Luckily, this 2015 movie hit the right note with both science buffs looking for accuracy—could a stranded astronaut (Matt Damon) really survive on Mars?—and mainstream audiences looking for humor, complex characterizations, and gorgeous Red Planet scenery. But perhaps because screenwriter and author William Goldman adapted his own 1973 novel, it’s really hard to say which is better. It even won an award for illustration of a children's book after its release in 1985. Favorite Answer. James Bond . If you buy something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. But when I found out it was also a book, I read the shit out of it (pun intended), and it was equally as brilliant as the movie. The producers originally wanted Drive to … zachmir. avg. They made a few changes to the story so it wouldn't clash with the original movie – for example, in the book the main character's name is Joe Leland, not John McClane. Yup, this hit 1988 action movie about a cop battling terrorists actually came from the page—but the 1979 book it’s based on, Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp, features an older main character more prone to dark rumination than Bruce Willis’ livelier John McClane. The Studio Ghibli classic was actually based on a novel by British author Dianna Wynne Jones – the novel is the first in a series of three. The book’s Forrest is also a little coarser in his language and actions, but it does tell his tale with creative grammar and spelling as Forrest would have actually written it. The 30 best book to movie adaptations you'll want to watch AND read. RD.COM Arts & Entertainment Books Best Books & Must-reads. ", Based on: How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell. But it did completely eliminate one dino who figures prominently in the novel: the procompsognathus. After all, what's the point? Book lovers may be wary of heading to the theatre unless they've already at least thumbed through the original work, but we think this sentiment unwise. Based on: Forrest Gump by Winston Groom Forrest Gump the novel was not at all well-known before it became the massively successful, Oscar-winning movie. The title of the work and the year it was published are both followed by the work's author, the … In the movie, a young inventor creates a machine that actually makes it happen. Da Vinci Code. score: 112 of 327 (34%) required scores: 1, 71, 99, 124, 154 list stats leaders vote Vote print comments. Director Martin Scorsese believed the book to be the most honest portrayal of real-life gangsters he'd ever read. ), plays based on books (DANGEROUS LIAISONS), and musicals based on books which were based on other books (WICKED). It’s hard to describe the plot of this “magic realism” novel-turned-movie: Ray Kinsella (Kevin Costner) hears a voice telling him to build a baseball field in his Iowa cornfield, and what happens next explores the themes of lost dreams, childhood heroes, and healing the pain of the past. Yep, both versions of The Parent Trap were based on Lisa and Lottie, a kids book that was originally written in German. Previously editor-in-chief of Twist magazine, Donvito has also written for Parade Magazine, The New York Times, The Washington Post, and Parents Magazine online, among others. Here are 13 other movies you might not have known were based on books: Freaky Friday Freaky Friday was originally a children's book written by Mary Rodgers, but the story goes back even further than that -- the 1972 book was potentially based on a similar story written in the 1880s, titled Vice Versa. Although not as popular as King’s horror books, the novella, packaged with three others as Different Seasons, is well regarded, and three of stories have already been made into films (The Shawshank Redemption, Stand by Me, and Apt Pupil). A well-written story can take anyone on an adventure in their mind, which is part of the reason filmmakers are always looking to books for the next big movie idea. This is a list of works of children's literature that have been made into feature films. Answer Save. You might not agree with all of these movies based on books, but here are some fun family movies everyone will love. The Martian took on the task of making a lot of complicated tech talk in the novel understandable and enjoyable without sacrificing too much plot. The movie also loses the book’s flashbacks to become a tighter story, and shifts several plot arcs to focus on McClane’s relationship with his wife (in the book, it’s his daughter he’s trying to save, with different results). Have you forgotten these Oscar-winning movies actually won? Not only is the Bruce Willis Christmas classic based on a book, but Nothing Lasts Forever is actually a sequel to The Detective, which was made into a 1966 movie starring Frank Sinatra. Next, find out the 50 books to read before you turn 50. 5. Based on: Cloudy With A Chance of Meatballs by Ron and Judy Barrett. Movies. Before they were hit movies they were all bestselling novels. Here are more of the best tearjerkers for when you need an emotional release. Among book elements we’re glad the 1975 film leaves out: a Mafia subplot, an affair between Chief Brody’s wife, Ellen, and shark scientist Matt Hooper, the demise of another main character, and the lack of an explosive ending. He decided to change the story after he decided that recreating dinosaurs would be an unrealistic academic venture, and would only make sense if it came from "a desire to entertain". But there are tons of blockbuster movies out there that were based on comic books that just weren’t as generally well known as the big DC/Marvel heroes that we all know and love. PDA. "No one believes me when I tell them Forrest Gump was a book that was way out there with him going to space with a monkey and crash landing back on an island with cannibals that he has to beat at chess to escape being eaten. The movie version of Who Framed Roger Rabbit? Yet the shocking story of an underground fight club, with a twisty ending just slightly different from the book, continued to slowly gain interest; now the movie is regarded as one of the best films of the 1990s. Kinsella’s 1982 original, Shoeless Joe, but cuts out some extra characters and changes the reclusive writer from real-life Catcher in the Rye author J.D. It's actually a pretty accurate adaptation of the novel, and with the TV show Feud currently on air, now's the perfect time to read up on the story. Movies Based on Favorite Books for Grades K-5 — Now this is a fun one: a list of books for children that have movies based on them. Spielberg did it again, taking the rather outlandish, melodramatic 1974 novel by Peter Benchley and honing in on the characters and (mostly unseen) villain to create the first summer blockbuster and one of the greatest thrillers ever made. Top Movies Based on Books. Based on: Howl's Moving Castle by Dianna Wynne Jones. The 1994 movie, though, won six Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Actor for star Tom Hanks. She also writes about health and wellness, parenting, and pregnancy. 1 decade ago. Dawn Of the planet of the apes 6. Disney bought the rights to the novel almost immediately after it was published in 1981. 6 Answers. The adorable DreamWorks animated movie was actually based on a children's book by Hiccup Horrendous Haddock III, who is definitely a real person. From a pet dragon that soars through the clouds to a spider with impeccable spelling skills, we name the 20 best kids' movies adapted from children’s books. The book is also one of the greatest novels that will tug on your heartstrings long after you finish them. Answer Save. Something for everyone interested in hair, makeup, style, and body positivity. The film became a sleeper hit, while the book, Spark’s first, was an instant bestseller, setting him up for his future success. by Gary K. Wolf. Based on: Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King. Although the movie’s critical and box office success gave the book a huge boost and even led to a sequel, it’s the film that made its mark on pop culture history. Inception 3. Cast away 7. Movie lovers hail this now-classic film as one of the best of all time—but it bombed on its initial release. The story has actually been adapted into a whooole bunch of different movies in countries all over the world, but the Disney versions are without a doubt the most well-known. The slow-moving 1994 story about prison inmates just didn’t resonate with box office audiences. Based on: Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp. TV Shows. With that in mind, I thought it would be an appropriate time to put together a top 100 movies list of movies that were based on books. avg. Think Tumblr, but for stories. top romantic movies you haven’t seen yet—but should, Do Not Sell My Personal Information – CA Residents. Here are more psychological thrillers you won’t want to put down. It was also pretty different – in the book, Forrest uses profound language, and the author originally wanted him to be played by John Goodman. It was a modest success at the box office but not well-reviewed; although it did serve to keep the book flying off shelves. Books made into movies. Menu. Netflix's library includes a wide variety of Netflix original movies based on books, ranging from adaptations of memoirs and other nonfiction to YA, horror, the … View Full Version : TV shows that were originally plays, movies, books, or radio shows. Little Women. It’s no great surprise that adaptations abound in the theatre world. Tara at Embark on the Journey gives the link for both the book and the movie. Similar to Mean Girls, Pitch Perfect was based on a nonfiction book. 10 Highest Grossing Movies That Were Books First. There are some differences: In the book, a father reads his son a story that originally came from the (fictional) country of Florin; in the movie, it’s a gruff Peter Falk reading the tale (of unspecified origin) to his grandson (Fred Savage). Andy Weir’s book was also something of a survival story: Self-published in 2011 to success, it was picked up by a major publisher and optioned for movie rights at almost the same time. Only their younger sister and mother are convinced it's actually ~Madame Doubtfire~. Fight Club also contains one of the hidden messages you probably missed in your favorite movies. You'll have to forgive us. Kinsella wrote in a 2014 article that many fathers and sons told him the movie inspired them to reconnect after watching—perhaps the highest compliment an author can hope for from his adapted work. 1. I'm curious to find out how many people have read the books that have been produced into incredibly famous movies, such as the Star Wars Trilogy, Raiders of the Lost Ark, and Jaws. But all in all this movie was a kick since you would likely think a guy that takes a good chunk of his field and turns it into a baseball diamond would be quite insane. The film did not immediately reach the book’s popularity, but over the years has become a family classic, surpassing the book as the better-known version. 12 Answers. Harry potter (modernish stuff) P.s I surprisingly hate twilight. Good films that were originally books? “Originally there was a script made that was closer to the way the book was, and it didn’t work as a film,” Hathaway said at the time in an interview. Based on: What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? This controversial cult classic took a long time to establish its status—and that goes for both the 1996 book and the 1999 movie. The 1989 movie adheres to W.P. Avatar 4. Nobody reads books these days. ", "My dumb ass had no idea of the genius that is Neil Gaiman when this movie came out. But unlike the fast-paced, can’t-put-down quality of the novel, the movie is plodding and dreary. Unfortunately, the 1997 book it came from, by Gail Carson Levine, had garnered a prestigious Newbery Honor for children’s fiction, and many critics argue the film just can’t compare, with less well-rounded characters, numerous plot changes, and cheesy bursts into song. An examination of the experiences of African-American maids in early 1960s Mississippi, the fairly faithful movie adaptation was at once eye-opening to racial stereotypes while also criticized for portraying some of its own. Look no further! The movie won the first ever Academy Award for Best Animated Feature, which is amazing. 25 Popular Movies No One Knew Were Based on Books There’s nothing that beats a good book. Click here to view my list of movies based on teen books! It's said to have been based on the crimes of serial killer Ed Gein, but the novel was almost finished by the time Gein was arrested – any similarities are coincidental, although Bloch did include a reference to Gein's crimes in one of the final chapters. A whole two decades before it was a movie starring Tom Hanks, Tom Hanks, and Tom Hanks, The Polar Express was a beautifully festive picture book. Berkeley’s films were, and are, among my greatest movie joys; this lavishly illustrated book set me dreaming of movies I hadn’t yet seen and returned me to those I already knew. And yes, Die Hard ranks on our list of the top Christmas movies of all time. Following the book fairly closely and even lifting some dialogue directly, the film didn’t change much—except in the casting of Red, described in the book as a red-haired Irish guy but played in the film by Morgan Freeman. Hollywood’s most famous idiot savant gets into even more absurd situations in the lesser-known original 1986 book by Winston Groom, in which Forrest also goes to space and befriends a chimpanzee. We recommend our users to update the browser. Although the novel was already a hit, Ondaatje says the critically and commercially successful 1996 movie adaption, which won nine Oscars including Best Picture, gave his book an “afterlife.” Sweeping and tragic, the book tells the story of a doomed romance in a more poetic and introspective way, while the movie is more straightforward, even with the use of flashbacks. Surprise: Bruce Willis's classic action movie was first a book entitled Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp. Oh, and a Clueless remake is in the works—could it be better than the original? It tells the story of Henry Hill, an informant who was once a member of the Mafia. But after the film gained attention with Academy Award nominations, it found new life on video and TV. The novel is also one of the most iconic books set in every state. The columns, which began in 1995, were compiled into two novels, "Bridget Jones's Diary" and "Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason," both of which became movies in 2001 and 2004, respectively. Tina Donvito is a regular contributor to RD.com’s Culture and Travel sections. I made up for it by reading all of Gaiman's books, and he's now one of my top three favourite authors. This 2007 commercial and critical success based on Ian McEwan’s 2001 period romantic drama mirrors its source material closely. The Bellas were loosely inspired by the Divisi, an all-female a cappella group from the University of Oregon. (And she’s actually got several … The mega-acclaimed movie was actually based on a short story by Stephen King – you can find it in Different Seasons, a collection of four novellas. Can you imagine? Books remain the most frequently visited well for cinematic inspiration. Self care and ideas to help you live a healthier, happier life. You might find yourself finishing a great book and thinking, ‘Wow, I wish they would make it into a film’. Michael Ondaatje’s 1992 novel recently won the Golden Man Booker prize, which recognized the best book to ever win the prestigious literary award in its 50-year history. Obsessed with travel? 8 years ago. We hold major institutions accountable and expose wrongdoing. Believe it or not, a lot of the most kick-ass movies were adapted from kick-ass books. Though the animated movie version is ~technically~ based on the picture book of the same name, it's basically completely different: In the book, an elderly grandfather tells his grandchildren a bedtime story about food falling from the sky. Interstellar 2. This hit teen film was actually based on Jane Austen’s Emma, written nearly 200 years earlier, in 1815. is based very loosely on the book – in the book, rather than the animated cartoon stars of the movie, the characters are well-known comic strip characters, like Snoopy. Amping up the personality of the characters lifts what could have been an average action flick into an unexpectedly good movie full of humor and spirit. This wartime romance is a rare case of both the book and movie being highly acclaimed—and deservedly so. Both were a hit. Even readers who don’t usually go for Sparks’ predictable, saccharine storylines can’t help but get choked up at what plays on film as an old-fashioned love story—the kind they just don’t make anymore. A very highly anticipated movie… not because of the marketing campaign (which has been average at best), but because of the rabid and loyal following that the book series has. Based on: The Princess Bride by William Goldman, "I grew up loving The Princess Bride more than any other adventure, romance, or comedy, and finding out that it was originally a book, and that the book heavily satirised the genres while blending them even more brilliantly than is shown in the film, was a shock. But, it stands out in its own right for its performances, including a star-making turn from a young Saoirse Ronan (who recently starred in another McEwan adaptation, On Chesil Beach), and for a five-minute unbroken shot of the beach at Dunkirk during World War II. As if! Here are more scary movies that will make you afraid to go into the water. A Series of Unfortunate Events. 12 buzz. Books have always been a main basis of new theatrical work, and rightly so. The 2011 movie’s box office success shouldn’t have been a surprise after the smashing sales of the 2009 book by Kathryn Stockett, but it well outperformed its expectations and garnered an Academy Award for supporting actress Octavia Spencer. Come on, people. Looking for a great flick for your next family movie night? Search, watch, and cook every single Tasty recipe and video ever - all in one place! Momento 8. 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