Books have inspired movies since the dawn of cinema. And, films adapted from books are surprisingly more successful than original screenplays. You will be stunned to find out that 70% of some of the world’s highest-grossing films are based on books. The best filmmakers can tweak some elements in books while still maintaining their authenticity. No small feat!
Many authors like Stephen King provide a plethora of excellently adapted big hits and classics. And superstar directors like Stephen Spielberg are gifted with the craft of turning well-loved literary pieces into blockbusters. If you love film adaptations, you must check out this list of the best book-to-movie adaptations. Perhaps, you might find that one of your favorite movies was originally a book!
The Harry Potter Franchise
The first Harry Potter novel debuted in 1997. Written by British author J.K. Rowling, it told the story of a young wizard named Harry Potter and his friends as they battled between good and evil while also juggling other coming-of-age issues. It has become one of the most much-loved franchises.
Due to its success, the novels were adapted for movies, with its first adaptation in 2001. Critics praised the film for sticking to the source material, and it gradually improved with each sequel. The casting of the movies’ characters also played a critical role in the movie’s success. Actors like Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson excellently brought the main characters to life with a supporting cast of experienced actors, including Alan Rickman as Severus Snape and Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid.
The Devil Wears Prada
The Devil Wears Prada is the 2006 hit movie based on a bestselling book by Lauren Weisberger. It is also regarded as one of the few movie adaptations better than the literary work.
One of the reasons this movie is still a fan favorite today is its stellar main and supporting casts. Anne Hathaway plays Andy Sachs, a fresh graduate and aspiring journalist. Unfortunately, she only manages to secure an interview with a well-known fashion magazine headed by the she-demon Miranda Priestly (played by Meryl Streep).
The movie also provides depth and layers to the characters, even those described as antagonists. In the novel, Andi is portrayed as the hero, and readers root and understand her. However, although she is the hero in the movie, viewers understand Miranda (presumably the villain) because of the additional layers given to explain her behavior and character.
Dracula
What’s the first thing that comes to your mind when you think of vampires? It’s probably Dracula. Or, for much younger readers, it could be Edward Cullen from another popular book-to-movie adaptation called Twilight. However, Dracula remains the original fictional vampire first introduced in Bram Stoker’s 1897 literary masterpiece, Dracula. The most remarkable thing about Stoker’s book is that it still inspires countless adaptations.
There are several adaptations of this classic novel, and many Dracula actors have graced the screens over the years. The original Dracula movie, played by Bela Lugosi, premiered in 1927. To this day, many people attribute Dracula’s characterization and physical looks to Lugosi. The movie is over 90 years old and is still a well-liked classic horror film.
The Shawshank Redemption
The Shawshank Redemption is one of the best movie adaptations from Stephen King’s writing, and surprisingly it is not a horror book. Based on his novella, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, it might be one of the most popular adaptations ever. King’s brilliant storytelling is strong enough to draw readers in, even if it is outside his known genre of specialty. The movie adaptation of The Shawshank Redemption does the same. It is an outstanding piece of top-quality cinema and is one of the best movies of the 90s. Perhaps the best thing about this movie was its cast.
Most fans of the film readily agree that Morgan Freeman’s narration throughout the movie helped them fully immerse themselves and feel the emotions the characters faced in the movies. The movie also fully develops the budding relationship between the main character Andy Dufresne (played by Tim Robbins) and Freeman’s character Red while in jail, which fans loved. Most fans say that the movie adaptation of King’s novella was like a breath of fresh air and reassurance that there are beautiful moments in the most difficult of lives.
The Help
The Help is one of the best-written history books of all time. Like its 2011 movie adaptation, it can inspire conversations on race and make an impact. Set in the 1960s, the book tells the story of two black maids in Jackson, Mississippi, in white households, and how they deal with blatant racism. The movie adaptation of this book was critically acclaimed. Octavia Spencer, who played one of the main characters in the movie, won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in 2012.
The Lord of the Rings
In 1954, author J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic The Lord of the Rings sold more than 100 million copies, thereby changing the world of fantasy. His book also birthed several generations of fans and is still relevant today! Adapting this book into a movie was no easy task and amazingly managed to satisfy passionate fans’ expectations.
Audiences were introduced to an expansive and well-crafted world and epic that had never been seen before. With more successful sequels coming in, the movie adaptation of The Lord of the Rings earned nearly $3 billion in box office sales! It also won over 250 awards, of which 17 were Oscars. Since the first movie’s release in 2001, Tolkien’s books have been more popular. During that time, 50 million extra copies were sold, and it is regarded as the third best-selling novel of all time.
Many other amazing movie adaptations visualize stellar literary pieces that this article could not cover. Be sure to check them out.
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