Do you love movies based on books? Are you curious about which ones to watch depending on your mood? Movies based on books offer various genres for your mood: animation, biography, etc.

This post lists some best book-based movies for different moods. It also talks about the impact of your reading and viewing. Book-based movies can enrich your reading, introduce new stories and views, and show storytelling art. But they can also disappoint, frustrate, or confuse you, if they differ from the source, skip details, or alter tone or message.

 That’s why we have compiled a list of book-to-movie adaptations that are faithful, entertaining, and suitable for your mood. As we all know there are many genres of books and movies, so we have shortlisted the 5 genres. Also, we have mentioned the rating of the movies as per the ratings of IMDB.

Let’s have a look at the 5 genres in detail

Movies Based on Books in Animation

Animation is a movie genre that uses images, drawings, or graphics to make movement and life. Also, animated movies can attract many audiences, from kids to adults, as they can offer fun, creativity, and imagination. Animation movies can be based on books, which can give more depth, meaning, and emotion to the stories and characters. Book-based movies can enrich your reading, introduce new stories and views, and show storytelling art.

Here are some of the best movies based on books that you can enjoy in an animated mood:

1. The Lion King, based on the book Hamlet by William Shakespeare, published in 1603, is a great movie for an animated mood because it is a stunning and emotional adaptation of the classic tragedy, with memorable characters, songs, and scenes. The movie has an IMDB rating of 8.5/10.

2. Howl’s Moving Castle, based on the book of the same name by Diana Wynne Jones, published in 1986, is a great movie for animation mood because it is a magical and imaginative fantasy adventure, with a charming romance, a quirky cast, and a beautiful animation style. The movie has an IMDB rating of 8.2/10.

3. The Little Prince, based on the book of the same name by Antoine de Saint-Exupéry, published in 1943, is a great movie for animation mood because it is a heartwarming and touching story of friendship, childhood, and imagination, with a stunning mix of 2D and 3D animation techniques. The movie has an IMDB rating of 7.7/10.

Biography Movies Based on Books

Biography is a movie genre that shows the lives of famous or inspiring people, like leaders, artists, etc. Also, biography movies can attract audiences who want to learn more about the history, achievements, challenges, and personalities of these people. Biography movies can be based on books, which can give more details, insights, and perspectives on the events and characters. However, book-based movies can enrich your reading, introduce new stories and views, and show storytelling art.

Here are some of the best movies based on books that you can enjoy in a biography mood:

1. Hidden Figures, based on the book of the same name by Margot Lee Shetterly, published in 2016, is a great movie for biography mood because it is an uplifting and empowering story of the three African-American female mathematicians who played a vital role in the NASA space program in the 1960s, with a stellar cast of Taraji P. Henson, Octavia Spencer, and Janelle Monáe. The movie has an IMDB rating of 7.8/10.

2. The Social Network, based on the book The Accidental Billionaires: The Founding of Facebook, a Tale of Sex, Money, Genius and Betrayal by Ben Mezrich, published in 2009, is a great movie for biography mood because it is a fascinating and captivating account of the creation and rise of Facebook, and the legal and personal conflicts that ensued, with a sharp script by Aaron Sorkin and a superb performance by Jesse Eisenberg as Mark Zuckerberg. The movie has an IMDB rating of 7.8/10.

3. The Theory of Everything, based on the book Travelling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen by Jane Hawking, published in 2007, is a great movie for biography mood because it is a moving and insightful portrayal of the life and relationship of the renowned physicist Stephen Hawking and his first wife Jane, with brilliant performances by Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones. The movie has an IMDB rating of 7.7/10.

Movies Based on Books for Documentary Mood

A documentary is a movie genre that shows factual or informative topics, like science, history, etc. Also, documentary movies can attract audiences who are curious, educated, or aware of the world. In addition, documentary movies can be based on books, which can give more depth, evidence, and analysis of the topics and issues. Book-based movies can enrich your reading, introduce new stories and views, and show storytelling art.

Here are some of the best movies based on books that you can enjoy in a documentary mood:

1. The Imitation Game, based on the book Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges, published in 1983, is a great movie for a documentary mood because it is a riveting and inspiring biography of the brilliant mathematician and computer scientist Alan Turing, who cracked the Nazi Enigma code during World War II and faced persecution for his homosexuality. The movie has an IMDB rating of 8/10.

2. Into the Wild, based on the book of the same name by Jon Krakauer, published in 1996, is a great movie for a documentary mood because it is a captivating and tragic story of Christopher McCandless, a young man who abandoned his privileged life and ventured into the Alaskan wilderness, seeking freedom, adventure, and meaning. The movie has an IMDB rating of 8.1/10.

3. An Inconvenient Truth, based on the book of the same name by Al Gore, published in 2006, is a great movie for a documentary mood because it is a powerful and persuasive presentation of the causes and effects of global warming and the solutions and actions that we can take to prevent it. The movie has an IMDB rating of 7.4/10.

Fantasy Movies Based on Books

Fantasy is a genre of movies that are based on magical or mythical worlds, such as Middle-earth, Narnia, Hogwarts, or Wonderland. Also, fantasy movies can be appealing to audiences who are looking for escapism, adventure, or wonder. In addition to that, fantasy movies can also be based on books. Books that can provide more details, background, and lore about the worlds and characters. Movies based on books can be a great way to enhance your reading experience, discover new stories and perspectives, and appreciate the art of storytelling.

Here are some of the best movies based on books that you can enjoy in a fantasy mood:

1. The Lord of the Rings, based on the book series of the same name by J.R.R. Tolkien, was published between 1954 and 1955. This movie has an epic and immersive adaptation of the classic saga of the struggle between good and evil in Middle-earth, with stunning visuals, memorable characters, and a sweeping soundtrack. The movie series has an average IMDB rating of 8.8/10.

2. Harry Potter, based on the book series of the same name by J.K. Rowling, published between 1997 and 2007. It is a great movie because it is a captivating and thrilling adaptation of the stories of the young wizard Harry Potter and his friends who attend Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry and face various dangers, mysteries, and villains. The movie series has an average IMDB rating of 7.9/10.

3. The Chronicles of Narnia, based on the book series of the same name by C.S. Lewis, was published between 1950 and 1956. It is a great fantasy movie because it is a magical and adventurous adaptation of the stories of the four Pevensie children.  The children enter the world of Narnia through a wardrobe and encounter talking animals, mythical creatures, and a great lion named Aslan. The movie series has an average IMDB rating of 6.5/10.

Movies Based on Books in Sci-Fi

Sci-fi is a genre of movies that are based on science fiction, futuristic, or dystopian themes. Themes such as aliens, robots, time travel, or post-apocalyptic scenarios. Sci-fi movies can be appealing to audiences who are looking for innovation, excitement, or speculation. Also, books can inspire sci-fi movies, which can offer more details, logic, and imagination on the themes and concepts. Book-based movies can enrich your reading, introduce new stories and views, and show storytelling art..

Here are some of the best movies based on books that you can enjoy in a sci-fi mood:

1. Blade Runner, from Dick’s 1968 book, is a sci-fi movie. It is based on the book Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? by Philip K. Dick, published in 1968. This is a great movie for the sci-fi mood because it is a visionary and noir story of a bounty hunter. A hunter who hunts down rogue androids, who are indistinguishable from humans, in a dark and polluted future. The movie has an IMDB rating of 8.1/10.

2. The Martian, based on the book of the same name by Andy Weir, was published in 2011. It is a great sci-fi movie because it is a realistic and gripping survival story of an astronaut. An astronaut is stranded on Mars.  And he has to use his scientific knowledge and ingenuity to stay alive and contact Earth. The movie has an IMDB rating of 8/10.

3. The Hunger Games, from Collins’ 2008-2010 book series, is a sci-fi movie. It is a great movie for a sci-fi mood. The movie tells a thrilling and dystopian story of a teenage girl. A girl who joins a TV death match with other kids, in a future society where the elite exploit the poor and defiant. The movie series has an average IMDB rating of 7.1/10.

Conclusion

Movies based on books can be a great way to enjoy different stories and genres, as long as you choose the ones that match your preferences and expectations. In this post, we have shared with you some of the best movies based on books that you can enjoy in different moods, such as animation, biography, documentary, fantasy, and sci-fi.

Let us know, which are your favorite movies based on books. What mood and genre do you like to watch them in? Do you have any recommendations that we missed?

We hope you had a cinematic reading experience.

Tejas Tahmankar