10 Famous Movies You Might Not Know Were Based On Books

Has your favorite book been made into a movie? Many have and there are countless films currently in production are based on books. You may already know movies including the Harry Potter Series, Jurassic Park, Lord of the Rings, the Twilight Series and the Hunger Games are based on books, but there are many more that may surprise you.

Here are ten famous movies based on books that may surprise you.

10. Anywhere But Here

Adele August (played by Susan Sarandon) finally realizes that she wants to chase her dreams – whatever they may be. She uproots with her teenage daughter Ann (played by Natalie Portman) and moves them from Wisconsin to Beverly Hills. Each day brings a new adventure, but it doesn’t pay the bills. Adele pushes her daughter to become an actress, but eventually decides to support her daughter who wants to go away to college. The book by the same name was written by Mona Simpson and originally published in 1986. Simpson wrote a sequel called The Lost Father, which focuses on Ann and her journey to find her father while going through medical school.

9. Babe

I loved the movie Babe when growing up and so many other people did too! Babe is a pig that wants to be a sheepdog and never gives up on his dreams, even after growing up as an orphan. He is entered into a contest and a local farmer wins him. Babe meets many kind animals as he adjusts to his new life, but he must show farmer Arthur Hoggett that he is worth keeping. The little pig goes on some big adventures and the movie is based on the book The Sheep-Pig, written by Dick King-Smith and first published in 1983.

8. Pay It Forward (2000 – PG-13)

The movie Pay It Forward tells the sweet and touching story of a schoolboy who sets out to change the world after a teacher sets him on the right path. Trevor McKinney (played by Haley Joel Osment) comes from a troubled home, dealing with an alcoholic mother (played by Helen Hunt). His teacher, Mr. Simonet (played by Kevin Spacey), challenges his class to come up with an idea that could change the world and then make it happen. Trevor’s heart is in the right place when he comes up with the “pay it forward” idea. It’s simple – do one kind deed and encourage others to pay it forward. The idea catches on and begins transforming him, his mother, his teacher and people near and far. Catherine Ryan Hyde wrote the book Pay It Forward in 1999 and it was then adapted into the movie a year later.

7. Field of Dreams (1989 – PG)

Ray Kinsella  (played by Kevin Costner) is a farmer in Iowa who loves baseball. One day he hears a voice in the middle of his cornfield saying, “If you build it, he will come.” This inspires him to build a baseball field. He stays committed to building the field, despite his trying to discourage him. Field of Dreams is based on the book Shoeless Joe, written by W. P. Kinsella. It was originally published in 1982.

6. Around the World in 80 Days (2004 – PG)

Phileas Fogg is an inventor from London who is trying to accomplish the seemingly impossible feat of traveling the world in 80 days. He can travel in any means he can find, but he must endure the many adventures and set backs in order to be successful throughout the trip. French author Jules Verne wrote the original book by the same name in 1873.

5. Apollo 13 (1995 – PG)

Tom Hanks, Bill Paxton, Kevin Bacon and Gary Sinise gave outstanding performances in the movie Apollo 13. The four are astronauts on a mission to the moon that goes horribly wrong, leaving them stranded in space until NASA can quickly come up with a solution. This true story was based on the book called Lost Moon: The Perilous Voyage of Apollo 13 (later called Apollo 13) written by Jim Lovell and Jeffrey Kluger. Jim Lovell is one of the astronauts who was the commander of Apollo 13. 

4. Bicentennial Man (1999 – PG)

Bicentennial Man is one of my favorite movies with the late Robin Williams. Andrew is an android who lives in the Martin family as a household robot. The family soon realizes that Andrew is not like other robots – he expresses his emotions and is very creative. Andrew can’t die since he is a robot and ends up meeting the granddaughter of Amanda Martin (played by Hallie Kate Eisenberg), Portia Charney (played by Embeth Davidtz). Author Isaac Asimov wrote The Bicentennial Man as part of the Robot series and it was originally published in 1976.

3. Jumanji (1995 – PG)

Another film with Robin Williams, Jumanji is the story of a boy who becomes trapped in a game] and cannot get out until two children play the game 26 years later. The problem is the horrible adventures will only end by winning the game. The book by the same name was written by Chris Van Allsburg in 1981 as a children’s book.

2. P.S. I Love You (2007 – PG-13)

Holly and Gerry are madly in love, although they drive each other crazy. They have been married a few years and are working hard so they can save to start a family. Tragedy strikes when Gerry is diagnosed with a brain tumor and knows he will soon lose his battle. Holly is devastated and is forced to pick up the pieces of her life after his death, but he remains close by. Gerry knew Holly would have a hard time moving on and wrote her letters that are given to her at different times through out the year following his death. The book was written by Cecelia Ahern and published in 2004.

1. Father of the Bride (1991 – PG)

Father of the Bride is a touching movie starring Steve Martin as George Banks, Diane Keaton as Nina Banks and Kimberly Williams-Paisley as Annie Banks. Annie is getting married and her father George is having a hard time realizing his daughter is grown up. He loves his daughter and finds closure through humorous moments. The original book by the same name was written by Edward Streeter in 1949.

Each of these movies (and books) offer a great storyline and were remarkably successful. I’m curious, if you are a book lover, do you expect a movie to follow the exact events in a book?

Article by Elise Cleary

I am a Christian writer and editor that lives in northern Michigan and thoroughly enjoy music, movies, TV shows, books and other entertainment with a Christian focus. My favorite song is "Oceans" by Hillsong United because it reminds me that has big plans for me and everyone else who puts their trust in Him. There are many movies that have impacted my life, but a few include God's Not Dead, The Shunning and Letters to God. I also write for www.faithandentertainment.com and love connecting with readers, so please don't hesitate to contact me! When I'm not writing I enjoy watching movies and laughing with my busy toddler and husband.