I am an absolute SUCKER for a book to movie adaptation. I know a lot of people don’t like them, are skeptical of them and are generally quite disappointed by them but seeing books come to life on a screen really appeals to me. Especially books I already love!
I’m also much more inclined to watch a film if I know it’s based off a book and then of course, read the book afterwards. I’ve also had times where I’ve watched the film version of a book first which has helped my imagination with the world-building when I read the book afterwards. This was very much the case with The Book Thief and The Prestige – two favorites of mine.
And I’m always SOOOO excited when I hear about books I’ve read being made into movies. Even if I didn’t particularly like the book, I’ll still watch the movie because I find consuming the story in a different medium gives me a completely different view of it entirely.
But there are of course plenty of books that I love that I haven’t included on this list for a bunch of reasons. The story wouldn’t lend itself well to a visual adaptation or some for the pure selfish reason that I love the book so much and my own little movie of it in my head that I don’t want anyone else to ruin it (please someone tell me if you relate?)
For the most part, I’m usually quite impressed with movie adaptations, which is why I love them so much. But I completely understand those that don’t! Today I want to share some books I think would make great movies and I’d love to see if you agree!
Here are 6 books I loved that I think would make amazing movies!
Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens
Am I using this first one as a cop-out because it actually already IS being made into a movie? Yes, definitely. But I think anyone who’s read this book can attest to the fact that it would make an absolutely beautiful film – and I hope the ACTUAL film does it justice.
Where the Crawdads Sing is so beautifully descriptive and visual, that the story should lend itself to an electric and jaw-dropping on-screen equivalent. I’m dreadfully excited for the film to come out of this. I just hope they do the book justice!
One of Us is Lying by Karen M. Mcmanus
One of Us Is Lying would absolutely make a wicked YA movie and I’m sure everyone who’s read the book will agree with me there!
This is actually the one one of Karen M. Mcmanus books I’ve read although I’m aware she has loadsss more out now which are well and truly on my to-read list when I can finally get around to it.
I think with the right cast to portray the diverse mix of students in this book, the potential movie version of One of Us Is Lying would be absolutely stellar!
The Cost of Knowing by Brittney Morris
This is one of my most recent reads having only read it last month so it’s well and truly still on my mind but I think again, if the casting was one right and the book was done justice, the movie would be fantastic.
This book in general has a lot of important themes running through it, most notably the nature of being a black male and gun violence against them, so a movie version of this book would be a great option right now, potentially as a Netflix original? Yo, Netflix, where you at?
The Kingdom by Jess Rothenberg
I read this book last year (I think?) or earlier this year? (Idk, I swear all the years are merging together at the moment) and I still regularly think about it. It’s definitely one of the best books I’ve ever read, probably going in my top 20 all-time.
With the visual effects we have available to us now, The Kingdom would be a breath-taking movie – if done right.
When trying to explain this book to people I say it’s like a mixture between Disney and the TV show Humans. Imagine that on the big screen!
The Sisters by Claire Douglas
I read absolutely everything that Claire Douglas writes and to be perfectly honest, all of her books would make great Thriller movies. But I’ve gone with The Sisters as it’s one of her earliest and the first novel of hers I read and the one that got me well and truly hooked on her writing.
In fact, I already have a main character cast for this movie – Emilia Clarke. As that’s who I pictured when I read this. Sooooo if there’s any casting directors out there willing to make this a movie, I’d love to be involved in the decision making process! *wink wink*
I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak
And finally, I Am the Messenger by Markus Zusak. This man could write absolutely anything I would be besotted by it. And although arguably I Am the Messenger isn’t as poignant, heart-breaking and emotive as the likes of The Book Thief, it’s still a work of art, beautifully written and MADE for the big sccreen!
I think it’s the richness of the characters, the world-building and storylines all in one which makes anything that Zusak writes perfect for visual viewing. I know a lot of books don’t need a movie to make them what they are but there’s some that I think really would come to life even more so with the right actors and production – this is one of them.
I’d LOVE to hear which books you love that you think would make great movies! Do you agree (or disagree) with any of these? Let me know in the comments!
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I didn’t know about all these books (only about the first one!). Thank you for this wonderful post 🙂
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Great list! I personally would like to see “The Three Stigmata of Palmer Eldritch” made into a movie.
I’ve never read that !
I always think that my favourite books would make great movies, haha. Although right now I’m finding everything on my TBR list is being turned into shows and now I can’t read fast enough. I’d love to see some of Robin Hobb’s work visualised, although I feel like it would only ever disappoint me. A few of these are on my TBR, so now seeing your recommendations, I can’t wait to get to them. Love this post!
I hope you enjoy them! I do think a LOT of things are being made into tv shows or films when they don’t really need to be. Sometimes just keeping the book as the book is okay.
Cannot wait for Crawdads to come out! I’m surprised no one has done One of us is lying, it would make quite a good riverdale-esque type of show or movie for the right audience! x
http://www.iridescentplaces.com
Oh for sure! I heard from someone that it’s being made into a series? But I’m not sure how true that is!
I still need to read The Kingdom. One of Us is Lying would make a great movie!
The Kingdom is fantastic!
It looks so good!
I think “One of Us is Lying” can also be a good Netflix series. Interesting post. 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
Yes I agree it’s be a great series!!
nothing is worse than when an adaptation falls flat! i feel this way about The Giver–they entirely missed so much & it makes me so upset just thinking about it now haha. your mention of messenger reminds me that you told me about it earlier this year! i hope i read it soon. i think Salt to the Sea, a ya hist fic, would make a great adaptation if done well!
also, i think we both agree that lotr are in the top, all time great adaptations ever, right?! 😉 x
Sorry girl, I’ve never plucked up the courage to read The Lord of the Rings! So I love the films but can’t have an opinion on the adaptations themselves!
oh that’s right omg!!! i think if you ever do, you’ll have the same conclusion hehe
Yes, the “Maeve” book is deliciously tricky too!
I also love book-to-film adaptations! Whenever I watch a really good film on Netflix, my first thought is “was this based on a book?”. I think the Red Rising series by Pierce Brown would make an incredible movie series / Netflix show, and Splintered by A.G. Howard! x
Oh my gosh same! I love going through the “films based on books” section on Netflix too.
I haven’t read any of these books but I’d love to watch a film of each and then go back and read the books to see what is different/ elaborated.
I love doing that too!
I’ve only read One of Us is Lying but I agree that done right it would make a great film or TV adaptation. It’s such a gripping and twisted story!
TV adaptation for sure would be amazing for OoUiL!
I love watching movies about books I’ve read too! It’s so interesting to see if people look the way I imagined and how the world looks. I’d rather read a book then watch the movie instead of the other way around.
Corinne x
Yesss I love that too. I love it when a character is exactly how you imagined them!
Yes, I totally agree One of Us is Lying would make a fantastic film! I loved this book, and its sequel. It’s such a clever, classic locked-room murder mystery; would definitely go to see this. One of my favourite, recent books, No Exit by Taylor Adams, is supposed to be in production right now, and I can’t wait to see that. Also, the Winternight trilogy by Katherine Arden would make perfect Christmas viewing!
I still need to read the sequel to one of us is lying! I can’t believe I haven’t already.
Ooh, yes to ALL these suggestions! I love it when a book I really enjoy gets a movie made (as long as it’s done well, of course). I like to see how the story is portrayed and the characters get brought to physical life — I would love to see all the books on your list made into films! One I want to see as a movie is ‘The Marrow Thieves’ by Cherie Dimaline as it is remarkable.
Same, seeing the characters come to life is just magic!
Love this! I’ve only read One Of Us Is Lying from this list (which I believe is being made into a TV series, which I’m so excited for!) but Crawdads and The Kingdom are both on my tbr. Thanks for sharing, this was a super interesting post x
Oh really?! I didn’t know that! Well that’s just made me mega excited!!
The cost of not knowing is such a great book. I would be super interested in watching it as a film.
It’d definitely be an interesting film!
The Crawdads has been one of my favourite books this year so I’m really praying they don’t stuff it up when the movie comes out! I think a book that would make a fab movie is All The Light We Cannot See by Anthony Doerr – although I’m not sure you could condense everything into one film! x
Oh for sure but that’s the case with most books anyway! I’m really excited for Crawdads but definitely a bit apprehensive too!
I have not read any of those books before. But I love how you have written this post. They sound like they would make great films. Thank you for sharing these reads!
Lauren – bournemouthgirl.com
Thank you x
I can’t wait for Where the Crawdads Sing, I hope they do it justice – I do tend to be wary of adaptation ha, ha, ha
I hope so too, ahh!
OMG, I cannot wait until Where The Crawdads Sing is made into a movie, I will definitely be going to watch it in the cinema when it’s released! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
Me too, release day and I’ll be there!
I’ve not read any of these books but I know that Hollywood are working on a movie/tv show for Where The Crawdads Sang! I love a book that goes into a film but I can be such a snob haha
Rosie
https://www.loverosiee.co.uk
Yes Crawdads is being made into a film, so excited! And omg me too, I’m like “well THAT wasn’t in the book” 😅
I’ve not read any of these books before but they do sound like they’d make great films! I love when actors bring books to life in movies. Thank you so much for sharing these books lovely, I’ll for sure be checking them out. Xo
Elle – ellegracedeveson.com
Same, I love it when they get an actor perfectly for a role.
Ah this is such a great post Jenny, I might have to take inspiration and imagine some of my favourite books as they would be on the screen! Thank you so much for sharing your choices x
Oh yes do it! Please link my post into yours if you do! I’d love to read what books you think would make great movies too 🙂
Thank you so much x
I haven’t read any of these books but from hour description of The Kingdom, I would definitely watch that movie! I love anything Disney-esque! Great post 😊
Haha maybe I should pitch the idea 💡
I’ve not read any of these books before, but I absolutely love the thought behind this post! It’s such a cool idea. I love that you’ve even picked out an actress for one of the movies.
Claire.X
http://www.clairemac.co.uk
Thank you haha actually when I read fiction books, I ALWAYS have actors and actresses in mind for the characters! Just so I have someone to picture in my head 🙂
I agree with The Kingdom and One of Us is Lying……. I really love your post
Thank you 🙂