They say that the book is always better than the movie and that holds true most of the time. That made us wonder what are the best movies that were based on books. Keep reading to find out our unique selection.
Choosing just ten was a hard task but we believe that we have gotten the best movies inspired by books. Not everyone’s favorite movie is going to make the list. These are personal preferences and every movie here felt like it deserved its spot.
The Ten Best Movies Based on Books
- The Godfather
- Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
- The Wolf of Wall Street
- Forrest Gump
- Jurassic Park
- The Lord of the Rings
- Fight Club
- American Psycho
- Holes
Classics That Deserved to Be on the List
The Godfather is considered the one of the greatest movies of all time if not the greatest. The book that inspired it is also very good and should be read by anyone that is a fan of the movie. That is not likely going to happen but the devout fans have something else to look forward to after watching the movies.
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is an amazing movie and Johnny Depp made it into an iconic one. Great acting can make a good book into a great movie and millions of people feel the same way. Another movie that became a classic because of great acting was American Psycho. Christian Bale made the movie what it is and while it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, it is still a great movie.
Amazing Franchises and Stand Alone Movies
Some of the biggest franchises have also been based off of books. The Harry Potter franchise, the Jurassic Park franchise, and The Lord of the Rings are some of the biggest earners in Hollywood. All three of them gave garnered over billions of dollars and are beloved by millions.
There have also been amazing movies that weren’t franchises. Fight Club is an amazing book and the movie is just as good. It changed a few things but the acting and the script was phenomenal. Another movie that surpassed any expectations is Forrest Gump. The acting by Tom Hanks was as good as it can get and made this movie into a classic.
Lastly, the movie that I feel like deserves a lot more recognition and respect is Holes. The movie makes is true to the novel and the cast fits the characters in the book. The writers made the two timelines in the book work effortlessly. The movie has resonated with me through the years and while it may not make other lists, it is going to be included on my list.
Conclusion
What movie that was adapted from a book do you think should have made the list? Should older classics have been included on this list? Let us know in the comments below!
I fully agree w you about Holes. I watched the movie first but when I realized it was based on a book by Sachar I knew I had to read it. It did not disappoint.
How do you compare the 2 Charlie n the chocolate factory movies? I enjoyed the Depp one more as his Wonka was more like how Dahl had written him.
I think you left out quite a few movies! Gone With The Wind, The Grapes of Wrath, the new All Quiet on the Western Front, To Kill a Mockingbird, Pappion, Remains of the Day,The Wizard of Oz….. shall I go on?? Guess you are not a classic movie aficionado! Very male dominated list there. Get some feminist views next time you make a list to make it count.
I’ll make a second list to include these books. I generally don’t try to think about male/female books and just make the list based on the research that I do.
I’m so sorry To Kill a Mockingbird missed this list.
No Doctor Zhivago discredits the entire list.
Holes – great choice. Patrcia Arquette was to die for in that.
Hunt for Red October should be on this list. Both the book and the movie are great.
The Accidental Tourist
The exorcist by William Peter blatty was a great book and the movie was a smash nit
Excellent examples from a few neglected genres:
Ben Hur
The Maltese Falcon
The Day of the Jackal
SHE WHO MUST BE OBEYED should also make the list.
Dr. Zhivago
Seriously? Not Schindler’s List?!
No SILENCE OF THE LAMBS? with the FIVE MAIN OSCARS?! Think it again.