untitled design

30 TV and movie adaptations that did the books justice

Over the last few years we have seen a growing trend to create tapes inspired by blockbuster books or that tell a very peculiar story. Although there are original productions written for the sole purpose of being brought to the big screen, the latest critically acclaimed films have been based on literary works.

Although Hollywood is not always right when adapting a book to the cinema -see The Goldfinch O Fifty Shades Of Grey-, on multiple occasions they have created masterpieces that faithfully represent what the writer wanted to convey with his work. These are the best examples.

1. Lord Of The Rings

Lord Of The Rings

The tapes are based on the books by JRR Tolkien and tell the adventures of a young man hobbit named Frodo and his eight companions on their journey to Mount Doom to destroy the One Ring, which belongs to the dark lord Sauron.

2. No Country For Old Men

No Country For Old Men

Based on the book by Cormac McCarthy. It tells how a hunter’s life takes a drastic turn when he finds two million dollars, causing a murderous psychopath to try to hunt him down to get the money back.

3. The Life Of Pi

The Life Of Pi

Based on the novel by Yann Martel. It tells the story of Pi Patel, a young man who must find a way to survive in a boat in the middle of the ocean, but his chances are affected when he is accompanied by a Bengal tiger and a hyena.

4. Schindler’s List

Schindler's List

This 1993 film is based on the biographical novel by Thomas Keneally. It tells about Oskar Schindler, a German businessman trying to save hundreds of Jewish children during WWII.

5. Trainspotting

Trainspotting

Black comedy based on the book by Irvine Welsh that tells the story of Renton, a drug addict who tries to straighten out his path and start a new life by moving to London. However, his friends will try to take him back to the world of vices.

6. The Shawshank Redemption

The Shawshank Redemption

Based on the novel by Stephen King. It tells about Andy Dufresne, a successful banker who is arrested for the murder of his wife and her lover and is sentenced to the maximum penalty inside Shawshank prison.

7. A Clockwork Orange

A Clockwork Orange

1971 film based on the novel by Anthony Burgess that tells the story of Alex, a psychopathic criminal who is arrested for murder and rape, for which he is subjected to experimental therapy, which will have unexpected results.

8. Fight Club

Fight Club

Directed by David Fincher. This film is based on the novel by Chuck Palahniuk and talks about a middle class sleepwalker who is unhappy with life until he meets Tyler, a soap salesman who invites him to be part of a dangerous project.

9. To Kill A Mockingbird

To Kill A Mockingbird

Based on the novel by Harper Lee. It tells the story of Atticus Finch, a lawyer who is determined to defend an African American man who is accused of raping a white woman during the time of the Great Depression.

10. Little Women

Little Women

2019 film based on Louisa May Alcott’s hit novel about the March sisters and the search for their destiny. Jo wants to be a writer, Amy studies art in Paris, Meg wants to find love and Beth is passionate about music.

11. American Psycho

American Psycho

Film based on the novel by Bret Easton Ellis. It tells the story of Patrick Bateman, an upper-class investor who hides his psychopathic persona until his dark fantasies escalate to the point of committing gruesome crimes.

12. Winter’s Bone

Winter's Bone

Drama based on the novel by Daniel Woodrell. It tells the story of a teenage girl who lives in the Ozark Mountains and who must take care of her little brothers when her father mysteriously disappears, forcing her to search for him among violent and suspicious inhabitants.

13. The Social Network

The Social Network

Biographical tape based on the book by Ben Mezrich that tells the story of Mark Zuckerberg, his introverted and pretentious personality during his years at Harvard and the peers who led him to create the largest social network in the world: Facebook.

14. True Grit

True Grit

Based on the novel by Charles Portis. This film tells the story of a 14-year-old girl who hires a retired soldier to help her find her father’s murderer. Along the way, a Texan bounty hunter joins them on a journey filled with violence, adventure, and danger.

15. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy

Thriller inspired by John le Carré’s book. He tells us about a retired spy who is sent on behalf of the American government to investigate an important case while rumors spread about a Soviet agent infiltrating his system, which could complicate things and ruin the mission.

16. The Hunger Games

The Hunger Games

Tapes based on the novels created by Suzanne Collins. They tell the story of Katniss Everdeen, a young woman who changes the course of her life and of all the people around her when she enters as a volunteer in a tournament to the death that seeks the entertainment of the richest and the suffering of those who have less.

17. Gone Girl

Gone Girl

Film based on the novel by Gillian Flynn about Nick Dunne, a man who finds himself in the middle of a media scandal when his wife Amy mysteriously disappears, starting a series of rumors and lies that will be difficult to unmask.

18. Carol

Carol

Based on the novel by Patricia Highsmith. This film tells the story of Therese Belivet, a girl who works in a department store in Manhattan where she meets the beautiful Carol, awakening an attraction that will be difficult to handle.

19. The Handmaiden

The Handmaiden

Psychological thriller based on the novel by Sarah Waters about a Korean man who, with the help of an orphan maid, plans an elaborate hoax to try to seduce a Japanese woman, with the sole purpose of stealing her inheritance.

20. Arrival

Arrival

This film is inspired by the story by Ted Chiang about Louise Banks, a linguistics expert who, together with a team, must interpret the language of aliens who have arrived on Earth in a mysterious spaceship.

21. Pride and Prejudice

Pride And Prejudice

Romance inspired by Jane Austen’s novel. Mrs. Bennet insists that her daughters find rich husbands to settle down with. When a wealthy bachelor begins living close to her, her daughters’ lives will change forever.

22. Call Me by Your Name

Call Me By Your Name

Based on the novel by André Aciman. The story is set in 1983 and tells about a young man named Elio Perlman who lives a full summer in his family’s villa in Italy. In this city she meets Oliver and both discover the attraction they feel for each other.

23. We Need to Talk About Kevin

We Need To Talk About Kevin

Inspired by the novel by Lionel Shriver. It tells the story of Eva Khatchadourian, a travel publicist who gives up her bohemian lifestyle and free to dedicate herself to being a mother, but her plans take a dark turn when her son behaves strangely.

24. The Great Gatsby

The Great Gatsby

Dramatic romance based on the novel by F. Scott Fitzgerald that tells about Nick Carraway, a young World War I veteran who moves to New York in the hope of success and where he meets the quirky and mysterious Jay Gatsby.

25. Inherent Vice

Inherent Vice

Based on the novel by Thomas Pynchon. It tells the story of Doc, a private investigator who receives a visit from his former girlfriend, who suspects that his current lover’s wife plans to lock him up in an asylum. Doc takes the case in hopes of discovering the truth.

26. Lady Macbeth

Lady Macbeth

Inspired by the novel by Nikolai Leskov. This dramatic film tells the story of Katherine, a woman married to a wealthy businessman, who is forced to spend her days alone until she meets a passionate man who makes her doubt what is right or wrong.

27. Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Can You Ever Forgive Me?

Film based on the memoirs of Lee Israel that tells the story of a celebrity biographer who resorts to creating letter forgeries in an attempt to make money after her career starts to get complicated.

28. Anna Karenina

Anna Karenina

Based on the novel by Leo Tolstoy. He tells us about Anna Karenina, a married aristocrat with a son, who meets Count Vronsky while visiting her brother. The attraction they feel will lead them down a path of anguish and tragedy.

29. BlacKkKlansman

Blackkklansman

Biographical tape based on the memoirs of Ron Stallworth, the first African-American detective in Colorado, who is assigned to the dangerous mission of infiltrating and exposing the Ku Klux Klan group, alongside his partner Flip Zimmerman.

30. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo

Psychological thriller based on the novels by Stieg Larsson. It tells the story of Mikael Blomkvist, a writer who hires Lisbeth Salander, a hacker experienced, to solve the mystery of a woman who has been missing for more than forty years.

You may also like

Get the latest

Stay Informed: Get the Latest Updates and Insights

 

Most popular