Book-to-screen adaptations are always highly anticipated, but book fans love to criticize the adaptation to a tee. What makes a good film adaptation of a beloved book is subjective, but generally staying true to the plot and bringing the characters to life tends to earn plenty of brownie points. Not to mention including critical details that book fans need to be represented.
Take a look at the best book-to-screen adaptations from the last 5 years. This list includes some recent remakes of classic films with modern twists, and as usual, some Hollywood hits you might not have expected to be based on a book.
Note
In order to rank these books and adaptations together, we had to come up with a fair scoring system. In order to do that, we’ve taken the Rotten Tomatoes audience score and the Good Reads score. The RT audience score was divided by ten, added to the GR score, and averaged out. This is the score you see beside each book.
Each of the books is ranked based on that score in ascending order.
10. Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier (Score 4.1)
In 2020, your favorite gothic novel was adapted for its most recent rendition (there are over 15 different versions since the book’s release in 1938) with spectacular cinematography and effects unlike ever before. The protagonist marries a wealthy English Lord on a whim, and what feels like a fairytale ending becomes a grim ghost story when she moves back to his date and haunting estate and realizes she is living in the shoes of the ghost of his deceased first wife.
This classic ghost story about the haunting of ex-lovers is full of twists and turns, and the 2020 adaptation plays on modern cinematic techniques to bring alive thrilling gothic elements that will have you sitting on the edge of your seat.
9. The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga (Score 5.8)
If you are looking for a new novel or your next Friday night flick, The White Tiger fits both lists perfectly. This film is based on a novel by the same name, and explores the systemic imprint of the caste system on modern-day India by tracing one man’s story from being a driver for a rich family, to becoming an independent businessman.
Through cunning strategy and playing his way to the top, the protagonist reflects on his regrets, highs, and lows on his journey to overcoming poverty. While this story is incredibly gripping, the twists and turns through you on an unexpected ride.
8. The Power Of The Dog by Thomas Savage (Score 5.9)
This Academy Award-nominated film portrays the strained relationship between two brothers living in Montanna during the 1920s. Their wealthy family of cattlemen meets a clash when one of the brothers brings home a new wife, along with her son. From this point, chaos and unexpected violence break loose on the farm.
The book and film follow the family over time as secrets play out, and relationships mend.
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7. Killers Of The Flower Moon by David Grann (Score 6.3)
One of the biggest films in 2023 and bound to be a major contender in the 2024 awards season is based on a non-fiction book. The real-life events were the mass murders of indigenous people from the Osage community in Oklahoma in the 1920s at the hands of oil refiners.
In the film adaption, a woman named Mollie is determined to save her town from oil settlers, and through her marriage begins to navigate the world crashing in on her people’s land. Mollie is a fictional character, based on what this community went through and also exploring the corruption at the hands of the FBI. While the book might be non-fiction, the real-life events while horrifying, are stories that need to be told.
6. The Boy Who Harnessed The Wind by William Kamkwamba and Bryan Mealer (Score 6.4)
In 2001, the region of Kasungu in Malawi experienced one of the worst droughts in its history causing huge distress to the community. One boy, Kamkwamba in an attempt to help his family and community began to read as many books as possible – leading him to the incredible power of the wind.
This inspiring story of a boy from a small rural region, his self-taught engineering skills that brought hope to his community and eventually led him to Harvard was adapted to the screen in 2019 and is available on Netflix.
5. All Quiet On The Western Front by Erich Maria Remarque (Score 6.5)
This German classic book was adapted into a film in 2022, this is a great book and film pairing for history fans as the plot follows WWI events. The 2022 adaptation is the 3rd of its kind based on the original 1939 novel.
While the book is based on the WWI era, it is actually a story about opposing the war. The protagonist, Paul, and his friends are young German boys, drafted into the army and it is about uncovering the reality and trauma of war as a soldier. A fascinating perspective from their period.
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4. Dune by Frank Herbert (Score 6.6)
With a list of best adaptations, and second-round adaptations at that, Dune has to be included in this list. It was one of the most anticipated and exciting films to come out in the last five years, as well as its highly anticipated sequel coming out in 2024.
While this series may require little introduction, the first edition of the Dune film follows Paul as his family loses their empire and embarks on a dangerous war of the galaxy. Through the experience of loss, Paul discovers who he really is: the chosen one.
3. Little Women By Louisa Marie Alcott (Score 6.7)
You can’t deny an excellently executed adaptation, Greta Gerwig’s Little Women was not only a box but a big winner in the 2019 awards season. As with every rendition of this film before it, the bonds between women took center stage.
A major difference in the Gerwig adaptation is the interpretation of women’s roles at the time, and the limited options available to them to find their own independence. As always, this story is perfect year round whether it be a summer flick or an addition to your holiday roaster. For an adaptation, it is destined to become a classic film.
2. My Policeman by Bethan Roberts (Score 6.81)
2022 was a big year for Harry Style fans, as not just one but two major films came out starring the pop star, My Policeman being one of them. The hot cast actually masked the little-known fact that the film was based on a book of the same name.
In both the book and film adaptation, an elderly couple is visited by an old and unwanted friend, leading them to recall their past mistakes, love affairs, and unfinished business.
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1. The Color Purple By Alice Walker (Score 6.88)
Alice Walker’s classic story comes to life yet again in the most modern adaptation that has all the powerful messages from the original book, plus all the magic of the reenvisioned Broadway musical.
This adaptation takes intersectional feminism, empowerment, and community to the next level and will connect the classic tale to the younger generations. While the classic book and film are forever cherished, the latest adaptation will leave you with your heart feeling full. Plus there is something for everyone including musical elements, classic undertones, and modern love troupes.
