Top 50 movies based on books you should read

Looking for the best movies based on books? Explore our top 50 list to find your next favorite title.

The movie adaptations of books have given life to so many stories. Many of the world’s best movies started as ideas in talented authors’ minds.

In this article, you’ll see an extensive list of movies based on books everyone should read. Then, we’ll introduce a new way to read your favorite stories.

The Best Movies Based on Books

Books are often the source material for great movies and TV shows. Movies based on books make up a large portion of films out there. Pair a well-written narrative with minds like Martin Scorsese, Steven Spielberg, or David Fincher, and you can rest assured something incredible will reach the big screen.

If you’re a book and film enthusiast and are unsure where to start, here’s a list of the most gripping books with movie adaptations:

1. American Psycho by Bret Easton Ellis: A brutal satire of the 1980s Wall Street excess, this book follows the descent into madness of its protagonist, Patrick Bateman, melding horrific violence with dark humor.
2. It by Stephen King: This epic novel follows a group of children in a small Maine town battling an evil entity in the form of a clown named Pennywise; decades later, they return as adults to finish the fight in a masterful blend of horror and nostalgia.
3. The Godfather by Mario Puzo: This gripping tale of power, family, and crime introduces the Corleone mafia family, exploring the complexities of loyalty and betrayal in the organized crime world of mid-20th-century America.
4. The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris: FBI trainee Clarice Starling is pulled into the hunt for a serial killer, seeking the help of imprisoned cannibal psychiatrist Dr. Hannibal Lecter in this intense psychological thriller.
5. To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee: Set in the racially charged South of the 1930s, this novel tells the story of young Scout Finch, whose father, lawyer Atticus Finch, defends a black man unjustly accused of rape.
6. The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien: This foundational fantasy epic chronicles the perilous journey of Frodo Baggins as he and his companions set out to destroy a powerful ring sought by the dark lord Sauron.
7. The Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King: Originally a novella titled "Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption," this story details the bond between two prisoners and their quest for freedom over decades behind bars.
8. The Harry Potter Series by J.K. Rowling: This beloved series follows young wizard Harry Potter and his friends as they attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and battle the dark wizard Voldemort.
9. The Accidental Billionaires by Ben Mezrich: This non-fiction book chronicles the dramatic founding of Facebook at Harvard and the legal battles among its founders, focusing on the relationships that were made and broken in the process.
10. The Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum: Dorothy's magical journey through the Land of Oz is filled with adventure and the quest to return home, accompanied by a cast of memorable characters.
11. The Help by Kathryn Stockett: Set in 1960s Mississippi, this novel examines the lives of African American maids working in white households, highlighting the racism and daily struggles they face.
12. Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell: This sweeping saga of love, war, and survival focuses on the fiery Scarlett O'Hara and the impact of the American Civil War and Reconstruction on Southern life.
13. The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien: Bilbo Baggins is whisked away from his quiet village on an epic quest to reclaim a treasure guarded by a dragon in this adventure that sets the stage for "The Lord of the Rings."
14. The Shining by Stephen King: Jack Torrance's winter caretaking of the Overlook Hotel descends into madness, influenced by the malevolent forces within, as his psychic son Danny sees horrific forebodings.
15. Little Women by Louisa May Alcott: This novel follows the lives of the four March sisters—Meg, Jo, Beth, and Amy—as they grow up, find love, and face personal challenges in post-Civil War America.
16. The Princess Bride by William Goldman: A delightful tale of true love and adventure follows Westley and his quest to rescue his beloved Buttercup, filled with unique characters, witty dialogue, and memorable escapades.
17. Adventures of a Mathematician by Stanislaw Ulam: This autobiography details the life and work of Stanislaw Ulam, a brilliant mathematician who played a part in some of the twentieth century's significant scientific advancements.
18. One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey: In a mental institution, rebel Randle P. McMurphy inspires his fellow patients to challenge the oppressive rules enforced by Nurse Ratched, questioning the definitions of sanity and autonomy.
19. The Devil Wears Prada by Lauren Weisberger: A young woman lands a job as an assistant to one of New York's biggest magazine editors, navigating the tumultuous and glamorous world of high fashion.
20. Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally: Oskar Schindler's efforts to save his Jewish employees from the Holocaust by employing them in his factories during World War II are recounted in this harrowing and inspiring story.
21. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins: In a dystopian future, Katniss Everdeen volunteers to replace her sister in the Hunger Games, a televised fight to the death, sparking a series of events that challenge the oppressive regime ruling her world.
22. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis: This series transports readers to the magical world of Narnia, where children from our world play crucial roles in the battle between good and evil across various adventures.
23. Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen: This classic romance explores the turbulent relationship between Elizabeth Bennet and the aloof Mr. Darcy, cleverly critiquing the societal norms and class prejudice of early 19th-century England.
24. Forrest Gump by Winston Groom: This novel follows the unexpectedly adventurous life of Forrest Gump, a slow-witted but kind-hearted man from Alabama, who unwittingly influences several historical events in the 20th century.
25. Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen: This novel examines the lives and loves of the Dashwood sisters, Elinor and Marianne, as they navigate the complexities of propriety, romance, and economic necessity in genteel Georgian England.
26. Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton: A cautionary tale about genetic engineering and corporate greed, this novel chronicles the disastrous consequences of creating a wildlife park with cloned dinosaurs.
27. The French Connection by Robin Moore: This non-fiction book explores the gripping true story of one of New York City's biggest narcotics investigations, which was later adapted into an Oscar-winning film.
28. Solaris by Stanisław Lem: This philosophical science fiction novel delves into the human condition and the limits of understanding through the interactions of scientists with a mysterious oceanic entity on the planet Solaris.
29. Raging Bull by Jake LaMotta: This autobiography of boxer Jake LaMotta discusses his rise in the boxing world and his struggles with violence both in and out of the ring.
30. Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote: This novella portrays the eccentric and charming life of Holly Golightly, a New York socialite who is determined to marry into wealth but finds herself in complicated relationships.
31. Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan: This contemporary romantic comedy reveals the opulent world of Asia's ultra-wealthy through the eyes of an American woman who discovers that her boyfriend belongs to one of Singapore's richest families.
32. The Hour of the Star by Clarice Lispector: A poignant tale that reflects on poverty, identity, and desire through the life of Macabéa, a naïve typist from northeastern Brazil trying to find love and a better life in Rio de Janeiro.
33. The Talented Mr. Ripley by Patricia Highsmith: A psychological thriller that follows the chilling and manipulative Tom Ripley as he schemes to steal the identity and fortune of a wealthy acquaintance.
34. Matilda by Roald Dahl: This children's novel features a young, exceptionally intelligent girl who uses her telekinetic powers to overcome oppressive adults and improve her life.
35. Election by Tom Perrotta: A sharp and witty high school satire where an overambitious student, Tracy Flick, faces unexpected opposition from a popular teacher and his disillusioned jock student.
36. Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ by Lew Wallace: This historical epic combines the story of Judah Ben-Hur, a Jewish prince falsely accused of treason, with the life events of Jesus Christ, exploring themes of revenge, redemption, and faith.
37. L.A. Confidential by James Ellroy: Set in 1950s Los Angeles, this gritty noir novel delves into police corruption, Hollywood glitz, and the seedy underbelly of LA through the intersecting lives of several law enforcement officers.
38. Room by Emma Donoghue: Told from the perspective of a five-year-old boy held captive in a small room with his mother, this intense and emotional novel explores themes of love, resilience, and the fight for freedom.
39. Wonder Boys by Michael Chabon: This comedic novel follows a middle-aged novelist struggling to finish his second book, dealing with the chaos of his personal and professional life during a tumultuous weekend.
40. MASH by Richard Hooker: A darkly humorous look at the lives of surgeons drafted into the Korean War, this novel mixes the horrors of war with absurdity and irreverent comedy to critique military life and bureaucracy.
41. The Color Purple by Alice Walker: This deeply moving and vividly depicted narrative follows the life of Celie, an African American woman in the early 20th century South, as she journeys from pain and oppression to growth and empowerment.
42. The Remains of the Day by Kazuo Ishiguro: This poignant novel explores the life of Stevens, a dedicated but emotionally repressed English butler, whose reflections reveal the sacrifices he made in devotion to duty over personal happiness.
43. Persepolis by Marjane Satrapi: An autobiographical graphic novel that portrays the impact of the Iranian Revolution and subsequent war through the eyes of a young girl growing up in Tehran.
44. Doctor Zhivago by Boris Pasternak: Set against the backdrop of the Russian Revolution, this novel follows Yuri Zhivago as he struggles to maintain his personal integrity and the love of Lara amidst the turmoil of war and social upheaval.
45. Hidden Figures by Margot Lee Shetterly: This inspiring true story highlights the contributions of African American women mathematicians who played crucial roles in NASA during the Space Race, overcoming significant racial and gender barriers.
46. Great Expectations by Charles Dickens: A bildungsroman that follows the life of an orphan named Pip, who rises from humble beginnings through the help of a mysterious benefactor, exploring themes of ambition, wealth, and unrequited love.
47. No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy: A stark and philosophical thriller about a man who stumbles upon a drug deal gone wrong and another man’s relentless pursuit, which explores the inevitability of fate and the declining American pastoral.
48. Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk: A provocative and nihilistic novel that critiques consumer culture through the story of an unnamed protagonist struggling with insomnia and disillusionment, who forms an underground fight club as radical psychotherapy.
49. Don’t Look Now by Daphne Du Maurier: This collection of short stories blends elements of horror, mystery, and the supernatural, with the titular story focusing on a couple grieving the death of their daughter, who encounter eerie premonitions in Venice.
50. The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty: A horrifying tale of demonic possession that delves deep into the psychological and spiritual warfare waged by a mother, a priest, and a young girl possessed by an inexplicable evil.

Use Speechify to Narrate your Books

Hopefully, you’ve found some titles to add to your to-read list. Even better, why not listen to them?

Speechify is a text to speech tool that can turn the legendary stories mentioned here into high-quality audiobooks. Unlike movies or traditional books, audiobooks will leave more to your imagination, providing an immersive experience. It’s also easier to multitask while enjoying these classic tales.

With Speechify, you can listen to your books in over 200 voices and 60+ languages, so you can also enjoy international titles. Speechify is available on iOS, Android, macOS, Windows, Safari, and Google Chrome. You can listen to your books at home or on the go.

If you want to see Speechify in action, you can try it for free.

FAQ

What is the best movie based on a book?

Many consider Schindler’s List the best due to its compelling and impactful story.

What book should be made into a movie which hasn't yet?

Some may say Bleeding Edge by Thomas Pynchon, a New York Times best-seller.