My Favorite Book-to-Film Adaptations (And Books I Would Love to See Adapted)
There are a lot of book-to-film adaptations out there in the film industry. A lot. And some of them are. . . well, to put it nicely, not the best. In a Let’s Talk Bookish post I did a little while ago on book-to-film adaptations, I listed some of the ones I enjoyed, and then realized that there are a lot more than I thought. So, I am telling you all my favorites! Most of the list will be movies but there are some TV shows sprinkled in there. So, let’s get started!
Something to note: I’ve seen a lot more book-to-film adaptations that I loved than are on this list, but I’m only including the ones where I’ve read the book as well.
Disclaimer: I’ve included where you can watch the movies/tv shows, on the streaming services in the US. This may vary depending on where you live.
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
Where you can watch it: Netflix
Well, of course this is first on the list. (Though this isn’t ranked.) Heartstopper is one of the best adaptations I’ve seen and is now one of my favorite TV shows. They got actors who look like Alice Oseman’s drawings, which is amazing, and the song choices couldn’t have been better. All the actors did a fantastic job in their roles and I’m so happy it got renewed for another season. I love the Heartstopper comics and seeing them come to life was so exciting. I also love how the side characters–like Tara, Darcy, and Elle–get more screen time so we could learn more about them. Even with the added characters and slight plot changes to fit for a TV show, it still kept the core message of Heartstopper: being okay with who you are and surrounding yourself with people who accept you for it.
The Mysterious Benedict Society by Trenton Lee Stewart
Where you can watch it: Disney+
I read this series when I was in middle school and loved it. It was probably one of my favorite series at the time. Considering that they filmed when COVID was at its peak in 2020, the production was done super well. The kids were fantastic in their roles and I love how accurate their costumes are. Constance with all her sarcastic lines was hilarious. Seeing the mystery unfold was exciting and I can’t believe they left us with that cliffhanger! It’s been renewed for another season, so I can’t wait to see where they take it!
The Princess Bride by William Goldman
Where you can watch it: Amazon Prime Video (rent or buy), Disney+
The Princess Bride is one of my favorite movies, regardless of whether it was a good production or not. It has something for everyone: fighting, romance, humor, bad guys, good guys, and so much more. I love the swashbuckling tale that is Buttercup and Westley and of course Inigo, Vizzini, and Fezzik are amazing as well. The iconic lines are the best part. Some of my favorites include:
– “My name is Inigo Montoya. You killed my father. Prepare to die.”
– “He’s only mostly dead.”
– “Inconceivable!”
– “Anybody want a peanut?”
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery (1985)
Where you can watch it: GazeboTV
Anne of Green Gables is one of my comfort books. I love the series with Megan Follows; she’s such a great actor for Anne. I’ve listened to the book on audio so many times. It used to put me to sleep when I had trouble falling falling asleep. All of Anne’s long-winded conversations are so fun on screen and of course, that scene with Gilbert in the schoolhouse.
Wonder by R.J. Palacio
Where you can watch it: Hulu + Live TV, Amazon Prime Video (rent or buy), AppleTV (rent or buy)
I remember seeing this movie in the theater on opening night. It meant a lot to me because, like Auggie, I have a facial deformity. Nothing as severe as his, but I could relate to him, in some way. Wonder is one of my favorite books and I loved seeing the characters come to life on screen. The makeup they did on Jacob Tremblay was impressive. I can’t imagine having to sit still for an hour and half while someone put makeup on me.
Five Feet Apart by Rachael Lippincott
Where you can watch it: Netflix, Amazon Prime Video (rent or buy)
I almost forgot to add this to the list, which is would have been terrible. My friends and I read this book in seventh grade and I went to see the movie with two of them. We were practically the only ones in the theater, except for many five others. Cole Sprouse and Haley Lu Richardson were fantastic in their roles and there were some scenes that were so sad to watch.
Books I Want to Be Adapted
Nevermoor Series by Jessica Townsend – I’ve already talked about wanting this to made into a film many times, but seriously, the Nevermoor Series would be great as a movie or TV show. The world of Nevermoor seems so fun and the special effects would look amazing.
Song of the Lioness Quartet by Tamora Pierce – We need films with young, female protagonists and this series is perfect for it. Alanna is twelve at the beginning of the series and grows to be a strong and powerful young woman by the fourth book. The Tortall universe is so expansive and it would be amazing to see it on film.
Strange the Dreamer Duology by Laini Taylor – I love the worldbuilding in this series and I feel like it would be awesome on the screen. Having the blue godspawns would be so fun! The land of Weep would be so magical and Lazlo’s dream sequences could be done in a super cool way.
Graceling Realm by Kristin Cashore – I feel like these would be best as movies. These are action-packed novels that have a lot going on in them. The fantasy creatures would look so cool and the people with two different-colored eyes would look awesome as well.
The Kingdom of Back by Marie Lu – The writing in this book gives it a magical, fairy-like vibe to it and it would be so pretty on screen. The way Marie Lu describes the Kingdom is kind of ethereal and I have no doubt it could translated to film.
What are your favorite book-to-film adaptations?
What are some books you want to be adapted?
29 Comments
sophreads2022
Five feet apart is definitely one of my favourite book to movie adaptations! Some others would be Harry Potter series and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl. Great post 🙂
Lotus @ Pages of Starlight
I’m glad you liked it! Ooh, those are great as well!
Thank you for reading!
Writeflow
The mysterious Benedict society i found it on Disney but never watched it i hope it’s cool .
Lotus @ Pages of Starlight
I really enjoyed it!
Suhani
HEARTSTOPPER Y E S!! It’s so so good AND THE ACCURACY OF THE CAST??? IN LOVE!!! And I absolutely loved how they gave more screen time to side characters as well!
! OMG KINGDOM OF BACK WOULD MAKE SUCH A GOOD ADAPTATION!! I absolutely CANNOT get that image of a perfect adaptation out of my head now lol!! adored this!
Lotus @ Pages of Starlight
YES, ME TOO! They couldn’t have picked better people.
Wouldn’t it?! The worldbuilding would be so cool on screen!
Thanks for reading!
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saima @ storieswithsaima
Heartstopper was such a beautiful adaptation of the graphic novels! I loved it so much, especially that we got to see more of the female characters. Great post 💛
Lotus @ Pages of Starlight
Totally! It was awesome that we got to see the side character’s stories.
romi
i think five feet apart was a better movie than a book 😭 idk y but i just couldn’t vibe with the author’s writing style.
Lotus @ Pages of Starlight
Fair enough! I don’t remember the writing style, but the movie definitely lived up the book’s story.
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🌺 IceLillies 🌺
Ooh, I’ve seen ”The Princess Bride”! My family is crazy about it, the movie is one of my favorites. I haven’t seen most of these though, only Anne of Green Gables, and The Princess Bride.
Lotus @ Pages of Starlight
I would recommend any of them if you’re looking for something to watch!
🌺 IceLillies 🌺
My favorite book-to-film adaptions have to be: The Lord of The Rings, Hobbit, Star Wars, Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, Jurassic park, Emma, and The Fault in Our Stars. Some books I want to be adapted are: Lovestruck by Kate Watson, and Sisters of Sword and Song by Rebecca Ross. Those would have to be the main ones at the moment, otherwise, I would go on forever. 😅
Lotus @ Pages of Starlight
I read The Fault in Our Stars, but never saw the movie. I haven’t seen or read any of the other ones either. I think I’ve heard about Sisters of Sword and Song.
🌺 IceLillies 🌺
Yeah, I only really saw: The Lord of The Rings, Hobbit, Star Wars, Pride and Prejudice, The Fault in Our Stars, etc. I’m reading Pride and Prejudice for school, and watched the movie with my family. My older sis read The Fault in Our Stars, the movie was really good. If you have Disney+ you would probably find it, or rent it from VUDU, or Amazon Prime. The other movies are pretty good, though ”The Lord of The Rings”, ”Hobbit”, ”Star Wars”, and ”Jurassic Park” are multiple movies, in that title, and are very popular.
Lotus @ Pages of Starlight
Are you liking Pride and Prejudice so far? I never read The Lord of the Rings. I’ve seen a few of the Star Wars movies. I think I saw a part of a Jurassic Park movie.
🌺 IceLillies 🌺
Yes, I’m liking Pride and Prejudice so far… The book has 60-somthin’ chapters, though I don’t mind. It is a little confusing at first, with all the old language, not gonna lie. The book I have of it, has a little dictionary in the back of all the confusing old words. So that makes it a little better, I do still suggest the book, the movie is worth it in the end. 🙂 What did you think of the Star Wars movies? 🤔 Adding to the question, What did you think of the ”part” of Jurassic Park movie?
Lotus @ Pages of Starlight
That’s good. The old English is really the only thing that’s keeping me from reading it at the moment. The Star Wars movies were good, I enjoyed them. I don’t remember what part of Jurassic Park I saw, it was a really long time ago.
🌺 IceLillies 🌺
My family doesn’t keep up to date with movies. 😅 We watch many movies that are in the 1900s and early 2000s. So, I’m not too surprised you didn’t see those movies, I’ve watched ”The Marx Bros” they are dated back in the ’20s and 30’s. And they are some of my favorite movie comedies, I only heard of them due to my grandpa, they were his favorite as a kid. Oh, and if you like stories that include romance, and are set in early England, you’d like Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Emma, I definitely recommend them, you can’t really judge them until you’ve watched them.🙂
Lotus @ Pages of Starlight
Yeah, I haven’t seen many older movies. I’d like to read Pride and Prejudice before I watch the movie. I’m a “book before film” type of person.
🌺 IceLillies 🌺
Yeah, not many people I know, have seen older movies. You know, seeing how many books there are, there should be more book-to-film adaptions. *Switching to a question* How about old tv shows? Have you seen X-Files?🤔
Lotus @ Pages of Starlight
No, I haven’t.
🌺 IceLillies 🌺
Well, movies are over-ratted anyway, lol. What are your other hobbies besides reading? And how did your hear of WordPress? 🤔
Lotus @ Pages of Starlight
A few major hobbies are writing, photography and astronomy. I heard of WordPress from other blogs. I also did a bunch of research before I started my blog.
🌺 IceLillies 🌺
I enjoy astronomy, as a hobby. When the sky is clear, I stargaze. 🌟 That’s cool, I heard of WordPress from Ron Paul Curriculum, an online homeschool.
🌺 IceLillies 🌺
What’s your favorite constellation? 🤔✨
Lotus @ Pages of Starlight
I don’t really have a favorite. Do you have a favorite?