45 of the All-Time Best Books Made into Movies
Updated: Aug. 12, 2024
Nothing beats a great book—but these fantastic movies based on books sure come close! Get your fill of both with this list of the top books made into movies.
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Must-read books made into movies
If you’ve ever watched a book-to-movie adaptation with an avid reader, you’ve likely heard the book lover’s common refrain: “The book was better.” That’s not universally true, but when it comes to the best books made into movies, rarely does the film compare to its original source material. Books are difficult to transition to the screen because the screenplay must make choices to advance the story visually and whittle it down to fit the traditional 90- to 120-minute running time. Often these changes cheapen the experience or take away the power of the words on the page—but not always. In fact, the best movies based on books are definitely worth your time.
We’ve rounded up 45 of the greatest books made into movies, from classic works of fiction, mystery books and thrillers to fantasy books, romance novels and teen reads. The books are all stellar—we chose ones that are bestsellers, highly acclaimed or otherwise influential to modern literature and pop culture. And the movies? Well, some stand on their own as fine works of art. Others might not stand the test of time, but they still do a great job capturing the heart of the original novels. Regardless, all these book-to-movie adaptations have our stamp of approval.
Read on to find some excellent books to add to your TBR pile—and compelling movies for your next Netflix binge session.
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The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Genres: Middle-grade historical fiction and graphic novel
Book published: 2007
Movie released: 2011
Evoking graphic novels, picture books, flip books and films, The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick is utterly brilliant. It’s a thick hardback—mostly full of pencil sketches—that tells a truly magical story of a boy in 1930s Paris, an automaton built by his dad and a secret from the early days of cinema. In 2011, Martin Scorsese released Hugo, an adaptation starring Asa Butterfield, Ben Kingsley, Chloë Grace Moretz, Sacha Baron Cohen, Emily Mortimer and Jude Law. Though Selznick’s novel was written for children, adults adore both the book and the film, awarding the former a 2008 Caldecott Medal and nominating the latter for a 2012 Best Picture Academy Award. Like most Scorsese films, the cinematography alone makes it worth watching, but it also has a lot of heart and is perfect for your next family movie night.
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Genre: Children’s fantasy
Book published: 1986
Movie released: 2004
When young Sophie befriends the wizard Howl, a jealous witch casts a spell on her, aging her prematurely. Can Sophie and Howl—who lives in a magical flying castle—take down the evil witch together? Howl’s Moving Castle is children’s fantasy at its best. And the animated movie based on the 1986 book? Well, it was nominated for an Academy Award, and rightly so.
“I probably shouldn’t say this, lest a bunch of book lovers come at me with pitchforks, but the movie was actually better,” says Tracey Neithercott, Reader’s Digest‘s Books Editor. “Granted, this children’s book is also phenomenal, but Hayao Miyazaki’s adaptation is both beautiful to look at and a welcome take on the novel. Though Howl is still something of a diva in the film, he’s even more likable than he is in the book. And yet I’d still recommend the novel to pretty much anyone who loves the film—it’s a classic for a reason!”
My Abandonment by Peter Rock
Genre: Psychological fiction
Book published: 2009
Movie released: 2018
Inspired by a true story and told through the vantage point of its teenage protagonist, My Abandonment is a tale of survival, family and what it means to have a loving home. Directed by Debra Granik, the adaptation is beautifully filmed … and among the books made into movies that feature a completely different title. You may recognize it as Leave No Trace. Actress Thomasin McKenzie (Last Night in Soho, JoJo Rabbit) garnered praise for her portrayal of a homeless teen living off the grid in the woods of Oregon with her veteran father. It’s a story told with quiet intensity and impossible grace.
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The Help by Kathryn Stockett
Genre: Historical fiction
Book published: 2009
Movie released: 2011
This novel is one of the bestselling historical fiction books ever written, and as far as books made into movies go, both have made an impact on readers and viewers alike. Set in Jackson, Mississippi, in the early 1960s, The Help tells the story of two Black maids working in White households who struggle with holding their tongues in the face of blatant racism. When they team up with a White socialite to tell their stories, it awakens folks along the racial divide during the birth of the U.S. Civil Rights Movement. The movie adaption received plaudits during awards season, with Octavia Spencer winning the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress.
The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger
Genre: Contemporary fiction
Book published: 2003
Movie released: 2006
The Devil Wears Prada is a juicy roman à clef, inspired by the author’s year working as an assistant to editor-in-chief Anna Wintour at Vogue magazine. The inside look at high fashion and the jaw-dropping antics by the privileged, fictionalized EIC Miranda Priestly quickly propelled the book to No. 1 New York Times bestseller status in 2003, and Hollywood came knocking. The movie, starring Anne Hathaway and Meryl Streep, is filled with fashion eye-candy, glamour and the infamous clipped line delivered so perfectly (and condescendingly) by Streep: “That’s all.”
The Cider House Rules by John Irving
Genre: Literary fiction
Book published: 1985
Movie released: 1999
Set in a Maine orphanage, this classic novel by John Irving is harsh and dark—and essential. Touching on illegal abortions, bigotry and the struggle women still have with autonomy over their bodies, The Cider House Rules is riveting and eye-opening. It’s generally a smarter idea to watch movies based on books after reading the source material, but in this case, you may want to start with the gentler film, which stars Tobey Maguire, Charlize Theron and Michael Caine.
David Copperfield by Charles Dickens
Genre: Classic literature
Book published: 1850
Movie released: 2019
Charles Dickens’s books are classics for a reason, and if you found them a bit of a chore back in high school, it’s time to give them another read. This one chronicles the many adventures of young David Copperfield on his path from impoverished child to successful novelist. Follow it up with the riotously funny film The Personal History of David Copperfield. A lot has changed in the 169 years between book and movie, and that’s abundantly clear when you sit down to watch the brilliantly inventive and thoroughly tongue-in-cheek film. Dev Patel shines as Copperfield, and he’s joined by powerhouses Peter Capaldi, Tilda Swinton and Hugh Laurie.
Julie & Julia: My Year of Cooking Dangerously by Julie Powell
Genre: Memoir
Book published: 2005
Movie released: 2009
Stuck in a dead-end job as a secretary and living in a rundown apartment in Queens, Julie Powell was looking for something to spice up her life. She found Mastering the Art of French Cooking by Julia Childs and decided she would attempt to tackle every recipe for a year and document her experience on a blog. That turned into the wildly popular book Julie & Julia in 2005 and an even more popular movie in 2009, starring Amy Adams as Powell and Meryl Streep as the iconic Childs. Both the book and movie are true delights—comedic and hopeful, with the oh-so-relatable story of a woman in her 30s whose life isn’t going exactly as she’d hoped.
“Food brings people together, and in the case of Julie & Julia, it’s the shared bond of French cuisine,” says Amy Reichert, author of romantic comedies including The Kindred Spirits Supper Club and The Coincidence of Coconut Cake. “I love the parallel journeys of both women as they cook their way toward their truer selves. It’s one of those rare instances where the movie does the book justice.”
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Genre: Children’s literature
Book published: 1964
Movies released: 1971 and 2005
Thanks to a pair of remarkable films, one starring Gene Wilder and the other starring Johnny Depp as the famed mad chocolatier, you likely already know the premise and plot of Roald Dahl’s classic children’s book Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, which was published in 1964. The doors to Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate shop will be thrown open—but only to five lucky children who find a coveted golden ticket tucked into the wrapper of their Wonka bars. Four brats and the hero of the story win, and what happens next is childhood lore on the page and the screen. Gather the kids for a veritable Wonkafest: Read the book, follow it with the films and then watch Wonka, the latest prequel in the franchise starring Timothée Chalamet.
One Flew Over The Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey
Genre: Literary fiction
Book published: 1963
Movie released: 1975
Before Jack Nicholson, Danny DeVito and Christopher Lloyd were in hospital whites, there was Ken Kesey’s internationally bestselling novel. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a comedic yet empathetic look at a mental hospital misfit and the cruel conditions he and the other patients endure. And both the 1963 novel and the 1975 film—arguably one of the best films of all time, which won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Screenplay—are genuine classics, making this one of the best books made into movies of all time.
The Orchid Thief: A True Story of Beauty and Obsession by Susan Orlean
Genre: Literary fiction
Book published: 1998
Movie released: 2002
The Orchid Thief is part of a nesting doll of adaptations: The film is based on the book, which is based on an article author Susan Orlean wrote for the New Yorker. Yes, the book is actually about a flower, but it is so much more than that. With themes of passion, obsession, lust and criminal justice, The Orchid Thief hits so many elements of the human condition with panache and originality. It’s the sort of engrossing novel you’ll get sucked into and be hard-pressed to put down. The movie, appropriately called Adaptation, is easily one of the best books made into movies—not only is it inspired by the book, but it also uses the original book in its plot.
“I’m embarrassed to say that when I first saw this movie, I didn’t even know it was based on a book,” says Colleen Oakley, USA Today bestselling author of The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise. “But I was enthralled, and to this day, it’s still one of my favorite movies of all time. It’s also, hands down, the best performance of Nicholas Cage’s career.”
Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton
Genre: Science fiction
Book published: 1990
Movie released: 1993
At its release, Michael Crichton’s 1990 action-adventure novel Jurassic Park was wholly original. The compulsively readable novel tells the thrilling tale of an island populated by the fiercest predators to ever walk the Earth, brought to life thanks to some dino DNA and opportunistic scientists. And the 1993 adaptation directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Sam Neill, Laura Dern and Jeff Goldblum was a massive blockbuster, blowing away audiences with its terrifyingly lifelike CGI dinosaurs and setting the new gold standard for computer graphics in movies. The book is a must-read, the movie is a must-see and both are absolutely classic.
“Yes, it’s amazing to see dinosaurs on screen, but the book that made it all possible is equally impressive,” says Dawn Yanek, a Senior Editor at Reader’s Digest. “Above all, Michael Crichton’s source material about a theme park gone horribly wrong will make you think. You’ll get a well-researched look into the science of playing God, as well as a meditation on scientific ethics and greed. Just because you can do something, should you? It’s a question that’s still relevant today as technology continues to evolve. (Looking at you, AI.)”
The Hate U Give by Angie Thomas
Genre: Young adult
Book published: 2017
Movie released: 2018
The bestselling teen novel by Angie Thomas is a tour de force and should be required reading in high schools across the country. It’s a modern story about the battle over civil rights still being fought today in the streets, school hallways, courthouses, police stations and government buildings across the country. The 2018 film, starring a remarkable Amandla Stenberg, brings The Hate U Give‘s anti-racist message to a wider audience. Both are powerful vehicles for exploring identity and social class through the lens of Starr, a Black teen who attends an affluent prep school and witnesses the death of her best friend at the hands of a police officer.
Dune by Frank Herbert
Genre: Science fiction
Book published: 1965
Movies released: 1984 and 2021
Dune is a masterpiece of the science fiction genre that was originally published as two separate serials in a magazine. Set in a desert world, the action centers on the heir to a family charged with ruling a world with only one valuable thing to its name: a drug that can extend life and enhance consciousness. The story mixes environmentalism and politics and lays the groundwork for much of the sci-fi that has been written in the half century since its publication. While you may have a hard time taking the ’80s flick seriously, Denis Villeneuve’s recent film adaptions, starring Timothée Chalamet and Zendaya, were released to wide acclaim.
Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly
Genre: Nonfiction
Book published: 2016
Movie released: 2017
Many people are familiar with the space race—the United States rushing to beat the USSR as the first country to send humans to outer space—but most people had no idea it was thanks to the diligent, hard work of 50 African American female mathematicians that America was finally able to succeed. That is, until 2016, when the book Hidden Figures shed light on these incredible women in history, including the humiliating discrimination they endured at NASA just doing their jobs every day. The movie, starring Taraji P. Henson and Octavia Spencer, received three Academy Award nominations and was universally beloved by critics and audiences alike.
“Hidden Figures did the thing that films, especially adaptations, should do: It moved people to want to learn more, read more, care more, Google more,” says Nicole Blades, author of Have You Met Nora? “I knew most of the story, but not all of it, and immediately got my hands on the book after I heard it was going to be a film.”
The Shining by Stephen King
Genre: Horror
Book published: 1977
Movie released: 1980
Stephen King is one of the best writers of all time, and while many of his horror novels and short stories have made their way onto big and small screens over the past four decades, few of the films outshine the written word. The Shining tells the expansive yet claustrophobic story of Jack Torrance, who’s spending the winter with his family in a remote mountain resort. He’s the caretaker of the massive property, but since it’s the off-season, he’s banking on having plenty of time to write. Instead, madness descends, and the result is bloody and horrific. Stanley Kubrick’s masterful adaptation features chilling cinematography, a heart-pounding score and one of the greatest acting performances of all time by Jack Nicholson.
High Fidelity by Nick Hornby
Genre: Rom-com
Book published: 1995
Movie released: 2000
Perhaps you know Nick Hornby from his other stellar novels. Or maybe you’ve just heard of the various movies based on his books: About a Boy, A Long Way Down, Fever Pitch and, of course, 1995’s High Fidelity. This story of a record store manager’s love for vinyl, lists and his past girlfriends is a modern classic and a novel music lovers will appreciate. It’s a funny, sarcastic look at the many flaws of men in love. The film, which stars the always-lovable John Cusack, stays true to the book’s rock ‘n’ roll roots, as does the 2020 High Fidelity Hulu series.
The Lord of the Rings series by J.R.R. Tolkien
Genre: Fantasy
Books published: 1937 to 1955
Movies released: 2001 to 2014
This sprawling fantasy epic, published between 1937 (The Hobbit) and 1955 (The Return of the King), is one of the bestselling series ever written. The Hobbit alone has sold more than 140 million copies. Featuring elves and orcs, dwarfs and trolls, humans and wizards, and so much more, this is one of the finest examples of world-building ever seen in literature. The Lord of the Rings series has been adapted in many ways: for radio, for theater and most famously as a series of beloved films directed by Peter Jackson. Whether you read the series or watch the movies, you’ll be swept into another world.
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Genre: Children’s fantasy
Books published: 1950 to 1956
Movies released: 2005 to 2010
Beginning chronologically with The Magician’s Nephew and followed by the wildly popular The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe, The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of seven fantasy novels by British author C.S. Lewis written in the 1950s. It features epic tussles between good and evil, stunningly imaginative creatures, unexpected betrayals and beautiful friendships, all set in an enchanting, fantastical world. This great book has been adapted for film as well as for radio, television, the stage and even computer games. But the 2005 movie starring Tilda Swinton as the White Witch might be the best adaptation yet. The gorgeous cinematography, top-notch CGI and perfectly cast characters turn the beloved book into a classic movie-watching experience the whole family will love.
“The word I would use to describe my first foray into Narnia as a child? Magical,” says Yanek. “It’s impossible not to get wrapped up in the story of four children living in World War II–era England who discover a portal to another world. While the Christian symbolism is somewhat heavy-handed, it’s still easy to get lost in the siblings’ quest to defeat the White Witch and restore peace to the land. And my kids and I loved seeing this fantastical world and all its characters brought to life in the movies too.”
If Beale Street Could Talk by James Baldwin
Genre: Literary fiction
Book published: 1974
Movie released: 2018
In James Baldwin‘s fifth novel, a pregnant teen and the father of her child take an emotional journey from the hope of a marriage to the despair of a false accusation. This is a love story that only the great James Baldwin could deliver, with intensely profound and moving prose and an eye on injustice. If Beale Street Could Talk was adapted into a film of the same name, written and directed by Barry Jenkins and garnering a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for Regina King. This beautiful, moving film is a realistic portrayal of love and injustice, and one of the best book-to-film adaptations ever made. But don’t just take our word for it: It also has a 95% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
The Godfather by Mario Puzo
Genre: Crime fiction
Book published: 1969
Movies released: 1972, 1974 and 1990
Make your book club an offer it can’t refuse: If the group reads Mario Puzo’s 1969 crime novel, you’ll host a movie night to watch the Godfather films. It could be argued that of all the books made into movies, this one reigns supreme. After all, it’s a classic work of fiction and a bestseller that spawned not one but two of the best films ever made. Both the book and flicks—which filmmaker Francis Ford Coppola co-wrote with Puzo—center on the Corleone family and the ruthless underworld they inhabit as the center of the American mafia. Read the books, watch the movie and then dive into The Offer, a 2022 miniseries on Paramount starting Miles Teller that tells the story of the making of the films … which was almost as dangerous an endeavor as defying Don Corleone.
The Glass Castle by Jeannette Walls
Genre: Memoir
Book published: 2005
Movie released: 2017
In her 2005 memoir, The Glass Castle, Jeannette Walls highlights the unconditional love that can be found within the family dynamic—even when it’s wildly dysfunctional. With nonconformist parents, Walls had anything but a traditional childhood. The family’s nomadic struggles and financial perils helped shape the woman she would become. She writes of triumph against the odds, fierce determination and forgiveness for the flawed people we love. The movie of the same name, starring Brie Larson, isn’t quite as powerful as the book, but it is worth watching if only for the power of perseverance and the testament to overcoming trauma.
To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee
Genre: Classic literature
Book published: 1960
Movie released: 1962
The Pulitzer Prize–winning To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic of modern literature and a book that nearly every child will be assigned to read before finishing high school. And for good reason! This masterpiece gets at the heart of the human experience, with themes of innocence and cruelty, love and hate, race and what it means to be a good person in a complicated world. The black-and-white 1962 film, starring Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch, is just as worth your time. It won three Academy Awards, including Best Actor, and was nominated for five more, including Best Picture.
The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern’s Classic Tale of True Love & High Adventure by William Goldman
Genre: Romantic fantasy/comedy
Book published: 1973
Movie released: 1987
You can quote the classic film like you’re reading from the screenplay, but you may not realize the movie about a swashbuckling hero was a book first. We know, we know: Inconceivable! Just like the movie, the book The Princess Bride features fencing and fighting, love and revenge, and a lot of unique humor. Oh, and lots of kissing scenes! (If you know, you know.) The movie, starring Robin Wright and Carey Elwes, is one for the ages.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret by Judy Blume
Genre: Young adult
Book published: 1970
Movie released: 2023
It may have taken 50 years for the beloved coming-of-age tale Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret to make it to the big screen, but it was worth the wait. Judy Blume‘s 1970 book was lauded for the funny, realistic and incredibly relatable portrayal of 11-year-old Margaret as she contends with growing up in a new neighborhood and wrestling with religion, puberty, kissing and friendships. The 2023 movie of the same name, starring Rachel McAdams and Kathy Bates, captures the awkward hilarity and timelessness of the book that has touched readers for decades.
Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail by Cheryl Strayed
Genre: Memoir
Book published: 2012
Movie released: 2014
If self-help books aren’t your thing, try a memoir about Cheryl Strayed’s self-discovery experience during a grueling 1,100-mile hike along the Pacific Crest Trail. Wild reached No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller list and had the unique honor of being the first selection for Oprah’s Book Club 2.0. Reese Witherspoon portrayed Strayed in the 2014 film Wild, which was written for the screen by novelist Nick Hornby (whose book High Fidelity appears on this list of great books made into movies).
Atonement by Ian McEwan
Genre: Literary fiction
Book published: 2003
Movie released: 2007
Ian McEwan is often hailed as one of the great writers of the 20th century, and this gripping story, set on the cusp of, during and in the aftermath of World War II, is among his greatest works. In it, the repercussions of a young girl’s mistake ripple across lives and decades. With themes of love, childhood, war and the power of the written word, Atonement was shortlisted for the 2001 Booker Prize for Fiction. A truly meticulous piece of filmmaking and gorgeous performances by James McAvoy and Keira Knightley do McEwan’s book proud.
Life of Pi by Yann Martel
Genre: Fantasy
Book published: 2001
Movie released: 2012
Set at sea, this 2001 fantasy novel presents a uniquely daring plot: A boy named Pi Patel and a gorgeous Bengal tiger share a small boat for more than 200 days after a shipwreck. The book touches on the theme of spirituality and paints a vivid picture of life adrift in the Pacific Ocean. The novel Life of Pi was a smash hit, selling more than 10 million copies globally and winning the Man Booker Prize for Fiction. It also qualifies as one of the best books made into movies; the visually stunning Ang Lee film was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won four—more than any other film from 2012.
Push by Sapphire
Genre: Literary fiction
Book published: 1996
Movie released: 2009
The 1996 novel Push is the story of an illiterate teen who grows up in poverty and suffers horrendous abuse but goes on a journey of education and enlightenment, ultimately writing about her life. The movie adaptation, Precious, named for the main character, arrived at the Cannes and Sundance film festivals without a distributor but went on to win six Oscar nominations later that year, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Supporting Actress. It is a must-watch that will stay with you long after the credits roll.
12 Years a Slave by Solomon Northup
Genre: Memoir
Book published: 1853
Movie released: 2013
This incredible nonfiction book is the story of Solomon Northrup, a Black man who was born as a free man in New York in the 1800s but is tricked and kidnapped, then sold into slavery in the South. The wider world was introduced to 12 Years a Slave through the 2013 film, which won the Academy Award for Best Picture. You most certainly should watch the movie, which was directed by Steve McQueen and features a powerhouse performance from Chiwetel Ejiofor. But go beyond the flick with Solomon Northup’s 1853 memoir for an unflinching look at history, racism and one man’s struggle to survive.
Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen
Genre: Classic literature
Book published: 1813
Movies released: 1995 and 2005
Pride and Prejudice, the story of a mother’s attempts to marry off her five daughters, just may be one of the most-loved books ever written. Fans of modern hate-to-love romance novels will swoon over the originator of the trope. The story is packed with wit and skilled observation as Jane Austen presents the flirtation before a would-be marriage as a nimble dance of words and movement between Mr. Darcy and the incomparable Elizabeth Bennet. Though the book is a must-read, the screen adaptions are worthy of a watch and are still being devoured by tweens and teens today. Watch both the 1995 and 2005 versions, and you can join the raging debate amongst Pride and Prejudice fans about who is the hotter Mr. Darcy—Colin Firth or Matthew Macfadyen.
Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
Genre: Satire
Book published: 1996
Movie released: 1999
Author Chuck Palahniuk humbly believes David Fincher’s 1999 movie Fight Club, starring Brad Pitt and Edward Norton, is better than his 1996 book of the same title, saying, “I was sort of embarrassed of the book because the movie had streamlined the plot and made it so much more effective and made connections that I had never thought to make.” Still, his 1996 book is a modern classic, told from the perspective of an unnamed protagonist, and it packs plenty of punches. It’s full of visceral energy, shocking scenes and social commentary about psychotherapy, mental health and male aggression.
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
Genre: Rom-com
Book published: 2013
Movie released: 2018
When Kevin Kwan published the novel Crazy Rich Asians in 2013, he did it “to introduce a contemporary Asia to a North American audience.” Mission accomplished: It went on to become an international bestseller. A few years later, the film version became the highest-grossing rom-com of the past decade. The novel is stellar—and one of the funniest books you’ll read this year. And the movie is groundbreaking, becoming the first major Hollywood movie to feature a mostly Asian and Asian American cast since 1993’s The Joy Luck Club.
Call Me by Your Name by André Aciman
Genre: Literary fiction
Book published: 2007
Movie released: 2017
André Aciman’s stunning novel Call Me by Your Name tells the story of a teen boy who falls into a whirlwind romance with an older guest staying at his family’s Italian Riviera home during the summer of 1988. With beautiful prose, Aciman touches on love, attraction, desire and sexuality. Moving and evocative, the award-winning story is one of the best LGBTQ+ books you’ll ever read. On screen, we see superbly nuanced performances by Timothée Chalamet (who was nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for the role) and Armie Hammer. The story shines because of all that it does not reveal. This is a rare case in which the book and film are equally remarkable. Just be forewarned that after watching the film, you may never look at a peach the same way again.
The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Genre: Classic literature
Book published: 1891
Movie released: 1945 and 2009
Oscar Wilde’s only novel, The Picture of Dorian Gray, is steeped in controversy. It was first published in a magazine, short hundreds of words. The editor had removed “controversial” elements without Wilde’s knowledge or approval, citing fears that the daring story might violate public morality laws of the day. With themes of hedonism, homosexuality, beauty and youth, the Gothic novel had Wilde’s Victorian contemporaries clutching their pearls. But with such a fantastic premise—the titular character sells his soul to make sure a painting of himself ages instead of his body—it’s no wonder the book made its way into the mainstream.
There are a half-dozen film adaptations, but the one worth watching was released in 1945 and was shot primarily in black and white. It uses Technicolor for Dorian’s miserably aging portrait, a genius way to bring the book’s central theme to life.
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy
Genre: Classic literature
Book published: 1878
Movie released: 2012
Anna Karenina by Leo Tolstoy is often thought of as the world’s greatest novel. Touching on themes of adultery, love, humanity and life in Russia and adding quiet undertones of mental illness, Tolstoy presents his sprawling story without heavy-handed morality. Instead, the reader is invited to look into the lives of the characters like a voyeur, observing but not offering any judgment on their flaws. While a total of four films have attempted to capture Tolstoy’s hefty tome—at 864 pages, it certainly isn’t a short book—the 2012 adaptation, starring Keira Knightley, Jude Law and Domhnall Gleason, is the most creative and glamorously filmed.
Brokeback Mountain by Annie Proulx
Genre: Short story
Book published: 1997
Movie released: 2005
Originally published in the New Yorker on Oct. 13, 1997, this short story won the National Magazine Award for Fiction in 1998. It centers on the complexities of love between two men in an era and profession that views gay love as taboo. Brokeback Mountain was included in Annie Proulx’s masterful 1999 short story collection, Close Range, though it’s sold today as a short stand-alone novel. The devastatingly powerful film, which featured star-making performances by Jake Gyllenhaal and the late Heath Ledger, won three Academy Awards and helped change the way the world views the ways in which men must manage, and suffer for, their romantic love for one another.
The Color Purple by Alice Walker
Genre: Literary fiction
Book published: 1982
Movies released: 1985 and 2023
Alice Walker won the Pulitzer Prize for her 1982 novel The Color Purple, and her poignant and evocative storytelling makes this one of the best books of all time, as well as an excellent book about race relations in early 20th-century America. And Menno Meyjes’s stellar screenplay makes it one of the best books made into movies. Steven Spielberg co-produced the 1985 movie with Quincy Jones, and his direction of this epic tale of an African American woman (played by Whoopi Goldberg) living in the South and surviving incredible abuse and bigotry does the book justice, bringing Walker’s important tale to life for generations of new audiences. The latest book-to-movie adaptation of The Color Purple—starring Fantasia Barrino, Halle Bailey and Taraji P. Henson—was produced in 2023 and is also worth a watch.
The BFG by Roald Dahl
Genre: Children’s literature
Book published: 1982
Movie released: 2016
Roald Dahl is no stranger to great children’s literature. The author is responsible for some of the most daring and inventive books for young people (including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Matilda), but one of the most magical stories on the page and the screen is The BFG. The great Mark Rylance as the BFG makes the 2016 movie a delight, but nothing beats the book. An expansion of a short story included in Dahl’s 1975 book Danny, the Champion of the World, this heartwarming tale focuses on the Big Friendly Giant, whose job it is to collect and distribute good dreams to children. Reading this to and with young people will fill their hearts and heads with hope.
The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Genre: Classic literature
Book published: 1925
Movie released: 2013
This oft-misunderstood tale, set during the Jazz Age of America, tells the story of unchecked wealth, obsessive love and lavish parties. The Great Gatsby is considered one of the classics of 20th-century literature, thanks to prose few writers have been able to match and a deceptive depiction of what the American dream actually means. The latest attempt to put F. Scott Fitzgerald’s world on screen hits the mark, thanks to Leonardo DiCaprio’s Jay Gatsby and Carey Mulligan’s well-crafted Daisy Buchanan. Fair warning: While it may not be one of the saddest books out there, the tragic ending may still make you cry.
The Hours by Michael Cunningham
Genre: Literary fiction
Book published: 1998
Movie released: 2002
Winner of the 1999 Pulitzer Prize for Fiction and the PEN/Faulkner Award for Fiction, The Hours is one of those stories that soars on page as well as on screen. The film features powerhouse performances from Nicole Kidman (who won an Oscar for her portrayal of Virginia Woolf), Meryl Streep and Julianne Moore and focuses on three generations of women affected by Woolf’s mental illness and her classic novel Mrs. Dalloway. While not the happiest book ever written, The Hours is inventive and powerful. Fans of Woolf’s writing will speed through it, and fans of fantastic filmmaking will love watching the adaptation.
Revolutionary Road by Richard Yates
Genre: Classic literature
Book published: 1961
Movie released: 2008
It took nearly half a century for Richard Yates’s tale of 1950s suburban life to hit the silver screen. The film saw the reunion of Titanic costars Kate Winslet and Leonardo DiCaprio—and it’s only marginally less sad than the ship-sinking scene. Revolutionary Road tackles issues of women’s rights, abortion, unfulfilled passions and the risks we take to pursue our dreams. The book is stellar, and the movie is equally phenomenal, thanks to Sam Mendes’s direction and outstanding performances from two of the finest actors of our generation.
The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by Martin Sixsmith
Genre: Nonfiction
Book published: 2009
Movie released: 2013
The Lost Child of Philomena Lee by journalist Martin Sixsmith tells the impassioned story of an Irish woman’s five-decade search for the son she was forced to give up when her father sent her away to a convent. The movie, simply titled Philomena, stars Steve Coogan and Judi Dench and was nominated for a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar. In it, Sixsmith (played perfectly by Coogan) reluctantly helps Philomena, and the two bond on screen in a way that is nothing short of spectacular. This is the perfect case of a fantastic film adaption bringing readers to a great book they may not have otherwise experienced.
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Genre: Children’s literature
Book published: 1865
Movie released: 2010
Fantastical, weird and riddled with riddles and quotable quotes, Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is one of the most popular works of English-language fiction and, because of its colorful characters and magical story, also one of the best books made into movies. There have been several film adaptions, both live-action and animated, but we think that the Tim Burton–directed and Johnny Depp–led 2010 movie is the best interpretation. It’s a treat for the senses, and viewers experience the wonder in the same way a young child first experiences it on the page.
Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
Genre: Classic literature
Book published: 1868 and 1869
Movies released: 1994 and 2019
A classic coming-of-age novel, originally published in two parts, Little Women is enduring and endlessly relevant even today. With a tomboy author-to-be, a frail, sweet musician, the beautiful oldest and the hopeless romantic, the March sisters demonstrate family love and a bond that will not be broken by the Civil War that rages on near their New England home. The latest film adaption of Little Women does the book proud; it was showered with award nominations, including Best Picture, Best Actress (Saoirse Ronan), Best Supporting Actress (Florence Pugh) and Best Adapted Screenplay (Greta Gerwig). Not only does it introduce a new generation to one of the greatest books of all time, but it also gives the story the ending its author always intended but, because of the time period in which she lived, could never provide.
“As a kid, I lived about 15 minutes from Louisa May Alcott’s house, which may be why I count Little Women as one of my all-time favorites,” says Neithercott. “I grew up touring Orchard House and reading the novel with my mother, rooting for Jo and crying each and every time for Beth. Often when I feel so strongly about a book, I’ll have trouble enjoying the movie. Little Women is an outlier: I’m a huge fan of both the ’90s version and the recent Greta Gerwig adaptation, neither of which take away from the fact that this is one fantastic book.”
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At Reader’s Digest, we’ve been sharing our favorite books for over 100 years. We’ve worked with bestselling authors including Susan Orlean, Janet Evanovich and Alex Haley, whose Pulitzer Prize–winning Roots grew out of a project funded by and originally published in the magazine. Through Fiction Favorites (formerly Select Editions and Condensed Books), Reader’s Digest has been publishing anthologies of abridged novels for decades. We’ve worked with some of the biggest names in fiction, including James Patterson, Ruth Ware, Kristin Hannah and more. The Reader’s Digest Book Club, helmed by Books Editor Tracey Neithercott, introduces readers to even more of today’s best fiction by upcoming, bestselling and award-winning authors. To ensure that all information is accurate and offers the best possible advice to readers, we verify all facts and data, back them with credible sourcing and revisit them over time to ensure they remain accurate and up to date. Read more about our team, our contributors and our editorial policies.
Sources:
- Amy Reichert, author of The Kindred Spirits Supper Club and The Coincidence of Coconut Cake
- Colleen Oakley, author of The Mostly True Story of Tanner & Louise
- Nicole Blades, author of Have You Met Nora?
Originally Published: December 10, 2021
