The Golden Age of Webtoon Adaptations
If you thought 2025 was big for webtoon adaptations, 2026 is shaping up to be even more explosive. Korean webtoons have officially conquered Hollywood and streaming giants, with Netflix, Disney+, and major film studios racing to secure adaptation rights. Here's your ultimate guide to what's coming.
Must-Watch Drama Adaptations
Netflix Originals
- Solo Leveling: Arise – Following the anime's massive success, the live-action adaptation is finally confirmed with a blockbuster budget
- Omniscient Reader's Viewpoint – The highly anticipated series based on the web novel phenomenon continues production
- The Remarried Empress – Romance webtoon fans rejoice as this beloved title gets the K-drama treatment
Coming to Theaters
- Sweet Home sequel films expanding the monster apocalypse universe
- Hellbound Season 3 in development from director Yeon Sang-ho
Why Webtoons Make Perfect Adaptations
Unlike traditional comics, webtoons are designed for vertical scrolling with cinematic pacing already built in. The cliffhanger-per-episode structure translates seamlessly to streaming formats. Plus, with platforms like WEBTOON and Tapas having millions of English readers, there's already a built-in global fanbase demanding these adaptations.
Where to Read Before You Watch
Catch up on source material through WEBTOON, Tapas, or Manta. Many adapted titles offer free episodes, so you can dive into the original stories before their screen debuts.