Adapting books to film is a fascinating bridge between two artistic mediums, a popular way to recruit readers and introduce relatively unknown authors to a wider audience. It’s also an easy way for movie productions to efficiently write successful screenplays and potentially expand those paperback-bound universes.
Be that as it may, readers love seeing Hollywood adaptations of classic stories come to life and tearing them apart to compare. Isn’t it part of our upbringing: watching the movie adaptation of that book you didn’t read the night before a test? This is a list of the best book-to-movie adaptations that have wowed audiences and whose quality matches the majesty of the source material.
Updated November 24, 2022: If you enjoy book-to-movie adaptations, you’ll be pleased to know that we’ve updated this article with additional content and assets.
9/9 Requiem for a Dream (2000)
Requiem for a dream was originally a novel written by Hubert Selby Jr. released in 1978. Selby planned to adapt his novel into a movie and wrote his own screenplay for years before it would be picked up by Darren Aronofsky, who was a fan of his work at the time. Aronofsky said in a 2000 interview with Lounge that the idea of addiction and hope fascinated him: “I thought it was an idea we hadn’t seen on film and I wanted to bring it to the big screen.” Although Aronofsky had a slightly different vision for the film by wanting a younger cast, most of Selby’s ideas remained in the finished screenplay written by Aronofsky. Requiem for a dream premiered in May 2000 and starred Ellen Burstyn, Jared Leto and Jennifer Connelly.
8/9 Dune (2021)
Dune is a 1965 science fiction series written by Frank Herbert. As the world’s best-selling science fiction novel, Dune has endured several attempts at film adaptation since its inception. The most recent incarnation released in 2021, starring Timothée Chalamet and directed by Denis Villeneuve, a devoted fan of the series. Villeneuve’s adaptation is the most positively received interpretation. The audience takes up only half of the novel, eagerly awaiting the end of this creeping desert battle. The sequel is expected to be released in late 2023.
7/9 The Radiant (1980)
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Based on Stephen King’s 1977 novel, The shining was one of many adaptations of King’s novels that paved the way for modern horror. Directed by Stanley Kubrick and starring Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall and Scatman Crothers, the film received disappointing reviews in 1980, but reached cult status after several years. King himself was not a fan of the film, saying it fell short of his own intentions for the story, but he acknowledged Kubrick’s strong presence in the film. His disdain for Kubrick’s film led King to write and produce another miniseries of his story in 1997. In 2019, a sequel titled doctor sleep, intended to be a closer adaptation of King’s 2013 novel sequel and a homage to Kubrick’s 1980 film.
6/9 Silver Linings Playbook (2012)
Based on Matthew Quick’s 2008 novel, Silver Linings Playbook was directed by David O. Russell and released in 2012. Featuring an all-star cast and part of Russell’s directing prime, the film was well received and praised for its performances by Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper. The rights to the book were acquired before its publication, therefore the development of the film began immediately with its release. There are many notable differences between the novel and the movie, perhaps due to Russell’s 20-something rewrites of the script.
5/9 Room (2015)
Based on Emma Donoghue’s critically acclaimed 2010 novel, the adaptation, Room, was released in 2015 to equal acclaim. Directed by Lenny Abrahamson and starring Brie Larson, the screenplay was also written by Donoghue before the publication of her novel. After many rejected offers from Donoghue, Abrahamson caught her attention after sending her a ten-page letter in appreciation of her work and desire for an adjustment (via Rolling stone). After working on the screenplay with Abarahamson, Donoghue became the film’s executive producer, helping with location scouting and preserving the integrity of her story. The film won several awards and was nominated for four Academy Awards, considered one of the best films of the year.
4/9 Call Me By Your Name (2017)
Call me by your name was released in 2017 and directed by Luca Guadagnino. It stars Timothée Chalamet and Armie Hammer. Based on André Aciman’s 2007 novel, producers Peter Spears and Howard Rosenman read an early draft of the novel before its publication and immediately sought the rights to adapt it. After years of development – hell – the movie finally came to fruition and received critical acclaim upon release. Aciman even said the screenplay was better than the novel. Since the intended sequel came to an abrupt halt, many fans have turned to the books for a continuation of Elio’s story.
3/9 Jurassic Park (1993)
Who can forget Michael Crichton’s legendary novel, which he helped adapt to the big screen with the help of acclaimed screenwriter David Koepp? And given his blockbuster success before 1993, it’s no surprise that Steven Spielberg took the reins directing this hugely successful thriller that spawned sequels, spin-offs, and more. We all know the storyline of Jurassic Park: Advances in science and technology allow a mogul (Richard Attenborough) to create an island full of living dinosaurs. He invites certain dinosaur experts (Sam Neill, Laura Dern, Jeff Goldblum), along with his two grandchildren, to join him in Jurassic Park. But things certainly don’t go according to plan. The franchise’s latest films haven’t been the best, but the 1993 smash hit remains timeless.
2/9 The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
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Silence of the lambs is a psychological horror released in 1991 based on the novel by Thomas Harris published in 1988. It was directed by Johnathan Demme and stars Jodie Foster as Clarice Starling. Considered one of the greatest films of all time, Demme’s adaptation has spawned a sequel and two prequels. The screenwriter, Ted Tally, was “shocked” by how quickly shooting started after writing his first draft of the script. After its premiere on Valentine’s Day in 1991, the film gradually gained popularity and received critical acclaim. A new series titled Clarice was released in 2021 as a sequel to the film.
1/9 Apocalypse Now (1979)
Apocalypse now was first released in 1979 as an unfinished movie inspired by Joseph Conrad’s novel, Heart of Darkness. At the time of the film’s release, it was believed that no one could properly adapt Conrad’s novel to the cinema, this was a challenge that screenwriter John Milius decided to take on. The film was directed by Francis Ford Coppola and stars Martin Sheen and Marlon Brando. Upon its premature release, the film was heavily criticized by critics and audiences, despite a polished film still being worked on. Most of the criticism focused on Coppola’s take on Conrad’s story. The film differs greatly from the novel, being set during the Vietnam War rather than 19th century Africa. Differences aside, the film kept the unifying theme the same and gave it more relevance to its modern audience. Praise for the film eventually grew after it was completed and was cited by critics as one of the greatest films of all time.