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15 of the best book-to-movie adaptations you can stream right now
Not all book adaptations are worth your while. But these are.
Adaptations don’t always do a book justice. For every Gone Girl there’s a Girl on the Train, and for every Harry Potter there’s a Vampire Academy. However, when it happens, it’s pure magic. And streaming services let you watch your favorites over and over again.
1. The Hunger Games
In a dystopian version of North America, the 12 districts of Panem must send a teenage boy and girl as tributes to compete in the Hunger Games as punishment for a past uprising. The Games are a twisted reality show where the tributes fight each other to the death, up to the point where only one victor remains.
The story centers on Katniss Everdeen, who has to rely on her sharp instincts and hunting skills to survive in the dangerous arena.
The Hunger Games movies remain some of the best YA book-to-movie adaptations out there, perfectly capturing the gloomy atmosphere and raw emotion of the books. The fact that author Suzanne Collins was on board to help write the screenplay probably didn’t hurt. Factor in Jennifer’s Lawrence undeniable acting chops, and a hit was born.
- Rent it on Amazon Prime Video
2. To Kill a Mockingbird
Based on Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name, To Kill a Mockingbird follows Scout Finch, whose father is a lawyer defending a black man against fabricated rape charges in Depression-era Alabama. As the trial progresses, Scout and her brother Jem are exposed to a world of racism and stereotyping, which causes them to mature way beyond their years.
The movie was a hit upon its release in 1962 and it’s still considered one of the best films of all time. Lee herself loved the adaptation and was in awe of Gregory Peck’s acting skills, who offers a brilliant portrayal of Atticus Finch.
Moving and thought-provoking, To Kill a Mockingbird is the kind of film that has a strong social message, but never sacrifices gripping drama to become preachy. If you haven’t watched it already, now’s the perfect time to give it a go.
- Rent it on Amazon Prime Video
3. The Silence of the Lambs
Bringing Hannibal Lecter to the big screen is no easy feat, but The Silence of the Lambs pulls it off beautifully, offering a haunting tale of horror and suspense.
The story follows Clarice Starling, a young FBI trainee who interviews Hannibal Lecter in her pursuit to apprehend a serial killer. Lecter is himself a cannibalistic serial killer serving life behind bars, but who just happens to be a brilliant psychiatrist as well. Unfortunately for Clarice, his insights don’t come cheap.
This hypnotic adaptation will keep you glued to the screen thanks to its sheer intensity. Moreover, Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster are both brilliant, showcasing their talent as they bring to life two memorable characters.
All in all, The Silence of the Lambs is a well-crafted, clever thriller not recommended for the weak of heart. Stream it immediately.
- Rent it on Amazon Prime Video
4. Trainspotting
Trainspotting centers on Renton, a heroin addict who has little prospects and a fairly pathetic life in Edinburgh. The movie details Renton’s heroin-fueled exploits and the shady ways in which he finances his habit, mostly with the help of his similarly tragic friends.
Based on Irvine Welsh’s novel, Trainspotting became a cult hit, which was only made even more obvious in 2017, when a sequel was released to great success. Nonetheless, the original is still a must-see, especially if you’re a fan of black comedies.
The movie is a terrifying, yet often funny portrayal of addiction. With Trainspotting, it’s all about the atmosphere, as the flick perfectly captures the joy and misery of getting high.
- Stream it on Netflix
5. No Country for Old Men
Based on Cormac McCarthy’s 2005 novel of the same name, No Country for Old Men follows a Vietnam veteran who makes the discovery of a lifetime when he stumbles upon two million dollars in the aftermath of a Texas drug deal gone bad. He decides to keep the cash, which sets off a violent chain reaction as a merciless killer starts tracking him to recover the money.
The movie perfectly balances comedy and horror, but never goes overboard with either one. It’s about violence, so you’ll need a strong stomach, but it’s also an allegory about life and the doom that eventually awaits us all. Fun stuff.
Furthermore, No Country for Old Men features some amazing performances from Javier Bardem, Josh Brolin, Woody Harrelson and Tommy Lee Jones, each exquisite in their own way. If you like Westerns, you can’t pass on this one.
- Rent it on Amazon Prime Video
6. Fight Club
“First rule of Fight Club is: you do not talk about Fight Club.”
In this case, we’ll make an exception. An adaptation of Chuck Palahniuk’s popular novel, the movie centers on a depressed man who meets a charming stranger on a business trip.
Together, they form an underground club where men can fight other men without any judgement, all in an attempt to bring some excitement to their otherwise boring lives. As one expects, mayhem ensues.
A mix of satire and social critique, Fight Club is so much more than a movie about men bonding through violence. Visually gorgeous, the film perfectly captures the discontent and anxiety plaguing many of those desperate to discover life’s true meaning. Maybe that’s why it was such a huge hit.
- Stream it on Hulu with the CINEMAX add-on
7. L.A. Confidential
If you’re a fan of clever thrillers, this one should be at the top of your must-watch list. Based on James Ellroy’s 1990 novel, L.A. Confidential follows a group of LAPD officers back in 1953 and explores Southern California’s criminal underbelly during a time when Hollywood was still seen as the capital of glamor and sophistication.
The cast should be enough to catch your eye, as it includes Kim Basinger, Kevin Spacey, Guy Pearce, Danny DeVito and Russell Crowe.
The novel’s complex story of crime and corruption is brilliantly brought to the screen, ensuring viewers can follow the story without having read the novel. That’s impressive, given that a lot happens over the course of the flick, yet it somehow still feels like it’s over too soon.
Moreover, everyone delivers top-notch performances, to the point where it’s impossible to say who comes in at number one. Our money is on Basinger.
- Rent it on Amazon Prime Video
8. The Devil Wears Prada
It’s not often that a movie ends up being better than the book, but this may be one of those rare instances. That’s mainly thanks to Meryl Streep as a cutthroat fashion editor and Anne Hathaway as an aspiring journalist. The movie is based on a novel by Lauren Weisberger and centers on Andie, who lands a job millions of young women would kill for: assistant to one of the most diabolical faces in the high-powered fashion magazine world.
The movie is half satire, half melodrama, telling a tale as old as time that will resonate with anyone who hated their boss at one point or another. It’s engaging and fun, but the film’s main appeal lies in Streep’s magnetic performance. If you’re a fan of her work, you can’t skip this one.
9. The Shining
This intense film follows Jack, a middle-aged man who agrees to become the winter caretaker at an isolated hotel, hoping he’ll have some downtime to devote to writing. He brings his wife and son along, but soon discovers that the hotel hides some dark secrets. Before you know it, Jack turns into a homicidal maniac determined to terrorize his family.
The Shining is based on Stephen King’s 1977 novel of the same name, but deviates from the source material on many occasions. For instance, the iconic line “All work and no play make Jack a dull boy” isn’t even in King’s book.
Regardless of which one you prefer, The Shining is a masterpiece, brimming with madness and haunting imagery.
- Rent it on Amazon Prime Video
10. True Grit
True Grit is based on Charles Portis’ 1968 novel of the same name.
After an outlaw murders her father, feisty 14-year-old Mattie Ross hires a trigger-happy lawman to help her get revenge. They join forces with a Texas Ranger, and together the trio ventures into hostile territory to dispense some Old West justice.
Moving and unpredictable, the movie excels thanks to delightful banter, brutal gunfight sequences and gorgeous cinematography. Hailee Steinfeld is perfectly cast as Mattie Ross, but the entire ensemble is superlative, as it features the likes of Josh Brolin, Matt Damon and Jeff Bridges.
All in all, True Grit is a true Western, appealing to veteran fans of the genre and newcomers alike, since the unusual trio’s adventures never fail to entertain.
- Stream it on Hulu
11. Silver Linings Playbook
Adapted from Matthew Quick’s novel, Silver Linings Playbook is fast-paced and addictive, thought-provoking and highly enjoyable.
The movie follows Pat, a bipolar man recently released from a mental institution, keen to get back on his feet and determined to win back his estranged wife. He meets Tiffany, a recent widow who convinces him to enter a dance competition with her.
The two get closer and struggle to figure out a way to cope with their problems. After all, life doesn’t always go according to plan.
Silver Linings Playbook is crazy good, as it completely revitalizes the rom-com genre by injecting some much-needed realism into the story. It’s about how happily-ever-after entails finding someone willing to live with your lunacy instead of being hell-bent on fixing you, which is refreshing and poignant. Plus, the cast is the stuff of dreams — it includes Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, Robert de Niro, Jacki Weaver and Chris Tucker.
- Rent it on Amazon Prime Video
12. Gone with the Wind
This compelling historical romance is the definitive Hollywood film — epic, glam and gorgeous. Based on Margaret Mitchell’s best-selling novel, the flick follows Scarlett O’Hara, a spoiled Southern girl who is hopelessly in love with a married man.
Gone with the Wind is set during the American Civil War and the Reconstruction era, but let’s face it: No one watches it for the historical accuracy. Instead, it became one of the most beloved movies of all time due to the four hours of epic, gripping romance through amazing performances from Vivien Leigh and Clark Gable.
If you’re nostalgic for Old Hollywood, this is the ultimate movie experience. Plus, it’s a testament to the fact that a magnificent book can become an equally magnificent motion picture with the help of an impressive budget, sharp writing and talented actors.
- Rent it on Amazon Prime Video
13. Schindler’s List
Schindler’s List isn’t a feel-good movie, but it’s a must-see one. Based on the novel Schindler’s Ark by Thomas Keneally, it follows Oskar Schindler, a businessman who saved over 1,000 Jews from sure death during the Holocaust by employing them in his factories, which caused him to lose his fortune in the process. It’s a true story, brilliantly brought to the big screen thanks to Steven Spielberg’s skillful showcasing of humanity and compassion.
One of the most powerful portraits of World War II, Schindler’s List is about an anti-hero who succumbs to his inner goodness. But it’s also about death, grief, terror, violence and empathy.
The realism and attention to detail make the movie difficult to watch, but it’s the type of outstanding film everyone should see at least once.
It will likely stay with you for a long, long time.
14. The Fellowship of the Ring
Granted, you should watch the entire trilogy, but we’ll focus on the first one for now. Based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s work, The Fellowship of the Ring centers on Frodo, a hobbit living in the fictional world of Middle-earth. Assisted by a Fellowship of heroes, he embarks on an epic quest to destroy the One Ring and its maker, the Dark Lord Sauron.
The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a cinematic triumph and the first movie flawlessly introduces the world and mythology. In short, it does the source material justice. Although faithful to the books, the adaptation does omit some of the story, so we advise you read the novels as well to experience even more Middle-earth goodness.
- Rent it on Amazon Prime Video
15. The Godfather
Considered one of the best movies of all time, The Godfather is based on Mario Puzo’s novel of the same name. The story, taking place over 10 years, chronicles the happenings within a New York crime family, with an emphasis on the transformation of one of the boss’s children from reluctant outsider to ruthless mafia boss.
With Marlon Brando and Al Pacino delivering glorious performances and an epic story, there’s no wonder The Godfather is one of the most imitated and frequently-quoted films in modern history.
The movie exceeded all expectations, quickly becoming one of Hollywood’s greatest critical and commercial successes. Not only that, but it stands the test of time and can easily be enjoyed today, thanks to a compelling narrative and great cinematography.
If you haven’t seen it yet, what are you waiting for?
- Rent it on Amazon Prime Video
*Availability last checked 11/18/19
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