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Movies Based on Books 
Read the Book Before You See the Movie. Which is better? You decide. Start browsing our year-by-year lists of movie adaptations of classic novels. See the menu on the right.
Upcoming Movies Based on Books
What Should I be Reading?
Each year an average of thirty novels are made into movies for the big screen. Authors watch tensely as their stories are filtered through the hands of screenwriters, directors, cinematographers, and studio chiefs. If they're lucky, these film adaptations do the original story justice. However,
it is often the case that the book is significantly better than the movie. Here, we present upcoming movie adaptions of classic novels to keep you up-to-date on what books are being adapted for the big screen. See the right column for yearly movie and a novel listings.
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| BRIEF INTERVIEWS WITH HIDEOUS MEN (2009) (Man Woman, Interviews, Adaptation)
 
PLOT: Sara Quinn (Julianne Nicholson) conducts a series of interviews with men in an effort to uncover the secret thoughts that drive their behavior for her anthropological dissertation. As she records the astonishing and often repulsive experiences of various subjects, Sara discovers much more about men and herself than she bargained for. AUTHOR:
David Foster Wallace
|  (Buy Book)
| ALICE IN WONDERLAND (2010) (Children's Book, Fantasy, Disney, Adaptation)
PLOT: In this adapation by Tim Burton, Alice (Mia Wasikowska) returns to the whimsical world she encountered as a young girl reuniting her with her childhood friends including The White Rabbit (Michael Sheen), The Mad Hatter (Johnny Depp), The Cheshire Cat (Stephen Fry) and all your other favorites. AUTHOR:
Lewis Carroll
|  (Buy Book)
| TAKING WOODSTOCK (2009) (Woodstock, Hippies, Peace, Music, Concerts, Adaptation)
PLOT: The true story of Elliot Tiber (Demetri Martin) and his family, who inadvertently played a pivotal role in making the historical Woodstock Music and Arts Festival. With the bank about to foreclose on the family's dilapidated Catskills motel, The El Monaco, Elliot tries to reel in business from an upcoming local hippie music festival. Ultimately, half a million people are on their way to his neighbors farm in White Lake, NY, and Elliot finds himself swept up in a generation-defining experience. AUTHOR:
Elliot Tiber
|  (Buy Book)
| CIRQUE DU FREAK: THE VAMPIRE'S ASSISTANT (2009) (Vampires, Fantasy, Sideshow, Adaptation)
PLOT: The Vampire’s Assistant, based on the popular Cirque du Freak series by Darren Shan, is a fantasy-adventure about a teenager (Chris Massoglia) who unknowingly breaks a 200-year-old truce between two warring factions of vampires. Pulled into a fantastic life of misunderstood sideshow freaks and grotesque creatures of the night, one teen will vanish from the safety of a boring existence and fulfill his destiny in a place drawn from nightmares. AUTHOR:
Darren Shan
|  (Buy Book)
| INFORMANT!, THE (2009) (True Story, Whistleblower, Corporation, Conspiracy, Spy, Adaptation)
PLOT: A rising star at agri-industry giant Archer Daniels Midland (ADM), Mark Whitacre (Matt Damon) suddenly turns whistleblower. Even as he exposes his company’s price-fixing conspiracy to the FBI, Whitacre envisions himself being hailed as a hero of the common man and handed a promotion. But before all that can happen, the FBI needs evidence, so Whitacre eagerly agrees to wear a wire and carry a hidden tape recorder in his briefcase, imagining himself as a kind of de facto secret agent. Unfortunately for the FBI, their lead witness hasn’t been quite so forthcoming about helping himself to the corporate coffers. Whitacre’s ever-changing account frustrates the agents and threatens the case against ADM as it becomes almost impossible to decipher what is real. AUTHOR:
Kurt Eichenwald
|  (Buy Book)
| THE ADJUSTMENT BUREAU (2010) (Science Fiction, Romance, Adaptation)
PLOT: "The Adjustment Bureau" follows an affair between a politician (Matt Damon) and a ballerina (Emily Blunt) that is affected by mysterious forces keeping the lovers apart. This film is loosely based on Philip Dick's science fiction short story "Adjustment Team" about a salesman who discovers that the world is controlled by outside guardians. AUTHOR:
Philip Dick
|  (Buy Book)
| INVICTUS (2009) (Rugby, Sports, Apartheid, South Africa, Diversity, Adaptation)
PLOT: Invictus, named after a poem that inspired Nelson Mandela, tells the true story of how Mandela joined forces with the captain of South Africa's rugby team to help unite their country. Newly elected President Mandela knows his nation remains racially and economically divided in the wake of apartheid. Believing he can bring his people together through the universal language of sport, Mandela rallies South Africa's underdog rugby team as they make an unlikely run to the 1995 World Cup Championship match. AUTHOR:
John Carlin
|  (Buy Book)
| UP IN THE AIR (2009) (travel, romance, comedy, flying, Adaptation)
PLOT: “Up in the Air” is now a dramatic comedy following Ryan Bingham (George Clooney), a corporate downsizing expert whose cherished life on the road is threatened just as he is on the cusp of reaching ten million frequent flyer miles and after he’s met the frequent-traveler woman of his dreams. AUTHOR:
Walter Kirn
|  (Buy Book)
| SHERLOCK HOLMES (2009) (Sherlock Holmes, crime fighting, mystery, detective, Adaptation)
PLOT: Sherlock Holmes (Robert Downey Jr.) has been revamped from the typical Victorian crime fighter you may imagine from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's stories. While in a slightly new style, Sherlock's detective skills are still at play and with the help of Dr. John Watson (Jude Law) are able to foil the plans of a sinister occultist, Lord Blackwood (Mark Strong). AUTHOR:
Arthur Conan Doyle
|  (Buy Book)
| PRINCESS AND THE FROG, THE (2009) (animation, frog, Disney, princess, Adaptation)
PLOT: When Prince Naveen of Maldonia (Bruno Campos) comes to town, a deal with a shady voodoo doctor goes bad and the royal is turned into a frog. In a desperate attempt to be human again, a favor in exchange for a fateful kiss on the lips from the beautiful girl, Tiana (Anika Noni Rose), takes an unexpected turn when she too becomes a frog. This leads them both on a hilarious adventure through the bayous of Louisiana to the banks of the almighty Mississippi and back in time for Mardi Gras in New Orleans. AUTHOR:
Jacob Grimm
|  (Buy Book)
| A CHRISTMAS CAROL (2009) (christmas, classics, Scrooge, family, holidays, Adaptation)
PLOT: The timeless tale of an old miser, Ebenezer Scrooge (Jim Carrey), who must face Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present and Yet-to-Come, as they help to bring kindness to his cold heart. Set around Christmas, Scrooge realizes that he needs to change his ways and ultimately becomes the generous man he has always been in his heart. AUTHOR:
Charles Dickens
|  (Buy Book)
| FANTASTIC MR. FOX (2009) (children's book, animals, family, farm, Adaptation)
PLOT: Mr. Fox (George Clooney) steals chickens, ducks, and turkeys from three mean, stinky and wealthy farmers named Boggis, Bunce and Bean in order to feed his family. The farmers are angry and try to kill him. One night they wait outside his foxhole in an attempt to ambush him but only succeed in getting his tail. In order to feed his family, Fox pairs up with his neighbor friends including Weasel (Wes Anderson), Rabbit (Mario Batali) and Badger (Bill Murray) to outsmart the farmers. AUTHOR:
Roald Dahl
|  (Buy Book)
| I HOPE THEY SERVE BEER IN HELL (2009) (comedy, bachelor party, friendship, Adaptation)
PLOT: Tucker (Matt Czuchry) decides to take an impromptu trip to celebrate his friend Dan's (Geoff Stults) bachelor party. He drags his friend into a lie with his fiancée, gets him into trouble and then abandons him in order to pursue a hilarious carnal interest. Tucker is disinvited to the wedding, and in order to get back in, Tucker has to find a way to balance his narcissism with the demands of friendship. AUTHOR:
Tucker Max
|  (Buy Book)
| VAMPIRE DIARIES, THE (2009) (vampire, teen, diary, high school, young love, Adaptation)
PLOT: Two vampire brothers, Stefan (Paul Wesley) and Damon (Ian Somerhalder), vie for the affection of Elena (Nina Dobrev), a high school girl who pours her soul into diary entries that we hear in voice over. The Vampire Diaries TV series airs on the CW network. It is being produced by Kevin Williamson, who also wrote and produced the teen drama Dawson's Creek. AUTHOR:
L. J. Smith
|  (Buy Book)
| HARRY POTTER AND THE HALF-BLOOD PRINCE (2009) (Wizards, Witches, Fantasy, Magic, School, Dark Arts, Adaptation)
PLOT: In Harry Potter's sixth year at Hogwarts school, he obtains a Potions book which used to belong to the mysterious Half-Blood Prince. He also begins to fall for his best friend's sister, Ginny Weasley. Ron and Hermione's friendship is put to the test after Ron starts dating Lavender Brown, a decision that leaves Hermione very unhappy. AUTHOR:
J.K. Rowling
|  (Buy Book)
| I LOVE YOU, BETH COOPER (2009) (High School, Teen, Romance, Party, Graduation, Adaptation)
PLOT: During his graduation speech a nerdy valedictorian by the name of Denis Cooverman (Paul Rust) proclaims his love for the hottest and most popular girl in school – Beth Cooper (Hayden Panettiere). Much to his surprise, Beth shows up at his door that very night and decides to show him the best night of his life. AUTHOR:
Larry Doyle
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Classic Movies Based on Books
Past Film Adaptations of Classic Novels
Books Just Added - Our archive of movie adaptations is always growing. Here,
we present memorable movies from the past that have recently been added to our database of movies based on novels. Whether you are familiar with the film version or not, experience the story
in it's most classic form, and then enjoy the filmmaker's vision of the author's work.
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| GEORGE WALLACE (1997) (Politics, Segregation, Alabama, Divorce, Adaptation)
PLOT: This epic bio directed by John Frankenheimer stars Gary Sinise as American politician George Wallace. The four-term Alabama Governor is best known for his pro-segregation attitudes during the American desegregation period, convictions he modified later in life. Wallace also ran for U.S. President four times, running as a Democrat three times. Angelina Jolie stars as Cornelia Wallace, George's second wife whom he also divorced. AUTHOR:
Marshall Frady
|  (Buy Book)
| READER, THE (2008) (WWII, Nazi, Affair, Sex, Older Woman, War Crimes, Adaptation)
PLOT: The Reader, which gained popularity after being an Oprah's Book Club selection, tells the story of law student Michael Burk, who is reunited with his former lover Hanna (Kate Winslet) as she defends herself in a Nazi war-crime trial, post WWII. Michael's long, obsessive affair with the older woman Hanna began when Michael was 15, and it's been nearly a decade since they've spoken. Will his lingering feelings for his former lover help him to overlook her unspeakable war crimes? AUTHOR:
Bernhard Schlink
|  (Buy Book)
| DUCHESS, THE (2008) (18th Century, Devonshire, Scandal, Marriage, Affair , Adaptation)
PLOT: A chronicle of the life of 18th century aristocrat Georgiana, Duchess of Devonshire, who was reviled for her extravagant political and personal life. The Duchess falls passionately in love with an ambitious young politician after putting up with her husband's live-in mistress. The movie adaptation stars Keira Knightley as the Duchess. Actor Ralph Fiennes portrays her husband, the Duke of Devonshire. AUTHOR:
Amanda Foreman
|  (Buy Book)
| HAUNTING, THE (1963) (Horror, Supernatural, Haunted House, Suspense, Adaptation)
PLOT: Dr. Markway, doing research to prove the existence of ghosts, investigates Hill House, a large, eerie mansion with a long history of violence, death, and insanity. With him are the skeptical young Luke, who stands to inherit the house, the mysterious and clairvoyant Theodora and the insecure Eleanor, whose psychic abilities make her feel somehow attuned to whatever spirits inhabit the old mansion. Soon, the ghostly presence in the house manifests itself in horrific and deadly ways. AUTHOR:
Shirley Jackson
|  (Buy Book)
| LET THE RIGHT ONE IN (2008) (Horror, Vampire, Friendship, Love, Morality, Murder, Adaptation)
PLOT: Oscar, an overlooked and bullied boy, finds love and revenge through Eli, a beautiful but peculiar girl who turns out to be a vampire. Eli needs to drink other people's blood to live. How much can one person overlook a loved one's wrongdoing? The movie, based on the book by Swiss author John Ajvide Lindqvist, took top honors at the Tribeca Film Festival. AUTHOR:
John Ajvide Lindqvist
|  (Buy Book)
| TRUE BLOOD (2008) (Vampire, Society, Discrimination, Telepathy, Louisiana, Adaptation)
PLOT: The HBO television series follows Sookie Stackhouse (Anna Paquin), a barmaid living in Louisiana who can read people's minds. Her life is turned upside down when the Vampire Bill (Stephen Moyer) walks into her place of employment two years after vampires 'came out of the coffin' on national television. AUTHOR:
Charlaine Harris
|  (Buy Book)
| CITY OF EMBER (2008) (Underground, Ancient City, Technology, Light, Friendship, Adaptation)
PLOT: For generations, the people of the underground City of Ember have flourished in an amazing world of glittering lights. But Ember's once powerful generator is failing ... and the great lamps that illuminate the city are starting to flicker. Now, two teenagers in a race against time, must search Ember for clues that will unlock the ancient mystery of the city's existence, and help the citizens escape before the lights go out forever. Starring Bill Murray and Tim Robbins. AUTHOR:
Jeanne Duprau
|  (Buy Book)
| GOLDEN COMPASS, THE (2007) (Orphan, Parallel Universe, Kidnap, Talking Animals, Adaptation)
PLOT: In a parallel universe, young Lyra Belacqua journeys to the far North to save her best friend and other kidnapped children from terrible experiments by a mysterious organization known as The Magisterium. The movie, starring Nicole Kidman and Daniel Craig, bares the name of the first novel in Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials trilogy, The Golden Compass. The Subtle Knife and The Amber Spyglass round out the series of books. AUTHOR:
Philip Pullman
|  (Buy Book)
| HOUSE (2008) (Horror, Killer, Vacation, Trapped, Haunted House, Adaptation)
PLOT: The horror movie House is based on the book by authors Frank Peretti and Ted Dekker. Two couples vacationing in Alabama are pursued by a maniac killer. They flee deep into the woods and take refuge in an old house that has been vacated for years, or so they think. They soon discover that they are not alone and that the killer has purposely lured them to this house. It seems that the killer and the house are somehow working together. They try to leave, but the house won't let them. AUTHOR:
Ted Dekker
|  (Buy Book)
| ANGEL (2007) (Teenager, Poverty, Author, Success, Adaptation)
PLOT: The movie is based on the novel by Elizabeth Taylor (not the famous actress). Fifteen-year-old Angel (Romola Garai) writes stories that allow her to escape the poverty around her and retreat to a world of romance. She knows she is different, that she is destined to become a feted authoress, owner of great riches and of Paradise House. After reading The Lady Irania, publishers Brace and Gilchrist are certain the novel will be a success, in spite of—and perhaps because of—its overblown style. But they are curious as to who could have written such a book. Also starring Sam Neill. AUTHOR:
Elizabeth Taylor
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A good book is the best of friends, the same today and forever.
~Martin Farquhar Tupper
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