The Best Books Made into Films

A woman poses with a film clapper board.

Ah, yes, the age-old debate: ‘What’s better, the film or the book?’. This question has had bookworms and movie-buffs at each other’s throats since cinema began. But, we’re sorry to say that we’re not here to put an end to the arguing. While you can’t beat a good novel, we’re strong believers that cinematic adaptations can absolutely do justice to their source materials, visualising settings and dialogue in new ways previously not thought possible.

What’s more, cinema has worked hard to make certain stories more accessible to a wider audience, helping to elevate the impact that books can have (and the lessons they can teach us) through visual media. So, in that respect, the relationship between books and films is symbiotic if you ask us.

In this blog, we highlight a handful of examples where film adaptations have well and truly heightened a story. Read on to find out our top 5 picks.

1. Pride and Prejudice, Jane Austen

Up first is Jane Austen’s 1813 novel, Pride and Prejudice. Practically written for the stage (or screen), the rich characters and dynamic relationships in Austen’s novel lend themselves so well to dramatisation. As such, there have been plenty of adaptations of this work. However, arguably the most successful and prolific was Joe Wright’s 2005 version starring Keira Knightley and Matthew Macfadyen.

This version used an iconic soundtrack and lots (and lots) of pathetic fallacy to really amp up Mr Darcy’s brooding character in contrast to the brightly-coloured Bennet family. Renowned for its drawn-out romantic tension and stunning cinematography, this adaptation brought this classic novel to the masses as a timeless, dramatic tale of misconstrued love.

2. Jurassic Park, Michael Crichton

Only the die-hard fans of Jurassic Park will know that it was actually a book first. That’s right, before Stephen Spielberg’s 1993 adaptation saw lifelike animatronics grace our screens, the dinosaurs were safely trapped between pages.

Acclaimed sci-fi and thriller writer, Michael Crichton, actually wrote a series of novels about the Jurassic period, the first of which was back in 1990. The film was absolutely groundbreaking for its time, using Crichton’s impressive plot as a launching-off point; it made great (dinosaur-sized) strides in the use of both animatronics and CGI on screen.

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Christmas Books to Get You in the Festive Spirit

What better way to celebrate the festive season than by cosying up with a good book? Whether you usually prefer classical literature, thrillers that keep you on the edge of your seat, or dramatic romances, we can all agree that nothing truly beats a Christmas read.

Often taking us back to childhood with nostalgia running through their pages, Christmas books have a different feel to them than regular reads. That being said, we’ve tried our best to harness some of that Christmas spirit with 5 recommended reads below.

1. A Christmas Carol, Charles Dickens (1843)

We simply have to begin with the timeless Christmas classic that no list of festive books would be complete without: A Christmas Carol.

Made into countless plays, films, and other media over the years, this well and truly is the ultimate Christmas read. Despite its modern renditions, though, we cannot help but insist on a return to the original 1843 novel.

A beautiful, educational tale of kindness, generosity, and redemption, this book not only feels like Christmas in its wintry description, but it teaches readers about the true meaning of Christmas too. With lovable characters and warming lessons, curl up with A Christmas Carol this December.

2. The Polar Express, Chris Van Allsburg (1985)

Skipping forward over 100 years, we’ve chosen a more modern classic Christmas book for the next contender on our list – The Polar Express.

As a result of the success of the 2004 film version, very few people actually know that this story first warmed the public’s hearts in the form of a book. While both the film and the book follow the same charming storyline, we strongly suggest that you give the short novel a read as the prose captures perfectly the themes of childhood excitement and wonder. Another reason to read the book is its breathtaking illustrations – from the train itself to the scenes with Father Christmas.

Following a young boy’s journey aboard a train to the North Pole, this story, like A Christmas Carol, reminds its readers to keep their faith in Christmas and the spirit of giving – no matter their age.

3. How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Dr. Seuss (1957)

Up next, we simply have to include Dr Seuss’s famous Grinch work on our list if we are to truly tick all the boxes for feel-good, joyous, Christmas reads. This modern classic has been etched into our collective consciousness by Jim Carrey’s fabulous portrayal of the disgruntled green character. And, yet, the book itself, like The Polar Express, has so much to give on its own.

As the perfect antidote to the materialism and tendency for over-consumption at Christmas, this book playfully enlightens its readers – children and adults alike – to relocate the true meaning of Christmas in human connection and community in a highly imaginative way.

4. The Christmas Chronicles, Nigel Slater (2017)

Up next, we’re switching genres completely and recommending a recipe book with an indulgent, intimate style, conjuring up images of roast dinners and fir trees.

The Christmas Chronicles by well-known chef, Nigel Slater, is perfect for anyone looking for the perfect combination of festivity, recipes, personal memoirs, and heartwarming stories. Worlds apart from large-scale didactic works like A Christmas Carol, Slater’s book uniquely blends a series of mouth-watering recipes with fables and reflections on the Christmas season to provide a cosy guide to wintertime.

To give you an indication as to the feel of this book, we thought it better to quote Slater himself. He says, \”The simple act of making someone something to eat, even a bowl of soup or a loaf of bread, has a many-layered meaning. It suggests an act of protection and caring, of generosity and intimacy. It is in itself a sign of respect.\” Just like Slater’s take on making bread, this book itself has a \”many-layered meaning\” offering something different to everyone who reads it.

5. Little Women, Louisa May Alcott (1868-9)

Lastly, we return to another all-time classic to complete or list. Although not distinctly ‘about’ Christmas, this coming-of-age novel is shrouded in festivity. Being set at Christmas time, this touching story unfolds against a background of red and green – making it the perfect read for the holiday season.

Similarly to A Christmas Carol, this novel unpacks what it means to be kind, exploring human connections and generosity as Christmas stories so often do. If you long for the nostalgia of your childhood Christmases, this book can take you right back there in just a few pages. Telling how the children awake in the early morning to see their stockings, this book captures the joy and comfort we gain from tradition.

3. The Godfather, Mario Puzo

It’s safe to say that if you asked most people to picture The Godfather, they could easily describe the yellow writing with the puppet strings and brooding picture of Marlon Brando against a dark background. It’s an iconic cover for an iconic film. But, like all of the titles on this list, it was actually a book first.

Before Francis Ford Coppola directed the now cult classic 1972 adaptation, G. P. Putnam’s Sons came up with the story in novel form in 1969. With characters as intense and charismatic as Don Vito Corleone, the film version certainly had its work cut out for it in order to match up to the heights of the book. However, Coppola pulled out all the stops to curate an epic mafia saga with power, family, and loyalty at the centre of its drama.

A dramatic portrait recreating Marlon Brando's portrayal of Don Vito Corleone.

4. The Lord of the Rings, J.R.R. Tolkien

For readers everywhere, The Lord of the Rings stands as a giant in modern literature. Published in 1954, this monumental fantasy epic tracks a tumultuous journey through Middle-earth, where readers meet an assortment of friendly and fierce folk along the way — from hobbits and elves to dwarves and trolls.

Captivating readers of all ages for generations, the core themes of friendship, bravery, and the ultimate struggle between good and evil lie at the centre of the narrative.

In 2001, Peter Jackson took on the enormous task of adapting this saga for the screen and The Fellowship of the Ring was born, shortly followed by The Two Towers (2002), and The Return of the King (2003). With breathtaking visuals and groundbreaking special effects, Jackson’s adaptation, like Spielberg’s Jurassic Park, elevated the settings and characters in the book to new heights, visualising them in a way readers never thought possible.

A recreation of the ring from The Lord of the Rings.

5. The Colour Purple, Alice Walker

Last, but by no means least, we have Alice Walker’s 1982 novel The Colour Purple.

A heartfelt and deeply moving tale, The Colour Purple is an eye-opening coming-of-age story about Cecile, a young black woman, and her endurance against abuse at the hands of her male family members.

This is an interesting entry on our list because, unlike the other adaptations above, the first visual rendition of Walker’s story was not met with a positive response by audiences.

Stephen Spielberg took this story to the screen in 1985, it was largely criticised by readers of Walker who deemed it a sugar-coated version of a hard-hitting story. Since then, however, this novel has captivated audiences in a visual format hundreds of times over, with dramatic productions being put on aplenty.

Most recently, however, a new take on The Colour Purple came in the form of Ghanaian filmmaker, Blitz Bazawule’s, 2023 adaptation. Using popular black actors from modern hit television series and films, Bazawule brought Walker’s original narrative to a whole new generation in a vibrant and bold film.

The final credits

Whether you prefer to grab your popcorn and put your feet up for a film or you’d rather cosy up by the fire with a classic novel, there are hundreds of books and film adaptations out there to explore.

If you’re keen to add more titles to your TBR (‘to be read’ list), we’ve got you covered. Keep up with the Victoria Freudenheim blog or browse through our latest and top-rated reviews for some bookish inspiration.