Which Best Novels Of The 2010s Inspired Major Film And TV Franchises?

Looking back at the 2010s, which bestselling book-to-screen adaptations really launched huge film or television universes everyone knows today?
2026-07-19 00:02:36
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7 Answers

NaomiOwl
NaomiOwl
Active Reader Lawyer
What about middle-grade? 'Wonder' (2012) by R.J. Palacio became a hugely successful film that sparked a whole 'choose kind' movement and led to spinoff books and a prequel film ('White Bird'). It's more of a cultural phenomenon than an action franchise, but its impact on family films and discussions about empathy is massive.
2026-07-20 06:10:19
7
TobiasInk
TobiasInk
Novel Fan Firefighter
Let's be real—most of the big franchises came from stuff that was already huge before 2010. But 'The Martian' (2011) was a killer sci-fi novel that became a massive film. Andy Weir's technical yet hilarious problem-solving narrative translated perfectly. It's a rare case where the adaptation arguably improved the pacing for a mainstream audience.

On the TV side, 'The Witcher' books, especially the short story collections from the 90s/2000s, saw their real franchise explosion in the 2010s due to the games, but the Netflix show finally brought them to a global TV audience. The 2010s also gave us 'The Expanse' series, starting with 'Leviathan Wakes' in 2011, which became a critically adored TV series that saved itself from cancellation. Those are foundational texts for modern sci-fi TV.
2026-07-21 20:02:52
2
MaxHarris
MaxHarris
Story Interpreter Accountant
Honestly, after reading through these, the 2010s look like a testing ground. Studios tried to build YA franchises ('Divergent', 'Maze Runner'), erotic drama ('Fifty Shades'), and sci-fi ('The Martian', 'Ready Player One'). The ones that lasted had either immense cultural momentum ('Fifty Shades'), near-perfect adaptation ('The Martian'), or a perfect storm of fan love and streaming service need ('The Expanse', 'The Witcher').
2026-07-22 05:08:10
5
PaigeBud
PaigeBud
Book Guide Analyst
The film side is easier to pinpoint. 'Life of Pi' (2001) got its film in 2012, but the book is older. 'Crazy Rich Asians' (2013) was a massive rom-com franchise starter for film, showing the power of representation in a studio tentpole. It spawned two sequels and was a genuine cultural moment. The film's success proved the commercial viability of an all-Asian cast in a modern Hollywood setting, which is a huge legacy.
2026-07-24 02:27:01
14
EmmaHines
EmmaHines
Bookworm Chef
Romantic fantasy had a hit with 'A Discovery of Witches' (2011). The TV adaptation (2018) ran for three seasons and has a dedicated fanbase. It's a proper trilogy with a clear beginning and end, making it a complete TV franchise based on a 2010s novel series. It filled the 'grown-up Twilight' niche for many viewers.
2026-07-25 04:23:50
5
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I get frustrated with adaptations that feel like cheap cash-grabs, you know? They borrow the name and the plot points but none of the soul. It makes the good ones shine even brighter because they remind you why you fell in love with the story in the first place.

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I'm just here for the pretty people in period costumes, I won't lie. A good adaptation is an excuse for great cinematography and wardrobe. 'The Great Gatsby' Baz Luhrmann version was all style over substance, but what style! Sometimes the aesthetic is the point of the adaptation, creating a visual mood piece that stands apart from the literary source. It's a valid approach, even if purists clutch their pearls.
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