Tarantino to Release 'Cliff Booth' Novel Ahead of Fincher's Sequel

Key points

• The novel 'The Adventures of Cliff Booth' will be published by HarperCollins on December 8, 2026.
• The book precedes the theatrical release of the film 'The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth,' which opens in IMAX theaters on November 25, 2026.
• The film will stream on Netflix on December 23, 2026, following its two-week IMAX run.
• David Fincher is directing the film, while Tarantino wrote the screenplay but declined to direct to preserve his planned retirement after ten films.
• Brad Pitt reprises his Oscar-winning role as stuntman Cliff Booth, with a cast including Elizabeth Debicki, Scott Caan, and Yahya Abdul-Mateen II.
• The story is set in 1977, depicting Booth's life as a war hero, bartender, and projectionist in a changed Hollywood landscape.

Background

This announcement follows the August 2026 confirmation that Brad Pitt would return as Cliff Booth in a sequel directed by David Fincher. It also coincides with Tarantino's expansion into theater, where he is set to direct 'The Popinjay Cavalier' in London's West End in spring 2027. Tarantino previously published a novelization of the 2019 film 'Once Upon a Time in Hollywood,' which grossed over $400 million worldwide.

How outlets are covering it

Variety, AP News, The Hollywood Reporter, and Yahoo all confirm the release dates and titles, noting the slight difference between the book's title and the film's. THR provides the most detailed breakdown of the film's creative team, including cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt and production designer Donald Graham Burt. Variety emphasizes Tarantino's decision to step away from directing to avoid repeating his previous work, citing his 'Church of Tarantino' podcast comments. AP News highlights the book as an expansion of Tarantino's author career, while Yahoo focuses on the visual cover art. All sources agree that the novel and film are distinct but thematically linked projects centered on the same character in 1977.

Why it matters

This release marks a significant moment for Tarantino, who has stated he intends to retire after ten films. By writing the novel and screenplay but not directing, he is extending the 'Cliff Booth' narrative without compromising his desire for his final directorial effort to be in 'uncharted territory.' The $200 million budget for the film and the coordinated release strategy with Netflix and IMAX indicate a major commercial push for this sequel, leveraging the success of the original 2019 hit.

What to watch

The film 'The Further Mis-Adventures of Cliff Booth' will begin its IMAX run on November 25, 2026. The novel 'The Adventures of Cliff Booth' will hit shelves on December 8, 2026. The film will then stream on Netflix on December 23, 2026. Tarantino is also preparing for the spring 2027 West End debut of his stage play 'The Popinjay Cavalier.'