Whenever we see a movie that is based on a book, we always ask ourselves which was better, the book or the movie? The pleasure of seeing a movie that has a literary origin is unparalleled. Turns out, there are many movies we love that are actually based on books we never knew existed. We often that book should always come first, but with this newfound information, we may want to read the books after we have seen our favorite films. Some of these flicks are so classic that the answer is just: movie, no need to read the book. Read on to find out which of our favorite films had a past life in the library.
1. The Parent Trap
We start the list off with our favorite Lindsey Lohan prime and this one tops the cake as a cult favorite. This iconic film was inspired by the German novel Lottie and Lisa by Erich Kastner. The book was first published in 1949 and has been turned into multiple screen adaptions, but we all know this one is the best.
The scene pictured above is the infamous part of the movie where the girls play poker. It still blows our minds that it took them so long at summer camp to realize they were identical.
2. Mean Girls
To carry on with Lohan classics, Mean Girls was inspired by Rosalind Wiseman's self-help book called 'Queen Bees and Wannabes: Helping your daughter survive cliques, gossip, boyfriends, and other realities of adolescence'. Tina Fey says she created the Mean Girls story and characters but used information from the book as a guide.
We will now sleep in peace knowing that the Christmas song scene shown above did not come from a book. Thank you Tina for this one!
3. Freaky Friday
We come to the end of our Linsay Lohan section of the list with a well-known banger, Freaky Friday. This classic started out as a children's book of the same name by Mary Rodgers.
This was some of Lohans best work. Say what you want about the girl but she truly was a star and brought characters to life.
4. How To Be Single
This is something a lot of us are learning to be through the pandemic where it is becoming increasingly difficult to meet people and tinder is the only option for relationships. This silly but fun movie was originally a novel of the same name by Liz Tuccillo.
The movie stars Rebel Wilson and is about the importance of having friends to lean on when men are not the answer.
5. Die Hard
This one took us by surprise. The action-packed Bruce Willis film was first a book called Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp. The name of the protagonist was changed from Joe Leland to John McClane because the book is really the second of the series and the first book in the series was previously made into a movie in 1966.
We wonder how we would have imagined the action scenes while reading the book because now all we will be able to visualize in our minds is Bruce Willis.
6. The Help
The Emma Stone movie featuring the memorable poop pie was originally from the mind of Kathryn Stockett who wrote the book turned movie.
This movie taught us to remember that we are kind, we are important, and we are smart.
7. Red Sparrow
This movie was truly one of a kind. The spy thriller starring our girl Jennifer Lawrence (May the force be with her always) is based on a trilogy by Jason Mathews.
Mr. Mathews was a CIA officer and based the books on real things that he learned during his time at the CIA about Russia and their spy programs.
8. He's Just Not That Into You
This movie was a tough pill to swallow for all those helpless romantics who like to hear sugar-coated stories about relationships. The brutally true rom-com is based on a dating advice book by the same name with the addition: A No-excuse truth to understanding guys" by Greg Behrendt and Liz Tuccilo.
Tuccillo also wrote How To Be Single. She would have never thought all of her self-help books would turn into rom-com classics. Good for her for reaching the masses with realistic advice on how people aren't perfect!
9. Cats
We all have heard of Cats the musical but we were not aware that the original cats come from famous Author T.S Eliot who wrote the book Old Possums Book of Practical Cats. We want a book about practical dogs, but there are basically zero practical puppies.
The 2019 movie features Taylor Swift as a cat and who wouldn't want to see that and hear her purrrr?
10. Slumdog Millionaire
This film won the Oscar for best picture in 2009, and there is no denying that it is based on Vikas Swarup's book Q & A. The movie launched Frieda Pinto and Dev Patel's careers and gave viewers an insight into the rags to riches lifestyle.
Although we all wish this one was based on a true story rather than a book, another famous and heart-wrenching movie starring Dev Patel called Lion is based on a truly remarkable real-life adoption.
11. Clueless
This one may not be 100% accurate but many believe that the teen favorite Clueless is a modern take on Jane Austen's classic Emma. The rumor does add up.
As much as we love Clueless, it should be mentioned that Paul Rudd is the step-brother. Crosses a line maybe?
12. The Princess Bride
We truly believe this to be the best movie of all time with its recognizable 'as you wish' line that we certainly wish to be told by almost everyone we encounter. This one is even more fun as the movie itself is a story from a book told to a grandson from his loving grandfather. The Princess Bride is based on the book of the same name by William Goldman, making it a true fairytale.
If we ever need a hitman, Inigo Montoya is the first person we are calling. Disclaimer: We will never need a hitman.
13. Jumanji
The original 1995 movie which terrified us from playing any board game for quite a while, is based on the Jumanji book by Chris Van Allsburg. We don't think we would have gotten through the book without nightmares.
The story was remade in 2018 with an iconic cast of Jack Black and The Rock. If The Rock can't make it through a board game, then none of us can. Candycrush it is!
14. A Simple Favor
This weird Gone Girl style film staring all-stars Anna Kendrick and Blake Lively was written by Darcey Bell. The film is about a friendship built on lies and deceit and a crazy twin sister.
Blake Lively basically wears a different suit in every scene in the movie and we are here for that. The perfect addition to a black comedy crime thriller is an outstanding wardrobe.
15. Silver Linings PlayBook
Jennifer Lawrence reappears on this list with a personal favorite flick about mental health staring the ever so dreamy Bradley Cooper before he went on to sing Shallows.
Silver Linings Playbook is based on the debut novel by Mathew Quick.
16. Jurassic Park
Not only has this book become multiple movies, series, and remakes, but it also has become a beloved theme park at Universal Studios with incredible rides that make us feel as if we are in the Jurassic world ourselves. Michael Crichton first wrote the book in 1990 precluding the cultural phenomenon it would become.
Sometimes when we are in a mood we will watch the original JPs just to see how much better technology has gotten in the past 20 years. It is truly more mind-blowing than this list.
17. Pitch Perfect
Since we are so very loyal, we like to bring up our favorite actresses multiple times in this list and this one goes out to Anna Kendrick for this beautiful and hilarious trilogy also with the one and only Rebel Wilson. Pitch Perfect came about from journalist Mickey Rapkin's deep dive into the acapella scene on American college campuses. The piece was called Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate Acappella Glory.
So this means that the Bellas, or some form of the Bellas, really does exist in real life. Exhilarating! Sign us up, please!
18. Forrest Gump
This all-time classic first began as a book by Winston Groom. The book was not that popular and it got brought to fame from the film with all-star Tom Hanks who is a true treasure.
We all learned from this special cinema that life is like a box of chocolates and sometimes we just have to run Forrest run!
19. The Art Of Racing In The Rain
Garth Stein originally wrote the book before Amanda Seyfried acted in the movie. The book and movie are incredibly touching as it is about a relationship between a race car driver, a beloved golden retriever, and women with cancer. The book and movie resulted in a few, well a ton, of shedded tears.
As much as we want to be riding shotgun with Milo Ventimiglia, we aren't upset to see the beautiful golden take our spot.
20. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot
Tina Fey does it again. Whiskey Tango Foxtrot with stunning Margot Robbie was first a book called The Taliban Shuffle: Strange Days in Afghanistan and Pakistan by Kim Barker.
The movie is a biographical war drama-comedy about a reporter who takes on a dangerous gig. It is based on an incredibly ridiculous true story about the real Chicago Tribune War correspondent journalist Kim Barker.
21. American Snipper
American Sniper which features Bradley Cooper as an American war hero is based on the autobiography by Chris Kyle about his own experiences abroad in the middle east while he was in the U.S army.
A funny fact about the film is they used a doll for a baby during some scenes and many of us noticed.
22. Its A Wonderful Life
One of the greatest Christmas movies, It's a Wonderful Life was made in 1946 but was based on the book The Greatest Gift by Philip Van Doren Stern. The movie took a lot of its own liberties and changed a lot from the source but we are certain the book is still a pleasure to read.
Our favorite Christmas movies are Elf because who doesn't love Will Ferrel eating candy for breakfast, but we understand why It's A Wonderful Life is so admired.
23. Blade Runner
This one has a very weird beginning. Blade Runner, the Harrison Ford action movie, was originally in the book stores under the title Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick.
Blade Runner was remade to Blade Runner 2049 recently with Notebook star Ryan Gosling. It is worth watching if you ask us.
24. Jaws
The movie that catapulted Steven Spielberg's fame was based upon a book of the same name by Peter Benchley. The author was so disturbed by what the movie did for the reputation of sharks that he became an ocean conversationalist after its release.
We're sorry Mr. Benchley but we assure you we would still be fearful of sharks even if they were nice in Jaws.
25. The Birds
The Birds, an Alfred Hitchcock famous horror movie, started as a short story in the book The Apple Tree by Daphne Du Maurier. After the film became famous, the collection was retitled to be The Birds and Other Stories.
Hitchcock has so much power that they will rename books after he turns them into movies.
26. Something Borrowed
This rom-com was a book by Emily Giffin that turned into all of our favorite guilty pleasures. The movie starring Kate Hudson is about two best friends fighting over the same guy. As much as we love to watch it, it would be nice if they choose each other instead of a boy.
This movie is more about a complicated friendship than an uninteresting love interest.
27. Legally Blonde
We all must thank writer Amanda Brown for this incredible story. Reese Witherspoon was perfectly cast to bring the words to life and inspire every diva to become a lawyer. The one difference is in the book Miss Elle goes to Standford Law School instead of Harvard, how dare she?
We love to bend and snap but we love even more how Elle looks like eating a box of chocolates as it's very relatable. It's the end of January and how many of us have broken our New Year resolutions already?
28. Breakfast at Tiffany's
Another movie with a superstar diva that came from print is Breakfast at Tiffany's. The film is based on a novella by Truman Capote. We all wanted to eat a flakey croissant outside Tiffany's after seeing legend Aubrey Hepburn do it delightfully.
Another aspiring lesson from the movie is her iconic line that people don't belong to people. Live by that ladies!
29. Mrs. Doubtfire
The movie with endearing Robbin Williams as a nanny was inspired by Anne Fine's book Alias Madame Doubtfire. The film is a touching but hilarious depiction of how a father gets to know and love his children.
If you haven't seen the movie yet, it is a must-see this instant, but be sure to get through the rest of this list first!
30. Austenland
This one is the most logical and makes the greatest amount of sense, hence the name. Austen land is a movie about a woman who is obsessed with Hane Austen's books. It is based on the book of the same name by Shannon Hale.
Reading is fun and if this character loved it so much so should we. Maybe we shall start with a Jane Austen classic.
31. The ShawShank Redemption
The story of Andy Dufresne escaping prison is one of the greatest stories ever told, especially because it also stars Morgan Freeman. The movie is based on a short story by the one and only Stephen King called Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption.
The quote above, get busy living or get busy dying became a fan favorite, and is genuine wise words to live by, thanks, Mr. Freeman!
32. The Wolf of Wall Street
This incredible movie about the stock market is based on Jordan Belfort's memoir of his experience in the industry. Belfort is now a motivational speaker and is long out of prison.
The image above is immediately recognizable, Leonardo Dicaprio playing the role of Jordan Belfort, but Mathew McCaughnaheys fist-pounding drum is even more of a known mantra.
33. Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates
This story had a precarious journey of its own. It started as an ad that went viral then became a book by the creators of the ad which was called Mike and Dave Need Wedding Dates and a Thousand Cocktails by Mike and Dave Stangle. It then became a major motion picture with High School Musical heartthrob Zac Efron.
All we hope is that when we hug this hunk he'll make a different face.
34. The First Wives Club
This feminist flick was first a novel named The First Wives Club by Olivia Goldsmith in 1992, then in 1996 a movie staring the pictured three legends and then it was the inspiration for the ever glam Arianna Grande's "thank you, next" performance in 2018. What a ride this story has taken!
The film isn't just for divorcees but for all women who love being powerful and hilarious with their friends.
35. Psycho
Hitchcock has the ability to turn any thriller book into a huge on-screen hit. The infamous movie about the Bates Motel started as a book by Robert Bloch. We try to close our eyes as little as possible when we shower due to the everlasting impression of the terrifying epic murder scene.
We thought this meme was too good not to share with Bernie Sanders and his mitten at the Bates Motel instead of the inauguration. We hope this gives more laughs and not the frights that the movie gives.
36. 101 Dalmations
This animated Disney hit was Dodie Smiths' idea in 1956 when she published the children's book The Hundred and One Dalmations. The film had us wanting a dalmation for years and we still get childishly giddy when we see one of these beauties at the dog park.
Never will we get the image of Cruella De Vil plotting evil for these dalmation doggies out of our heads. Cruella De Vil became a household name when speaking of evil humans.
37. The Duff
After watching this one, it was hard to not have a heated debate about who is the Duff in our friend groups. In reality, no one is a Duff except the main character of this movie who isn't even a true Duff. The Duff was written by Kody Keplinger and it takes a humorous view on teenage insecurities.
Turns out that most of our favorite rom-com's started out as books first which is a good thing for us as we now have a new reading list that will last all year. That is if we can bear reading these films instead of simply rewatching.
38. The Jungle Book
Another special Disney early animation films that touched children and adult souls alike was The Jungle Book. The original 1967 film is based on the book by Rudyard Kipling. All of the songs, though, were made by Disney, as books can't sing.
The film has been remade into live-action with a real little boy. But the best song The Bare Necessities remains the same and teaches us that we really don't need much to be happy, as a bear at least.
39. Million Dollar Baby
Morgan Freeman appears on the list yet again with A Million Dollar Baby starring Hillary Swank. The book was written by F.X. Toole's and was called Rope Burns: Stories from the Corner. It won many Academy Awards, all well-deserving.
The film was adapted from a short story. It seems like short stories should be getting a lot more credit for major motion picture successes.
40. Fast Times at Ridgemont High
A couple of big shockers here. First, it is a TRUE story and second, it was based on the book by Cameron Crowe about his life at Ridgemont High. This just makes the scandalous story that much better!
Recently, there was a table read of the film with Jennifer Aniston and Bradd Pitt to raise money for a charity called CORE that is helping people through the pandemic, created by lead star Sean Penn. The table read was recorded and is definitely a great way to spend your 20-minute work break. Then, read the book of course!