THE ULTIMATE LIST OF BOOK + MOVIE ADAPTATIONS YOU’LL LOVE
What’s better than a good book? A good book that comes alive on screen! These movie and tv adaptations take the wonder of the page and crank it up to eleven. Think jaw-dropping moments, characters you can’t forget, and scenes that make you go, “Whoa!” If you’re ready to see some amazing books like you've never seen them before, grab some popcorn and just press play.
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1. MARY POPPINS
The Book: Mary Poppins is the kind of nanny who shows up, snaps her fingers, and turns everyday life into an adventure—sharp, clever, and lovely.
The Movie: Julie Andrews brought extra magic to Disney’s adaptation, turning “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” into an unforgettable moment of wonder.
Me & Mary: I spent hours wishing Mary Poppins would swoop in and fix my messy bedroom. Spoiler: it didn’t happen—oh well!
2. LITTLE WOMEN (1994)
The Book: Louisa May Alcott gave us Jo March—an icon for every ambitious, awkward dreamer.
The Movie: Winona Ryder as Jo? Perfection. This captures the heart of the book, with all its warmth and passion.
Me & Jo: Every time I’ve used butter—anytime—I hear Amy saying, “Isn't butter divinity” Yes, Amy. Yes.
3. THE BFG
The Book: Roald Dahl’s tale of a young girl and a friendly giant who team up to stop child-eating giants is full of whimsy and dark humor.
The Movie (2016): Steven Spielberg brought the dreamlike quality of the book to life, with beautiful imagery and a lovable BFG.
Me & the Big Friendly Giant: Watching the movie felt like stepping into my childhood imagination.
4. A SERIES OF UNFORTUNATE EVENTS
The Books: Lemony Snicket’s gothic, absurd tale of three orphans facing misfortune after misfortune at the hands of the villainous Count Olaf.
The Netflix Show: This adaptation masterfully balances the books’ quirky darkness with sharp humor and clever twists, bringing the misadventures of the Baudelaire orphans to life in a truly memorable way.
Me & the Baudelaires: I watched the series, gripping my pillow and yelling, “Run, kids, RUN!”
5. MR. POPPER’S PENGUINS
The Book: A charming story of penguins turning Mr. Popper’s boring life upside down.
The Movie: This adaptation takes the heartwarming tale of a man and his penguins, shakes it up with modern antics, and delivers a delightfully absurd dose of icy chaos.
Me & Penguins: This story had me daydreaming about living in an igloo in Antartica surrounded by penguins everywhere.
6. ZATHURA + JUMANJI
The Books: Board games come to life in Chris Van Allsburg’s captivating picture books—one set in the jungle and the other in outer space.
The Movies: Both adaptations expand the simple stories into thrilling adventures.
Me & Jumanji: To this day, I approach board games with extreme caution. Too risky. But wow, what an adventure!
7. ALICE IN WONDERLAND
The Book: Lewis Carroll’s fantastical journey through Wonderland is filled with quirky characters and absurd logic.
The Movie(s): Disney’s animated version is classic, while Tim Burton’s live-action take brought bold, imaginative twists that gave the story a darker edge.
Me & Alice: I spent way too long hoping something would lead me to Wonderland.
8. THE CALL OF THE WILD
The Book: A thrilling story of survival and transformation as a dog named Buck is thrust into the harsh Yukon wilderness.
The Movie (2020): This adaptation brings Jack London’s classic to life with a heartfelt portrayal of Buck’s journey and his bond with John Thornton, capturing the wild beauty and emotional depth of the original tale.
Me & Buck: After watching, I wanted to pack a sled and brave the wilderness (minus the wolves).
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9. A LITTLE PRINCESS
The Book: A heartwarming story about Sara Crewe, a wealthy girl turned poor orphan, whose imagination and kindness transform those around her.
The Movie: The 1995 version is visually stunning and emotionally powerful, bringing Sara’s story to life with vivid colors and tender moments. Every moment feels like a storybook brought to life.
Me & Sara: When I was a kid, I imagined I was just like Sara, pretending to be a princess with my very own kingdom.
10. THE PRINCESS BRIDE
The Book: A witty, clever fairy tale with sword fights, true love, and lots of adventure.
The Movie: As you wish! This is one of the best adaptations ever.
Me & Buttercup: I’ve quoted this movie so many times, “Inconceivable” is practically my catchphrase.
11. HIDDEN FIGURES
The Book: A powerful true story of the Black women mathematicians whose work helped NASA reach the stars.
The Movie: Inspiring and beautifully acted, a spotlight on incredible women and their achievements.
Me & NASA Dreams: I couldn’t help but Google “How to become an astronaut” after watching.
12. JURASSIC PARK
The Book: Michael Crichton’s gripping tale of science, dinosaurs, and disaster.
The Movie: Spielberg amps up the action and awe with Spielberg gave us more dinosaurs and jaw-dropping visuals. Iconic soundtrack. Win-win!
Me & Dinosaurs: After watching the movie, I couldn't help but imagine how cool it would be if Jurassic Park were real—without all the chaos, of course. Just peaceful dinosaurs.
13. THE CHRONICLES OF NARNIA: THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE
The Book: This is the story of four siblings who stumble into a magical land through a wardrobe. Narnia is a place of snow-draped forests, talking animals, and an eternal winter cursed by the White Witch.
The Movie: The snow-covered Narnia looked exactly as I imagined, this movie rekindled my childhood wonder and made winter feel like an adventure.
Me & Narnia: As a kid, I spent hours hoping my wardrobe would lead me to Narnia. Spoiler: it didn’t.
14. EVERYTHING, EVERYTHING
The Book: Nicola Yoon’s tale of a girl in a bubble and the boy who makes her wonder if love is worth the risk.
The Movie: I loved how it brings the book's wonder to life so beautifully—thoughtful and imaginative.
Me & This Story: It made me want to go outside and breathe in the world, just for the thrill of it.
15. JAWS
The Book: Peter Benchley’s thriller is more soap opera than shark horror.
The Movie: Spielberg transforms the story into a cinematic masterpiece, elevating the shark attacks into some of the most suspenseful scenes in film history.
Me & Sharks: Every time I go to the ocean, I can’t help but hear that duh-dun, duh-dun theme in my head. It’s all I think about when I swim. Thanks, Jaws.
16. ANNE OF GREEN GABLES
The Book: L.M. Montgomery’s classic about Anne Shirley, an imaginative orphan finding her place in the world with Marilla and Matthew Cuthbert in Avonlea.
The 80s Movie: The 1985 movie with Megan Follows is the version of Anne for me. The moment she breaks her slate over Gilbert’s head? Iconic.
Me & Anne: Watching her with red hair and big ideas made me realize it’s okay to dream big and make a mess along the way.
