My Top 10 Book-to-Screen Adaptations
I am someone who recognises that books are an artistic entity all on their own and adaptations aren’t a ‘necessary’ addition. Having said that, I do love when I get to see an adaptation of a book/ series that really adds to the work and allows for it to have a wider audience. Therefore, these are my top 10 book-to-screen adaptations that I feel have done the source material justice.
Shadow and Bone by Leigh Bardugo
When the adaptation of this series was first introduced, I was very excited as they were also including the characters from the Six of Crows duology – one of my absolute favourite fantasy series. I did absolutely love this adaptation, it has the same feel as the books and yet does not alienate an audience that is not familiar with them. It has its faults of course, including some issues with the flow of the story, given that the Six of Crows storyline doesn’t actually play out within the show – I will forever be mad that it was cancelled before we could get there. Despite these faults, I would still recommend this show, I think the casting was near-perfect, the acting was incredible, and the settings within the show (and books, of course) really immerse you within the storyline.
The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins
There most likely isn’t much I can say about The Hunger Games, both books and movies, that hasn’t already been said. However, I actually watched the movies years before I ever got around to reading the books. I read them in my third year of University, which I’m actually really grateful for. While this series is targeted towards a younger demographic, I think that there’s a lot of nuance to this story that I personally would not have fully understood as a teenager. The adaptation is mostly faithful to the books – including all the character dynamics, emotional scenes, and visuals. Most importantly, the message from the book is accurately portrayed and makes it more accessible to the general audience.
Moriarty the Patriot by Ryosuke Takeuchi
Moriarty the Patriot is another one that I ended up watching the adaptation before reading the books/ manga. I found this by chance, when I was trying to make use of my crunchyroll subscription, and ended up absolutely obsessed with it. The concept behind it hooked me almost immediately, and as someone who’s read some of the Sherlock Holmes novels, I loved seeing those characters re-imagined in this way. The adaptation is pretty much page-to-screen in the best way possible – there is almost nothing that is left out from the source material and yet, it is never boring. I would highly recommend both the Manga and the Anime as it is one of the most unique and well-done retellings I’ve ever seen.
Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston
I read this book the year it came out, having seen it on a booktuber’s recommendations video. I immediately fell in love; this story is such a feel-good romance, filled with pining and tension (basically everything a girl could need). The adaptation is no different – the slow-burn, rivals to friends to lovers, forced proximity goodness that is present in the book is replicated on the screen. I will say that I miss the presence of two of my favourite characters, June Claremont-Diaz and Rafeal Luna, however I do understand that there wasn’t enough time to include them. I prefer the book, however the movie is still amazing and is the perfect rom-com for anyone looking for all those ‘feels’.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
In my opinion, this series is genuinely one of the best adaptations I’ve ever seen. It has everything – the casting, the acting, the graphics, the writing, you name it. I watched this as it was coming out, and the experience was surreal. I’ve loved this series ever since I watched the movies as a teenager (yes I did see the movies first, and yes I do still love them for nostalgia reasons). The book series is one of those series that is a formative experience for those who read it – there is so much to learn and I find that it is one of the few ‘children’s’ series that can be read, and loved, by any age group. This can also be said for the show and I am eagerly anticipating the second season.
Daisy Jones and the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid
I read Daisy Jones and the Six because I had absolutely adored Jenkins’ other novel – The Seven Husband’s of Evelyn Hugo. While I didn’t love this book as much, I still thoroughly enjoyed how chaotic, creative, and immersive it felt. I feel that the adaptation does an amazing job of replicating that – the characters are perfectly imperfect, and you get to feel as if you’re a part of their story. The casting felt as if they took the characters right off the page, and they felt just as human as they did within the book. I also felt that they did an incredible job with the soundtrack of the series, allowing for the music to be just as alive and at the forefront as it was within the text.
Grandmaster of Demonic Cultivation by Mo Xiang Tong Xiu
The adaptation of this book, The Untamed, is a show that I have re-watched time and time again; the length of the show can be off-putting but it is so worth it, trust me. I first watched this show because I had seen clips on tiktok and I was instantly hooked. The premise and magic of the show, the characters, and the soulmate storyline all allow for this story to be both heart-breaking and stunningly beautiful – not to mention the breath-taking cinematography that is unique to c-dramas. The books are no different, I absolutely adore it and feel that the adaptation does this story justice. While there is, unfortunately, censorship present in the adaptation, I personally think the romantic relationship is still made quite clear within the dialogue and actions of the main characters. I would also highly recommend the animated version, as it is also extremely faithful to the donghua.
Simon vs. the Homo Sapien’s Agenda by Becky Albertalli
The Simon vs. the Homo Sapien’s Agenda book is one that is quite dear to my heart. I first read this book when I was a teenager and it helped me come to terms with things in my personal life during a fairly turbulent time. Although the book itself cannot speak to every ‘queer’ experience, I do love it for what it represents and has meant to many within the queer community. I believe the movie similarly impacted its younger audience, and has allowed for discussions to be had between families. The adaptation did a good job of creating and adding impactful scenes, especially the ‘Exhale’ scene between Simon and his mother. Overall, despite some difference between source material and adaptation, I see this as being an adaptation worth its praise.
The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones by Cassandra Clare
Some might view this movie as a ‘sneak’ on this list, however The Mortal Instruments; City of Bones movie introduced me to the ‘Shadowhunters’ universe and therefore I owe it my life. In all honesty, I do love this adaptation (as well as the tv show although I understand many would disagree). I do feel that the movie is actually quite faithful to the book and has a lot of positives. I love the visuals, action scenes, and inclusion of lines of dialogue from the book; the character relationships are also represented well and the characters themselves feel authentic. I enjoy this movie, both as an adaptation and as its own entity.
Heartstopper by Alice Oseman
I don’t think it will come as a surprise for anyone to see Heartstopper on this list, given how well known and well-loved it is. Developed from a graphic novel and becoming its own beloved show within the general public was perhaps not expected, however it deserves every bit of praise. I was given the first graphic novel by a friend in secondary school and I loved it for its comforting and joyful feel. The show embraces and enhances this feeling, being quite possibly one the best and most accurate adaptations of recent years. I have seen the impact of this series on all age groups and its significance is beautiful to see, therefore it has also become one of my absolute favourite adaptations.