Movies based on books are a really common thing. You may never know that those famous movies or series are actually based on books.
Dune:
Dune is a 1965 science-fiction novel by American author Frank Herbert. It is about a planet named Arrakis and its unique lifestyle and engaging story. It was adapted as a movie in 2021. The Dune Part 1 released in 2021, and The Dune Part 2 will release in 2024, with Part 3 expected to be released around 2026-2027.
- Director: Denis Villeneuve
- Cast:
- Timothée Chalamet as Paul
- Zendaya as Chani
The Hunger Games:
The Hunger Games series, based on Suzanne Collins’ novels, consists of four films adapted from the original trilogy. This story is set in a dystopian future and follows a girl called Katniss Everdeen, who later becomes a rebel against a totalitarian regime.
- Movies:
- The Hunger Games (2012)
- Director: Gary Ross
- Cast:
- Jennifer Lawrence as Katniss Everdeen
- Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark
- Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne
- The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
- Director: Francis Lawrence
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 1 (2014)
- The Hunger Games: Mockingjay, Part 2 (2015)
The new Hunger Games movie released in 2023 is named The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes.
The Lord of the Rings Series (2001-2003):
The Lord of the Rings series, based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy novel, is a successful film trilogy directed by Peter Jackson. This series is known for its expansive world-building, story, and complex characters.
- Movies:
- The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
- Cast:
- Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins
- Ian McKellen as Gandalf the Grey
- Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn
- Sean Astin as Samwise Gamgee
Little Women (2019):
Little Women is a movie based on the classic novel of the same name written by Louisa May Alcott. This is a fresh take on the story, blending modern sensibilities.
- Director: Greta Gerwig
- Cast:
- Saoirse Ronan as Jo March
- Emma Watson as Meg March
- Florence Pugh as Amy March
The Shawshank Redemption (1994):
The Shawshank Redemption is a classic movie that everyone should watch at least once. It is also an adaptation of the novel Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King.
- Director: Frank Darabont
- Story: The film tells the story of Andy Dufresne, a banker wrongfully accused of murdering his wife and lover. He is sentenced to two consecutive life terms in Shawshank State Penitentiary, where he forms a close friendship with Ellis “Red” Redding.
- Cast:
- Tim Robbins as Andy Dufresne
- Morgan Freeman as Ellis “Red” Redding
Forrest Gump (1994):
Forrest Gump is an amazing classic film based on the 1986 novel Forrest Gump written by Winston Groom. It tells the story of a kind-hearted and intellectually challenged man from Alabama. Despite his low IQ, Forrest exhibits extraordinary talents and influences major historic events. It was also remade as Laal Singh Chaddha in Bollywood, starring Aamir Khan and Kareena Kapoor.
- Director: Robert Zemeckis
- Cast:
- Tom Hanks as Forrest Gump
- Robin Wright as Jenny Curran
Gone Girl (2014):
Gone Girl is a 2014 psychological thriller film directed by David Fincher. It is based on a novel of the same name by Gillian Flynn. It tells the story of the mysterious disappearance of Amy Dunne, with her husband Nick Dunne becoming the prime suspect. As the story unfolds, many dark secrets are revealed.
- Cast:
- Ben Affleck as Nick Dunne
- Rosamund Pike as Amy Elliott Dunne
Sherlock Holmes (2009):
Everyone knows about Sherlock Holmes, a famous character created by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Sherlock has been adapted into numerous movies and series.
- Director: Guy Ritchie
- Cast:
- Robert Downey Jr. as Sherlock Holmes
- Jude Law as Dr. John Watson
TV-Series: Sherlock (2010-2017)
- Directors: Steven Moffat, Mark Gatiss
- Cast:
- Benedict Cumberbatch as Sherlock Holmes
- Martin Freeman as Dr. John Watson
It (2017):
It is a 2017 horror film directed by Andy Muschietti, based on Stephen King’s 1986 novel of the same name.
- Story: The story is set in the small town of Derry, Maine, where a group of children encounters an evil entity in the form of a clown named Pennywise. It awakens every 27 years to prey on the town’s children.
- Movies:
- It (2017)
- It: Chapter Two (2019)
- Cast:
- Bill Skarsgård as Pennywise
- Jaeden Martell as Bill Denbrough
- Sophia Lillis as Beverly Marsh
The Exorcist (1973):
The Exorcist is one of the most terrifying horror films of all time, based on the 1971 novel by William Peter Blatty.
- Director: William Friedkin
- Story: The story revolves around a 12-year-old girl named Regan MacNeil and her mother. The girl is possessed by a demonic force, and two priests confront the demonic entity.
- Cast:
- Linda Blair as Regan MacNeil
- Ellen Burstyn as Chris MacNeil
The Notebook (2004):
The Notebook is a 2004 romantic movie directed by Nick Cassavetes, based on the novel of the same name by Nicholas Sparks. The film tells the story of a young couple who fall in love during the early 1940s and face numerous challenges.
- Cast:
- Ryan Gosling as Noah Calhoun
- Rachel McAdams as Allie Hamilton
The Fault in Our Stars (2014):
- Novel by: John Green
- Directed by: Josh Boone
- Story: It is about two cancer patients who fall in love.
- Cast:
- Shailene Woodley as Hazel Grace Lancaster
- Ansel Elgort as Augustus Waters
Life of Pi (2012):
Life of Pi is a visually stunning film directed by Ang Lee, based on the novel Life of Pi written by Yann Martel. It tells the story of a young Indian boy named Pi Patel who survives a shipwreck and is stuck in a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean with a tiger named Richard Parker.
Into the Wild (2007):
Into the Wild is a biographical drama film directed by Sean Penn, based on a non-fiction book of the same name. This film is a true story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who leaves his conventional life behind to seek adventure and deeper meaning in the Alaskan wilderness.
New Movies:
Orion and The Dark (2024):
Orion and The Dark is an animated feature film directed by Sean Charmatz. It is based on a children’s book Orion and the Dark written by Emma Yarlett. It tells the story of a young boy named Orion who is afraid of the dark and how he overcomes his fear through an adventurous and enlightening journey. This movie will be released on Netflix on February 2, 2024.
The Tiger’s Apprentice (January 2024):
The Tiger’s Apprentice is an animated fantasy film directed by Carlos Baena, based on the novel of the same name by Laurence Yep. It is released in January 2024. The story revolves around a young boy named Tom Lee who is thrust into a magical world filled with mythological creatures and must protect an ancient artifact with the help of a shape-shifting tiger.
The Watchers:
It is a 2024 American supernatural horror film directed by M. Night Shyamalan. It is based on the 2022 novel of the same name by A.M. Shine. The story follows Mina, a 28-year-old artist, who gets stuck in a vast forest in western Ireland. Later, she discovers she is trapped alongside three strangers. They are stalked each night by mysterious creatures that remain unseen.
- Cast:
- Dakota Fanning as Mina
- Georgia Campbell
- Olwen Fouéré
Spaceman (March 1, 2024):
Spaceman is a sci-fi drama adapted from Jaroslav Kalfar’s 2017 novel Spaceman of Bohemia. The film follows a Czech astronaut who goes on a mission to the edge of the solar system. During his mission, he discovers a mysterious creature that helps him navigate personal and emotional challenges.
A Gentleman in Moscow:
A Gentleman in Moscow is based on the acclaimed novel by Amor Towles and has been adapted into a television series. This limited series, consisting of eight episodes, stars Ewan McGregor. The story follows The Count, an aristocrat sentenced to house arrest in the Metropol Hotel in Moscow after the Russian Revolution. Over the decades, he navigates his existence by building relationships with the hotel’s staff and guests, finding new meaning and purpose within his limited surroundings.
Bridgerton:
Bridgerton is a popular period drama series streamed on Netflix. It is based on the Bridgerton book series by Julia Quinn. Set in London, it follows the lives of the Bridgerton family. The series focuses on the eight siblings of the Bridgerton family as they navigate London’s society. It is praised for its casting and engaging storyline.
- Seasons:
- Season 1 (2020)
- Season 2 (2022)
- Season 3 (upcoming)
Upcoming Movies and Series:
It Ends With Us: Released
It Ends With Us is a viral book that gained fame for its storyline. The movie adaptation of Colleen Hoover’s novel is highly anticipated and is set to release in the US on August 9, 2024.
- Directed by: Justin Baldoni
- Cast:
- Ryle Kincaid
- Blake Lively as Lily Bloom
- Brandon Sklenar as Atlas Corrigan
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder: Released
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is a novel by Holly Jackson. It is a murder mystery featuring characters like Pip, Ravi Singh, Sal, and Andy Bell. This book series will be adapted into a drama series of the same name. Its first episode is expected to release in July 2024.
- Cast:
- Emma Myers as Pip Fitz-Amobi
- Zain Iqbal as Ravi Singh
- India Lillie Davies as Andy Bell
Lady in the Lake:
Lady in the Lake is a novel by Laura Lippman. It will be adapted into an upcoming American limited series. It is set to premiere on July 19, 2024, on Apple TV.
Dune: Prophecy:
Dune: Prophecy is an upcoming American series that will serve as a prequel to the 2021 film Dune. It is scheduled to premiere in Fall 2024. It is based on the 1965 novel Dune written by Frank Herbert.