Film Adaptations That Did The Book Justice

Film adaptations of book are difficult, because they usually go one of two ways.

The film version is a complete disaster and ends up being an embarrassment for the book or it makes us all proud to see a film adaptation do the book justice.

Sometimes, the film even ends up being better than the book.

So, we’ve compiled a list of film adaptations that did the book justice (and we’re proud of it):

1. Gerald’s Game (2017)

Based On The Novel By: Stephen King

When this film was released worldwide on Netflix, people became obsessed with it. And for all the right reasons. For Stephen King fans everywhere, although this film was difficult to portray, everyone was shaken to their very core.

Stephen King even said during an interview with Vulture that: “The script broke the book open to get to the interior part of the story in a way that I thought was terrific.”

“The people who were supposed to protect you from the monsters turned out to be monsters themselves.”

2. The Godfather (1972)

Based On The Novel By: Mario Puzo

A cult favourite, but most people aren’t aware that The Godfather is one of the lesser known film adaptations of books. A star studded cast that blew everyone away upon its release, and still continues to do so.

Although we might have more leeway when reading a book as everything depends on our imagination and words provide a more detailed account, the film ended up complementing the book.

“You talk about vengeance. Is vengeance going to bring your son back to you? Or my boy to me?”

3. American Psycho (2000)

Based On The Novel By: Bret Easton Ellis

Another cult classic! We love films directed by women, and American Psycho is one of the best film adaptations out there (and rightly so). A gruesome story that follows Patrick Bateman and his gruesome alter-ego who’s basically a psychopath.

“My pain is constant and sharp, and I do not hope for a better world for anyone. In fact, I want my pain to be inflicted on others. I want no one to escape.”

4. Trainspotting (1996)

Based On The Novel By: Irvine Welsh

Like mentioned previously, some film adaptations happen to be better than the book. Trainspotting might actually be one of them.

A story about drug addiction and the inevitable collateral damage left due to it, Trainspotting is a real insight into how someone’s life could downward spiral.

“Choose your future. Choose life… But why would I want to do a thing like that? I chose not to choose life. I chose somethin’ else. And the reasons? There are no reasons. Who needs reasons when you’ve got heroin?”

5. The Fault In Our Stars (2014)

Based On The Novel By: John Green

The Fault In Our Stars is one of the simplest examples of film adaptations that don’t stray from the book or choose to be that creative with the script adaptation. Sometimes it’s a bad thing, but in this case, it was the right choice.

Both the film and book blew everyone away with its heartbreaking depiction of illness among young people that we wouldn’t even advise watching it in a group of people. There would be too many tears.

“She’s so beautiful. You don’t get tired of looking at her. You never worry if she’s smarter than you, ’cause you know she is. She’s funny without ever being mean. I love her. God, I love her, I’m so lucky to love her, Van Houten. You don’t get to choose if you get hurt in this world, but you do have a say in who hurts you. And I like my choices. I hope she likes hers. Okay, Hazel Grace?”

6. Requiem For A Dream (2000)

Based On The Novel By: Hubert Selby Jr.

Another gruesome depiction of drug addiction not unlike Trainspotting. This time, it shows drug addiction in different phases and in different ways. Earth-shatteringly honest and on-point in terms of book relationship.

“Somebody like you can really make things all right for me.”

7. Lion (2016)

Based On The Novel By: Saroo Brierley

Based on a true story, Lion tells the story of a five-year-old boy Indian boy who got lost on the streets of Calcutta. Although he tries desperately to get back home, which is kilometers away, he ends up fighting to survive until an Australian couple finally adopts him. 25 years later, he sets out to find his family.

And no one does determination better than Dev Patel.

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“Because we both felt as if… the world has enough people in it. Have a child, couldn’t guarantee it will make anything better. But to take a child that’s suffering like you boys were. Give you a chance in the world. That’s something.”

8. Beautiful Boy (2018)

Based On The Novel By: David & Nic Sheff

It seems that most biographies that get turned into film adaptations are usually worth the watch. Like Beautiful Boy, starring Steve Carell in a career-changing role and Timothee Chalamet. Beautiful Boy is about a father-son relationship throughout a few years as they cope with addiction in the family.

“Do you know how much I love you? If you could take all the words in the language, it still wouldn’t describe how much I love you. And if you could gather all those words together, it still wouldn’t describe what I feel for you. What I feel for you is everything. I love you more than everything.”

9. Fight Club (1999)

Based On The Novel By: Chuck Palahniuk

Another example of a film adaptation that is better than the book itself! Of course, the book was written by an author who has one of the best minds in this century, but David Fincher’s direction and Jim Uhls’ screenplay really improved the book.

A cult classic that stars Edward Norton and Brad Pitt and nothing is ever what it seems.

“And then, something happened. I let go. Lost in oblivion. Dark and silent and complete. I found freedom. Losing all hope was freedom.”

10. Gone Girl (2014)

Based On The Novel By: Gillian Flynn

Since Gillian Flynn wrote both the book and the screenplay, well, there is no wonder that the film adaptation was a complete success. Debatably, could even be better than the book.

Whether it had to do with the casting choices (Rosamund Pike is the definition of ‘Chef’s Kiss’), or the fact that Gillian Flynn had total creative control over her own story, nothing mattered. Because Gone Girl is truly a masterpiece.

Of course, another David Fincher direction.

“When I think of my wife, I always think of the back of her head. I picture cracking her lovely skull, unspooling her brain, trying to get answers. The primal questions of a marriage: What are you thinking? How are you feeling? What have we done to each other? What will we do?”