Keep an eye out for Kirkus’ in-depth columns on the upcoming miniseries based on Octavia E. Butler’s Kirkus-starred time-travel novel,Kindred (premiering Dec. 13 on Hulu), and a film version of Don DeLillo’s National Book Award–winning novel White Noise (premiering Dec. 30 on Netflix). Meanwhile, here are four more book-to-screen adaptations coming in December:

Dec. 2: Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Rodrick Rules (film premiere, Disney+)

Jeff Kinney’s hugely popular children’ book series provided the basis for four live-action theatrical films in the 2010s, as well as an animated Disney+ adaptation of the first book last year. This animated sequel tackles the series’ second novel, published in 2008, in which hapless protagonist Greg Heffley’s annoying older brother, Rodrick, plays a key role; he’s hoping to win a talent show with his metal band, Löded Diper. (One of Rodrick’s songs provides the title for the series’ latest book, Diper Överlöde, released last month.) Rodrick also knows an embarrassing secret about Greg from the previous summer, which bugs his little brother to no end. This new movie version is promisingly directed by Luke Cormican, who’s helmed many episodes of the always-amusing Cartoon Network show Teen Titans Go!, and Kinney himself serves as the film’s producer.

Dec. 2: Lady Chatterley’s Lover (film premiere, Netflix)

D.H. Lawrence’s final novel, first published in 1928, was the subject of a landmark obscenity trial in the United Kingdom in 1960 that focused on its profanity and explicit sex scenes. (The prosecutor notoriously asked the jury, “Is it a book that you would even wish your wife or your servants to read?”) The defendant, Penguin Books, won the case, and the book went on to become a smash bestseller—as well as the subject of numerous film and TV adaptations. This latest movie version stars My Policeman’s Emma Corrin as Constance Chatterley, the wife of a baronet who was paralyzed in World War I. Constance embarks on a passionate affair with married gamekeeper Oliver Mellors, which irrevocably changes both their lives. Little Fish’s Jack O’Connell plays Oliver, and the film’s director is Laure de Clermont-Tonnere, whose last film was the critically acclaimed 2019 prison drama, The Mustang.

Dec. 23: Women Talking (theatrical film premiere)

This movie version of Miriam Toews’ Kirkus-starred 2019 novel features an impressive cast, including Carol’s Rooney Mara, The Crown’s Claire Foy, The Lost Daughter’s Jessie Buckley, and Nomadland’s Frances McDormand. In the book, a group of women in a fundamentalist South American Mennonite colony have two days of discussion about the fact that the colony’s men have drugged and raped many of them over several years. Kirkus’ reviewer called the novel “an exquisite critique of patriarchal culture” that’s “stunningly original and altogether arresting.” The film is written and directed by Sarah Polley, who previously wrote the excellent 2017 Netflix miniseries based on Margaret Atwood’s 1996 novel, Alias Grace.

Dec. 25: Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical (film premiere, Netflix)

In Roald Dahl’s 1988 children’s fantasy novel, Matilda, the title character is a brilliant 5-year-old who enjoys playing pranks on her awful parents. However, her kind teacher, Miss Honey, sees her untapped potential. When Matilda discovers that she has the power of telekinesis, she uses it to give the strict disciplinarian headteacher Miss Trunchbull her comeuppance—and helps out Miss Honey in the process. Many readers will recall a 1996 movie adaptation, directed by Danny DeVito and starring Mara Wilson; the novel also inspired a 2010 musical, which serves as the source material for this new movie. Newcomer Alisha Weir stars as Matilda, Captain Marvel’s Lashana Lynch plays Miss Honey, and the great Emma Thompson portrays Miss Trunchbull. The film’s trailer also promises some eye-catching, candy-colored production design and dazzling musical numbers to help ring in the new year.

David Rapp is the senior Indie editor.