Thanks to the soaring cost of movie/TV production and the consequent need to be as certain of an audience as possible, we're awash with adaptations of popular books and comics. But amid this ocean of choice, which are the best?
We want you to tell us! Note that this doesn't necessarily mean the most faithful adaptations of books or comics; it is possible for movies or TV shows to make changes from the source material and still turn out well. We just want to know which, in your opinion, are the best.
Any movie or TV show based on a book or a comic book is eligible, and be sure to justify your answer without spoilers (or use the 'hide spoiler' feature if you must). The best 20 submissions get $1 each!
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I am currently watching this serie s think the second time they done a pretty decent job taking the book series and translating it for TV it's better than the movie is, just a shame it got cancelled before they finished the whole storyline. I would recommend it to anyone.
The Hunger Games is a film series based on Suzanne Collins's novels, the film was released in the era when dystopian films were dominating the industry (Maze Runner, Divergent, twilight), it was super interesting to see how much this film could stand out against its competitors at the time. The casting is just amazing! Jennifer Lawrence's portrayal of Katniss Everdeen is a standout and has been widely acclaimed. She really brings an authentic feel to the character and honestly does is so much justice. The movies stayed true to the novels but made some necessary changes to suit the cinematic format. I honestly believe it really stands the test of time, watching it in 2024 and feeling how real it all is.
The Boys is a TV adaptation of the comic book by Garth Ennis and Darick Robertson. The show is insane, it redefines the superhero genre and is very satirical, it has a dark take and presents you with what happens when superheroes abuse their powers. the storytelling is very bold with complex characters and the show also can tackle real-world issues through its narrative. And do not get me started on the superb casting, what amazing portrayals they do!
I believe these adaptations excel in their respective formats and really show us how thoughtful changes can enhance storytelling while also honoring the original works.
Not everyone's cup of tea but I love how The Boys has been created for TV.
It's gritty satirical take on superheroes is great and I think they've nailed the approach to showcasing how superheroes aren't all going to be good, not matter how much the media may perceive them as such.
It keeps the highly graphic nature of the comics and has casted each role to a T, creating a brilliantly written and produced series for Amazon.
A shame it finished with season 5 but thin they are doing the right thing by not carrying it on long after it's run out of legs.
I know, it's kind of danger zone and some fans might strongly disagree with me, but that's my feelings and opinion.
Among anything I've read and watched, Across the Spider-Verse animation exactly matches the character I have in my head. They way how he moves, talks, reacts to certain events - this Spider-Man is the closest thing to the original.
One of my favourite adaptations of a book to a tv series, is Neil Gaimens American Gods, especially the first 2 seasons as they follow the book very closely. The acting, the special effects, and the storytelling all help to bring the story to life. I wish this series didn’t end on a cliffhanger, as they were almost at the end of where the original story ended. I hope that they get one more season to tie up any loose ends, but regardless, it is still one of my favourite adaptations.
I love Asimov's works and many people criticised this movie as it's not a faithful adaptation of the novel with the same title. I think these people missed the fact, that it was never meant to be a word-by-word adaptation, it says in the credits, "Based on". And in that regard I think it did an amazing job.
Took the basics of Asimov's Three Laws of Robotics:
A robot may not injure a human being or, through inaction, allow a human being to come to harm.
A robot must obey orders given it by human beings except where such orders would conflict with the First Law.
A robot must protect its own existence as long as such protection does not conflict with the First or Second Law.
And placed the story into a modern setting with modern problems we can all relate to, while showing the conflict these laws can cause for an artificial intelligence.
There's no question that it would be between Harry Potter and LOTR franchises. As much as I love the Jackson films I have to give this one to the Wizards as Harry Potter took up a lot of my childhood either reading or re-watching the films.
It's an incredibly ambitious project from the get go to have the actors age with the films and it was proven to be incredibly successful. I think it is even more impressive that JK was able to keep up with the pace of the films as she would have to write a book a year (even though she was given a 4 year head start) i.e. there isn't much time for writer's block when you have a multimillion film production following in your stead.
It'd be the third Harry Potter film that is the best in the franchise. It was the first film that didn't follow the book exactly unlike the other films. It was able to become it's own thing whilst still following the main story beats of the book. I especially liked how it used the time as a theme of the movie not only with the time turner but also with different shots of the whomping willow showing the changing of the seasons.
The film’s visual style is pretty cool and its use of colour and slow-motion, is similar to the comic’s look. Its very similar to the noir atmosphere
Although it condenses the story, the movie still provides depth to key characters like Rorschach’s and his monologues and Dr. Manhattan’s existential crisis
the soundtrack is pretty cool and its use of “Hallelujah”
the film conveyed the moral dilemmas, political conspiracies, and existential questions that are raised in the Watchmen universe and it didnt shy away from the dark tone of the comics.
I believe the best movie adaptations are Blade Runner (1982) and Blade Runner 2049 (2017), based on Philip K. Dick's novel "Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?".
Ridley Scott and later Denis Villeneuve did a fantastic job of bringing this dystopian science fiction novel to the big screen. Both films complement each other and stand strong individually. They not only accurately capture the book's philosophy and ideas but also pose existential questions that have influenced culture for at least three generations. These movies have inspired people to dream and create new art forms, music, games, movies, novels and more.
It's one of those rare instances where the film is better than the book! (in my opinion anyways). I think the narrative works better in a visual medium.
Even the author admitted that 'I was sort of embarrassed of the book because the movie had streamlined the plot and made it so much more effective and made connections that I had never thought to make'...
💯It's little touches like the quasi-subliminal cuts of Tyler before he appears properly, the breaking of the fourth wall etc that tell the story so well on film.
Comic Adaptation: Now, I'm not an avid comic book reader, so I don't have any strict guidelines on this one. However, I have a very strong stance that the BEST Batman movie is the 1989 Batman, followed by Batman Returns.. because Michael Keaton will always be MY Batman. Then you have Jack Nicholson's take on The Joker, followed by Michelle Pfeiffer as Catwoman and Danny DeVito as Penguin in the sequel. These were amazing performances, and with the rest of the cast from both films, they're just movie magic! I love the dark gothic aesthetic mixed with the CHEESE and camp factors reminiscent of the old Adam West series. Keaton did well both in the mask and as the man behind it. He was relatable, somehow an average guy trying to do good in the world, even though he's also a deeply troubled billionaire... He didn't go too far into the "troubled", he didn't go too dark with his demons. Let's face it, Michael Keaton was, IS and always will be.. Batman. He's pretty much declared it himself, lol.
As for Book to Movie Adaptation:
I'm going with Practical Magic (and not just because a new movie was recently announced!)
I loved the movie when it came out (who didn't?!). I made the mistake of trying to read the book by Alice Hoffman (an author whose other works I've enjoyed)... and the movie just ruined the book for me. It's been on DNF status for almost a year now for me. It's just a completely different vibe from the movie. It's darker. The relationships are more strained than portrayed in the movie. The influence of the Aunts is way different and not as prominent. And Sally's kids are older and more angsty than in the movie. Plus, I don't recall a Midnight Margarita scene in the book..if it was there, it definitely did not compare to that of the movie.. but then, what could? PSA I'm not necessarily saying the book was bad.. it just wasn't what I thought it would be... If i had read it without ever seeing the movie, my opinion of it could be totally different. Unfortunately, the bias is there and it is strong. If you've ever danced around while putting the lime in the coconut, I think you'll agree with me on this one!
Nice to see a fulsome case for Keaton's Batman! I agree with pretty much everything you say here. He doesn't quite have the physicality that I associate with the character, but his acting and general presence is pitch-perfect.
It is one of the most faithful adaptions I have seen in terms of comic book to TV - It has kept the entire storyline alive (adding random ones in) but it has kept the entire "horror" perspective of the comic books alive, like the comic books, it has the nitty gritty deaths and torture, it has the love and respect between the characters and most of all, it's got the zombies right!
I love The Walking Dead. As long as I watch it during the day...
I really enjoyed The Walking Dead when it first came out. It was SO different, it was one of the first to ring in the popularity of the horror/zombie/comic genre into the land of television, or at least welcome it back. I was devoted until... well, if I just say "Glenn" you'll probably know what I'm talking about. I couldn't go back after THAT episode. I tried. I didn't/don't follow the comic much, but i think even when they made certain changes or added characters/switched what happened to characters, etc... it still always seems to stay pretty true to the source, at least in feel/tone. Sometimes I think about re-watching from where I left off, and giving the spinoffs a try. I love Daryl and Carol. I hate that Jeffrey Dean Morgan is so damn cool he'd make my like his character even though I WILL NEVER forgive him!! So I don't want to like him! lol
One other note, is how much the cast meshed so well together. At least outwardly it seemed they were one of those tight knit casts that actually liked to be in each others' presence. I liked seeing the actors goofing around in bloopers, etc. Or how they had farewell dinners when one of them got bit and bit the dust.
And, for me, I always had to watch it and then watch something very light right after to keep the nightmares at bay! lol.
Id have to say the walking dead that was brillant throughout. Im also an oldie fan of comics and enjoyed buffy comics and the tv series and of course xmen old and new comics plus loved the movies. Tho as the universe is so large with x-men they should do a live action tv series. The cartoons were fun though.
though i havent read both books, i know both movies are great. one shows a great journey and a bond that he forms with a tiger, while the other is just one of the best fantasy movies.
