This has been an argument for ages—is the book always better than the movie? Books let your imagination take control, creating the characteristics of the people, what their voices sound like, and what expression comes across their faces. But movies make stories come to life with action, music, and real people playing the roles. One can sit back and enjoy the story unfolding before their eyes. Sometimes, movies do a great job of following the book. Other times, they leave out important details, change things, or don’t feel personal. Let’s look at a few popular books that were turned into movies and decide which version was better!
Where the Crawdads Sing
The Book: This book by Delia Owens is a mix of mystery, survival, and love. It tells the story of Kya, a lonely girl who grows up in the marsh. The writing is beautiful, and readers really get to know Kya and her struggles.
The Movie: The 2022 movie looked amazing, and the actress who played Kya did a great job. But movies have limited time, so some important parts of the book were left out. The film didn’t show as much of Kya’s thoughts or her deep connection to nature.
Winner: The Book
The movie was good, but the book absolutely told the story better, in a much deeper way. This is a book you will be tempted to reread because of the tiny details that you begin to consider after reading the ending.
The Hunger Games
The Book: Suzanne Collins’ The Hunger Games is a fast-paced, action-filled dystopian fantasy. It tells the story about Katniss Everdeen, a girl forced to fight in a deadly competition. Because the story is told from Katniss’ point of view, readers understand exactly what she is thinking and feeling.
The Movie: The 2012 movie was one of the best book-to-movie adaptations. The world of Panem looked just like fans imagined, and the action was exciting. However, the movie couldn’t show everything Katniss was thinking like the book did. This made her seem quieter and less emotional.
“The book is page-turning, absorbing, fast-paced, and adventurous whilst also readers a warning on how dark society can be." -- Anonymous
Winner: The Movie
The Hunger Games movie did an excellent job of capturing the dark, oppressive atmosphere of the book. The gray, worn-down look of District 12 showed the reality of life under the Capital’s control, while the bright, extravagant colors of the Capital highlighted the shocking contrast between the rich and the poor. The use of shaky camera movements during action scenes made the audience feel the chaos and fear of the Games. While some details were left out, the movie successfully brought the book’s atmosphere to life with its powerful visuals and emotional performances.
The Shack
The Book: This book by William P. Young is about faith, grief, and healing. The story follows a man who experiences a terrible tragedy and later meets God in a surprising way. The book centers on the reader’s relationship with God, and how we view the Godhead.
The Movie: The 2017 movie had great actors and looked beautiful, but it didn’t have the same deep personal feel as the book. The book made readers feel the main character’s emotions in a stronger way.
Winner: The Book
The movie was good, but the book made the story much more powerful.
The Princess Bride
The Book: The Princess Bride by William Goldman is a fun mix of adventure, romance, and humor. It tells the story of Buttercup and her true love, Westley, as they face kidnappings, sword fights, and tricky villains. With unforgettable characters and a unique storytelling style, this book is an exciting and charming read for all.
The Movie: The Princess Bride movie is a perfect mix of adventure, romance, and whimsical humor. This movie has a fairy-tale feel, The Princess Bride feels like an adult Disney fairy tale, blending adventure, romance, and humor. With witty dialogue and unforgettable characters, it’s a timeless classic for all ages.
Winner: The Movie
“Well, the movie took all the best parts of the book and made the most perfect film. There's a lot of extra nothing in the novel that just wasn't enjoyable to read, that didn't add to the value of the story and could have been deleted, and the story itself wouldn't have suffered. The story itself reads as complete nonsense, but the film turned that nonsense into a charm unlike any other.” -- Aimee Randolph Blytheville Book Club
Comments