From Page to Screen: Best Book to Movie Adaptations Ever Made

A staple in the fantasy world, Lord of the Rings is a perfect example of a successful book to movie series adaptation. When making the movies, Peter Jackson chose to take the novels and create something new from J. R. R. Tolkien’s original version. The comparison of the two is interesting, with the dialogue, characters, scenes, and location being changed in the films—basically everything that engineers a book in its original state. Extremely rare in situations like this, both adaptations don’t compete and simply exist alongside each other.

The Shining as a book to movie adaptation is slightly controversial, especially when referencing Stephen King himself. Regarded as one of the scariest horror films of all time, Stanley Kubrick created an intense and unsettling world with Jack Nicholson and Shelley Duvall as some of the actors starring in this film.

The reason this choice may be seen as controversial by some is not because of the film itself, but more so of the transition of considering it an adaptation. King has explicitly said how he doesn’t like the film, believing that the changes made were unnecessary.

IT is an infamous book, and with two films created across two years, Andy Muschietti was under a lot of pressure to do the book justice when adapting it for the big screen. As with The Shining, Stephen King created an amazing horror novel with narrative depth, complex characters, and a completely horrifying storyline.

However, I found that this movie adaptation lost quite a lot of character depth and missed out on some vital information. Perhaps this can be justified as an artistic change since King’s books tend to be a lot more gory and violent, so cutting these out of the film makes it appeal to a larger audience rather than only a niche bunch with strong stomachs.

With the release of the sequel to the adaptation by Denis Villeneuve, starring Timothee Chalamet and Zendaya, Dune is new to the list but one that will without a doubt be considered a classic in years to come.

In the most recent films released, we follow a two-part adaptation of the first novel , with an upcoming third film that will be based on the second book, Dune Messiah. As far as book to movie adaptations go, this sci-fi movie follows a pretty much standard change, with some parts of the novel omitted for brevity. The films also focus more on the action than the political intrigue Frank Herbert concentrated on in his novel.

In A Clockwork Orange, Stanley Kubrick takes the futuristic world seen in the novel and creates something massively spectacular on the big screen. I think this could be considered one of the most accurate book to movie adaptations since Kubrick is extremely faithful to Burgess’ novel. In a statement that can only be viewed as a strong political message, the only thing he does omit is the final, positive chapter of the main character – Alex – as he matures and outgrows sociopathy.

With several attempts to ban the book due to the sexual violence it depicts, it can’t be argued that this is a dark and dismal story that's suitable for the older ages.

Containing an iconic whimsy tone with action and off-kilter humor, Stardust, created by Matthew Vaughn, is a fantastical experience of a pre-Tolkien English fantasy. Even though Neil Gaiman is a household name when it comes to fantasy novels, Vaughn does change the storyline considerably by almost completely making up the last half hour of the film.

Nevertheless, the book and film seem to work in perfect harmony with one another, giving readers and viewers the opportunity to compare and contrast the differences between the storytelling mediums. Starring Claire Danes, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Robert De Niro, this romantic, fantasy, adventure film is a must-watch—and also read—to get the full experience of this perfect world.