So, since the release of Shadow and Bone on Netflix, I’ve been thinking a lot about the quality of films and television shows that were adapted from books. There’s so many good ones out there, that I thought I’d compose a short list of a few of my favourites.
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban | J.K. Rowling
Book Released: 1999, by Bloomsbury.
Movie Released: 2014, by Warner Bros.
Harry Potter, along with his best friends, Ron and Hermione, is about to start his third year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Harry can’t wait to get back to school after the summer holidays. (Who wouldn’t if they lived with the horrible Dursleys?) But when Harry gets to Hogwarts, the atmosphere is tense. There’s an escaped mass murderer on the loose, and the sinister prison guards of Azkaban have been called in to guard the school…
I adore this movie, it’s quite possibly one of my favourites of the Harry Potter franchise. In this film, we meet quite a few important faces, such as; Sirius Black and Remus Lupin who are some of my favourite characters from the Harry Potter series. It was amazing to see some of my characters come to life, just as I pictured them. The casting for this movie is perfect, as is the rest of the franchise, however, this movie just seemed to get everything right. Plus, the soundtrack and video game are by far my favourites of the series too.
Simon Vs. the Homo Sapiens Agenda | Becki Albertalli
Book Released: 2015, by Penguin.
Movie Released: 2018, by Fox 2000 Pictures.
Simon Spier is sixteen and trying to work out who he is – and what he’s looking for.
But when one of his emails to the very distracting Blue falls into the wrong hands, things get all kinds of complicated.
Because, for Simon, falling for Blue is a big deal…
Admittedly, I’m not the biggest Albertalli fan, having rated a few of her books fairly low, however, this is one that I hold very dear to my heart. Love, Simon is one of my favourite LGBT+ movies, it becoming a very important movie for me and one I’ve gone back to again and again. I’m not that big of a movie fan, however, this one is definitely a favourite.
A Series of Unfortunate Events | Lemony Snicket
Book Released: 2003, by Egmont Books Ltd.
Movie Released: 2004, by Dreamworks Pictures.
Dear Reader, I’m sorry to say that the book you are holding in you hands is extremely unpleasant. It tells an unhappy tale about three very unlucky children. Even though they are charming and clever, the Baudelaire siblings lead lives filled with misery and woe.
This book series is one I hold very dear to my heart, it becoming one of the main series that got me so interested in reading from a very young age. I have fond memories of heading off to the cinema to watch this film, absolutely adoring the cast and their portrayal of the characters, and having Violet Baudelaire become one of my biggest inspirations growing up. Needless to say, this movie is everything to me.
The Maze Runner | James Dashner
Book Released: 2014, by Chicken House.
Movie Released: 2014, by 20th Century Fox.
When the lift cranks open, the only thing Thomas remembers is his first name. But he’s not alone – an army of boys welcomes him to the Glade, an encampment at the centre of a terrible maze. The Gladers have no idea why they’re there, or what’s happened to the world outside. All they know is that every morning when the walls slide back, they will risk everything to find out.
Now, this adaptation is now where near perfect, there being quite a few changes as the series progresses, however, it still works as a piece of cinema. It’s a thrill from start to end, even more so as the series goes on, and I enjoy every moment watching it; something I don’t get very often with films. The characters are portrayed wonderfully, the plotline progresses quickly and your heart is in your mouth from start to finish. What more could you want in a book to movie adaptation?
Coraline | Neil Gaiman
Book Released: 2002, by Bloomsbury.
Movie Released: 2009, by Focus Features.
When Coraline steps through a door to find another house strangely similar to her own (only better), things seem marvellous.
But there’s another mother there, and another father, and they want her to stay and be their little girl. They want to change her and never let her go.
Coraline will have to fight with all her wits and courage if she is to save herself and return to her ordinary life.
This film is another one that I went to the cinemas to see, taking my family with me which admittedly wasn’t the best idea as they’re not the biggest dark fantasy/horror fans. However, I had a brilliant time, immediately reaching for the novella once I was finished and absorbing every page. Coraline has since become one of my favourite movies of all time, adoring the world and its characters.
A Little Fool Reads 
Cannot agree with you more about the third Harry Potter. Perfect casting, gripping, and a good story all on its own without much needed to know about the franchise. 💜
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