Top 10 books to film

Books were a source of entertainment for centuries for all types of people. Since the film industry began in the 1890s- early 1900s, the world has seen the evolution from hand-painted slides to CGI special effects. Sound and color have both been introduced to add a full experience to the films throughout history as well.

Sometimes books do not translate well on to screen. This can be due to various factors like audience age or book relevancy. Many times books are highly successful in the box office and famous trilogies and series continue for a span of years.

Book fans are eager to examine and cross-reference scenes and characters in the film. They have become the movie critics and simply want the book to shine in its original form on screen. And these fans know their books, pretty well.

So here is a list of 10 books that were successful in transition to film. If your favorite is not on here, please leave a comment and share.

image: Wikimedia Commons

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10. Stuart Little
Stuart Little the book was published in 1945 and written by E.B. White. The film was produced in 1999, the sequel in 2002 and the third in 2006. The first film was nominated for Best Visual Effects and received an Academy Award. Stuart Little starring Michael J. Fox features a little mouse’s adventures after he is adopted by the Little family, a human family.

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9. I Am Legend
The book I Am Legend was published in 1954 and written by Richard Matheson as a horror-fiction. The film most original to the book had Matheson as the screenplay writer under the name Logan Swanson, The Last Man on Earth produced in 1964. There were three other film adaptations of the book: The Omega Man in 1971, I Am Legend in 2007, and I Am Omega in 2007. Oddly enough it was the inspiration behind Night of the Living Dead produced in 1968. The original plot involves the single survivor of a pandemic where the victims resemble vampires.

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8. The Chronicles of Narnia
The seven book series was published during 1950-1956 and written by Clive Staples Lewis, more commonly known as C.S. Lewis. The film adaptations started in 2005 with The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. Prince Caspianwas produced in 2008 and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader in 2010. The first installment won numerous awards including Academy Award in 2005 for Best Makeup. The series illustrates the adventures of siblings as they enter the magical world of Narnia.

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7. The Perks of Being a Wallflower
The book The Perks of Being a Wallflower was published in 1991 and written by Stephen Chbosky. Chbosky wrote the screenplay and directed the film adaptation. The Perks of Being a Wallflower the movie was produced in 2012, starring Logan Lerman, Emma Watson and Ezra Miller. It won Best First Feature at 2012 Independent Spirit Awards. The plot follows a young man during his first year in high school as he learns to live, while also uncovering his past.

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6. The Great Gatsby
The book was published in 1925 and written by F. Scott Fitzgerald. The novel is been adapted into an opera, read as a series over the radio, theatre productions, a ballet, and even computer games. There have been six film adaptations of the written work between 1926 and 2013. The recent film was produced in 2013, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, Tobey Maguire and Carey Mulligan.The Great Gatsby the film was nominated for Best Production Design and Best Costume Design at the Academy Awards. The plot follows a writer and his millionaire neighbor in the 1920s.

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5. The Twilight Saga
The four book series was published between 2005 and 2008 and written by Stephenie Meyer. The series was put to film and produced between 2008 and 2012, starring Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner. The soundtracks for the five part movie series have topped the Billboard 200, two were No. 2 and one was No. 1, along with a Billboard Hot 100 single. The plot follows a young woman through her high school years as she experiences love and adventure.

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4.The Hunger Games Trilogy
The three book series was published between 2008 and 2010 and written by Suzanne Collins. Collins helped write the first screenplay. The film adaptations were produced 2012 and 2013, starring Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson and Liam Hemsworth. The Hunger Games set box office records for both opening day and opening weekend and Catching Fire set a record in opening weekend. The plot follows the life of a young lady as she enters a barbaric fighting arena.

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3. Harry Potter Series
The seven part book series was published between 1997 and 2007and written by J.K. Rowling. Rowling helped to produce the last two films. The eight part film adaptation was produced between 2001 and 2011, starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint. Six of the films were nominated for a total of 12 awards at the Academy Awards, but they won none of them. The first film received Best Live Action Family Film at the Broadcast Film Critics Award and other films in the series won awards such as Best Special Visual Effects, Best Director and Best Production Design. The plot follows a young boy as he experiences adventures as he grows up in a magical school with his friends and solves the mystery of his past.

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2. The Lord of the Rings
The three part series was published between 1954 and 1955 and written by J. R. R. Tolkien. The film adaptations inspired the gaming community with countless game titles like Dungeons & Dragons and The Sword of Shannara. The film series was produced between 2001 and 2003, starring Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen and Liv Tyler. All three films won Academy Awards in Visual Effects, MTV Movie Award for Best Movie, Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation and the Saturn Award for Best Fantasy Film. The plot follows a young man and his comrades in a quest to destroy a powerful ring and the darkness that surrounds it.

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1.Ender’s Game
The 13 part book series was published between 1985 and 2013 and written by Orson Scott Card, with a new addition this year. The short novelette, Ender’s Game, was published in 1977 and with added material, became the same title book. The film adaptation was produced in 2013, starring Asa Butterfield, Harrison Ford and Hailee Steinfeld. Card helped produce the film.
The plot follows a smart boy as he unknowingly defends earth and the consequences that lie ahead. The Shadow Saga follows another smart boy in the same training facility throughout his life journey.