Sign in with Facebook
12 Book Adaptations Readers Love
Not all book adaptations are created equal. As readers, we've learned to deal with some seriously misguided disappointments, the kind of flops that give the books they're based on a bad name. ("Don't judge the book by its movie!" we beg our friends as we push our copy into their hesitant hands.)
But gems do exist, and the thrill of seeing a beloved book adapted faithfully is intoxicating. Every medium of storytelling brings something different to the table—and while we're obviously partial to books—we're also big fans of both the small screen and the big screen.
This month we asked you on Facebook and Twitter to tell us your absolute favorite book-to-film or book-to-TV adaptation. Your top answers are below!
based on J.R.R. Tolkien's epic fantasy series
What's your favorite television show or movie based on a book? Share it with us in the comments! And check out our guide to beloved adaptations here.
(Top image credit: Game of Thrones)
Comments Showing 1-50 of 179 (179 new)
message 1:
by
Joy
(new)
Jul 19, 2017 02:22AM
sarah waters fingersmith and sarah waters tipping the velvet
reply
|
flag
The 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice. That movie was amazing!!!!!!!!!
Outlander - perfect adaption, Venice en hiver
Anyone know what the picture at the top is from? (Just wondering if that's David Johansen aka Buster Poindexter.)
J.S. wrote: "Anyone know what the picture at the top is from? (Just wondering if that's David Johansen aka Buster Poindexter.)"J.S, It's from Game of Thrones
I hated Gone With the Wind.... Margaret Mitchell had no idea what the hell a plot was or how to resolve one. Get all the way tot he end and what resolution do you get?
"Well, fiddle-dee-dee...tomorrow is another day!"
What about "Jaws"? How this doesn't make the list especially during Shark Week?
Sense and SensibilityJane Austen (dir,: Ang Lee, 1995) - this is how an adaption should be made.
No Country for Old Men
Cormac McCarthy (dir.: Coen brothers, 2007)
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Ken Kesey (dir.: Milos Forman, 1975)
Rebecca
Daphne du Maurier (dir.: Alfred Hitchcock, 1940) - the movie was actually so much better than the book...!
UPDATE: remembered some more!
Persepolis: The Story of a Childhood
Marjane Satrapi (dir.: Marjane Satrapi, Vincent Paronnaud, 2007)
And how could I forget one of my all time fav movies?!
The Children of Men
P.D. James (dir.: Alfonso Cuarón, 2006)
I am sure there are much more but these jumped in my mind right away/these are the ones based on widely known authors' works.
J.S. wrote: "Anyone know what the picture at the top is from? (Just wondering if that's David Johansen aka Buster Poindexter.)"No, it's Peter Dinklage aka Tyrion Lannister in Game of Thrones.
The Neverending Story. This is one of the exceptionally rare cases where the movie was better than the book.
Also The Watcher in the Woods (late 70s? early 80s?). The book was awful, but the movie was awesome! A key part of my childhood!
Kinga wrote: "Sense and SensibilitySense and Sensibility/Jane Austen (dir,: Ang Lee, 1995) - this is how an adaption should be made.
No Country for Old Men
No Country for Old Men/Corm..."
I second No Country for Old Men! Favorite adaptation for me.
Thank you Izzy and Samuel. I guess that shows how 'out of the loop' I am that I don't know Game of Thrones. (What can I say? I'm a reader...)
The Color Purple - this is one of those cases where the book is great and so is the movie. Neither one takes from the other.
slavka wrote: "Outlander - perfect adaption"Agreed, it's great!
Of this list, The Godfather was my favorite. I just read it and watched all three movies. It has been the highlight of my summer.
J.S. wrote: "Thank you Izzy and Samuel. I guess that shows how 'out of the loop' I am that I don't know Game of Thrones. (What can I say? I'm a reader...)"Game of Thrones is based on A Song of Ice and Fire series by George RR Martin. You mustn't read fantasy! ;)
Elyse wrote: "Game of Thrones is based on A Song of Ic... You mustn't read fantasy!"Nope, just LOTR and Harry Potter (if that qualifies).
Even though I like the Harry Potter films (mainly because of the casting), But if I compare the books with the films, its like comparing apples and oranges. When I watch the films it feels like they're missing something.
The Disney 20,000 Leagues Under The Sea which perfectly captures the spirit of Verne's book. The Martian as well.
Kieron wrote: "The Shawshank Redemption - 
"Second that!
Henry V (1989?) with Kenneth Branagh and Emma Thompson,possibly my favourite adaption of a Shakespeare play.It was because of this movie I also liked LOTR.I might add 'Pride and Prejudice'(1995) and 'Jane Eyre'(1983)
I love The Handmaid's Tale! Others would be The Hunger Games, The Magicians, Outlander, Stardust, A Series of Unfortunate Events (the Netflix version), Thirteen Reasons Why. And, admittedly, Shadowhunters. It doesn't follow the books perfectly, the acting can be weak, but I just can't help but love it. I'm re-reading the books now, and I'm realizing just how many elements from the books they managed to put in the TV series, even if they have been twisted around a bit to fit the TV arcs.
Sydney wrote: "The 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice. That movie was amazing!!!!!!!!!"I agree!!
I'm surprised to see Holes on this list. I remember liking the book as a kid, but then being very disappointed in the movie. Most kids movies aren't very good though so maybe it's a matter of expectations.
Meghan wrote: "I love The Handmaid's Tale! Others would be The Hunger Games, The Magicians, Outlander, Stardust, A Series of Unfortunate Events (the Netflix version), Thirteen Reasons Why. And, admittedly, Shad..."
At least Shadowhunters is better than the Lily Collins movie!
Elyse wrote: "At least Shadowhunters is better than the Lily Collins movie! "No arguments from me, there!
Sydney wrote: "The 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice. That movie was amazing!!!!!!!!!"I agree!
Sydney wrote: "The 2005 version of Pride and Prejudice. That movie was amazing!!!!!!!!!"It was visually and creatively amazing, but it didn't follow the book as faithfully as the '95 version did.
Kinga wrote: "Sense and SensibilityJane Austen (dir,: Ang Lee, 1995) - this is how an adaption should be made.
No Country for Old Men
Cormac McCarthy (dir.: Coen brothers, 2007)
[boo..."
I agree...Sense and Sensibility, No Country for Old Men, and The Children of Men all great adaptations. I haven't seen the others.
These are all great choices! I would also add Casino Royale, I recently read the book and I wish I had not. The movie was so much better! I guess that is more of a "movie was way better" category, because the above choices are all excellent books as well.
The Book Thief (2013)Emma (2009)
Little Dorrit (2008)
Bleak House (2005)
Great book to movie/mini series adaptations!
They're missing The Outsiders.
Joy wrote: "sarah waters fingersmith and sarah waters tipping the velvet"Fingersmith was excellent. Wasn't a massive fan of Tipping the Velvet though.
Joy wrote: "sarah waters fingersmith and sarah waters tipping the velvet"Yes!!
Jane Eyre, Rebecca, The Great Gastby, The Wizard of Oz, The Birds, Twilight--to name a few. ; )
Megan wrote: "The Color Purple - this is one of those cases where the book is great and so is the movie. Neither one takes from the other."Totally agree. That movie!!! I seriously sob uncontrollably every time I see it.
Blade runner. I thought the movie was better than the book Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?Same with Under The Skin
Awakenings. RIP Oliver Sacks. He was a brilliant man, but his writing could sometimes make one wish he were less brilliant and more clear. It's one of the few cases where the movie improved on the book. The Book Thief.
The Maltese Falcon.
And if TV Movies count, The Thorn Birds.
The Wuthering Heights miniseries with Tom Hardy and Charlotte Riley was pretty decent!
movie: Dances with Wolves Dances with WolvesTV series: Little House on the Prairie - based on the books by Laura Ingalls Wilder
Alexander wrote: "the exorcist is top" Agreed!
Tomas wrote: "The Time Machine is something I liked."The 1960 movie is great! That from 2002 not so much.
The adaptation of HolesHoles has always been one of my favorites. From what I remember, they really only cut out the fact that Stanley's character started out pudgy. The rest was included and it was amazing.
