Must-See TV

The best TV shows based on books you can stream right now

Thrillers, romances, and family dramas, these book adaptations bring your favorite stories to life on screen.

Three individuals in formal attire sit on a stone bench by the sea. The woman on the left holds a wine bottle.

By B. Moreno, Carolina Urquiola

SEPTEMBER 18, 2025 8:18 PM EDTSEP 18, 2025, 8:18 PM EDT

Are you a fan of great stories? Many of today’s most talked-about shows have the same starting point: the bookstore. Stories that first lived on the page are now coming to life on screen, giving fans the chance to see beloved characters in an entirely new way. From thrillers that will leave you breathless to romances you will never forget, these adaptations prove that the best reads also make for the best binges.

Here is a selection of must-watch series based on books, each one packed with twists, emotions, and unforgettable characters. And if you have not read the original yet, this might be the perfect excuse to pick it up and compare what changed in the leap from page to screen.

1/8

Memento Mori – Prime Video

Yon González stands in a leather jacket, looking serious, at a train station.

In the city of Valladolid, a sinister game begins when a mutilated body is found with verses written about it. A police inspector is convinced they’re dealing with a serial killer, but no one believes him, until the second victim appears. From there, an intense chase unfolds, with predator and prey constantly switching roles.

Yon González in a red shirt stands next to a woman in a black top.

Based on the Verses, Songs and Pieces of Flesh saga by César Pérez Gellida, this gripping police thriller starring Yon González will grab your attention from the very first scene and won’t let go.

2/8

The Summer I Turned Pretty – Prime Video

A man and a woman stand by a car, the man holding a camera.

If there’s one memory we carry forever, it’s that of our first love, the one that changes everything and marks a clear “before and after.” That’s exactly what you’ll find in this adaptation of Jenny Han’s bestselling novels: a bittersweet teenage romance filled with friendship, joy, and heartbreak under the magic of summer.

Three individuals stand in a hallway; person on left in blue shirt, center in plaid shirt, right in brown vest.

The story follows Belly (Lola Tung), who has always spent her summers at Cousins Beach with the sons of her mother’s best friend. But at 16, everything changes: the way she sees the world, the way others see her, and her place in a love triangle between Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) that’s as emotional as it is complicated.

3/8

We Were Liars – Prime Video

A man and a woman sit on a beach blanket, smiling and wearing sunglasses.

This summer’s breakout hit, We Were Liars is the adaptation of E. Lockhart’s bestselling novel, an irresistible mix of luxury, mystery, and emotional drama set on the private Sinclair Island. The powerful Sinclair family hides more than they reveal, and each summer, Cadence Sinclair Eastman (Emily Alyn Lind) returns to the island to reunite with “the Liars,” a group made up of her cousins and Gat, the boy she loves.

After a terrible accident leaves her with amnesia, Cadence comes back determined to uncover the truth. But no one, not even the Liars, wants to tell her what happened. A haunting story of privilege, loss, and secrets, with a shocking ending you’ll never forget.

4/8

The Buccaneers: Aristocrats for Love – Apple TV+

Five women in elegant dresses toast with champagne glasses in a lavish room.

With two seasons already captivating fans of Bridgerton, this series, created entirely by a female team, is inspired by Edith Wharton’s unfinished novel. It blends wealthy young women, powerful men, new money, old secrets, and plenty of twists and drama.

Man with mustache and woman with flowers in hair holding a bouquet, smiling.

Set in London in the 1870s, it follows a group of bold, fun-loving young American women as they burst into London high society, creating a cultural clash. Sent abroad to secure titled husbands, they quickly realize their hearts have ambitions far greater than simply saying “I do.”

5/8

My Life with the Walter Boys – Netflix

A woman in a black and white striped top and blue jeans holds a brown jacket, standing among a crowd of people in cowboy hats.

Jackie Howard (Nikki Rodriguez) is a Manhattan teenager whose life changes forever after losing her family in a tragic car accident. She moves to rural Colorado to live with her legal guardian, Katherine Walter, where adapting to a small-town life proves challenging, especially when she finds herself caught in a love triangle between two brothers: Cole, the athletic heartthrob, and Alex, the sweet dreamer.

Man with blonde hair in denim shirt stands by a truck in a field.

Now entering its second season on August 28, this series is based on the novel by Ali Novak, originally published on Wattpad. It’s a heartfelt mix of drama, romance, and nostalgia, exploring grief, identity, and first love against a backdrop that transforms the protagonist’s life.

6/8

The Institute – Apple TV+

A young person with short hair wearing headphones and a striped shirt is lying in a reclined chair.

If you’re drawn to stories of mystery, supernatural abilities, and psychological suspense, The Institute is a must. Based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name, it follows Luke Ellis, a gifted child with telekinetic powers who is kidnapped and taken to a sinister facility known as “The Institute,” where other extraordinary children are subjected to terrifying experiments.

Ben Barnes stands in a doorway, wearing a blue uniform and a determined expression.

While Luke and the others fight to survive and escape, former cop Tim Jamieson, dealing with his own demons, starts his own investigation. Their paths collide, leading to the discovery of a conspiracy far darker than they imagined.

7/8

Presumed Innocent – Apple TV+

Jake Gyllenhaal in a suit and tie, sitting with a woman in a blazer, both looking serious.

A brutal crime shakes Chicago, and the prime suspect is one of the city’s own prosecutors. Jake Gyllenhaal delivers a powerful performance as Chief Prosecutor Rusty Sabich in this tense thriller full of obsession, secrets, and shocking twists.

Bill Camp stands between two men, one in a police uniform and another in a suit.

Adapted from Scott Turow’s novel, the eight-episode miniseries is created by David E. Kelley and produced by J.J. Abrams. Blending crime drama, legal intrigue, and personal conflict, it’s an intense puzzle where Rusty must fight not only to prove his innocence, but also to protect his family and save his marriage.

8/8

Bridgerton – Netflix

Group of actors in period costumes outside a building. Ruth Gemmell is the woman in the blue dress on the right.

Love, scandal, and secrets, Bridgerton remains a global phenomenon. Based on Julia Quinn’s beloved novels, this period drama with a modern twist has captivated millions worldwide with its intoxicating mix of romance, passion, and unapologetically steamy scenes.

Man and woman in wedding attire holding hands, standing before an ornate floral archway.

Each season follows one of the eight Bridgerton siblings as they navigate the treacherous waters of love, or try to avoid it, under the ever-watchful eye of the mysterious Lady Whistledown. With spectacular costumes, dazzling balls, and relationships far more complicated than they appear, the series reimagines the Regency era in a fresh, diverse, and addictive way.