Netflix Quietly Options 25+ Books Including Major Titles You Should Know

Before a book adaptation makes its way onto your watchlist, there’s often a behind-the-scenes process of securing rights that can take years to materialize. Streaming platforms like Netflix are always on the lookout for bestsellers, memoirs, and viral internet trends to develop into their next big franchise, frequently locking down options long before any official announcements reach fans.

This proactive approach has become a reliable indicator of Netflix’s future content slate. Following a previous investigation that uncovered over 30 books and comics the streamer had quietly acquired, a new report has surfaced, tracking public filings to reveal Netflix’s latest wave of literary acquisitions.

According to a recent investigation from What’s on Netflix, the streamer has quietly secured the rights to more than 25 books, memoirs, and true-crime stories over the past year, setting the stage for a future wave of movies and series. The report clarifies that an option simply indicates that Netflix has struck a deal to potentially develop a project, not a guarantee that any of these titles will actually make it to screens.

Several of the newly optioned titles reinforce Netflix’s existing relationships with bestselling authors. Richard Osman’s “We Solve Murders,” which follows a new trio of sleuths, including a retired police officer and his daughter-in-law, was optioned in January, extending the streamer’s partnership with the author following the adaptation of “The Thursday Murder Club.”

Harlan Coben also appears on the list with “Drop Shot,” the second book in his Myron Bolitar series, indicating that Netflix is already planning the next steps for that franchise after recently confirming the flagship Bolitar adaptation. Romance author Tia Williams has landed two separate options, including “Seven Days in June,” a novel that was previously in development at Amazon Prime Video before its rights shifted to Netflix.

In addition to continuing existing partnerships, the report highlights some exciting new directions for Netflix’s development slate. Olivie Blake’s “Girl Dinner,” a darkly satirical horror novel about an elite sorority hiding a disturbing secret, was optioned as a potential series and could serve as a spiritual successor to “You” if it progresses.

On a more prestigious note, Netflix has also secured the rights to Toni Morrison’s Nobel Prize-winning 1970 novel “The Bluest Eye,” which would require a careful and thoughtful adaptation due to the weight of the source material. Shirley Jackson’s psychological horror novel “The Bird’s Nest” is also included, following Netflix’s earlier success with the author’s work in “The Haunting of Hill House.”

The report also points to a noticeable shift toward historical survival stories and true-crime narratives with significant depth, including Bryan Burrough’s “The Gunfighters,” which explores the real violence behind Wild West mythology, and “All Blood Runs Red,” the remarkable true story of Eugene Bullard, history’s first African-American fighter pilot. George P. Pelecanos, a writer and producer on HBO’s “The Wire,” also had his hardboiled detective novel “Right as Rain” optioned for potential series development.

Collectively, this list paints a clear picture of Netflix’s current focus: expanding proven franchises, pursuing romantic stories to engage audiences already captivated by shows like “Virgin River,” and making occasional prestigious literary bets. While Netflix has not officially commented on any of these specific options, the emerging pattern strongly hints at what viewers can expect on the platform in the coming years.

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