11 Awesome Books That Became Movies

One of the things I love best about movies is that some of them are stories I already love. And these 11 Awesome Books that Became Movies are some of the best stories ever–so a movie just makes sense!

When I start looking for a new movie to watch, a lot of times, I specifically look for books that became movies. If I've read the book, it's likely that I am going to have fun watching the director's take on a story I already enjoy.

Some of the best books were made into movies and there's no arguing that they are all worth watching–if just to cringe at how your favorite book was butchered by someone else's interpretation.

If you're ready to explore some awesome books that became movies, let's turn this page.

In this post:

11 Awesome Books That Became Movies

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone

On his 11th birthday, Harry Potter learns that he's a powerful wizard with a place waiting for him at the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.

Read the book | Watch the movie

The Notebook

Two young lovers are torn apart by war and class differences in the 1940s in this Nicholas Sparks best-selling novel.

Read the book | Watch the movie

The Great Gatsby

Fascinated by the mysterious and affluent Jay Gatsby, his neighbor Nick Carraway bears witness to the man's obsessive love and spiral into tragedy.

Read the book | Watch the movie

Gone Girl

His marriage crumbling, Nick comes home one day to find his wife has vanished. And as the police turn up the heat, shocking truths come to light.

Read the book | Watch the movie

Twilight

When Bella Swan moves in with her father, she starts school and meets Edward, a mysterious classmate who reveals himself to be a 108-year-old vampire.

Read the book | Watch the movie

Crazy Rich Asians

When she joins her boyfriend on a trip to his native Singapore, Rachel Chu discovers his family's luxurious wealth and faces his disapproving mother.

Read the book | Watch the movie

The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers

Frodo and Sam head to Mordor to destroy the One Ring of Power while Gimli, Legolas, and Aragorn search for the orc-captured Merry and Pippin.

Read the book | Watch the movie

The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring

From the idyllic shire of the Hobbits to the smoking chasms of Mordor, Frodo Baggins embarks on his epic quest to destroy the ring of Sauron.

Read the book | Watch the movie

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King

Aragorn is revealed as the heir to the ancient kings as he, Gandalf, and the other members of the broken fellowship struggle to save Gondor.

Read the book | Watch the movie

Game of Thrones

George R.R. Martin's best-selling book series “A Song of Ice and Fire” is the depiction of two powerful families — kings and queens, knights and renegades, liars and honest men — playing a deadly game for control of the Seven Kingdoms of Westeros, and to sit atop the Iron Throne.

Read the book | Watch the movie

The Hunger Games

In what was once North America, the Capitol of Panem maintains its hold on its 12 districts by forcing them each to select a boy and a girl, called Tributes, to compete in a nationally televised event called the Hunger Games.

Read the book | Watch the movie

If You Love Movie Adaptations of Books

I found this interactive guide that examines nine of the most popular book-to-movie transitions from the last decade. It will help you determine which version is truly the better of the two.

If you're looking for more movies based on books, check out 30+ Netflix movies based on books for kids (for ages 11-12) and 40+ movies based on books (for kids 8-10).

To continue learning, check out the General Book/Movie Study Guide.