All About the Upcoming “Remarkably Bright Creatures” Movie (Which Is Adapted from the Beloved Book!)
All About the Upcoming “Remarkably Bright Creatures” Movie (Which Is Adapted from the Beloved Book!)
Keith LangstonMon, April 6, 2026 at 3:53 PM UTC
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Sally Field as Tova in Remarkably Bright CreaturesCredit: Courtesy of Netflix -
A film adaptation of the 2022 novel Remarkably Bright Creatures is coming to Netflix
The movie stars Sally Field and Lewis Pullman
It will hit the streamer in May 2026
An adaptation of the hit novel Remarkably Bright Creatures is coming soon.
Written by Shelby Van Pelt, the 2022 novel of the same name follows an older widow who sets out to solve a juicy mystery with the help of an octopus (yep, an octopus!). The novel became a smash hit, staying on The New York Times' bestseller list for more than 64 weeks and remaining in hardcover for three years.
In June 2022, Pelt told the LA Public Library that the inspiration for the book came from a viral video.
“I saw this clip of an octopus who was determined to escape its enclosure,” she said, “and I just thought, ‘There’s a character in there.’ A little while later, I was in a writing workshop, and we had this prompt to write from an unexpected point of view, so my mind immediately went to that octopus.”
In August 2024, Netflix confirmed a film adaptation of the novel starring Oscar winner Sally Field, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Here's everything to know about the Remarkably Bright Creatures movie, including when it's premiering.
What is Remarkably Bright Creatures about?
Colm Meaney as Ethan and Lewis Pullman as Cameron in Remarkably Bright Creatures.Credit: Diyah Pera/Netflix
Remarkably Bright Creatures centers around Tova Sullivan, a lonely widow. Her son Erik, last seen on a boat in Puget Sound, went missing decades ago, and her husband has recently died. Desperate to keep herself busy and fight off her pain and loneliness, Tova gets a job working the night shift at the Sowell Bay Aquarium.
But during her time mopping floors and cleaning drains, she befriends one of the aquarium’s star attractions, a giant Pacific octopus named Marcellus. Incredibly wise (and a little grumpy), Marcellus hates nothing more than his human captors, but after meeting Tova, the two form an unlikely bond.
From there, Tova uncovers secrets from her past, all with the help of Marcellus, who knows more than anyone suspects.
Who is starring in Remarkably Bright Creatures?
Lewis Pullman as Cameron and Sally Field as Tova in Remarkably Bright CreaturesCredit: Courtesy of Netflix
Field is set to lead the film’s cast, starring as Tova. The actress has been a fan of the book ever since she was given an early copy by producer Bryan Unkeless before it was published.
"I read four chapters and said, 'Yes, we need to get this,' " she told PEOPLE in February 2026.
She continued, "The whole book is surprising and life-affirming, and it's an homage to life, to creatures, and the connection that human beings have to creatures. We worked on it relentlessly just to get that screenplay. Even when we were shooting we were constantly noodling and fixing and letting it breathe and have its own existence outside of the book. It was a long journey."
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Meanwhile, Lewis Pullman is playing Cameron, a wayward young man who comes to town in search of family and finds an unexpected friendship with Tova.
"I had read with a couple of other young actors, but the minute Lewis walked in, the minute I saw him, I just knew here he is," Field said. "Not only is he just a dazzlingly wonderful actor and funny and talented in every way ... to me, he just was this character."
She added, "We just started improvising instantly and having fun with it and laughing. And we were almost uncontainable. He's just so easy to be with and work with."
Marcellus, meanwhile, will be voiced by Tony nominee Alfred Molina. The supporting cast includes Joan Chen, Kathy Baker, Beth Grant, Colm Meaney and Sofia Black D’Elia.
Who is directing Remarkably Bright Creatures?
Director Olivia Newman at the Junket Photo Call for Columbia Pictures WHERE THE CRAWDADS SING at The West Hollywood Edition Hotel.Credit: Eric Charbonneau/Getty for Sony Pictures
Remarkably Bright Creatures is being directed by Olivia Newman.
This will be Newman’s third feature film, and her first since her 2022 film adaptation of Where the Crawdads Sing, which grossed over $144 million at the box office. Newman co-wrote the script for Remarkably Bright Creatures alongside John Whittington, describing the movie as the "warm hug that we all need right now."
"It is a movie that looks at heavy topics like grief and longing for connection and feeling at a crossroads in life and not sure what your purpose is, but it's also a joyful film," she said. "It makes you laugh, it makes you cry, but ultimately there's a hopefulness to it."
Pelt is also involved with the film adaptation and is serving as one of the executive producers.
Is there a Remarkably Bright Creatures trailer?
In March 2026, Netflix released the first teaser trailer for Remarkably Bright Creatures. In the clip, which Marcellus narrates, he calls humans "dull and blundering" — except for Tova, of course.
"Feeling a bit antisocial tonight?" Field's Tova says as she cleans his tank. "I know the feeling."
Where can I watch Remarkably Bright Creatures?
Colm Meaney as Ethan and Sally Field as Tova in Remarkably Bright Creatures.Credit: Diyah Pera/Netflix
Remarkably Bright Creatures will begin streaming on Netflix on May 8.
on People
Source: “AOL Entertainment”
