With the Twilight and Harry Potter reboots announced and the recent trailer for The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes, it’s clear that young adult series remain integral to on-screen media. Yet, while these three projects are meant to further capitalize on already established franchises, there is still a wide range of untapped YA content waiting to be translated on-screen.
Leigh Bardugo’s Shadow and Bone proved that new adaptations of young adult series can be just as successful and adored as the Wizarding World. From The Raven Cycle to This Woven Kingdom, there are many noteworthy young adult book series that deserve to be adapted before the Harry Potter reboot.
10 The Immortals By Alyson Noël
Alyson Noël’s The Immortals tells the tale of Ever, a young teenager who recently lost her family and developed newfound psychic powers. To add to her chaos and confusion, she meets a mysterious and brooding young Damen, who changes her life irrevocably through his love and revelations about their past.
With such a captivating yet familiar YA premise, The Immortals is a balanced mixture of beloved YA tropes and the novelty of Noël’s take on immortals. Offering everything from complicated romances to suspenseful life-or-death stakes, The Immortals would make for a successful on-screen adaptation. This is especially true now, as it could fill the gap left by the iconic 2010s TV show, The Vampire Diaries’, universe conclusion, which it shares many tones with.
9 The Lunar Chronicles By Marissa Meyer
Dark and abstract reinventions of classic fairytales are nothing new, yet few have proven to be as well-executed as Marissa Meyer’s The Lunar Chronicles. Taking the misogynist and far too-outdated stories, Meyer presents them through a uniquely modern and feminist lens.
Meyer furthers the impact of her series by swapping out the mundane traditional settings with those that are more culturally relevant, underlining global issues like political tension and pandemics. Meyer’s refreshing series its important discourse deserves to be adapted on-screen for audiences, with fans having expressed interest in seeing the tale presented in an animation similar to its cover art.
8 The Demonata By Darren Shan
Darren Shan’s Cirque Du Freak may have received its on-screen rendition, however his other notable series, The Demonata is in many ways the better YA book series deserving of a proper adaptation. Following three central protagonists as they battle demons and dark forces, the series is an intense and graphic fantasy horror story.
Shan’s books set themselves apart from other young adult series through their more mature and darker themes, including unabashed violence. These elements only add to Shan’s storytelling, making his horror realm all the more terrifying and believable, while also respecting his target demographic. Through its grim world-building and interwoven narratives, The Demonata has great potential to stand out as a dark YA fantasy.
7 Blue Bloods By Melissa De La Cruz
Melissa De La Cruz’s Blue Bloods follows Schulyer Van Alen as she struggles to fit into the elitist private school life handed to her. But after a mysterious event takes place, Schulyer finds herself unexpectedly thrust into everything from supernatural happenings to haunting family histories to teen romance and heartbreak.
Given its focus on rich teenagers, vampires, romance, and mystery, Blue Bloods has all the makings to become another great Netflix teen show. With otherworldly adventures, relatable characters, and evergreen beloved components, Blue Bloods easily deserves its time to shine on-screen with the other young adult series adaptations.
6 This Woven Kingdom By Tahereh Mafi
Tahereh Mafi’s This Woven Kingdom takes the forbidden love trope and enhances it not only through her use of diversity but also through her intriguing world-building. Using Persian mythology as her basis, Mafi depicts the tale of Alizeh, the long-lost heir to her throne, as she goes from mistreated servant to fervent leader of the people—all while falling for Kamran, the off-limits prince.
Mafi’s series serves as a brilliant cross between epic fantasy and classic fairytales, offering something varied for all viewers to enjoy. Through its merging of genres and inclusivity, This Woven Kingdom fits in perfectly with current viewing trends, furthering its worth toward an on-screen adaptation.
5 Of Fire And Stars By Audrey Coulthurst
Audry Coulthurst’s Of Fire And Stars series takes many beloved fantasy tropes and challenges them through a sapphic lens. The series follows two princesses of opposing kingdoms and personalities slowly coming together amidst political, emotional, and familial conflict.
Of Fire And Stars not only in creating an engaging fantasy world but also in cultivating a setting that grants inclusivity without a second thought; Denna and Mare are free to be themselves, never condemned for their sexualities but instead restricted only by circumstance. Apart from the well-written narrative, the series deserves to be seen on-screen largely due to its refreshing and progressive imagining of a non-heteronormative world.
4 Hush, Hush By Becca Fitzpatrick
Becca Fitzapatrick’s Hush, Hush series follows young Nora as her normal human life is changed forever by the entrance of Patch – a fallen angel. Using the beloved bad-boy falls for the good-girl trope, Fitzpatrick creates a compelling story that is reminiscent of a YA version of Lucifer.
Hush, Hush also embodies many other tropes that fans of supernatural teen dramas like The Vampire Diaries and Teen Wolf will enjoy. Whether it be the countless twists and turns, the complicated web of relationships, or the constant will-they-won’t-they tension, Hush, Hush has all the entertainment and excitement to earn an adaptation.
3 This Poison Heart By Kalynn Bayron
Kalynn Bayron’s This Poison Heart series details the adventures of a young Briseis, as she and her family move into an old family home centered around hidden family secrets and town mysteries. Bayron’s characterization sets this YA series apart, with everyone from Bri’s parents to Marie being well-developed—a winning factor that would translate well into a series.
This Poison Heart‘s unique take on plants and botany gives it a new and enticing edge, allowing readers to learn and grow alongside Bri. Not to mention Bayron’s push for diversity both through her characters and Bri’s sexuality. From poisonous plants to great LGBTQ+ representation, an on-screen adaptation of This Poison Heart would be well worthwhile.
2 Vampirates By Justin Somper
Twins Connor and Grace live ordinary human lives before the untimely passing of their father takes them on an adventure out to sea in Vampirates. On the water, they find their universe expanded as they learn about new supernatural beings, complicated family histories, love, and loss.
Justin Somper takes the concept of introducing unique vampires and fuses it with the lore and popularity of pirates, creating an unparalleled world that is just as magical as it is menacing. Plus, the fun characters and interesting storylines explore the blurred line between heroism and piracy, a prevalent YA theme that adds to its ability to succeed on-screen.
1 The Raven Cycle By Maggie Stiefvater
Maggie Stiefvater’s The Raven Cycle is a YA series that will have viewers enthralled from the get-go. Following young Blue and her misfit crew of Raven Boys, the books thrived through their varied characters, raw and relatable friendships, and a supernatural world unlike any other.
The Raven Cycle also showcased the healing and uplifting powers of found family, a trump card that would help it excel on-screen today. The books also feature a slow-burn LGBTQ+ romance between two of The Raven Cycle‘s best and most contrasted characters. With so many great elements and a vast fandom, along with The Dreamer Trilogy spin-off, The Raven Cycle and all of its content deserve an on-screen adaptation sooner rather than later.
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