | Apple TV+
Bonnie Garmus' Lessons in Chemistry follows the ambitious and revolutionary heroine Elizabeth Zott and her quest to be taken serious as a woman in the world of science, and who finds love in the process.
The character is portrayed by Brie Larson in Apple TV+'s show, which premiered on Friday 13 October on the streamer and will continue to air weekly.
Red White and Royal Blue | Prime Video
Casey McQuiston's debut novel Red, White and Royal Blue became a worldwide sensation when it was released in 2019, and her books have dominated the industry ever since.
Prime Video adapted the beloved book into a film which starred Taylor Zakhar Perez and Nicholas Galitzine as the son of American President Alex and British prince Henry who fall in love.
The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo | Netflix
Taylor Jenkins Reid has seen many of her books become BookTok sensations, and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo is one of her best to do so.
The novel follows the titular fictional movie star who, after years in the limelight, has decided to tell the truth about her rise to fame and her many romances. The book is being adapted as a film for Netflix with Russian Doll's Leslye Headland set to direct and Liz Tigelaar writing.
Daisy Jones and the Six | Prime Video
Reid's other big hit is Daisy Jones and the Six, and it has already been adapted into a series for Prime Video starring Riley Keough and Sam Claflin.
The story recounts the rise and fall of the titular fictional band during the 1960s, the group are loosely based on Fleetwood Mac and Stevie Nicks has shared her love for the book and TV adaptation.
Heartstopper | Netflix
Alice Oseman has become a sensation with her comics Heartstopper, which charts the touching love story between teens Charlie Spring and Nick Nelson.
The story has already been adapted into a hit Netflix series, with two seasons out so far and a third on the way starring Joe Locke and Kit Connor as Charlie and Nick, respectively.
It Ends with Us | Movie adaptation
Colleen Hoover has been dubbed the "Queen of BookTok" since her novels exploded on the platform, and the first to be given the adaptation treatment is It Ends With Us.
The novel follows the love story between flower shop owner Lily Bloom and neurosurgeon Ryle Kincaid, and it is being adapted into a movie starring Blake Lively. The film has been hit with some criticism from fans over how the film looks from pictures taken of the set, but it is still expected to be released in 2024.
A Court of Thorns and Roses | Hulu
In terms of fantasy, there are few authors as prolific as Sarah J. Maas on BookTok, and her series A Court of Thorns and Roses — which consists of four books and one novella — have long been popular on the social media platform.
The books follow the journey of mortal Feyre through a faerie realm, and it is being adapted into a TV series with Hulu.
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue | Movie adaptation
V. E. Schwab's hit standalone novel The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue is one of the author's biggest hits, and it follows its titular character after she makes a deal to live forever that has dark consequences.
The novel is being adapted into a film with Augustine Frizzell and David Lowery set to write the script and the former expected to direct.
Lessons in Chemistry is streaming on Apple TV+ now.
Watch the trailer for Lessons in Chemistry:
