3 Brilliant 2025 Sci-Fi Books That Need to Hit the Screen Now

Science fiction has always been a goldmine for film and television adaptations, from the dystopian worlds of Blade Runner to the mind-bending narratives of Arrival. As we move deeper into 2026, it's time to look back at the standout sci-fi novels from 2025 that deserve the page-to-screen treatment. These three books tackle timely themes—from AI surveillance to the ethics of consciousness—that would translate perfectly into compelling visual storytelling.

Murder by Memory by Olivia Waite

Imagine Knives Out meets The Expanse. Olivia Waite's Murder by Memory is the first installment in the Dorothy Gentleman series and presents a murder mystery unlike any other. Set aboard the luxurious interstellar passenger liner Fairweather, detective Dorothy Gentleman wakes up in a body that isn't hers, only to discover someone has been murdered. The twist? This isn't just about killing bodies—someone is systematically deleting minds from the ship's Library, making murder truly permanent in a world where consciousness can be transferred between bodies.

The killer has had centuries to perfect their scheme during the ship's long journey, creating a mystery that spans lifetimes. This concept would make for exceptional television, offering a cozy yet thrilling sci-fi procedural that balances entertainment with thought-provoking questions about identity and mortality. With the book being the first in a series, there's built-in material for multiple seasons, making it an ideal candidate for a serialized adaptation. The blend of classic whodunit structure with futuristic technology creates a unique hook that could attract both mystery fans and sci-fi enthusiasts.

We Lived on the Horizon by Erika Swyler

With artificial intelligence becoming increasingly integrated into our daily lives, Erika Swyler's We Lived on the Horizon feels urgently relevant. The novel is set in Bulwark, a walled city controlled by AI where citizens' lives are dictated by a system of "life hours" determined by their ancestors' contributions. This creates a brutal class divide between the privileged "Sainted" class and everyone else.

The story follows Enita Malvois, a bio-prosthetic surgeon from the Sainted elite who, along with her personal AI companion Nix, becomes entangled in a rebellion after witnessing a murder and its subsequent cover-up. The novel explores the relationship between humans and artificial intelligence, class warfare, and the ethics of algorithmic control over human life.

Visually, this would be stunning—a sleek, futuristic dystopia with shades of Blade Runner's neon-soaked aesthetic. The bio-prosthetic technology and AI companions offer rich visual possibilities, while the class struggle provides emotional depth and social commentary. In an era where AI decisions already impact everything from job applications to credit scores, We Lived on the Horizon feels like essential science fiction that could spark important conversations.

The Dream Hotel by Laila Lalami

What if your dreams could get you arrested? Laila Lalami's The Dream Hotel takes the concept of thought police to a chilling new level. In this near-future reality, AI monitors people's dreams to predict and prevent crimes before they happen. When Sara Hussein is flagged at the airport because an algorithm determines her dreams make her a threat to her husband, she's detained and imprisoned for her thoughts alone.

The novel is essentially a more terrifying version of Minority Report, replacing precognitive humans with AI surveillance that invades the most private space imaginable—our subconscious. Sara must fight for her freedom in a world where even your dreams aren't safe from government oversight. This premise would translate into intense, claustrophobic drama exploring privacy, surveillance culture, and the dangers of predictive algorithms.

While it might not be action-packed, The Dream Hotel would deliver high-stakes human drama with plenty of courtroom tension and philosophical debates about free will versus security. It's the kind of prestige sci-fi thriller that streaming platforms are hungry for—thought-provoking content that leaves audiences discussing long after the credits roll.

Why These Stories Matter Now

These three novels share a common thread: they explore how technology shapes, controls, and threatens human autonomy. As we navigate real-world debates about AI regulation, data privacy, and algorithmic bias, these stories offer cautionary tales wrapped in compelling narratives. They're not just entertainment—they're mirrors reflecting our anxieties about where technology might take us.

Hollywood has always turned to science fiction during times of technological upheaval, from 2001: A Space Odyssey during the Space Age to The Matrix at the dawn of the internet era. As AI reshapes our world, we need stories that help us process these changes. Murder by Memory, We Lived on the Horizon, and The Dream Hotel offer exactly that—gripping entertainment with substance.

Whether as limited series, ongoing shows, or feature films, these adaptations could define the next wave of science fiction storytelling. They combine high-concept premises with human drama, technological spectacle with emotional depth. Now we just need visionary filmmakers and producers to recognize their potential and bring these worlds to life.