Five Film Adaptations I Prefer to the Book

Hello everybody! Today, I’m taking part in a Top Ten Tuesday prompt (today’s is a Page to Screen Freebie!) And I’m going to talk about movie adaptations I prefer to the book! I only have a list of five, so let’s get onto the post!

Brooklyn– this one is a bit of a cheat as I’ve not read the book, but a big part of why I love the film is the cast and the cinematography so I’m 99.9% sure that even if I’d read it I’d prefer the film. Also, the book’s description makes it sound very different in tone to the film, which balances heartbreak and joy so beautifully. I actually really need to rewatch the film as it’s one of my favourite things I’ve ever seen but I haven’t watched it for years.

Paper Towns/The Fault In Our Stars– I really do not vibe with John Green’ s writing style at all, and that was the biggest reason why I didn’t like either of these books so the removal of (at least some of) his purple prose made the films infinitely more enjoyable for me than their book counterparts. I DNF Paper Towns early on both times I tried it and barely made it through TFIOS. I will also admit that the presence of Nat Wolff in both of these was a big reason why I liked them so much; don’t judge. Paper Towns is my favourite of the films as a result.

To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before– I really like both the book and the film here, but the film just edges it (very possibly because I watched it first). It was so cosy and lovely and joyful, and though I hardly remember it now because I wasn’t well at all when I watched it I loved it and laughed a lot during it. It’s another one I need to reread!

The Miseducation of Cameron Post– this was a very recent watch, and I liked it so much more than the book. Like with the John Green ones, I didn’t like the purple prose of the book and I struggled with the slow pacing as well, both issues that the film resolved. I was also impressed by the cinematography and casting in the film!

What films do you prefer to their book counterparts? Do you agree with any I’ve chosen? I’d love to hear in the comments!

Amy x

Author: goldenbooksgirl

Disabled book blogger who also writes TV, film, music and other posts from time to time | UKYABA Champion Teen 2018 | Email: goldenbooksgirl@gmail.com | she/her

36 thoughts on “Five Film Adaptations I Prefer to the Book”

  3. I wrote a whole blog post ages ago on the adaptations I prefer to the book version, but my biggest one has got to be Stardust. I saw the film first and was disappointed with the book as it’s less action packed and not as romantic!

    Like

    Reply

  5. I really enjoyed the To All The Boys film, but I’ve never read the book. I’ll agree that I thought the TFIOS movie was better than the book, but I didn’t really like either that much. I enjoyed Brooklyn the film, but again, I haven’t read the book. The Miseducation of Cameron Post film was kind of dud for me but again, haven’t read the book.
    My TTT: https://jjbookblog.wordpress.com/2019/05/14/top-ten-tuesday-211/

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  7. I don’t have a problem with John Green’s writing style, but I still preferred the movie version of The Fault in Our Stars. I connected more emotionally to it.

    Like

    Reply

  8. I haven’t seen or read any of these! Though, as I’ve said before, Miseducation is on both to read and to watch lists.
    I’d struggle to think of any that I think are better than the book, but there’s plenty that I think live up to them – To Kill a Mockingbird, Trainspotting, A Clockwork Orange for starters..

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

      2. It’s such an amazing show! If you do watch it, I’d really love to hear what you think- I so enjoy seeing people experiencing my faves for the first time (That probably sounds bizarre 🙈😂)

        Liked by 1 person

      3. I know what you mean!! It’s like books – whenever anyone tells you they’re reading or have just finished a book you love it’s so exciting to see what they thought.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Yes!! It’s so fun. I especially enjoy it online because I can filter myself before I blurt out what happens (I remember the identity of almost every murderer in the early seasons of both the Mentalist and Castle 😂)

        Liked by 1 person

  9. I haven’t seen any of these movies (although I’d like to read and watch TATBILB someday) but one of the greatest book to movie improvements was Forrest Gump. The book was just okay. The movie is a classic.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  10. Brooklyn was definitely a film I prefer watching instead of reading. I still haven’t seen or read Cameron Post, unfortunately.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  11. Stand by me is possibly the film that surpasses the story but then it’s a short story! Oh and maybe Princess Bride – which interestingly is Rob Reiner directing again!

    Like

    Reply

  15. This is a great post, but I would be rubbish at this as I have hardly seen any movies. I did enjoy both the book and movie of To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, enjoyed the movie of The Kissing Booth although I have yet to read the book and loved The Lord of The Rings movies as well as the books.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

    1. I’m still waiting on you watching Pretty in Pink 😉 (which isn’t a book adaptation ofc but still 😂). I liked the Kissing Booth too, and I don’t think I’d like the book, so I should probably have put it on this list 🙈🙈

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I know, I know… I am so sorry! I am absolutely terrible at watching movies. This month I have watched exactly one (Aladdin) and that’s because Ben booked the tickets to go to the cinema! I really need to watch Pretty in Pink. x

        Liked by 1 person

Leave a reply to Christina Reid Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.