The hit book Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins Reid, published this year on June 3, 2025, is set to get a movie adaptation! In fact, its movie rights were acquired even before the book was released!
Called the biggest book of the year by book lovers and voted the top book to read this summer by users on Goodreads, fans are thrilled that Reid’s latest book is going to be heading to the big screen.
Written by Taylor Jenkins Reid, Atmosphere is her ninth novel and also not her first book to get a big or small screen adaptation! Some of her books have already been adapted, while others, like Malibu Rising and The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo, are in development.
And being one of the most anticipated books of the year, it was not surprising when it was announced that the Atmosphere movie adaptation was in development as well!
This historical fiction book is considered to be one of Taylor Jenkins Reid’s best works yet. Within just a few months of its release, it has become one of the year’s best sellers, and it’s been well-liked by everyone who’s read it.
Although fans are excited to know that the movie adaptation of Atmosphere is in development, there is still some time before it hits the big screen. It was only recently announced, so the film is still very much in pre-production.
What is the Plot of the Atmosphere Movie?
As with most book adaptations, the makers will keep the plot of the movie the same as the book because if you change the story, it won’t make sense. You are adapting the book, so the adaptation should tell the same story.
And that will be the case with Atmosphere as well; however, there might be some minor differences to condense the story of the novel into a feature-length movie!
Atmosphere by Taylor Jenkins-Reid tells the tale of Joan Goodwin, who wants to be amongst the stars. She worked as a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University until she found an advertisement that was seeking women scientists to join NASA’s Space Shuttle Program.
In 1980, she was chosen to be in training at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, along with other applicants, pilot Hank Redmond, scientist John Griffin, mission specialists Lydia Danes, Donna Fitzgerald, and engineer Vanessa Ford.
Not only does Joan find a place where she belongs, but she also finds love. Then, in December 1984, a mission changed everything.
If you haven’t read the book yet, then check out its official synopsis to get a better idea of the adaptation’s plot:
Joan Goodwin has been obsessed with the stars for as long as she can remember. Thoughtful and reserved, Joan is content with her life as a professor of physics and astronomy at Rice University and as aunt to her precocious niece, Frances. That is, until she comes across an advertisement seeking the first women scientists to join NASA’s Space Shuttle program. Suddenly, Joan burns to be one of the few people to go to space.
Selected from a pool of thousands of applicants in the summer of 1980, Joan begins training at Houston’s Johnson Space Center, alongside an exceptional group of fellow candidates: Top Gun pilot Hank Redmond and scientist John Griffin, who are kind and easy-going even when the stakes are highest; mission specialist Lydia Danes, who has worked too hard to play nice; warm-hearted Donna Fitzgerald, who is navigating her own secrets; and Vanessa Ford, the magnetic and mysterious aeronautical engineer, who can fix any engine and fly any plane.
As the new astronauts become unlikely friends and prepare for their first flights, Joan finds a passion and a love she never imagined. In this new light, Joan begins to question everything she thinks she knows about her place in the observable universe.
Then, in December of 1984, on mission STS-LR9, everything changed in an instant.
Atmosphere Movie Release Date:
Before Taylor Jenkins Reid’s book even hit shelves, the movie was announced, which isn’t surprising given the author’s previous successes.
With the movie only announced this year, it’s still very much in the production phase, so don’t expect it to hit theaters until late 2026 or 2027! And that’s considering that the development process goes smoothly and the film’s shooting begins soon.
To stay updated on movie news, consider following Reid’s social media, as that’s where we’ll first hear about the film adaptation.
Who is the Cast & Crew of the Atmosphere Movie?
While an official cast hasn’t been announced yet, this isn’t going to stop fans of the series from going ahead and doing some fancastings of their own.
It’s going to be a while before the official cast is revealed, and until it is, fans are going to be on the edge of their seats.
As always, we will update as soon as we have the latest information about the movie’s status.
Who is Developing the Atmosphere Movie Adaptation?
The movie is expected to be produced by Laika Studios, founded in 2005. It was originally a studio specializing in stop motion films and is known for movies such as Coraline and ParaNorman. However, it has a subsidiary that focuses on live-action movies, so don’t worry!
Set to write and direct the film are the duo Anna Boden and Ryan Fleck. This filmmaking duo rose to prominence for their work on the short film Gowanus, Brooklyn. The film they are best known for writing and directing is the Captain Marvel movie set in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, with their latest release being Freaky Tales, released in 2024.
With this duo set to work on the projects, fans can rest easy that Atmosphere’s film adaptation will be in good hands.
Should You Read The Book Instead?
We assume you’ve read Atmosphere, but if not, now is the time to dive in and discover what all the fuss is about!
Taylor Jenkins Reid’s book is a fantastic addition to the historical fiction genre, exploring complex relationships, sexism, LGBT issues, and offering a glimpse into the challenges women in STEM still face in some cases.
Does this sound like you? Well, if it does, then go to a bookstore or library near you and read the book before the Atmosphere movie is officially out!
Upcoming Book Adaptations: