Top Ten Best/Worst Movie Adaptations
Top Ten Tuesday is a weekly meme hosted by The Broke and the Bookish. It’s awesome. Every week, the lovely ladies over there post a topic so that book lovers like you and me can pour over our shelves and MAKE A LIST. WORD.
So I kind of went ahead and tinkered with this Top Ten Tuesday topic, friends. I had a hard time, honestly, thinking of the “worst” book adaptations, but I could think very easily of an adaptation that wasn’t my favorite. Thus, favorite/least favorite was born. And since my brain was thinking of bookish movie adaptations already, I couldn’t get my mind off of some movies that are coming soon (hopefully), so I included my most anticipated adaptations, too. YAY movies!
This is, to me, one of the best book-to-movie adaptations ever. I can still to this day watch them all at the drop of a hat. I’m such a nerd for them that I spend hours watching all the bonus footage and audio commentaries on my DVDs. Everything about them is basically perfect. PERFECT.
I know lots of people would count PRIDE AND PREJUDICE as their favorite Jane Austen book, and I do love it, but I’ve always had a very soft spot for this book, and the movie is so lovely. I watch it all the time. Eleanor and Marianne remind me of me and my sister so much it’s a little crazy.
YAY! I love this movie. The one I’m specifically referring to here is the newer version with Winona Ryder and Christian Bale, but I’ve seen the 1940s version with Katherine Hepburn as well. I always watch this movie around Christmas time, even though only a portion of the story takes place during the holidays.
I remember watching this movie–the animated version–in school when I was younger. I love the book, and I love Wilbur, and the movie just gives me the warm fuzzies.
Harry Potter. These movies are probably right up there with Lord of the Rings as my favorite movie adaptations. They’re just as engrossing and fangirl-inducing as the books, and it’s so difficult for me to picture Harry, Ron, and Hermione as anyone OTHER than Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, and Emma Watson. They ARE these characters in my mind, even when I reread the books.
I really enjoyed The Hunger Games movie. I think Jennifer Lawrence is such a great Katniss; she has that same brusqueness. I will admit to thinking that Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth seem like they should switch roles, though, just based on physical characteristics. Still, fan of the books, fan of the movie.
So, the movie version of the first Percy Jackson book isn’t really that bad. In fact, I had a hard time coming up with movie adaptations I didn’t like for this list, which is why I totally improvised and listed my most anticipated movies below! You know why this is one of my least favorites? It felt more juvenile to me than the book did, and than the books do now. That doesn’t mean I won’t still watch it if it’s on TV or that I won’t see any more Percy movies if they make them. Because HELLO, it’s PERCY JACKSON. He’s just about the best damn kid on the planet.
Still haven’t read this book yet. I KNOW. But I have to be in the mood for major tear-jerkers and I know this is one. But I’m so glad that YA books are getting more attention from people, no matter if it’s not my personal favorite books getting more spotlight. I will make this promise, though: I won’t see this movie before I read the book. I WON’T.
This book just made me cry lots. It’s so pretty and sad and heartbreaking. I’m sure the movie will be the same, but I’m really interested to see how they translate this one to the big screen. So many flashbacks and things happening in Mia’s head.
Tris is not my favorite YA heroine, I’ll tell you guys that. Something about her rubs me the wrong way. But that doesn’t mean I’m not really looking forward to seeing her world in the movie. DIVERGENT is basically a perfect book to turn into a movie because there’s action and drama and romance and secrets.
OMG I’m both DYING WITH excitement because this is one of my FAVORITE books EVER, and nervous because I don’t know how one of the best parts about this book–the writing and Lennie’s poems–will come across. Also, Selena Gomez is attached to star, and I feel like they’re going to turn it into a Joe vs Toby thing and this book is about SO MUCH MORE than boys.
Guys, I’m not even 100% positive that they are making a movie of this book, although I was sure that the movie rights had already been purchased before the book even came out. Let me tell you, if you haven’t already read this book, that it has the potential to be an AMAZING movie. I LOVED this book, so I’ll nerd out if the movie ever makes it out into the big world.
Great list. I was really disappointed with the Percy Jackson adaptation as well–I’m curious to see if the sequel coming out this August will be any better.
The only good thing, for me, about the Percy Jackson adaptation was Logan Lerman. But otherwise, it was just okay. I didn’t like it as much as I liked the books!
Oh man, SO many movies coming out! I have much reading to do.
Do you think Percy Jackson 2 will be better? It has Nathan Fillion you know…
I’ll be honest here and say that I didn’t fall head over heels in love with the Percy Jackson movie, but I did enjoy it and watch it when it’s on TV, like it was this past weekend. BECAUSE IT’S PERCY, COME ON SERIOUSLY. BUT BUT BUT when the second one comes out, I’ll STILL see it because it has Nathan Fillion in it and I’m a BIGGGG fan of his. Also you have a great list here but I still haven’t seen many of them. I just don’t watch many adaptations because I’m SCARED OF THEM just not living up and I can’t deal. I’m getting better about it, though. I enjoyed The Hunger Games even though. I just need to learn to watch less critically, I think.
Fantastic list. Little Women is on my list this week too, as is Harry Potter.
I love how you created these cool movie titles. And I agree with most of your choices.
Here’s my Top Ten Best Movie Adaptations.
I can’t wait to start reading The Fault In Our Stars! Even though I haven’t read it, I’m really happy Shailene Woodley is in it because she’s so good!
MY TTT
I really loved The Hunger Games as well, it made our list too. And I cannot wait for the Divergent movie. Also looking forward to The City of Bones and The Vampire Academy movie!
Totally agree that the LotR movies are the best adaptations ever. So good. I can’t wait for Divergent and I’m sure they will end up making the 5th Wave into a movie. Great list!
Natflix&Books’ TTT
Oh, I knew Little Women would be on your list!!!! 😀
Okay, I’ll just say yes to all? Haha. HP, THG, If I Stay, WHAT THE SKY IS EVERYWHERE?? Have I been living under a rock? How did I not know this was in the works!?!?
Great list! Y’know, I don’t remember watching an adaptation of Charlotte’s Web but I probably have; it’s the book that I read several times and really sticks in my head, I loved that book. They made a film version several years ago didn’t they? Dakota Fanning maybe? Definitely haven’t seen that!
I love the list of anticipated movies too – I never have time to trawl the internet so I never know what’s happening; had no idea they were making movies of some of these books (only recently learned about Divergent – that’ll make a great film, visually anyhow). Don’t know that I could watch If I Stay though, I get so much more attention from people for crying at a movie than I do with a book and I don’t like being stared at!
Great list! Percy Jackson is on my list for worst as well. I liked it as a movie, but not as an adaptation. HP of course is also on my best list 🙂
Lord of the Rings and Hunger Games made my list for best as well!
I can’t wait for City of Bones to come out! I’m worried about Divergent… I have a bad feeling about it.
If The 5th Wave is being made into a movie, I will die of happiness. I loved that book so much!!!
Great list! I forgot about Little Women. I love that book and movie.
I’m so excited for all the great book/movies that are coming out next year. Hopefully they all live up to the high standards I’ve set!
I haven’t seen Percy Jackson yet, but I will probably try it sometime before the sequel comes out. Love that you mentioned some of my favorites like Hunger Games, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and Charlotte’s Web. All fabulous movies!
Yeah, I had a hard time with this topic, too. There are some movies that disappointment me, but I don’t hate them. Percy Jackson was on my list, too. Talk about disappointed. But I will see the next one, because, like you said, he’s the best kid around.
Yay for Sense & Sensibility! Which version do you like?
Great list! Harry Potter is on mine as well 🙂 I haven’t read any of Jane Austen’s books yet, but I love Pride and Prejudge with Keira Knightly! I’m going to have to check out the movies of her others books, and Little Women! 🙂 I’m going to start listening to Mansfield Park on my long drive this weekend, so hopefully I like it!