The 15 Best Book-to-Movie Adaptations That Will Reel You in Twice
Double the emotion, double the fun.
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My controversial take of the day is that sometimes, the movie is indeed better than the book (or at least just as good). And that’s coming from a certified bookworm, okay? I don’t think this is the case all the time by any means. However, I do think it’s time that we stop pretending that any film adapted from the written word is inherently bad. That’s just not the truth, and there are plenty of book-to-movie adaptations that prove me right. Before any of you readers can try gaslighting me into thinking I’m wrong, it's worth noting that I'm already one step ahead of you. I created a list of my most favored films based on novels as a means of getting you to hear me out.
I started this list with the classics, as well as with more mainstream picks for relatability. Over time, we’ll update this article to add more of my niche favorites.
Of course, we have children’s classics like the Harry Potter series and the Percy Jackson franchise (both of which are on sale right now, by the way). Then we’ve got our literary classics like Little Women and Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Tell me with a straight face that Timotheé Chalamet, Saoirse Ronan, and Kiera Knightley didn’t absolutely kill these roles. You can’t.
Anyway, I love books. Reading them is legit how I spend most of my free time, and I think it’s the world’s most treasured hobby. Still, I can appreciate when a movie is better. And with that, I just hope you’ll forgive me!
Scholastic, Inc. “The Hunger Games” Trilogy and “The Hunger Games” (2013)
Katniss Everdeen, the proclaimed “girl on fire,” was one of my first literary heroes. The protagonist was a teen in the poorest district in Panem, yet still somehow managed to keep her small family afloat. When she volunteered to take her sister’s place in the 74th annual Hunger Games, that’s when I knew her bravery and fiery spirit were something I wanted to match.
The movie adaptation of Suzanne Collins’ hit series is phenomenal, in my opinion. Jennifer Lawrence captured the essence of the character exactly as I imagined it to be.
Atria “It Ends with Us” and “It Ends With Us” (2024)
You either love Colleen Hoover’s books or you don’t. Either way, there’s no denying the absolute chokehold that It Ends With Us has had on the internet these last few years. The story follows Lily Bloom, a woman who moves to Boston to start her journey of opening a flower shop. This is when she meets Ryle, an initially charming neurosurgeon who swoons her into a seemingly loving relationship.
Lily soon starts to uncover Ryle’s true colors, and it’s beginning to look pretty dark. In between this time, she also runs into Atlas, her first love from a long time ago. Could he be the saving grace for her in the end? This is a story with some deep issues and hard truths at hand. The movie adaptation came out in 2024, starring Blake Lively.
Penguin Books “Little Women” and “Little Women” (2019)
Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy, AKA the March sisters, navigate their transition from childhood to motherhood together in this heartfelt story. While their father is away at war, it’s up to the four of them to learn how to deal with life’s many highs and lows, such as self-sacrifice and love.
The book by Louisa May Alcott in itself is a classic, and there have been plenty of movie adaptations of it. However, the 2019 version will always be my favorite. Having Saoirse Ronan, Florence Pugh, Timothée Chalamet, Emma Watson, Meryl Streep, and Laura Dern in one movie feels like a dream, but it’s indeed so real.
J. B. Lippincott & Co “To Kill a Mockingbird” and “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962)
Harper Lee’s story of the Finch family is a classic that most people today grew up reading in school. In it, you’ll follow Scout and Jem as they go about their childlike lives in Alabama as their dad, a lawyer, takes on a serious case defending a Black man in the 1930s.
Scout and Jem are made fun of by their schoolmates due to this, but their morals and good conscience stay strong throughout. The 1962 film based on this book is equally beloved today. It stars Gregory Peck as Atticus, a performance that went on to win the Academy Award for Best Actor.
G.P. Putnam’s Sons “The Joy Luck Club” and “The Joy Luck Club” (1993)
The Joy Luck Club tells the tale of four immigrant Chinese mothers and their relationships with their daughters who were born in America. Now based in San Francisco, the mothers form a mahjong group called “The Joy Luck Club,” where they can all connect on their unique cultural experiences. The movie, based on Amy Tan’s original novel, came out in 1993, and it’s filled with as much soul, smiles, and lessons as the book.
Simon & Schuster “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” and “Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret.” (2023)
Moving towns can feel like the worst case scenario for an 11-year-old girl. Margaret finds herself in this exact situation and is then forced to find new friends, new hobbies, and an all-around new routine.
Judy Blume books are generally fun, but this one was turned into a movie for a reason. I’d argue that the movie was just as good, if not better, than the book, primarily due to the performances of Abby Fortson and the rest of the cast.
Ace “Dune” and “Dune” (2021)
Frank Herbert’s Dune is the sci-fi on everyone’s mind right now. There are six core books in the much larger series, but the first two are what you need to read if you plan on understanding the movies starring Timotheé Chalamet and Zendaya.
The story centers around Paul Atreides, heir to a prominent family on the planet Arrakis. There’s much to be discussed in this world (as well as a lot of canon and world-building), including whether or not Paul is the messiah. His power has become political, and battles and havoc ensue.
Houghton Mifflin “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy and “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring” (2001)
If you read The Lord of the Rings trilogy by J.R.R. Tolkien, then you’re a true fantasy fan at heart; those pages aren’t exactly easy to read by any means. It deals with a crew of mystic-like people and creatures, and the fate of their civilization that lies in the lost One Ring.
The movies, which starred Orlando Bloom and Elijah Wood, went on to make billions of dollars worldwide. Safe to say that the fan base is loyal and widespread.
Anchor Books “Atonement” and “Atonement” (2007)
Atonement is a book about jealousy, guilt, and class—something that author Ian McEwan mastered beautifully. When someone is wrongfully accused of an act of assault, it takes a bunch of different perspectives to get down to the bottom of it. The movie that stars English-famed actors Kiera Knightley and James McAvoy was nominated for plenty of Academy Awards, and even snagged one for Best Original Score.
Educa Books “Harry Potter” Series and “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” (2001)
Obviously, Harry Potter had to be included on this list. The series about a young wizard and his time at Hogwarts was already popular on the page, but the movies made the franchise a worldwide phenomenon.
J. K. Rowling created something that millions of kids and adults resonated with, and the story was made all the more captivating by the performances of Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, and Rupert Grint.
Broadway Books “The Devil Wears Prada” and “The Devil Wears Prada” (2006)
Being a young journalist in New York City is a competitive, cruel, but oh-so-fun experience. Lauren Weisberger wrote this novel that recounts the story of Andrea (Andy), a twentysomething gal who gets hired as the assistant to the queen of magazine fashion. The experience is eventful to say the least, as Andy’s boss isn’t exactly the nicest person. The film that stars Academy Award winners Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep is one of my favorites. A timeless, cheeky classic!
Doubleday “Forrest Gump” and “Forrest Gump” (1994)
Winston Groom wrote a staple adventure book with Forrest Gump. The main character, Forrest, is a curious guy with a big heart. He gets himself in the most random situations, but it’s exactly what gives the story the flair it needs. Tom Hanks took the role in the film, and also took home the Best Actor prize at the Academy Awards.
Thomas Egerton “Pride and Prejudice” and “Pride and Prejudice” (2005)
The romance of all romances, Jane Austen was kind of good at creating this sort of thing. The tension between Elizabeth Bennet and Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy in this period piece needs to be studied, because I’ve never been more invested in a fictional plot in my life. Kiera Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen were exactly the right people to play this part in the 2005 movie rendition, and you can’t tell me otherwise.
Miramax Books “Percy Jackson and the Olympians” and “Percy Jackson & the Olympian” (2010)
Leave it to author Rick Riordan to shape childhoods everywhere with Percy Jackson and the Olympians. Percy lives a normal life as a kid, that is, until he realizes he’s a demigod who’s the son of Poseidon. When this information is uncovered, he realizes his life will never be the same. The movie stars Logan Lerman, AKA my first celebrity crush.
HarperCollins “The Princess Diaries” and “The Princess Diaries” (2001)
Oh, to be a teenager in New York City who randomly finds out about their ties to royalty in a faraway, foreign country! Meg Cabot wrote the cutest story about a shy girl named Mia who discovers she’s a princess destined to be a queen. The only person who could possibly play this role is Anne Hathaway, and so we’re really lucky that that’s exactly what we got.
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