There’s something special about watching a story you’ve read come alive in a movie—it’s always fascinating to see how it’s portrayed on screen.
One of the best parts is when the movie reveals something new or offers a fresh perspective, even if you know the book inside and out.
And it’s safe to say that those moments of discovery make adaptations so intriguing.
So, here’s a look at 11 films that started as books and became memorable on screen.
1. Emma (2020)
In Autumn de Wilde’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s Emma, Anya Taylor-Joy plays Emma Woodhouse, a young woman who believes she has a talent for matchmaking.
Confident that she knows what’s best for everyone, Emma’s attempts to pair up her friends, including Harriet (played by Mia Goth), often lead to unintended consequences.
Along the way, she receives advice from the charming Mr. Knightley (Johnny Flynn) and experiences one of the most socially awkward picnics imaginable, which begins to show her that she might not always be right.
Alexandra Byrne’s stunning costume design highlights the film’s journey of self-discovery. At the same time, the beautiful cinematography by de Wilde and Christopher Blauvelt brings the charm of Austen’s novel to the screen.
2. Room (2015)
Room, directed by Lenny Abrahamson, brings Emma Donoghue’s 2010 novel to the screen with heart-wrenching intensity.
The story centers on Joy (Brie Larson), a young mother held captive in a small room, where she raises her son Jack (Jacob Tremblay), who was born as a result of her abduction.
Their eventual escape marks only the beginning, as Jack experiences the outside world for the first time, and Joy struggles to reclaim her life while dealing with deep emotional scars.
Larson’s Oscar-winning performance powerfully conveys the raw emotion of their journey, making Room one of the most compelling movies based on books. It beautifully captures the pain and resilience at the heart of the story.
3. The Hunger Games (2012)
Suzanne Collins’s dystopian world is vividly brought to the screen in The Hunger Games, directed by Gary Ross.
The story is set in a future where the Capitol controls the districts with an iron fist, forcing each to send a boy and a girl to participate in the deadly, televised Hunger Games.
When her younger sister is chosen, Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawrence) takes her place, entering the arena alongside fellow tribute Peeta Mellark. As they navigate the life-or-death challenges, Katniss’s skills as an archer become crucial.
The Hunger Games is a prime example of how movies from books can bring a beloved story to a wider audience, as it shows the harsh realities of this dystopian world through Katniss’s eyes.
4. Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy (2011)
Adapted from John le Carré’s 1974 novel, Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy is one of the best movies based on novels. And it’s set in the tense world of Cold War espionage.
Directed by Tomas Alfredson, this BAFTA-winning film follows George Smiley (Gary Oldman) as he leads a covert investigation to identify a Soviet mole within British intelligence.
The story, inspired by the real-life Cambridge Five—a group of K.G.B. moles recruited at Cambridge University—features a remarkable cast including Colin Firth, Benedict Cumberbatch, Tom Hardy, and Kathy Burke.
Without a doubt, this movie wouldn’t be what it is without the cast—they truly bring the intricate and suspenseful narrative to life, which makes this adaptation all the more gripping.
5. The Handmaiden (2016)
Park Chan-wook’s adaptation of Sarah Waters’ novel Fingersmith, retitled The Handmaiden, brilliantly relocates the story from Victorian England to 1930s Japanese-occupied Korea.
In this gripping thriller, we follow Sook-hee, a young pickpocket who gets roped into a scheme to con a wealthy heiress, Lady Hideko. Posing as her handmaiden, Sook-hee works alongside a conman masquerading as a Japanese Count with plans to steal Lady Hideko’s fortune.
But as the plot thickens, unexpected twists lead to a web of deception, romance, and betrayal that keeps you guessing at every turn.
Known for pushing boundaries, Park Chan-wook draws viewers into his visually stunning and sensually charged world, where suspense builds with each scene, making it impossible to look away.
6. The Personal History of David Copperfield (2019)
Armando Iannucci’s 2019 adaptation of Charles Dickens’s The Personal History of David Copperfield brings to life one of the most captivating tales in English literature.
As one of the many beloved movies that are based on books, the film stars Dev Patel as the young orphan David, who, time and again, overcomes his hardships and comes out stronger.
Along the way, David meets a cast of memorable characters—from the endlessly optimistic Mr. Micawber to the tough yet caring Aunt Betsey Trotwood—each of whom leaves a lasting impression on his journey.
The movie is a joy to watch. It offers a fresh, engaging take on a classic story, and its stellar cast includes Tilda Swinton, Hugh Laurie, Peter Capaldi, and Ben Whishaw.
7. The Shining (1980)
Stanley Kubrick’s adaptation of Stephen King’s The Shining is a cornerstone of the horror genre.
The film tells the story of Jack Torrance (Jack Nicholson), a writer who works as the winter caretaker at the remote Overlook Hotel, only to find his sanity unraveling under the influence of supernatural forces.
Kubrick’s precise direction, combined with Nicholson’s unforgettable performance, has turned The Shining into one of the most chilling movies based on novels.
Just as you’d expect, the movie delves deep into themes of madness, isolation, and the supernatural—it even continues to unsettle audiences today.
8. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (2011)
The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo is a gripping thriller adapted from Stieg Larsson’s novel.
The story follows journalist Mikael Blomkvist as he is hired to investigate the decades-old disappearance of Harriet Vanger, the niece of a wealthy industrialist.
Blomkvist teams up with Lisbeth Salander, a skilled but troubled hacker with a dark past, to dig deep into the mystery.
As they peel back the layers of the investigation, they uncover a sinister and intricate conspiracy within the Vanger family.
Along the way, the pair face numerous dangers, exposing long-buried secrets and confronting deep-rooted injustice and corruption in their relentless pursuit of the truth.
There’s no denying that the story’s premise makes the adaptation outstanding, as it captures the intensity and complexity of the original story.
9. Little Women (2019)
Greta Gerwig followed up her acclaimed debut, Lady Bird (2017), with a fresh adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women.
Inspired by Alcott’s own life and her bond with her three sisters, the film follows the March daughters as they explore their passions and navigate the complexities of love.
Gerwig’s modern touch, alongside the film’s faithful portrayal of 19th-century America—an effort that earned it an Oscar for costume design—makes it one of the best movies based on a book.
Amazingly, the cast breathes new life into the story, making it as relevant today as it was when first written.
10. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest (1975)
Adapted from Ken Kesey’s groundbreaking novel, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a powerful movie based on a book, and it explores the clash between individuality and institutional authority.
Jack Nicholson delivers an unforgettable performance as Randle McMurphy, a rebellious criminal who feigns insanity to avoid hard labor, only to find himself locked in a mental institution.
Inside, he challenges the tyrannical rule of Nurse Ratched, one of cinema’s most infamous villains, whose cold and controlling nature drives much of the film’s tension.
Despite the movie’s critical and commercial success—it’s one of the few films to win all five major Academy Awards—the author, Ken Kesey, was famously displeased with the adaptation.
Kesey even refused to watch the whole film, which shows just how tricky it can be to turn a book into a movie.
11. To Kill a Mockingbird (1962)
Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel To Kill a Mockingbird was adapted into an impactful film in 1962.
Gregory Peck plays Atticus Finch, a lawyer in 1930s Alabama who takes on the difficult task of defending a Black man falsely accused of rape.
Through the eyes of his young daughter, Scout, we see the harsh realities of racial injustice and the courage it takes to do what’s right.
Peck’s performance brought Atticus to life as a symbol of integrity and fairness, a portrayal that still resonates today.
With its vivid storytelling, this adaptation remains a strong reminder of the moral challenges people faced during that era.
P.S. We think you’d love our list of the best 60’s movies!
The Magic of Movies Based on Books
Seeing how filmmakers bring our favorite books to life is always a treat. These 11 movies have taken stories we’ve held dear and made them unforgettable on screen.
With every adaptation, there’s something new to discover, a fresh way to connect with characters we thought we knew.
We’re sure you’d agree this proves that great stories, whether on the page or the screen, always find a way to stick with us.
So, which of these adaptations will you be adding to your watchlist?
