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Anushka Chandra
Dec 26, 20204 min read

7 Movie Adaptations That Were Better Than The Books

Books are no doubt the classical evidence of the talent that splurges from the tips of the fingers of authors, a lasting mark that they leave in the world of bound pages and texts. Some of these books become so inspiring, they practically beg for a theatrical adaptation for the big screen audience who cannot imagine with words on paper. Some of these adaptations, however, may become such perfect adaptations of the written pages, that they may supersede the author’s imaginations in the world they are themselves created. Writing beholds the construction of claims based on the indescribable feeling of being able to imagine a vast field of rolling plains with the fluffiest white clouds when the line says “it was a colorful day”, but to see it seems easier for some people. So, in memory of these books that you may not have even known existed, here is our list of the top 7 movie adaptations of books that were honestly better than the books. Reader discretion advised because there might be plenty of spoilers. The list may get a little controversial for book lovers, but use your ideas to spice up that blind date that went colder than your Decaf Roast on a snowing winter evening.

1. Little Women

Little Women

Set in 19th century, the book by Louisa May Alcottpublished in 1868 talks about four women and their interpersonal relationships with each other and the people around them. Louisa’s book was a hit classic, but the 2019 movie adaptation packs an impeccable performance by itsstar studded cast. The portrayal of the four women after the Civil War superseded their characters on paper in the caricatures played by Emma Watson, Saorise Ronan, Florence Pugh and Eliza Scanen. The entire movie breathed into existence, struggles and their wishes to be everything more than what post-war society demanded them to do.

Watch the movie on Amazon Prime Video


2. Shawshank Redemption

Shawshank Redemption

The only reason why a Stephen King book exists on this list is simply because of the fact that Shawshank Redemption was a part of his series called Different Seasons, a series published in 1982 and was completely ignored by critical reviewers, part of the reason including that the series did not get any actual recognition until it became a part of the movie franchise adapted in 1994. Once again, a starlit cast with Tim Robbins and Morgan Freeman, the movie brought to light the hidden lines between the book that most people did not see for whatever reasons a reader could have. The movie was a critical consensus hit with the performances of Tim and Morgan being the living best of the entire movie.


Watch the movie on Amazon Prime Video

3. Silence of the Lambs

The Silence of the Lambs

A psychological thriller, the book and movie talk about a Police Officer working closely with a well-known serial killer captured years ago to catch another that kills women to make an entirely new human skin from them. Gruesome and heavily unsettling, the movie once again was a much bigger classic hit than the book. The book was written by Thomas Harris and was published in 1988 with the movie being up on-screen in 1991. Anthony Hopkins ate up the movie with his flawless acting of Hannibal Lector, the character on the page being more of Anthony’s performance than the one written by Harris in 1988. Buy the book on Amazon here https://www.amazon.in/Silence-Lambs-Hannibal-Lecter/dp/0312924585

Watch the movie on Amazon Prime Video

4. The Notebook

The Notebook

With an author like Nicholas Sparks published in 1996, The Notebook was a path-breaking love story hit. The book did well, undeniably with Sparks language skills and storytelling tactics, but the 2004 adaption of the movie broke every record held by the book. Why? Once again, breathing into the characters of Noah and Allie, Ryan Gosling and Racheal McAdams on-screen chemistry wrote off the lines from the book into their explosive chemistry and facial and bodily expressions. They breathed into life the characters and their reactions to the twists in their summer love and the tragically bittersweet ending where they die in each other’s arms.

Watch the movie on Netflix


5. Fight Club

Fight Club

If you were surprised to see this here, you’re not the only one. The book of 1996 was subpar, with the author Chuck Palahnuik admitting that he believed the story he wrote of a “depressed dude starting an underground club to fight” seems a little embarrassing for him now, but up until the movie came out in 1999, the concept of mental health and its dealing with the underground was never fully discovered. The movie gave more definition to the book with realistic portrayal of white-collared Americans and their job frustrations alongside being one of Brad Pitt’s amazing performance skills.

Watch the movie on Amazon Prime Video


6. Brokeback Mountain

Brokeback Mountain

The 2005 movie was based on the book of the same name by Annie Proulx published in 1997. Both the book and the movie adaption were flawless, but the cast took away every record in the movie by going beyond the feelings and caricatures of their characters on paper. Becoming one with the characters they must portray is no easy job, but our leading stars Jake Gyllenhaal and the late Heath Ledger were exactly what we imagined in the roles of Jack and Ennis respectively.


7. No Country for Old Men

No Country For Old Men

If you’ve read the book that was published in 2005, you know why this one made it to the list. Corman McCarthy is a brilliant writer, but one that has a little knack for the actual fallacies of grammar, a feat that can and is upsetting to avid readers. Undoubtedly, the movie adaptation of 2007 takes focus away from the blaring mistakes and puts into the spotlight the actual thriller crime penned down in the book.

Watch the movie on Netflix


We hope you enjoyed this article! Let us know your thoughts on the books and the movies in the comments below, and share this piece with your friends!

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Anushka Chandra, Content Writer, Skyshot Media

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