Every book lover has that heartbreaking moment. You read a novel and instantly fall in love. Then, you watch the film. And what may have been your favourite historical or fantasy story quickly becomes the worst kind of horror imaginable.
Surprisingly, not all film adaptations are full of confusing plot holes, two-dimensional characters and Hollywood kitsch. Here are my top picks for movies that are (almost) as good as their books:
The Princess Bride
A movie? That does the book justice? Inconceivable! In this quotable cult favourite, a stable boy-turned-pirate sword-fights his way past knights, giants and ROUSes (Rodents of Unusual Size) to be reunited with his true love. Because William Goldman also wrote the screenplay, the movie preserves the hilarious dialogue and swashbuckling action of the novel.
Where to Read: Amazon/Kindle Store, Waterstones
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime, Disney+
To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before
YA novels-turned-movies have notoriously bad reputations. But, aside from a few plot changes, this Netflix adaptation perfectly captures the relatable teen drama of Jenny Han’s bestselling novel, where a teenage girl named Lara Jean has her secret love letters stolen and mailed to her former crushes––including the most popular boy in school and her sister’s ex-boyfriend!
Where to Read: Amazon/Kindle Store, Waterstones
Where to Watch: Netflix
The Road
After winning a coveted spot in Oprah’s Book Club, this novel was adapted into a limited-release film. It shares the suspenseful journey of a father and son across post-apocalyptic America, where food is scarce and thieves and cannibals rule the road. The movie abandons some of Cormac McCarthy’s horrifying imagery, but still preserves the tender father-son relationship that brings a glimmer of hope to this grim world.
Where to Read: Amazon/Kindle Store, Waterstones
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime
Sense and Sensibility
This movie breathes new life into Jane Austen’s classic tale of the Dashwood sisters, who step up to take care of their family after their father’s death leaves them penniless. Screenwriter Emma Thompson (who also plays Elinor) re-wrote the male love interests to make them more likeable for modern viewers. Director Ang Lee also keeps the action fun and fast-paced, especially in scenes where the novel tends to drag.
Where to Read: Amazon/Kindle Store, Waterstones
Where to Watch: Netflix
The Color Purple
This much-loved adaptation of the Pulitzer-winning novel follows the story of Celie, an African-American woman living in Georgia in the early 1900s. Though not as heavy as Alice Walker’s book, the film is still an emotional rollercoaster. It moves seamlessly between Celie’s traumatic relationships with her father and husband to her uplifting relationships with Nettie, her little sister, and Shug Avery, a free-spirited jazz singer.
Where to Read: Amazon/Kindle Store, Waterstones
Where to Watch: Amazon Prime