Best Movies Based On Books – All Time Favorite Book-to-Movie Adaptation

The motivation for films originates from numerous spots: plays, music, genuine stories. Yet, books remain the most oftentimes visited well for artistic motivation. A regularly heard complaint about movies based on popular books begins with ” I loved the book more compared to the movie”. Indeed sometimes books could require films. However, films without a doubt need books for creative inspiration and to access material that’s inaccessible in cinema. But of the several movies based on books, here is the list of movies that are good as their books in no specific order.

Best Movies Based On Books All-Time Favorite Book-to-Movie Adaptation

1)Pather Panchali (1955) 

Not to have seen the cinema of Satyajit Ray means existing in a world without seeing the sun or moon  -Akira Kurosawa

Pather Panchali is the first installment of  The Apu Trilogy. Based on the novel Pather Panchali of Bibhutibhushan Bandyopadhyay. The film is considered to be the best as the best debut film all over the world. The movie beautifully portrays rural life and the pitfalls of poverty. Ray shows the world through the innocent eyes of Apu.

The family of Apu gets closer to financial ruin but Apu’s eyes are full of dreams. The bond between Apu and his sister Durga will remain in your heart forever. The struggle, joy, sacrifice, heartbreaks portrayed in the movie make Pather Panchali a must-watch.

2) Aparajito  (1956)

Aparajito is the second installment of The Apu Trilogy. Aparajito is based on  Bibhutibhushan Bandhyopadhya’s novel Pather Panchali. The plot of the movie goes from Apu’s adolescence to adulthood. After the death of his father, Apu leaves his mother and goes to Kolkata for higher education.  The mother-son relationship is the highlight of this movie.

Karuna Banerjee’s powerful performance as a widow and lonely mother will stay with you forever. Her screen presence is so natural that you feel you are witnessing someone’s real life. Aparajito is a beautiful portrayal of adolescence and motherhood.

3)Apur Sansar (1959)

Apur Sansar is the final and last installment of the Apu Trilogy. Apur Sansar is based on  Bibhutibhushan Bandhyopadhya’s novel Pather Panchali. Apu and Aparna’s wedding wasn’t particularly a happy occasion. It happened not by love or even by matchmaking but by accident. Yes, you read that right. The film highlighted two emotions in a very realistic and natural way: loss and love.

It is interesting that in each film in the Apu Trilogy is marked by the death of a woman in his life. However, this is the only movie in the Apu Trilogy in which apu seems to have a happy ending.

ALSO READ: Best Comical Villains In Bollywood Films

4) The Godfather (1972)

I am going to make an offer he can’t refuse – Don Vito Corleone.

Francis Coppola’s American crime film The Godfather is based on Mario Puzo’s best selling 1969 novel of the same name. The Godfather is the winner of 3 academy awards including Best adapted Screenplay. The Godfather is one of the most respected films ever and its commitment to the film is momentous.

This film will make you captivated by its surprising delineation of the mafia and immerse you in its world. The film portrays the history of the Corleone family under Don Vito Corleone a regarded Mafia also known as The Godfather. But when Don Corleone refuses to enter the drug business, a series of events are gotten underway bringing about the death endeavor on Don and driving his most youthful child to rise and assume control over his dad’s business.

Watch The Godfather on Amazon Prime

5) Whiplash (2014)

I’d rather die drunk,broke at 34 and have people talk about me, than live to be rich and sober and go at 90 and nobody remember who I was –  Andrew

Whiplash is written and directed by Damien Chazelle. The movie is based on Damien Chazelle’s novel Whiplash. Whiplash sucks you into the world of jazz drumming under the mentorship of Fletcher. Fletcher is quite harsh with his student which is quite evident throughout the movie. Andrew is an aspiring Jazz drummer who wants to become one of the greats.

Despite violent behavior from Fletcher, Andrew doesn’t stop to impress him at any cost. Thou movie symbolically raises the serious question of the idea of success. Watch this gem if you haven’t.

Watch Whiplash on Amazon Prime.

6)The Godfather II (1974)

If anything in this life is certain, if history’s taught us anything, it’s that you can kill anyone.- Don Michael Corleone

The Godfather II is the second installment of the Godfather trilogy. The Godfather II is directed by Francis Coppola inspired by the 1969 The Godfather novel by Italian American author Mario Puzo. The beauty of this film is that it acts as both- prequel and sequel. The prequel part focuses on the journey of Don Vito Corleone of becoming a Godfather. The sequel focuses on the journey of Don Michael who is the new Don of the Corleone family.

The Godfather II was nominated for 11 Academy Awards and won 6 out of it including Best adapted Screenplay.

Watch The Godfather II on Amazon Prime

ALSO READ: Top 10 Indian Movies For Teenagers

7)Forrest Gump (1994)

Forrest Gump by Robert Zemeckis is based on the 1986 novel of the same name. Tom Hank’s performance as Forrest Gump is one of the ages as he masterfully plays a simple man living an extraordinary life. Forrest Gump displays what it means to live life to the fullest while finding love, friendship, etc.

With portions of romance, historical topics, contention, and action, Forrest Gump has something for each ardent film watcher. Forrest Gump won the Academy Awards for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for Hanks, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Visual Effects, and Best Film Editing.

Watch Forrest Gump on Amazon Prime

8) American Psycho (2000)

Christian Bale is known for physically disappearing into his character. American Psycho is based on Bret Ellis’s controversial novel of the same name. The Movie revolves around Patrick Bateman’s life who is suffering from a personality disorder. The movie is a smart social satire on American yuppie culture. The film is not an easy watch because of the violence in the film and the portrayal of women in an abysmal manner.

But the film is still relevant in today’s time. Watch American Psycho especially for Bale’s mesmerizing performance which is pure joy.

9) Hamid (2018)

Bacchon ke usulon pe duniya chalti, toh jannat ban gayi hoti

Hamid is the story of an innocent child and his wish to get back his father who disappeared in one middle night. When people say he has gone to Allah  Hamid thinks he went there to help Allah. He tries to connect with his father in his own way. He believes 786 is the number of Allah and he dials that number by converting it to a 10 digit number. The movie depicts the hard reality of Kashmir where both civilians and army officials are being used according to political motives.

Hamid is an adaption of the play Phone No. 786 by Amin Bhat directed by  Dr. Aijaz Khan and written by Ravindra Randhawa and Sumit Saxena.

Watch Hamid on Netflix

10) Devdas (2002)

Devdas is a Bengali novel by Sarat Chandra Chatterjee. Indian Cinema has adapted and depicted Devdas on several occasions. Thou Devdas released in 2002 is regarded as the best version to date. Devdas returns to India to marry his childhood love, Paro. Devdas faces severe drinking problems due to the rejection of marriage from his family end. All this leads him into emotional disintegration and him looking for shelter with Chandramukhi.

Devdas is without a doubt perhaps the best romance of Hindi Cinema. Delightfully retold, drastically created, fantastically performed by Shah Rukh, and flawlessly executed by Sanjay Leela Bhansali.

11)Haider (2014)

Haider is an adaption of William Shakespeare’s play Hamlet. Only Vishal Bhardwaj could have thought of giving Hamlet the tinge of poetry and wit through Haider. It has been listed as one of the best adaptions of Hamlet internationally. The film with its music can give you an adrenaline rush to watch and learn more about Kashmir.

Haider returns to Kashmir after his father disappearance but state politics overpower him. Kay Kay Menon gives Claudius(Khurram) his own color. Haider is the third and final installment of the Bharadwaj Shakespearean trilogy. Haider was the first Indian movie to win the people’s choice award at the Rome Film Festival.

Watch Haider on Netflix

12) Devi (1960)

Devi a Bengali film directed by Satyajit Ray. Devi is an adaptation of Provatkumar Mukhopadhyay’s short stories. The movie is a strong take on religious dogmatism. A young lady deemed as a goddess by her dad-in-law, a rich primitive land-ruler. He has a dream imagining her as a symbol of Kali.

Devi stars Sharmila Tagore as Dayamoyee who starts accepting herself as a goddess due to some co-incidences and the belief of her dad-in-law.

13) Sadgati (1981)

Sadgati is an adaption of Munshi Premchand’s short story of the same name. Directed by Satyajit Ray, Sadgati focuses on the plight condition of Dalits/Untouchables in Indian society. The plot of the film spins around a helpless untouchable tanner Dukhi and his battles to get his girl wedded. In the wake of position misuse and segregation by the Brahmin cleric.

Sadgati is a fine case of when outstanding film-makers of our country decides to make a film out of a story made by one out of the most regarded authors from our writing and solicits two from the best entertainers to have ever graced our screens to act in.

Watch Sadgati on Youtube

14) Maqbool (2003)

Maqbool is Vishal Bharadwaj’s first venture into Indianising Shakespeare’s Tragedies. Based on the play of Macbeth, the crime drama features some excellent performances. Set Against the backdrop of Mumbai underworld Maqbool tells a story of a gang rivalry fought with revenge and betrayal. At the core of the film lies the relationship between Abbaji, Maqbool, and Nimmi.

The film is an excellent meeting point of the central story of the original play and several Bollywood conventions which helps Maqbool to stand apart as an excellent cinematic adaptation which while staying loyal to its text is also surprisingly unique.

Watch Maqbool on Hotstar

15) Omkara (2006)

Omkara is a 2006 film adapted from Shakespeare’s Othello play which is written and directed by Vishal Bharadwaj. Omkara is the second installment of Bharadwaj’s Shakespearean trilogy. Langada dreams of becoming Omkara’s successor after the latter wins election but a sudden twist occurs when Kesu is appointed as Omkara lieutenant. Langada feels betrayed and plots revenge.

Watch Omkara on Zee5