When we hear our favorite books are being adapted for screen we are filled with excitement and sometimes fear. It’s no easy feat to bring a beloved book to life, but when it’s done well, the love and magic from the books we love is reborn. With all of the excitement surrounding upcoming films, shows and adaptations, here’s a list of some of the all-time best book-to-screen adaptations that you should read and watch.
#5: The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003)
“The Lord of the Rings” movie series, based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s series of the same name, is a beloved classic taking place in a magical Middle-earth with fantastical creatures and magic. Some changes were made in three movies such as omitting characters like Prince Imrahil or the Swan Knights, characters such as Denethor, Saruman and Faramir losing their complexity, and altering certain events such as the Council at Rivendell or Frodo’s Journey to Mordor being different in the films, it generally remained true to its core source material. The story follows found family and friends through a perilous voyage to save the Free Peoples of Middle-earth. “The Lord of the Rings” movie series was also one of the first major fantasy book adaptations to hit the big screen, setting the stage for many of the adaptations on this list and beyond. All in all, it’s a classic that’s always an adventurous, action packed watch or read, which takes and immerses you in a beautiful vibrant journey.
#4: Bridgerton (2020-ongoing)
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many turned to entertainment to cure their boredom; this timing couldn’t have been better for shows like “Bridgerton”— adapted from Julia Quinn’s eight book Regency Romance series of the same name—which released its first season in 2020. Now, the series has produced three seasons correlated to three specific books and 24 episodes. A fourth season is expected in 2026, with a fifth and sixth season confirmed. A spinoff, Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story, debuted in 2023. Set in the Regency era, it is beloved for its fresh takes on period dramas with its talented and multicultural cast, propelling it into popularity. Using modern fabric for costumes while staying true to the regency style and silhouette. It also takes a unique spin on music, taking modern songs such as “Yellow” by Coldplay and “Dancing on my own” by Robyn and composing them in an orchestral style. This show has taken the world by storm, earning both Emmy and Grammy nominations. With its witty characters and passionate romances, this show is one to look out for, read and catch up on.
#3: Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
Adapted from George R. R. Martin’s six book fantasy series of the same name, the Game of Thrones TV series began releasing episodes in 2011 with eight seasons, 73 episodes and spinoffs in production such as “House of the Dragon.” With intricate characterization, twisted plot lines and intense violence amid beautiful, haunting settings, the series is considered accurate to the books in its early seasons; however, in seasons 5-8 the show adapted new storylines and character arcs from books that hadn’t been released yet. The show’s finale was heavily criticized by viewers and critics alike, yet it had a record of 19.3 million viewers across all streaming platforms and channels. For these reasons it earns its place in the middle of my list.
#2: The Hunger Games (2012-ongoing)
The Hunger Games film series is a five film dystopian series based off of Suzanne Collins’s book series of the same name. The book series is a carefully crafted critique of today’s world featuring Greek Mythology motifs. The idea first came to Collins one night as she was flipping through TV channels with clips of the Iraq-Afghanistan War and a reality TV show. The series takes place in a future where only North America exists (Panem), and it’s divided into 12 districts and a Capitol. The original trilogy began adopting in 2012, starring Jennifer Lawrence as the main character Katniss Everdeen, Josh Hutcherson as Peeta Mellark and Liam Hemsworth as Gale Hawthorne. While some fans criticized casting choices and the decision to split the final book into two films, the movies keep improving. The most recent one, “Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes,” is praised for its casting, with actors such as Tom Blyth as Coriolanus Snow and Rachel Ziegler as Lucy Grey Baird. Many love the new artistic style with colorful costumes representing characters and beautiful songs written for the movie.The newest addition to the Hunger Games book series, “Sunrise on the Reaping” released March 18 will also turn into a film on Nov. 20, 2026. The movie will star Joseph Zada as Haymitch Abernathy, Whitney Peak as Lenore Dove and McKenna Grace as Maysilee Donner. With the anticipation of “Sunrise on the Reaping,” this is definitely a perfect time to revisit Panem.
#1: Harry Potter (2001-2011)
The final place on our list goes to the Harry Potter franchise (2001-2011). The movies are based off of the Harry Potter book series written by J.K. Rowling and the series has three spinoff movies, the Fantastic Beasts trilogy, as well as a TV show remake in production. The films starred Daniel Radcliff as Harry Potter, Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, Emma Watson as Hermione Granger and several British acting legends. While the films omitted certain plot lines such as S.P.E.W. or characters such as Peeves, they generally stayed true to the story and most of the characters. The casting, set design, costumes, music and other production elements were great representations of their book counterparts. The music, mainly composed by John Williams, was a key element of creating a warm or serious tone throughout the series. The warm, familiar visuals and music of the films are always a comfort to return to.
Honorable Mentions:
BBC’s Sherlock (2010-2017), The Great Gatsby (2013), Beaches (1988), The Chronicles of Narnia (2005-2010), Percy Jackson (2023-ongoing), Shadow and Bone (2021), Lockwood and Co. (2023), A series of Unfortunate Events (2017-2019) and Princess Bride (1987)
