Some of the greatest movies ever made are based on books. Inspiration can be found in many places –songs, real life, dreams – so there is no surprise that cinematic geniuses like David Fincher, Martin Scorsese, and Steven Spielberg have turned to books to draw inspiration for their work.

While the average movie buff might not care what the source of inspiration for a good movie is, the book nerds amongst us simply fill up with joy when we see our favorite literary pieces depicted on the big screen. Whether you are just a movie buff looking for good movies to watch or a bookworm looking for the best book-to-movie adaptation, this guide will not leave you disappointed.

In this article, we have reviewed the best movies inspired by books that will surely become your new favorites. Let us get to some of the most fascinating movies adapted from some of the most gripping tales ever written.

The Shawshank Redemption (1994)

Widely considered one of the best movies ever made, The Shawshank Redemption is based on a Stephen King novella, Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption. The movie is directed by Frank Darabont and stars Tim Robbins, Morgan Freeman, Clancy Brown, and William Saddler amongst others.

The movie revolved around the life of banker Andy Dufresne (Tim Robbins), who is sentenced to a lifetime in prison for the murder of his wife and her lover. Despite his claims of innocence, Andy is imprisoned to survive in the Shawshank State Penitentiary. The movie follows Andy’s life over the next two decades as he befriends smuggler Ellis “Red” Redding (Morgan Freeman) and becomes a key component of a money laundering operation.

You would be surprised to know that what is considered one of the finest works of cinema, tanked at the box office initially. Director Frank Darabont received a $25 million budget to make the film, but upon initial release, the movie could only earn $16 million despite achieving critical appreciation. Word of mouth and the many awards the film received became the driving forces behind the film’s popularity.

Gone Girl (2014)

Directed by David Fincher, Gone Girl is a psychological thriller based on Gillian Flynn’s novel of the same name. The movie stars Ben Affleck and Rosamund Pike in lead roles whereas the supporting cast has prominent names like Neil Patrick Harris, Carrie Coon, and Tyler Perry.

Considered one of the finest post-modern mysteries, Gone Girl is the story of a seemingly normal suburban couple- Amy and Nick Dunne. Things take a dark turn when on the couple’s fifth anniversary, Amy goes missing and Nick becomes the lead suspect in the criminal investigation. The Dunne’s seemingly perfect marriage breaks down exposing the ugly cracks in the couple’s relationship in a very public trial. This movie will keep on you on the edge of your seat with its sharp twists and turns in the tale, all climaxing into a beautifully crafted ending.

It is no surprise that the movie was a critical and commercial success after earning $369 million worldwide against a $61 million budget.

Atonement (2007)

Atonement is a war romance directed by Joe Wright and based on the same-titled book by Ian McEwan. The movie has Keira Knightley, James McAvoy, Saoirse Ronan, Vanessa Redgrave, and Romola Garai in the main cast. The movie opened at the 64th Venice International Film Festival and the 2007 Vancouver International Film Festival, which made Joe Wright the youngest director to open at the Venice International Film Festival.

Atonement is the story of a false criminal allegation and its consequences over six decades. The movie has exceptional emotional depth and depicts complex plot lines beautifully. It is no surprise that the film was a huge critical and commercial success with worldwide earnings of $129 million on a budget of $30 million.

Pride & Prejudice (2005)

Directed by Joe Wright, this 2005 movie in our opinion is the best screen adaptation of the iconic 1813 Jane Austen novel of the same title. This movie is everything you expect from a romantic drama. From social commentary on women’s position in society and class differences to romantic scenes that make your heart melt, this movie is a treat for your heart, mind, and soul.

Like Austen’s novels that stand the test of time, the soft visuals, impeccable character development, and wonderful performances by Keira knightly and Matthew Macfadyen make Pride and Prejudice a delight to watch nearly 18 years after its release.

Forrest Gump (1994)

Based on a novel by Winston Groom, Forest Gump is a comedy-drama film starring Tom Hanks, Mykelti Williamson, Sally Field, Robin Wright, and Gary Sinise. The movie follows the journey of slow-witted but incredibly kind Forrest Gump, who is a simple Alabama man. The movie is considered one of Hank’s finest works and a cinematic masterpiece. It was a commercial and critical success and grossed over US$678.2 million worldwide in earnings.

The Devil Wears Prada (2006)

Based on Lauren Weisberger’s novel of the same name, The Devil Wears Prada is a comedy-drama starring Meryl Streep, Anne Hathaway, and Emily Blunt. Whether you want to relive some iconic mid-noughties fashion moments or simply want a light-hearted chick flick to put a smile on your face, The Devil Wears Pradais the perfect watch.

The movie revolves around the life of Andy Sacchs – a recent college graduate- who moves to New York and lands a job as an assistant to the revered Miranda Priestley’s office – editor-in-chief of the prestigious fashion magazine Runway. Andy who has no interest in fashion or visibly any fashion sense struggle to fit in the world of high fashion, glitz, and glamour – the perfect recipe for disaster. Andy’s misadventures and eventual success make The Devil Wears Pradaa funny yet heartwarming watch.

It (2017)

If you enjoy the horror genre, you must watch It. Based on Stephen King’s novel of the same name, the movie is a great watch for anyone who likes to creep themselves out. With exceptional story-telling and beautiful visuals, It is one of the best modern supernatural horrors we have seen on the big screen in a while. The movie is based in a small town in Derry, Maine where a group of kids must fight a shape-shifting supernatural being that can take the shape of your worst fear.

From stunning visuals to thought-provoking plots, all these movies are a great watch whether or not you enjoy reading books. To enjoy these movies to their fullest, we recommend investing in a reliable internet service provider like Astound powered by Wave Broadband. With download speeds up to 1200 Mbps, you can enjoy 4k streaming with Wave’s fast and reliable internet service. Click here to learn more about their internet plans.

There You Are!

If you have not yet watched them, we recommend binging these movies on your next day off. Avid readers and movie buffs are hardly ever on the same page about movie adaptations from books, but our list consists of movies both kinds of viewers are likely to enjoy. Just make sure your internet connection does the visuals justice. Get in touch with Wave Broadband customer service to get the best internet plans for your streaming needs.