Moviefone Editorial

Tag: based-on-a-book

‘Project Hail Mary’ Launches to Big Box Office
Ryan Gosling stars as Ryland Grace in ‘Project Hail Mary’, from Amazon MGM Studios. Photo credit: Jonathan Olley. © 2025 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved.

Preview:
- ‘Project Hail Mary’ is a big hit at the box office already.
- Ryan Gosling stars in the movie.
- Elsewhere, Pixar’s ‘Hoppers’ stayed strong but ‘Ready or Not 2: Here I Come’ only found modest results.
‘Project Hail Mary’ chronicles a man in spaceship on a mission to save humanity from a star-snacking organism. And the movie itself, which stars Ryan Gosling, has just saved Amazon MGM’s box office hopes.

The new film, adapted from the novel by ‘The Martian’s Andy Weir by writer Drew Goddard and directors Phil Lord and Chris Miller, enjoyed a massive domestic opening of $80.5 million, the biggest by far for the studio.
BCcUFMWbBHOY3zv0jhK5J4
Even with a hefty $200 million budget to make up (not including a big ad campaign), the movie’s worldwide start of 140.9 million –– the biggest in Amazon MGM’s history and the strongest launch for a movie so far this year –– will go some way to helping that.

Related Article: How did Video Game Adaptation ‘Iron Lung’ Surprise at the Box Office?

What else happened at the box office this weekend?

(L to R) Mabel and Loaf in Pixar’s ‘Hoppers’. Photo courtesy of Pixar. © 2025 Disney/Pixar. All Rights Reserved.

Pixar’s ‘Hoppers,’ which has proved to be a welcome success for the animation company, slid to second place after a couple of weeks. It added $18 million for $120.4 million domestically.

Third place went to the Indian action epic ‘Dhurandhar: The Revenge,’ which earned $9.5 million from just 987 locations.

Searchlight’s ‘Ready or Not 2: Here I Come’ had to make do with $9 million domestically and $11.9 million globally, but has a relatively smaller budget of around $20 million.

Finally, in fifth place we find romantic drama ‘Reminders of Him’, which made $8 million.

What’s on the horizon?

(L to R) Luigi, Yoshi, Mario and Toad in Nintendo and Illumination’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’, directed by Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic.

‘Project Hail Mary’ should have a clear run to keep earning next week, though Universal’s ‘The Super Mario Galaxy Movie’ is looming, and if it follows the pattern of the original, will likely launch in first place when it arrives on April 1.

(L to R) Directors Phil Lord and Christopher Miller on the set of their film ‘Project Hail Mary’, from Amazon MGM Studios.
Photo credit: Jonathan Olley. © 2026 Amazon Content Services LLC. All Rights Reserved.

List of Phil Lord and Chris Miller Movies and TV Shows:
- ‘Clone High‘ (2002-2003)
- ‘Extreme Movie‘ (2008)
- ‘Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs‘ (2009)
- ‘21 Jump Street‘ (2012)
- ‘The Lego Movie‘ (2014)
- ‘22 Jump Street‘ (2014)
- ‘Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse‘ (2018)
- ‘The Lego Movie 2: The Second Part‘ (2019)
- ‘The Afterparty‘ (2022-2023)
- ‘Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse‘ (2023)
- ‘Project Hail Mary‘ (2026)
Buy Tickets: ‘Project Hail Mary’ Movie Showtimes

Buy Ryan Gosling Movies on Amazon
TSFfutKL
March 23, 2026
Billie Eilish Making Acting Debut with ‘The Bell Jar’
Oscar® nominee Billie Eilish during the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at the Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Credit/Provider: Valerie Durant / A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

Preview:
- Musician Billie Eilish is to star in a new adaptation of ‘The Bell Jar.’
- Sarah Polley is writing and directing the movie.
- Focus Features is in talks to produce and distribute.
Having already found success in movies thanks to her Oscar-winning music for ‘No Time to Die’ and ‘Barbie’, Billie Eilish is looking to follow other singer-songwriters to the screen and making her cinematic acting debut.

And the project? An adaptation of Sylvia Plath’s classic novel ‘The Bell Jar’, which has ‘Women Talking’ filmmaker Sarah Polley aboard to write and direct.
W9uk9fcId65tAk9WTdPJb5
Focus Features is in talks to produce and distribute the eventual film in the States, with Deadline confirming an earlier rumor from The InSneider about Eilish’s casting.

Related Article: Disney+ Short Will See Lisa Simpson Meeting Billie Eilish

What’s the story of ‘The Bell Jar’?

Oscar® nominee Billie Eilish arrives on the red carpet of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Mike Baker / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

The only novel written by American writer and poet Plath, ‘The Bell Jar’ was originally published in 1963.

This semi-autobiographical work charts a young woman’s descent into mental illness and the burden of societal pressures. The book paralleled Plath’s own experiences with depression; the writer tragically died by suicide just a month after the novel’s first UK publication.

Who else has tried to film the novel?

Dakota Fanning stars in Paramount Pictures’ ‘Vicious.’

Larry Peerce directed a 1979 adaptation which starred Marilyn Hassett as main character Esther Greenwood.

Since then, it has mostly been false starts: Julia Stiles was attached to star in a version in 2007 that ultimately didn’t come to pass. And Kirsten Dunst was attached to direct Dakota Fanning in the story a decade later but that also fell by the wayside. Showtime was reportedly developing a small screen take in 2019, but that hasn’t moved forward.

Billie Ellish performs during the live ABC telecast of the 94th Oscars® at the Dolby Theatre at Ovation Hollywood in Los Angeles, CA, on Sunday, March 27, 2022. Credit/Provider: Blaine Ohigashi / A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

Movies and TV Shows Featuring Sarah Polley:
- ‘The Adventures of Baron Munchausen’ (1988)
- ‘Exotica’ (1994)
- ‘The Sweet Hereafter’ (1997)
- ‘Last Night’ (1998)
- ‘eXistenZ’ (1999)
- ‘Go’ (1999)
- ‘The Weight of Water’ (2000)
- ‘My Life Without Me’ (2003)
- ‘Dawn of the Dead’ (2004)
- ‘Slings and Arrows‘ (2006)
- ‘Away from Her’ (2006)
- ‘Splice’ (2009)
- ‘Take This Waltz’ (2011)
- ‘Stories We Tell’ (2012)
- ‘Alias Grace’ (2017)
- ‘Women Talking’ (2023)
Buy Sarah Polley Movies and TV on Amazon
OPwyvzkU
March 15, 2026
TV Review: ‘Scarpetta’
Kay Scarpetta (Nicole Kidman) in ‘Scarpetta’ Season 1. Photo Credit: Connie Chornuk / Prime. © Amazon Content Services LLC.

Arriving on Prime Video on March 11 with all eight episodes of its first season is ‘Scarpetta’, the adaptation of Patricia Cornwell’s successful book series, starring Nicole Kidman as the forensic pathologist investigating a mysterious serial killer.
GY77I6j6h0SIzxvRPGHki4
The cast for the show also includes Jamie Lee Curtis (‘Everything Everywhere All at Once’), Simon Baker (‘Margin Call’), Bobby Cannavale (‘The Station Agent’), Ariana DeBose (‘West Side Story’), Rosy McEwan (‘Blue Jean’), Hunter Parrish (’17 Again’) and Jacob Lumet Cannavale (‘Nurse Jackie’).

Related Article: 20 Best Jamie Lee Curtis Movies of All Time Ranked from Worst to Best

Initial Thoughts

Kay Scarpetta (Nicole Kidman) in ‘Scarpetta’ Season 1. Photo Credit: Connie Chornuk / Prime. © Amazon Content Services LLC.

While so many others in the genre have seen their books adapted for screens both big and small in the past, Patricia Cornwell, a titan in the crime field, has resisted overtures to bring particularly her Kay Scarpetta book series out of the pages.

She was smart to wait for a team that includes Blumhouse, Jamie Lee Curtis and executive producer Elizabeth Sarnoff (‘Barry’), because the result is an impressive, layered take that spans two different time periods.

Script and Direction

(L to R) Nicole Kidman and Bobby Cannavale in ‘Scarpetta’ Season 1. Photo Credit: Connie Chornuk / Prime. © Amazon Content Services LLC.

Sarnoff, working alongside a writing team that also includes Matthew Zucker and ‘Narcos: Mexico’ veteran Iturri Sosa, has found a way to crack the Scarpetta story, successfully evolving and updating the story while maintaining what works in the books. Juggling two different storylines that connect via the characters, it’s a balancing act that comes across well.

Leading a directorial group that also features Charlotte Brändström, David Gordon Green brings a stylish sheen to a show that could have ended up looking like a bland procedural but never does. Little touches such as showing cigarette butts littered next to a young Scarpetta’s parking spot give character clues and exposition without need them rammed home.

Cast and Performances

(L to R) Nicole Kidman and Jamie Lee Curtis in ‘Scarpetta’ Season 1. Photo Credit: Connie Chornuk / Prime. © Amazon Content Services LLC.

Kidman works well as the cool, sometimes icy forensic pathologist, while still finding space for her to react to big challenges. But by far the highlight of the series is Curtis as her flamboyant, narcissistic sister Dorothy, a showcase role that lets her do her thing but still fit perfectly in with the ensemble.

And credit also to the younger cast who play the characters 30 years prior –– they’re all excellent, bringing subtle nuance to the roles.

Final Thoughts

Lucy Farinelli-Watson (Ariana DeBose) in ‘Scarpetta’ Season 1. Photo Credit: Connie Chornuk / Prime. © Amazon Content Services LLC.

Prime Video was clearly impressed enough with the efforts of all involved to order up two seasons initially, so those who have a good time with the first run (and a finale that teases more) will be comforted in the knowledge that another will be on the way.

‘Scarpetta’ receives 85 out of 100.

(L to R) Jamie Lee Curtis, Nicole Kidman and Simon Baker in ‘Scarpetta’ Season 1. Photo Credit: Connie Chornuk / Prime. © Amazon Content Services LLC.

What’s the plot of ‘Scarpetta’?

Chief Medical Examiner Kay Scarpetta (Nicole Kidman) returns to Virginia and resumes her former position with complex relationships, both personal and professional – including her sister Dorothy (Jamie Lee Curtis), with plenty of grudges and secrets to uncover.

Who stars in ‘Scarpetta’?
- Nicole Kidman as Dr. Kay Scarpetta
- Rosy McEwen as young Kay
- Jamie Lee Curtis as Dorothy Scarpetta
- Ariana DeBose as Lucy Farinelli-Watson
- Bobby Cannavale as Pete Marino
- Jacob Lumet Cannavale as young Pete Marino
- Simon Baker as Benton Wesley
- Hunter Parrish as young Benton
Benton Wesley (Simon Baker) in ‘Scarpetta’ Season 1. Photo Credit: Connie Chornuk / Prime. © Amazon Content Services LLC.

List of Nicole Kidman Movies and TV Shows:
- ‘Dead Calm‘ (1989)
- ‘Days of Thunder‘ (1990)
- ‘Far and Away‘ (1992)
- ‘Malice‘ (1993)
- ‘Batman Forever‘ (1995)
- ‘To Die For‘ (1995)
- ‘The Peacemaker‘ (1997)
- ‘Practical Magic‘ (1998)
- ‘Eyes Wide Shut‘ (1999)
- ‘Moulin Rouge!‘ (2001)
- ‘The Others‘ (2001)
- ‘The Hours‘ (2002)
- ‘Cold Mountain‘ (2003)
- ‘The Stepford Wives‘ (2004)
- ‘The Interpreter‘ (2005)
- ‘Bewitched‘ (2005)
- ‘The Invasion‘ (2007)
- ‘The Golden Compass‘ (2007)
- ‘Australia‘ (2008)
- ‘Nine‘ (2009)
- ‘Rabbit Hole‘ (2010)
- ‘Just Go with It‘ (2011)
- ‘The Paperboy‘ (2012)
- ‘Stoker‘ (2013)
- ‘Paddington‘ (2015)
- ‘The Beguiled‘ (2017)
- ‘The Upside‘ (2017)
- ‘Big Little Lies‘ (2017-2019)
- ‘Destroyer‘ (2018)
- ‘Boy Erased‘ (2018)
- ‘Aquaman‘ (2018)
- ‘The Goldfinch‘ (2019)
- ‘Bombshell‘ (2019)
- ‘The Undoing‘ (2020)
- ‘The Prom‘ (2020)
- ‘Nine Perfect Strangers‘ (2021-2025)
- ‘Being the Ricardos‘ (2021)
- ‘The Northman‘ (2022)
- ‘Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom‘ (2023)
- ‘Lioness‘ (2023-2024)
- ‘The Perfect Couple‘ (2024)
- ‘A Family Affair‘ (2024)
- ‘Babygirl‘ (2024)
- ‘Scarpetta‘ (2026)
Buy Nicole Kidman Movies On Amazon
BR7HDgji
March 14, 2026
Movie Review: ‘The Lost Bus’
(L to R) America Ferrera and Matthew McConaughey in ‘The Lost Bus,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

On Apple TV+ on 3 October is ‘The Lost Bus’, a based-on-truth thriller directed by ‘United 93’ and ‘Bloody Sunday’ filmmaker Paul Greengrass, which stars Matthew McConaughey (‘Dallas Buyers Club’).
4owyAXEff2d5kIZFTI9sm4
The movie also features the likes of America Ferrera (‘Barbie’), Ashlie Atkinson (‘The Gilded Age’), and keeping it in the family, McConaughey’s mother Kay (‘Bernie’) and son Levi (who makes his film acting debut with this movie).

Related Article: Matthew McConaughey to Star in Paul Greengrass’ Peasant Revolt Drama ‘The Rage’

Initial Thoughts

‘The Lost Bus,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

Paul Greengrass can direct this sort of ripped-from-the-headlines drama with one hand tied behind his back; he’s proved time and again that he’s capable of wringing real emotion out of human chaos.

Fortunately, ‘The Lost Bus’ finds him fully in control of his faculties as a filmmaker, keeping the focus sharp and largely side-stepping cliches like a bus careening away from falling power lines.

Script and Direction

Director Paul Greengrass on the set of ‘The Lost Bus,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

Written by Brad Ingelsby (no stranger to either taught, tense drama or against-the-odds stories having created such projects as ‘Mare of Easttown’) and Greengrass, the new movie doesn’t seek to sensationalize the devastating events of the Camp Fire that tore through the town of Paradise in California and its environs, but keeps its eye largely on the occupants of the bus.

Greengrass near documentary style keeps things compelling as the disaster erupts around the community, stopping in on the fire fighting forces trying to tame the deadly blaze and those in charge of running the school bus system that proves vital to the evacuation.

Cast and Performances

Matthew McConaughey presents a nominee for Oscar® for Actor in a Leading Role during the live ABC telecast of the 96th Oscars® at the Dolby® Theatre at Ovation Hollywood on Sunday, March 10, 2024. Credit/Provider: Trae Patton / ©A.M.P.A.S. Copyright: ©A.M.P.A.S.

Naturally, the focus is on the two leads and the kids aboard the bus, who all give good, naturalistic performances. A lot of weight is given early on to Kevin McKay’s (McConaughey) frustrations in life and fractured relationship with his son, but that’s mostly to provide drive for him as he seeks to save his young charges then get back to his own child.

But one other performance deserves a shout-out: Ashlie Atkinson, who is superb as Ruby, the manager/dispatcher at the bus depot, who initially clashes with Kevin, but soon shows her own spine of steels as the crisis worsens.

Final Thoughts

It might be a fairly standard version of the heroic small-town true story, but in Greengrass’ hands it’s scary, impressive and watchable.

Kudos also to the effects team, who bring the various fires to such vivid life you might feel yourself getting warm.

‘The Lost Bus’ receives 80 out of 100.

‘The Lost Bus,’ now streaming on Apple TV+.

What’s the story of ‘The Lost Bus’?

‘The Lost Bus’ is a white-knuckle ride through one of America’s deadliest wildfires as a wayward school bus driver (Matthew McConaughey) and a dedicated school teacher (America Ferrera) battle to save 22 children from the terrifying inferno.

Who is in the cast of ‘The Lost Bus’?
- Matthew McConaughey as Kevin McKay
- America Ferrera as Mary Ludwig
- Yul Vazquez as Ray Martinez
- Ashlie Atkinson as Ruby
- Levi McConaughey as Shaun McKay
- Kay McCabe McConaughey as Sherry McKay
- Kate Wharton as Jen Kissoon
WYa0WxKW
Movies starring Matthew McConaughey:
- ‘Dazed and Confused‘ (1993)
- ‘A Time to Kill‘ (1996)
- ‘Edtv‘ (1999)
- ‘The Wedding Planner‘ (2001)
- ‘How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days‘ (2003)
- ‘We Are Marshall‘ (2006)
- ‘Tropic Thunder‘ (2008)
- ‘The Lincoln Lawyer‘ (2011)
- ‘Killer Joe‘ (2012)
- ‘Magic Mike‘ (2012)
- ‘Dallas Buyers Club‘ (2013)
- ‘The Wolf of Wall Street‘ (2013)
- ‘Interstellar‘ (2014)
- ‘The Dark Tower‘ (2017)
- ‘White Boy Rick‘ (2018)
- ‘The Gentlemen‘ (2020)
- ‘Sing 2’ (2021)
- ‘The Rivals of Amziah King’ (2025)
Buy Matthew McConaughey Movies On Amazon
October 11, 2025
Anne Hathaway and Adam Driver Starring in ‘Alone at Dawn’
(Left) Adam Driver stars in director Michael Mann’s ‘Ferrari.’ (Center) Anne Hathaway for Apple TV+’s ‘WeCrashed.’ (Right) ‘Eden’ director Ron Howard.

Preview:
- Anne Hathaway and Adam Driver are starring in ‘Alone at Dawn’.
- Ron Howard is in the director’s chair.
- It’s based on a true story.
Director Ron Howard is no stranger to based-on-truth moviemaking –– the likes of ‘Apollo 13’ and ‘Thirteen Lives’ speak to that. He’s reuniting with Amazon MGM Studios (which produced the latter) for a new film that tackles an incredible true story called ‘Alone at Dawn’.
ZlX1A0WwjeKJyO8iGkuAk
And Deadline brings word that for the new movie about heroism and struggle, he’s recruited quite the leading duo, as Anne Hathaway and Adam Driver are both aboard to star.

Related Article: Zendaya and Anne Hathaway the Latest Additions to Christopher Nolan’s Next Film

What’s the story of ‘Alone at Dawn’?

Adam Driver in ‘Star Wars: The Last Jedi’. Photo: Lucasfilm.

The new movie is based on the book of the same name by Dan Schilling and Lori Longfritz and is inspired by an incredible true story.

Years after Air Force Combat Controller John Chapman fought to the death to save his fellow soldiers, an intelligence officer strives to prove his valor — leading an investigation that would ultimately secure him the Medal of Honor. Schilling is a military consultant on the movie and, like Chapman, was also a Combat Control Technician. Longfritz, full name Lori Chapman Longfritz, is Chapman’s sister.

Thruline Entertainment brought the manuscript of the book to The Hideaway Entertainment who optioned it in a heated bidding war before it became a New York Times bestseller.

Hideaway hired Michael Russell Gunn (‘Designated Survivor’) to write the script, which has also seen work by Erin Cressida Wilson (‘The Girl on the Train’) and Amy Herzog (‘Scenes from a Marriage’). And that, in turn caught Howard’s attention when the screenplay arrived at Imagine Entertainment.

Driver, meanwhile, jumped aboard as a former Marine who has long wanted to appear in a military-focused project with the right message.

He and Howard then approach Hathaway, who agreed to play the intelligence officer.

Where else can we see Anne Hathaway and Adam Driver?

Anne Hathaway in ‘The Devil Wears Prada’. Photo: 20th Century Fox.

Most recently seen in ‘Mother’s Instinct’ and ‘The Idea of You’, Hathaway is currently shooting ‘The Devil Wears Prada 2’ and has also completed filming on Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Odyssey’.

Driver will next be seen in Jim Jarmusch’s new film ‘Father Mother Sister Brother’, and James Gray’s ‘Paper Tiger’.

When will ‘Alone at Dawn’ be on screens?

With the project still at an early stage, we don’t yet know when it might hit screens, and in true Amazon fashion, it could land in theaters or debut on Prime Video.

Ron Howard on the set of ‘Eden’. Photo: Jasin Boland.

List of Ron Howard Movies and TV Shows:
- ‘The Andy Griffith Show‘ (1960 – 1968)
- ‘The Music Man‘ (1962)
- ‘The Courtship of Eddie’s Father‘ (1963)
- ‘American Graffiti‘ (1973)
- ‘Happy Days‘ (1974 – 1984)
- ‘The Shootist‘ (1976)
- ‘Grand Theft Auto‘ (1977)
- ‘More American Graffiti‘ (1979)
- ‘Night Shift‘ (1982)
- ‘Splash‘ (1984)
- ‘Cocoon‘ (1985)
- ‘Gung Ho‘ (1986)
- ‘Willow‘ (1988)
- ‘Parenthood‘ (1989)
- ‘Backdraft‘ (1991)
- ‘Far and Away‘ (1992)
- ‘The Paper‘ (1994)
- ‘Apollo 13‘ (1995)
- ‘Ransom‘ (1996)
- ‘EDtv‘ (1999)
- ‘How the Grinch Stole Christmas‘ (2000)
- ‘A Beautiful Mind‘ (2002)
- ‘The Missing‘ (2003)
- ‘Arrested Development‘ (2003 – 2019)
- ‘Cinderella Man‘ (2005)
- ‘The Da Vinci Code‘ (2006)
- ‘Frost/Nixon‘ (2008)
- ‘Angels & Demons‘ (2009)
- ‘The Dilemma‘ (2011)
- ‘Rush‘ (2013)
- ‘In the Heart of the Sea‘ (2015)
- ‘Inferno‘ (2016)
- ‘Solo: A Star Wars Story‘ (2018)
- ‘Hillbilly Elegy‘ (2020)
- ‘Thirteen Lives‘ (2022)
- ‘Eden‘ (2025)
Buy Ron Howard Movies on Amazon
fvurBwMy
October 7, 2025