7 Best Books To Read Before Watching Their Cinematic Adaptations

Book-to-movie adaptations always spark debate: “The book was better,” or “They left out too much.” You’ve heard the arguments. But isn’t it fun to revisit the source material after seeing the adaptation? These movies and shows brought beloved books to the big screen. Now’s the perfect time to go back, compare, and immerse yourself in the original stories.

‘It Ends With Us’

It Ends With Us — a romantic drama starring Blake Lively, Brandon Sklenar, Justin Baldoni, Jenny Slate, and Hasan Minhaj — is based on the novel of the same name by Colleen Hoover published in 2016. Hoover once described the work as “the hardest book I’ve ever written,” which is no surprise given the heartwrenching premise. 

The story follows recent graduate Lily Bloom who moves to Boston with the hopes of opening a floral shop following her father’s death. She recently gave his eulogy, but his place in her heart isn’t exactly untainted. He was abusive toward her mother, who kept the abuse secret. This led Lily to resent them both. As she reads through her childhood diary, reliving her pre-adolescence, she remembers her first love Atlas Corrigan, who left to join the military but promised to return to her. While wrestling with difficult feelings, she meets love interest, Ryle Kincaid. He seems like the perfect man, but the situation quickly takes a dark turn. 

Mickey17

Based on Edward Ashton’s novel Mickey7, this sci-fi thriller stars Robert Pattinson as Mickey Barnes, an expendable worker sent on a dangerous colonization mission. With each death, Mickey is cloned, but his memories and humanity remain intact. Directed by Bong Joon-Ho (Parasite), this adaptation promises to tackle themes of mortality and identity. If you haven’t watched it yet, read the book that inspired this philosophical space adventure.

Wicked

This highly anticipated adaptation of the hit Broadway musical (which itself is based on Gregory Maguire’s Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West) reimagines the untold story of Elphaba and Glinda. Dive into Maguire’s darker, politically charged take on Oz before the movie explores the themes of friendship, discrimination, and redemption brought to life by Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo.

Argylle

Henry Cavill and Bryce Dallas Howard headline this globe-trotting spy thriller based on the novel by Elly Conway. Though the book is yet to be released, the story promises a mix of espionage, treasure hunts, and high-octane action. If you’re a fan of James Bond or Jason Bourne, this one is for you. Keep an eye out for the book and get ready to dive into the world of international intrigue.

The Watchers

A chilling horror story, The Watchers by A.M. Shine follows Mina, an artist stranded in a mysterious Irish forest. Trapped alongside strangers, she battles strange creatures while piecing together the secrets of her captors. Directed by Ishana Shyamalan, this adaptation is bound to keep you on the edge of your seat.

Harold and the Purple Crayon

This beloved 1955 children’s classic by Crockett Johnson gets a live-action reimagining. Follow Harold, a young boy with a magical purple crayon, as he draws his way through limitless adventures. Revisit the whimsical/fun book before the movie brings its imaginative charm to life.

The Idea of You

Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine star in this romantic drama based on Robinne Lee’s novel. The story follows a single mother who meets a Harry Styles-esque pop star at Coachella, igniting a love story complicated by fame and public scrutiny. Read the book for a heartfelt look at love, self-discovery, and the challenges of being in the spotlight.