30 Best Movies Based On Books | Movie Adaptations

Movies Based On Books
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Here we go guys, In this article, we are presenting you the 30 best marvellous movies based on real books & the best book to movie adaptations of the century so far – Must watch these movies.

It has adventure, thriller, drama, a love story, and a lot more things. We will take a look at our favorite movies based on books released by today.

As we all know reading book increases the readability of our mind but when we watch any movies so we understand it easily.

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So Let’s take a look at 30 Best Movies Based On Books | Movie Adaptations.

30 – The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

The Shawshank Redemption (1994) Official Trailer #1 - Morgan Freeman Movie HD

The Shawshank Redemption is an American drama film written and directed by Frank Darabont, based on the 1982 Stephen King novella Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption.

It is the story of banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), who is sentenced to life in Shawshank State Penitentiary for the murders of his wife and her lover, despite his claims of innocence.

29 – The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999)

The Talented Mr. Ripley (1999) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

The Talented Mr. Ripley is a psychological thriller film written and directed by Anthony Minghella. The movie received five Academy Award nominations, including Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actor for Law. One of the Best Movies Based On Books.

28 – Sense and Sensibility (1995)

Sense and Sensibility (1995) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

The movie was released in 1995, which is directed by Ang Lee and based on Jane Austen’s 1811 novel of the same name.

27 – The Martian (2015)

The Martian | Official Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX

The Martian is a 2015 science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott and starring Matt Damon. Drew Goddard adapted the screenplay from The Martian, a 2011 novel by Andy Weir.

The Martian received praise for its direction, visual effects, musical score, screenplay, scientific accuracy, and likability, largely due to Damon’s performance. 

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26 – The Godfather (1972)

The Godfather Trailer (HD)

It is a 1972 American crime film directed by Francis Ford Coppola, who co-wrote the screenplay with Mario Puzo, based on Puzo’s best-selling 1969 novel of the same name.

Also, the film won the Oscars for Best Picture, Best Actor (Brando), and Best Adapted Screenplay (for Puzo and Coppola).

25 – Jurassic Park (1993)

Jurassic Park Trailer

The film is a 1993 American science fiction action film produced by Kathleen Kennedy and Gerald R. Molen. & directed by Steven Spielberg.

The first film in the Jurassic Park trilogy, and is based on the 1990 novel of the same name by Michael Crichton and a screenplay written by Crichton and David Koepp.

24 – Little Women (2019)

LITTLE WOMEN - Official Trailer (HD)

The movie, “Little Women” was released in 2019. The drama film was written and directed by Greta Gerwig.

Meanwhile, It is the seventh film adaptation of the 1868 novel of the same name by Louisa May Alcott. In addition, the film garnered six Academy Award nominations.

23 – The Devil wears Prada (2006)

The Devil Wears Prada (2006) Trailer #1 | Movieclips Classic Trailers

The movie is a 2006 American comedy-drama film directed by David Frankel and produced by Wendy Finerman.

Also, The screenplay, written by Aline Brosh McKenna, is based on Lauren Weisberger’s 2003 novel of the same name.

This movie earned her many award nominations, including an Oscar nomination for Best Actress, as well as a Golden Globe for Best Actress in a Comedy or Musical.

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22 – Bridge to Terabithia (2007)

Bridge to Terabithia - trailer

Bridge to Terabithia is an American coming-of-age fantasy adventure film, which was released in 2007 & directed by Gábor Csupó and adapted for film by David L. Paterson and Jeff Stockwell.

Also, It is based on Katherine Paterson’s 1977 novel of the same name. One of the Best Movies Based On Books.

21 – Holes (2003)

Holes (2003) Trailer

This novel still managed to be a sensation when it was released in 1998. The Books author Lewis Acker actually penned the screenplay for the film so this is about his faithful of an adaption as fans could possibly hope for.

20 – To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (2018)

To All The Boys I've Loved Before | Official Trailer | Netflix

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before is based on a book by author Jenny Han.

When the movie was released on Netflix, It may not have come with high expectations however, it ended up being a runaway hit for the streaming service spawning two sequels.

In addition, It follows the same story points, the book is actually part of the trilogy the remainder of which serve as source material for the sequel films.

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19 – The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants (2005)

Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants - Original Theatrical Trailer

The Sisterhood Of The Travelling Pants narrates the story of four friends who find a pair of second-hand jeans that somehow fit all of them despite their different body types.

The movie assembled a seriously all-star cast featuring Amber Tamblyn, Alexis Vidal, America Ferrera & Blake Lively in primary roles. One of the Best Movies Based On Books.

18 – Room (2015)

Room | Official Trailer HD | A24

When the book ‘Room’ was released in 2010, it ended up on many best of the year lists.

So it is no surprise that a film adaption was made and considering the extremely confined setting of the novel one in which a woman and her son are being held against their will in a single room for years.

The movie earning four academy award nominations and a win for Larson for the best actress.

17 – The Color Purple (1985)

The Color Purple  (1985) Official Trailer  - Oprah Winfrey, Steven Spielberg Movie HD

The movie is directed by Steven Spielberg, based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning 1982 novel of the same name by Alice Walker. Also, the movie tells the story of a young African-American girl named Celie Harris.

16 – Silver Linings Playbook (2012)

Silver Linings Playbook (2013) Official Trailer [HD]

The novel ‘Silver Linings Playbook’ by Matthew Quick flew under the radar when it was released in 2008. David O’Russell took this story and turned it into something really special definitely navigating the difficult subject matter of mental illness.

The portrayal of characters suffering from afflictions like depression and bipolar disorder has not always been handled with sensitivity but Bradley Cooper & Jennifer Lawrence’s performances were something to behold making this movie an award show darling.

15 – The Spectacular Now (2013)

The Spectacular Now Official Trailer #1 (2013) - Shailene Woodley Movie HD

The book, “The Spectacular Now” was released in 2008. Clearly, the producer saw something in the quiet book about two teens falling in love while one deals with alcoholism.

It was released on August 2, 2013, and grossed $6 million worldwide. One of the Best Movies Based On Books.

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14 – Me And Earl And The Dying Girl (2015)

ME AND EARL AND THE DYING GIRL: Official HD Trailer

The movie, “Me And Earl And Dying Girl” was not only Jessie Andrews’s first novel but also became his first-ever screenplay.

In fact when he was tapped to create the script he had not only never written one he had not even read one and yet he succeeded in fitting his novel story into the confines of movie constraints based on the title alone.

Considering the fact that filmmaking is a major theme in the story being able to see the film that Greg made really added to the experience.

13 – Brokeback Mountain (2005)

Brokeback Mountain 2005 Trailer HD | Jake Gyllenhaal | Heath Ledger

While most of the movies on our list were based on novels this one was crafted with a short story as its inspiration. Because of the short length director, Angley was able to fully flesh out the characters that author Annie Prue created. One of the Best Movies Based On Books.

12 – Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch And The Wardrobe (2005)

🎥 THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005) | Trailer | Full HD | 1080p

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a 2005 fantasy film co-written and directed by Andrew Adamson, based on the 1950 novel The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe.

The film was released on December 9, 2005. The filmmakers managed to translate the decades-old story and make it feel fresh.

11 – Love, Simon (2018)

Love, Simon | Official Trailer 2 [HD] | 20th Century FOX

Love, Simon is a romantic comedy-drama film directed by Greg Berlanti, written by Isaac Aptaker and Elizabeth Berger, and based on the novel Simon vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda by Becky Albertalli

The filmmaker scrapped the wordy title and dubbed the film Love Simon, but kept all of the elements of Albert Ali’s novel that fans loved so much.

It became the first movie made by a major studio to focus on a queer teenage love story. Also, the film eclipsed the popularity of the book gaining a whole new fan base who wanted to ship Simon & Blue.

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10 – The Notebook (2004)

The Notebook Movie Trailer [HD]

The film becoming one of the top romance movies of our generation. The Undeniable chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Rachel McAdams brought the story to life in a way that just wasn’t possible on the page.

9 – Gone Girl (2014)

Gone Girl | Official Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX

Back in 2012, It seemed like everyone was talking about Gillian Flynn’s unconventional thriller Gone Girl debating its use of the unreliable narrator and its unexpected twists and turns.

It was perfectly primed to get the Hollywood treatment through as always fans were worried a movie might not do the story justice but if anything the movie even added to the drama and suspense of the novel totally nailing the vibe of uncertainty as Nick tries to prove to the world and the reader that he has nothing to do with his wife’s disappearance.

8 – Crazy Rich Asians (2018)

CRAZY RICH ASIANS - Official Trailer

Kevin Kwan’s novel ‘Crazy Rich Asians’ was successful in its own right but when it was adapted into a 2018 film it became the highest-grossing romantic comedy to be produced in 10 years. One of the Best Movies Based On Books.

There has been a bit of a slump when it came to good old-fashioned light-hearted romance movies but it seemingly managed to revive the genre by giving viewers an unfamiliar setting and upping the diversity of the cast by using mostly actors of Asian descent in the primary roles.

7 – Paper Towns (2015)

Paper Towns | Official Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX

John Green is basically the next generations Nicholas Sparks. The movie was written by him which was adapted into a 2015 movie starring Cara Delevingne but more notably he was also the man behind 2014’s hit the Fault Our Stars.

This small budget film ended up grossing over 300 million dollars at the box office. It will definitely have you crying by the end. One of the Best Movies Based On Books.

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6 – The Hunger Games (2012)

The Hunger Games (2012 Movie) - Official Theatrical Trailer - Jennifer Lawrence & Liam Hemsworth

In the early 2010s, It seemed like the easiest way to craft a hit movie was to base it on a dystopian young adult novel but The Hunger Game was definitely the best of the bunch. Based on Suzanne Collins book series this movie cranked up the dramatic tension and romance that existed in the novels while amazing to please all of the loyal fans of the series.

5 – Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Pride & Prejudice Official Trailer #1 - Keira Knightley Movie (2005) HD

The work of Jane Austen has been adapted for both the big and small screen since mediums began one of our favourite renditions comes from 2005.

This version of Austin’s most well-known novel Pride and Prejudice stars Keira Knightley as Elizabeth Bennet and Matthew Macfadyen as Mr. Darcy.

The movie screenwriter Deborah Mohawk attempted to remain close to Austin’s original work while adapting dialogue and trimming the storyline. She quoted “if it’s not broken don’t fix it.”

4 – Call Me by Your Name (2017)

Call Me By Your Name | Official Trailer HD (2017)

Aundrea Simmons 2007 novel “Call Me By Your Name” took 10 years before it was adapted into the movie but it was certainly worth the wait.

The story of the book is told solely from Leo’s perspective and largely takes place inside his head so the producer had their work cut out for them when it came to translating that very intimate experience for the screen.

They managed to bring the novel lush setting and thoroughly developed characters to life with the help of Stellar acting by army hammer and Timothy Shalame and created a work that stands on its own.

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3 – The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)

The Perks of Being a Wallflower Official Trailer #1 (2012) - Emma Watson Movie HD

The movie is written and directed by Stephen Chboskty, his novel about a teen dealing with mental illness was released in 1999 and became an everlasting hit resonating with young people year after year, considering the amount of creative control that Chbosky had over the film.

It was no surprise that it was a hit with old fans and gained some new one in the process. One of the Best Movies Based On Books.

2 – The Lord of the Rings (2001 – 03)

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Official Trailer #1 - (2001) HD

The Lord of the Rings is a series of three epic fantasy adventure films directed by Peter Jackson, based on the novel written by J. R. R. Tolkien. Also, The films have subtitled The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002), and The Return of the King (2003).

The movie will inevitably go down in history as one of the greatest film franchises of all time. It helps they were working on such incredible source material.

1 – Harry Potter (2001 – 11)

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) Official Trailer - Daniel Radcliffe Movie HD

The Harry Potter novels make up the best-selling books series in history so the stakes were incredibly high when it came to adapting.

The series had a huge fan base and JK Rowling had created a fantastical world that existed inside the minds and hearts of the readers of the book but the film became an undeniable success and comprise one of the most financially successful films franchises of all time.

All the Movies Based On Books have their own standard. We can not categorise it in the top 30 lists.

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