When it comes to films or books, we all have our personal preferences, and often our favourite films have been adapted from a brilliant book that was simply too good to leave to our imaginations. But which of these books have been transformed into the best adaptations?
From fantasy worlds to period dramas, there is something on this list that is sure to pique your interest. Here are the top 10 book to movie adaptations according to Goodreads.
10. The Silence of the Lambs (Hannibal Lecter, #2) by Thomas Harris
The Silence of the Lambs follows serial killer ‘Buffalo Bill’ who has been capturing and starving women, then murdering and skinning them. FBI rookie Clarice Starling is brought onboard to solicit help from imprisoned psychopath Dr Hannibal ‘the Cannibal’ Lecter. The film was a huge cinematic success, earning critical acclaim, including a historic sweep of the ‘Big Five’ Academy Awards.
9. The Help by Kathryn Stockett
The Help tells the story of three women’s lives in Jackson, Mississippi during the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. The book is centred on Skeeter Phelan, a young white woman, Aibileen Clark, a Black maid and Minny Jackson, another Black maid, as they navigate racial tensions and the challenges of their time. The film was a box-office hit and received rave reviews.
8. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Jane Austen’s most famous book, Pride and Prejudice, follows the Bennet family, particularly Elizabeth, as they navigate the societal pressures of finding husbands in the English countryside in the 19th century. It centres on Elizabeth’s relationship with the wealthy and seemingly arrogant Mr. Darcy. It also explores other romantic interests and the complexities of class, social standing and marriage. The film stars Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen and is often praised for being the best Jane Austen adaptation.
7. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Harper Lee’s poignant story follows a young girl and her brother as they deal with the prejudice of their small town. When their father must defend a Black man who is falsely accused of rape, the children must face the harsh realities of racism. The story’s themes include morality and innocence through a young lens. The film was a massive success and starred Gregory Peck and Mary Badham.
6. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows (Harry Potter, #7) by J.K. Rowling
J.K. Rowling’s final novel was split into two halves on the big screen. Like its immediate predecessor The Half-Blood Prince, Deathly Hallows Part 1 and Part 2 have much of the DNA of classic horror; it’s filled with atmosphere, shadows and death. Once we get into the business of the Horcruxes, the themes Rowling explores here are gripping. The filmmakers saw the potential here and made the right decisions across the board to realise it.
5. The Hunger Games (The Hunger Games, #1) by Suzanne Collins
Suzanne Collin’s Hunger Games trilogy explores the post-apocalyptic nation of Panem and 16-year-old Katniss Everdeen, who lives in District 12. She volunteers to take the place of her younger sister in the annual Hunger Games, which is a televised battle to the death involving two people from each of the 12 districts. It explores themes include poverty, suppression and the effects of war. The film franchise was hugely successful and catapulted the career of Jennifer Lawrence among others.
4. The Godfather (The Godfather, #1) by Mario Puzo
Directed by Francis Ford Coppola and co-written with Mario Puzo, based on Puzo’s best-selling 1969 novel, the American epic gangster film is about Michael Corleone, the war-hero youngest son of a powerful New York crime boss, who joins the family business when his father is targeted for assassination. The film was instantly met with success upon its release and it became the highest grossing film of 1972.
3. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell
Gone with the Wind is set during the American Civil War and Reconstruction Era. It tells the story of Scarlett O’Hara, a strong-willed Southern belle who is dealing with complex relationships amidst the backdrop of a nation divided. It explores themes of love, loss, survival, and the impact of war. The film has become one of the most popular and culturally significanrt movies of all time.
2. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (Harry Potter, #1) by J.K. Rowling
Our introduction to Harry (Daniel Radcliff), Ron (Rupert Grint) and Hermione (Emma Watson) still casts a spell of classically influenced, movie enchantment more than two decades later. The first film had was a major success, becoming the highest grossing film of 2021, and the Quidditch match is still a marvel to behold.
1. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien
The Lord of the Rings story revolves around The One Ring, a powerful artifact forged by the Dark Lord Sauron, and so it becomes hobbit Frodo Baggins’ mission to destroy it. This journey, with the help of the Fellowship, is what the novels follow and is crucial in attempting to defeat Sauron and saving Middle-earth. The film was a huge critical and commercial success and it is still widley considered as one of the most influential movies ever made.