Hello my darlings. How often do you watch movies that are based on books? I watch films on a weekly basis and it's something about films based on books that are always fascinating to watch. I think it is nice to see visuals added to a story whether I have read the book or not. These 30 films that I chose this week are from some books that I have personally read and some books that I haven't. But, I think that you will be enjoy these films and get a chance to dive into new stories that you might want to devour as books.
The Color Purple
Genre: Drama/Historical
One of the best lines from this beautiful film is "All my life I had to fight," and this entire film you will be rooting for so many characters. The Color Purple is about multiple characters and how their lives intertwine. The main character named Ceclie is the main focus and how her life is changed based on the era, her life experiences and the drama that happens throughout the film. Alice Walker created The Color Purple as a book originally and it later became a film adaption.
Life Of Pi By Yann Martel
Genre: Adventure
Life Of Pi is such an extraordinary film and the plot is even better. It follows a guy that has been stranded in the middle of the ocean and what happens to him during that adventure. I don't want to give away too many details but it is a lovely film and will make you think more about your own life.
To All The Boys I Loved Before By Jenny Han
Genre: Romance
To All The Boys I Loved Before is a book series that has been turned into a few Netflix films. It is a bubbly, teen romance that will bring you joy with a simple film. It is like watching a 1980s romance film with a modern production.
The Godfather By Mario Puzo
Genre: Crime & Thriller
If you have not seen The Godfather, this would be a great time to realize it is also a book. It is one of those films that isn't like any other. The plot follows a Mafia family in New York City and let's just say you will want to watch all 3 films to see what happens to this family. Trigger warnings include crime, violence and murder.
For Colored Girls Who Have Considered Suicide
/ When the Rainbow Is Enuf
Genre: Choreopoem & Tragedy
For Colored Girls is a unique film because it was inspired by a book that is styled as a poem. It is a sad film, so I do want to have trigger warnings of crime, tragedy, sexual violence, murder, etc.
Wild By Cheryl Strayed
Genre: Adventure & Biography
If you are looking for an adventure film that will make you want to go on a hike or travel -- Wild is the film/book for you. Cheryl Strayed wrote a book about her travels on the Pacific Crest Trail which is a 2,663 mile trail from multiple states.
The Joy Luck Club By Amy Tan
Genre: Domestic Fiction
The Joy Luck Club By Amy Tan is a really good book and the film captured me as well. This film/book follows four Chinese American immigrant families in California that start a club called The Joy Luck Club where they play a game called mahjong and speak about their lives.
Charlie & The Chocolate Factory By Roald Dahl
Genre: Family & Children
Charlie & The Chocolate Factory has had two major adaptions. I have to admit I like the original one (released in 1971 called Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory) the most because of the tone but the Johnny Depp verison is fun also. The 1971 version and 2005 version are just two different types of films if I do say so myself. But, you will enjoy both!
The Pursuit Of Happyness By Chris Gardner
Genre: Autobiography
Will Smith really took on the role of Chris Gardner in The Pursuit Of Happyness. This film will bring you joy and a few tears as you watch the main character find himself and a new career.
Jane Eyre By Charlotte Bronte
Genre: Romance
Jane Eyre is a film that is so well known and been adaption so many times. Why not add a new watch view by watching this lovely romance again by Charlotte Bronte. Jane is a woman that you will seeing figure out her life and who she loves.
Waiting To Exhale By Terry McMillan
Genre: Drama, Romance
Waiting To Exhale is one of my favorite films with an all Black female lead that focuses on friendship, relationships, careers, and growth. This film is a great film to watch with a glass of wine and on a Friday night where you want to relax.
The Fault In Our Stars By John Green
Genre: Romance
The Fault In Our Stars is a book that I have read a few times and watched the movies even more times. This film follows a girl that has cancer and how she lives everyday life after meeting a new guy at a therapy group session. I think you will really enjoy this film, just make sure to keep a kleenex box near you!
My Cousin Rachel By Daphne Du Maurier
Genre: Romance & Mystery
My Cousin Rachel (the 2017 verison) drew me in because of the lead actors Rachel Weisz (The Mummy) and Sam Clafiln (Me Before You) playing the main characters. But, I stayed because of the juicy plot -- the main character played by Sam Claflin falls in love with his cousin's wife but also thinks that she is a murder. The film has twists and turns and you do not know the truth. This film will keep you on your feet.
The Perks Of Being A Wallflower By Stephen Chbosky
Genre: Drama
The Perks Of Being A Wallflower is a book and film that many age groups can relate to. It has moments that makes you question if you are a wallflower. But, also remind yourself that everyone is a walking story. This film takes place around a group of teen friends and what they realize about their own lives and what makes them a wallflower. This film will also need kleenex tissue near by.
The Help By Kathryn Stockett
Genre: Drama
The Help follows the story of different black maids during the 1960s in Jackson, Mississippi and the experiences that they have. It is truly great acting, an interesting plot and is a film that you will surely enjoy.
Stuart Little By E.B. White
Genre: Children's & Family
Stuart Little is a cute film/book about the adventures of a mouse that gets adopted by a family of humans. It is a two film adventure that I believe many souls would enjoy. It can bring you joy and on an adventure that weren't expecting.
The Kite Runner By Khaled Hosseini
Genre: Adventure
The Kite Runner is a book that I have been recommended time and time again. The film did not disappoint, it will bring you joy and sadness at times. I think this film will great if you are looking for an adventure unlike any other.
Crazy Rich Asians by Kevin Kwan
Genre: Romance Comedy
If you are looking for a cute romance following two characters that come from different walks of life but fall in love in a very pretty way. Crazy Rich Asians is great for a romance comedy to devour any Friday night.
Forest Gump By Winston Groom
Genre: Drama/Romance
Forest Gump is one of those films that you will watch more than once and never get sick of. It follows Forest Gump, a unique character that tells the story of his life while sitting on a bench. It is a captivating story, that many people can enjoy and learn from.
Practical Magic By Alice Hoffman
Genre: Romance & Drama
Practical Magic is a cult classic that many of us watch during the Halloween or Fall season. It follows the family of witches in a small town and is an adorable film that will leave you wanting more. The book is written by a great author and she plans on coming out with the 3rd book of the series soon.
Beloved By Toni Morrison
Genre: Drama
Toni Morrison not only captures our hearts through her writing but she does so on screen as well. Quite a few of her books have become film adaptions. But, I wanted to mention Beloved because of its stunning visuals. It is a great film that brings the book to life. It is an intense film but one that will make you understand Morrison's writing more. Trigger Warnings for racism, rape and sexual assault.
Hidden Figures By Margot Lee Shetterly
Genre: Drama & History
Hidden Figures is a film that shows you what it was like for three wonderful Black women working at NASA during the 1960s. Katherine Johnson, Dorothy Vaughan and Mary Jackson were phenomenal women that worked at NASA during time where racism was shown through "Blacks Only" labeling and women were made to feel inferior to men. Hidden Figures is a film that will definitely leave you recognizing how important it is to have Black history.
Girl Interrupted By Susana Kaysen
Genre: Drama
Girl Interrupted is a fantastic film that follows a teen in the late 1960s that goes to a psychiatric hospital because of her therapy sessions and attempted suicide. She finds she connects to the women in the asylum and also finds herself. It is a great film that features Winona Ryder, Angelina Jolie, Brittany Murphy, Whoopi Goldberg and Jared Leto.
The Outsiders By S.E. Hinton
Genre: Drama
The Outsiders is a fantastic book and film about a group of teen boys that bound through friendship. This a coming of age story that was written by a teenager at the time and became a cult classic book. I am pretty sure you have heard of the character PonyBoy and this film will make you realize why that name has become a household name.
Beautiful Creatures by Kami Garcia & Margaret Stohl
Genre: Drama & Romance
Beautiful Creatures is such a good book series and I was so excited to see the film come to life. It is one of those films that fits into a young adult magical world where you see how two teens ending up falling in love by destiny.
Monster By Walter Dean Meyers
Genre: Crime & Thriller
Monster is about a young black boy with a promising future on trial for a robbery that turns into murder. The film/book follows the interviews and thoughts of the main character. You as the audience feel as if you are a fly on the wall and this film was just released on Netflix. I think that it is a great film adaption to the book.
Me Before You By Jojo Meyers
Genre: Romance
Me Before You is an adorable romantic film that follows a woman that becomes a caregiver for a wealthy guy that becomes paralyzed after an accident. It is a film that makes you happy, cry and also wonder about your own life. I recommend to have tissue near by!
Matilda By Ronald Dahl
Genre: Children / Family
Matilda is such a cute children's film, that I think a lot of us loved watching growing it. Matilda is a young girl that grows up in a family that is the complete opposite of her. She is brilliant and tries to find ways to help others throughout the film. For a light hearted film, I think Matilda will be a great film to watch.
Carol By Patricia Highsmith also known as The Price Of Salt
Genre: Romantic / Drama
Carol is a stunning film that follows the story of two women that end of having a secret affair during the 1950s. The acting is impeccable and the plot captures you as the audience. I was sad to see the film end, but I understand why it became nominated for many awards.
Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen
Genre: Romance
Pride & Prejudice of course had to be added to this lovely list. Pride & Prejudice is about Elizabeth Bennet and her family during an era where men were in a search of a wife. Elizabeth is an important figure that is spoke about in book communities because of her strength and attitude towards how women should be in society. The many adaptions of Jane Austen books are always fun to watch. I think that you can find many of her adaptions and have a great time watching them. I hope that you get the chance to watch Pride & Prejudice!
A Raisin In The Sun By Lorraine Hansberry
Genre: Screenplay
A Raisin In The Sun is hands down one of my top five films of all time. From the acting, to the language, to the realness. It captures a Black family living on the south side of Chicago during the 1950s. It was influenced by the poem Harlem by Langston Hughes. It was originally a book that became a play that was turned into a film adaptation. I highly recommend the 1961 film adaption.