This post was originally published in September 2021. It has been updated with more current information about book-to-screen adaptations.

Book-to-screen adaptations can elicit one of two emotions. Either that was excellently adapted and I loved it OR the book was better so don’t waste your time.
It can be simultaneously thrilling and terrifying to find out that your favorite books are getting a movie or tv show adaptation. A large range of emotion comes with seeing a story you’ve visualized a certain way in your head portrayed very differently on a screen. However, when it’s done well, it’s insanely satisfying!
Over the years, I’ve watched my fair share of book-to-screen adaptations and I’ve seen some truly terrible ones along with some excellent ones! In this post, I’m listing my very favorites along with some adaptations I’d be thrilled to see in the future.
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12 of the Best Book-to-Screen Adaptations
I feel like I need to preface this by saying that I don’t find every single one of these movies to be cinematic masterpieces or anything (looking at you, Twilight) but I do find them to be accurate representations of the books! Tap on their titles below to read why I love the adaptation!



The Fault in Our Stars
This has been my favorite book-to-movie adaptation for years! I just think it was so phenomenally done. Itβs so exactly like the book, even down to word-for-word lines. I just love everything about it!
Can be found on: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube
Shadow and Bone (series)
Itβs no secret that Iβm 100% obsessed with Shadow and Bone. When it came out, I watched all eight episodes twice daily until the season two announcement. Yep, I love it that much. There are a few things that strayed from the books and the Crows entire storyline is original, but the cast was precisely how I imagined them and so much of it was done exactly the way I hoped it would be!
Can be found on: Netflix
Little Women (1994)
I donβt care one bit that it might be an unpopular opinion, but to me, this is the superior Little Women. Itβs better than the new one and itβs better than the black and white version. The cast is perfect, the story matches the book, and donβt even get me started on the soundtrack. Itβs not only one of my favorite adaptations – itβs one of my favorite movies of all time.
Can be found on: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube



The Lord of the Rings (movie series)
This really might be one of the most accurate book-to-film adaptations of all time. The fact that theyβre trying to make a tv series actually bums me out because nothing will ever pass these movies. They truly are cinematic masterpieces. Thereβs nothing quite like them. Directorβs cut only, please and thanks!
Can be found on: HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before (movie series)
When I watched the first movie, I had no clue it was based on a book series! I thought it was adorable, so when I found it it was a trilogy, I immediately read them all right away. In some ways, I enjoyed the first movie better than the book (mainly the fact that I like movie Peter better than book Peter). The second and third movies arenβt as true to their books, but overall the movie series is precious!
Can be found on: Netflix
Twilight (movie series)
If I felt remotely guilty about anything I watched, I would say that this saga is my guilty pleasure. But I donβt feel guilty in the slightest. I loved the books and I love the movies. I watch all five of them almost every year – sometimes more than once. Theyβre definitely my comfort films and while I certainly do my fair share of roasting them, Iβll never stop loving them!
Can be found on: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube (Netflix 7/16/21)



The Chronicles of Narnia (movie series)
In my opinion, primarily The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe! Prince Caspian was cute (and had Ben Barnes – so obviously I liked that) but it wasnβt true to the book. The Voyage of the Dawn Treader was cinematically breathtaking but just didnβt hold quite the same power as the first film! However, overall, theyβre just great adaptations.
Can be found on: Disney+, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube
The Hunger Games (movie series)
Honestly? These movies were spectacular in every way. The first one makes me a little nauseous when I watch it because of the shaky camera, but as far as staying true to the books – these nailed it! Also, the cast was excellent!
Can be found on: Peacock, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube
Where’d You Go, Bernadette
I wasnβt really sure what to expect when I watched this movie. The book utilizes so many different formats of telling the story that I didnβt know how it would translate to film, but it was really well done! I enjoyed it so much and found it very true to the book.
Can be found on: Hulu, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube



It’s Kind of a Funny Story
This book changed my life when I was in high school and the movie holds very true to the book, so naturally, I love the movie. It tackles some really challenging topics without going totally overboard or getting graphic.
Can be found on: Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Any time I really want to get in my feels, I watch this movie. So, Iβve only watched it a couple of times because oof, it makes me emotional. It was incredibly well done and stayed very true to the book. I think itβs one of the best of the best as far as adaptations are concerned.
Can be found on: Apple TV, YouTube
The Notebook
A rare occurrence of βthe movie is better than the book.β I actually DNFβd the book because I was bored stiff and found it almost overly depressing. However, the movie is beautiful and an absolute classic with so many quotable moments. In fact, my first tattoo was a quote from this movie!
Can be found on: HBO Max, Amazon Prime Video, Apple TV, YouTube
12 Books I’d Love to See Adapted in the Future
It would be incredible to see some of these turned into movies or tv shows. I’m picky with the books I’d like to see adapted because I want them to be done well. In addition to that, I didn’t just list all of my favorite books because some of them would be really challenging to watch versus read due to the content. You can tap on their titles below to see why I’d like to watch an adaptation!
The Midnight Library by Matt Haig
This book has already been optioned for a movie adaptation. It hasnβt been cast or begun filming yet, but it would be incredible to see a meaningful story such as this one on the big screen. I think it would change a lot of lives!
Renegades (trilogy) by Marissa Meyer
Apparently, one of Meyerβs other books has been optioned for a film by HBO, which is incredible for her! Unfortunately, itβs my least favorite of all of her books (shoot) and I think that even The Lunar Chronicles would be an amazing choice for a tv series. But if I could pick any of her books to be adapted, it would have to be Renegades. It would be perfect for fans of Marvel films!
The Flatshare by Beth O’Leary [**BEING ADAPTED]
**UPDATE ON THIS: Author Beth O’Leary announced that Paramount+ is indeed adapting The Flatshare and turning it into a show. We even have the casting for Tiffy and Leon!
Itβs been ages since Iβve been excited about a cute romcom. It seems like theyβre all super raunchy or just totally cliche. This story is adorable, still has some spicy elements, but also includes a lot of depth. I remember thinking it would be an excellent movie when I first read it!
The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue by V.E. Schwab
If youβve read The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue, youβll know why I want it to be turned into a movie. Itβs incredibly beautiful and unique. While itβs a slower pace for a book, it would be an excellent film! And, from what Iβve heard, this is something that will be happening in the near future (along with both Shades of Magic and City of Ghosts) – go, Schwab!
Click here to read my review of The Invisible Life of Addie LaRue
Opposite of Always by Justin A. Reynolds
Another of my favorite books thatβs been optioned for a movie! I was so thrilled for Justin when I heard this news and I think the YA βGroundhog Dayβ kind of flick would be so much fun to watch!
Strange the Dreamer (duology) by Laini Taylor
Please donβt judge me for this, but I think that Strange the Dreamer would just be an overall beautiful film and thatβs the number one reason Iβd like to see it on screen! From the stunning locations in the books to the fact that one of the main characters is blue (move over, Avatar). It would just be gorgeous!
Caraval (trilogy) by Stephanie Garber
Iβm sure youβre noticing a trend here with the fact that Iβd mostly like to see fantasy novels adapted into movies. I think that theyβre the most fun to see come to life! This is another one thatβs just utterly beautiful and it would make such a fascinating tv show or movie series!
Into the Heartless Wood by Joanna Ruth Meyer
Iβve actually discussed this with the author a couple of times and sheβs also said sheβd love to see her book become a film (as long as she has a say in how itβs made – of course)! I couldnβt go through this post without including my favorite book of all time. It would be a little gruesome, but also totally magical!
You Should See Me in a Crown by Leah Johnson
I absolutely fell in love with this book when I listened to it in 2020 and I think it would make an adorably wonderful queer YA movie. I love a good teen prom film, but this one would bring all the diversity thatβs sorely missing in so many other movies!
Six Crimson Cranes by Elizabeth Lim
Hear me out: this would make a fantastic anime or live action, which is a rarity! I typically donβt enjoy when anime become live action, but I think this book could go either way. Itβs such a fascinating story and it would be so cool to watch!
The Bookish Life of Nina Hill by Abbi Waxman
I think I would cry with joy, seeing my book doppelgΓ€nger on screen. Nina Hill is just such a comfort book and I think the movie would wind up having the same effect.
The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa Kay Adams
The first time I even heard about the plot for this book, I thought it would make a great movie. Itβs hilarious, cute, and inspiring! My hope would be that it would encourage other men to read and learn from romance novels too!
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What are some of your favorite book-to-screen adaptations and which books would you like to see adapted in the future?
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Lucy says
I would love The Flatshare to be adapted to a film, I would definitely go to watch that! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Jodie | That Happy Reader says
What a fun post! I think The Help and Memoirs of a Geisha were two of my favourite book to movie adaptations! Thanks for sharing!
readandreviewit says
Great post! I have to admit I love The Hunger Games adaption and I’ve been wanting to see TATBILB for a while now. I think a movie adaption of Opposite Of Always would be awesome too, it’s one of my favourite books! Thanks for sharing.
Corinne says
Perks of being a wallflower was a great movie! I read the book YEARS before and it’s one of my favourite books!
Corinne x
Jo Linsdell says
Great post. You selected some awesome adaptions for this list. Narnia and Lord if the Rings would definitely both be on my list too.
I’m super excited to see what the new Percy Jackson TV series will be like. I’m a huge fan of the books and whilst the films were ok they weren’t even close to the books. I’m hoping the TV series will do better.
Venus says
I practically read or watch most of these books on this list. I can definitely see why you added them. They were so good and entertaining.
Raji says
Great post! I adore the Lord of the Rings movies, so I wasn’t too happy to hear that there’s a TV show being planned either.
Kelly Diane says
These sound like great adaptations. I loved watching Narnia and found that it really brought what I’d already read in the books to life.
Kal @ Reader Voracious says
A Caraval adaptation would make my LIFE! I know Fox optioned it but as far as I know there’s been no work or development on it so far. Hopefully when things pivot back to fantasy from superhero films we’ll get the tv seies or movie we deserve
Lovely says
I love The Lord of the Rings! I felt that the movies faithfully captured the story and characters of the novels.
xoxo
Lovely
http://www.mynameislovely.com
Amanda says
Yes, I so agree with a lot of these! I think Crazy Rich Asians was done well as a movie. Thanks for sharing these!
Stephani says
These are great reviews! I didnβt read a lot of these books but I did LOVE the movie βThe Fault in Our Starsβ and I also didnβt read βThe Notebookβ and I liked the movie but didnβt love it – I think Iβm the only girl who isnβt obsessed with this movie haha! And I read all the Twilight books years ago – MOVIES ARE TERRIBLE! Lol I think I only like the first movie then I had to stop watching! Haha
Thanks for this!
Xo, Steph
NathΓ‘lia says
I read It’s Kind of a Funny Story nearly 10 years ago and it left such a HUGE impact on me, but I’ve been scared to watch the movie. Now that I know it’s very true to the book, I’ll definitely give it a chance!
I'm All Booked Up says
The Perks of Being A Wallflower is our favorite adaption!
Lizzie says
Oh my gosh, I’ve been waiting for this post! There’s so many books that I love as movie adaptions (and many that have disappointed me haha). SO many of the ones you chose are also my favorites!! Absolutely adore The Notebook, The Fault in Our Stars, Narnia, LOTR, The Hunger Games and Perks of Being a Wallflower (that’s one of my husband’s faves)
or my list, I’d also add Crazy Rich Asians, The Great Gatsby (my favorite book of all-time) and The Help. I think the movies did the books justice for the most part!
Lizzie
http://www.lizzieinlace.com
Eri says
I love how fun this post is. My favourite all time book to movie adaptation is the lord of the rings. I also liked Narnia but not as much as I liked the lord of the rings.
Stuart Danker says
Oh yes! The Midnight Library would make for a good screen adaptation. While it’s only fiction, that book changed the way I view life, in that perhaps the thing I wish for isn’t really what I want anyway. Anyway, thanks for this post!
Deborah says
I loved Perks of Being a Wallflower and Where’d You Go Bernadette – in fact, I think Bernadette was underrated!