19 Movies that are more popular than the novel it was adapted from

Most people firmly believe a movie cannot be better than a book. In many cases, it has even been rightly so. But this enduring debate has sometimes been flipped on its head as movie adaptations have been so captivating and well-made that they have surpassed the written word and lent a new life. Therefore, let's look at 19 movies that are more popular than the novels.

1. Forrest Gump

Directed by Robert Zemeckis, this comedy-drama is based on a book by Winston Groom. While the movie was a critical and commercial success, even winning Best Picture at the Oscars, the lovable character of Forrest Gump and his journey through major periods of American history were a lot less adorable in the book. Tom Hanks converted the quirky character into an adored misfit, but the book had questionable racism and weird subplots.

2. The Silence of the Lambs

Based on a book by Thomas Harris, this early nineties psychological horror movie became the first horror movie to win a Best Picture award at the Oscars. Director Jonathan Demme took the already gripping novel and elevated it to new heights with his tense direction. It also casts Anthony Hopkins as the genius and cannibalistic psychiatrist Hannibal. Hopkins embodied the role and scared the audiences with his masterful portrayal, aided by Jodie Foster’s determined performance.

3. The Godfather

Considered one of the most influential and well-made mafia movies in Hollywood, the movie is based on a novel by Mario Puzo, who agreed that the book was not his best work and was written to pay off debts. But the story in the hands of Francis Ford Coppola did wonders, and the director added charm to the movie by focusing on the relationship between Don Vito Corleone and Michael. The rest is history.

4. The Devil Wears Prada

Based on a novel by Lauren Weisberger, this chic flick about the world of fashion was a smash hit and is an iconic part of pop culture. While the book was successful in its own right and became a sensation, the movie surpassed the novel’s fame by bringing in stalwarts like Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt, who made the characters even more memorable on screen with their mannerisms.

5. Blade Runner

Ridley Scott’s expansive vision and ahead-of-its-time visuals lent a new breath to author Philip K Dick’s work, who was initially dismissive of the movie adaptation and even made fun of its title. However, the author became impressed by the early footage. It is no wonder that the audiences were blown away by the movie’s dystopian world and Harrison Ford’s top-notch acting of an ex-police officer who must hunt down artificially engineered humans.

6. Fight Club

The gritty psychological thriller is inspired by Chuck Palahniuk's novel. The movie takes the story to new heights with David Fincher’s masterful direction, Edward Norton’s able performance, and a surprising twist, which was lapped up by the audiences. The movie is a standard in pop culture, and many of its dialogues are still considered iconic. Even though the movie received mixed reviews by the critics, the viewers rendered the film to cult status.

7. Mary Poppins

Based on a book series by PL Travers’, the movie adaptation features an adorable Julie Andrews, a sweet nanny who captured the hearts of the audiences when it was released in 1964. Apart from Andrews’ stellar performance, the film has some of the most iconic songs, which add to its pop culture fame, rightly surpassing the humble book series.

8. Casino Royale

While the novel by Ian Fleming had more subdued spy adventures and one-dimensional characters, the 2006 movie adaptation starring Daniel Craig and Eva Green took some liberties with the plot to elevate the story to another level. Considered one of the best Bond films, the movie is successful and remembered for its high-octane action, tense political intrigue, and brilliant performances.

9. Mean Girls

Most people might not know that the iconic chick flick from the early aughts has given many memorable pop culture moments. It is based on a self-help book by Rosalind Wiseman, who wrote the book to guide parents of teenage girls during their adolescence. Director Tina Fey was impressed by the novel, and her memorable movie starring Lindsey Lohan, who stands up against the mean girls of her school, is still adored.

10. Shrek

Based on a kids’ book by William Steig, the movie adaptation is about a moody ogre shunned by others for his looks but meets a lovable princess and goes on a quest with a hilarious donkey. It won the hearts of the audiences with its adult humor and snazzy soundtrack. The movie was a critical and commercial hit, and Eddie Murphy’s voice performance was particularly appreciated. Even author Steig loved the movie.

11. Jaws

Peter Benchley’s pulpy thriller book about a shark terrorizing a coastal town was converted into an intense horror movie by Steven Spielberg, who rejected Bechley’s screenplay because it did not have appealing characters and a less terrifying plot. Instead, the visionary director hired a different screenwriter and decided to focus on the main plot and infuse the movie with brave everyman protagonists, presenting a movie that still sends shivers down the spine.

12. Jurassic Park

One of the most famous movies in Hollywood history, Steven Spielberg’s magnum opus, is based on a book by Michael Crichton, who wanted to warn the world about the dangers of playing God. While the author dives into genetics and complex scientific theories, Spielberg decided to simplify the plot, present an optimistic ending, and wow the audiences by making a family-friendly thriller with path-breaking CGI. The movie has left an indelible mark on pop culture.

13. The Bourne Identity

Based on the novel by Robert Ludlum, the action-packed and fast-paced movie adaptation was a hit, and its credit goes to screenwriter Tony Gilroy, who initially declined to translate the book for a film but agreed on the condition that director Doug Liman will only focus on the main plot about an assassin with amnesia. Gilroy’s vision paid off as even though the book was famous, the movie lent an original and gripping spin to the tale.

14. The Notebook

While Nicholas Sparks’ saccharine story about the decades-long love between a boy and girl had various movie adaptations, it was the 2004 adaptation that elevated Sparks’ already popular story to new heights. The movie featured Rachel McAdams and Ryan Gosling, who gave a compelling performance and wowed the audiences with their undeniable chemistry. The movie’s heartbreaking ending was an addition by the screenwriters, which added to the film’s timeless appeal.

15. The Shawshank Redemption

Based on a novel by Stephen King, the epic drama by director Frank Darabont about a man’s escape from jail after a wrongful conviction was a smash hit. While Stephen was hesitant about his work being adapted as it is dialogue-heavy, Darabont lent new life by giving the characters depth, hiring Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins, who give stellar performances, and adding an emotional angle, which resonated with the audiences.

16. How to Train Your Dragon

Cressida Cowell’s novel about the friendship between a Viking teen and a dragon began attracting attention from DreamWorks, and soon, the story was adapted into a successful animation movie. The film was a critical and commercial hit, and people loved its animation, writing, and music. Even though characters like Toothless were whiny in the book, the movie adaptation evolved the characters into lovable and memorable creatures.

17. The Graduate

Based on the book by Charles Webb, the iconic movie adaptation surpassed the novel’s fame by infusing the story with relatable characters and an emotionality that resonated with the viewers. While the character of Benjamin is less lovable in the book, the movie elevates the character and adds a bit of comedy and emotional depth, which makes it memorable.

18. Arrival

Ted Chiang’s short story about aliens is a uniquely original read, but it dives deep into language and is considered abstruse. On the other hand, Denis Villeneuve takes the story and adds dimension to the book’s otherwise flat characters, infusing it with emotion and depth. The movie has an enveloping atmosphere, elevating the written word, and it was, therefore, a hit with audiences and critics. The film was nominated for multiple awards.

19. The Wolf of Wall Street

Based on a memoir by Jordan Belfort, the biographical black comedy movie by director Martin Scorsese and starring Leonardo DiCaprio was a smash hit. Its success lies in the fact that Leonardo embodied the role of Belfort with effortless charm and humor, and Scorsese elevated the book with his stellar direction. While the protagonist in the book is atrocious, Leonardo converts that annoyance into admiration.