20 latest movies based on books: part 1

Is it worth watching the movie if you’ve already read the book? Of course it is. It’s the only way to compare the world and characters you’ve created in your imagination with their on-screen embodiment. And sometimes a movie gives a book a second life, complementing and revealing it in a new way. As you may have guessed, a selection of the best movies based on books awaits you.

Les trois mousquetaires: D’Artagnan (2023)

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The new movie is a fresh version of the historical novel by Alexandre Dumas the Elder. The first part of the film series is dedicated to the history of the conflict between England and France in the seventeenth century. Viewers will learn about the political situation in both countries. As in the classic story, the movie begins with the arrival in Paris of a young and brave Gascon D’Artagnan, who finds himself at the center of a conspiracy.

Persuasion (2022)

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A new movie based on the book by Jane Austen will tell the story of a young girl from a noble family in decline. Once upon a time, due to the fault of her haughty parents, Anne Elliot was forced to break off her engagement to Frederick Wentworth, whose modest fortune at the time did not match the status of her family. Having met her former lover, the girl intends to correct the mistake of her youth.

Chess Story (2021)

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A large-scale adaptation of Stefan Zweig’s most mysterious novel will tell the story of an emigrant who flees his German-occupied homeland. However, on his way to America, Josef becomes a prisoner of the Gestapo. The former notary is completely isolated from the outside world and locked in solitary confinement until he gives up information about his clients. The only thing that keeps Josef from going insane is chess.

The Call of the Wild (2020)

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The film adaptation of the classic work is lighter and less dramatic than the book original. Therefore, the movie is perfect for family viewing with children. The new movie tells the story of a dog named Beck. His measured and happy life in the family of a judge was destroyed by an accident. One night, Beck was kidnapped and sold, turned into a sled dog in Alaska. From that moment on, the pet dog began a new life full of dangers and adventures.

Little Women (2019)

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In 2019, the sixth feature film based on the classic work of Louisa May Alcott was released. Many critics consider this attempt to be the most successful. The director Greta Gerwig is a master at creating atmospheric and attractive films. The movie tells the story of the four March sisters growing up during the American Civil War. The girls face the eternal problems of youth – first disappointments, unrequited love, searching for themselves and their place in life.

The Art of Racing in the Rain (2019)

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In the film adaptation of Garth Stein’s bestseller, you will be able to see the world through the eyes of Enzo, a friendly retriever. The plot twists are slightly changed in favor of lowering the age threshold of the viewer, but the main idea of the touching story does not change. The racer Danny named his puppy after his idol, because his whole life is about speed and drive. At the time, Danny did not know what place the incredibly intelligent dog would take in his life. The heroes will face ups and downs, happiness and grief, but most importantly, each of them will find a friend.

Wonder (2017)

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The movie is an adaptation of the novel by American writer Raquel Palacio and immediately made it to the list of the best family dramas. If you want to get to know the amazing boy Auggie, but don’t have time to read, be sure to watch the movie – its events are not very different from the original. Auggie is a boy with Treacher Collins syndrome. The disease has disfigured his face, and even 27 surgeries could not fix it. Soon the boy will have to go to school. How will this event turn out, and will Auggie be able to find friends?

It (2017, 2019)

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One of the most important works by the king of horror, Stephen King, has been adapted into two feature films. When children disappear in the town of Derry, several friends begin to investigate and encounter a real ancient evil – the clown Pennywise. The adaptation is worth watching for several reasons: it’s a truly terrifying movie, the retro atmosphere of the King’s Town is conveyed very realistically, and the talented actors will make you feel for the characters throughout the film. The horror movie became the highest-grossing horror film in the history of the genre, grossing $700 million.

The Zookeeper’s Wife (2017)

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The film, based on the real-life story of the Zhabinsky family, is one of the best adaptations of a literary biography. During the Second World War, the couple managed to hide more than 300 people in their zoo. Undaunted by the risk of death, Jan and Antonina wrapped Nazi officials around their fingers, hiding Jews under their noses and then transporting them to other cities. The book version is based on Antonina Żabińska’s diary, so it is based only on dry facts. The film adaptation offers the viewer a more artistic version, full of love and hope.

Me Before You (2016)

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Bright and sunny Lou gets a job as a nurse for a young man, Will Traynor, who is bedridden. Will has long since lost hope and the meaning of life, but meeting an amazing girl will change everything. The film adaptation of the novel shows in more detail the relationship between the characters and their experiences, cutting out other townspeople from the plot. This technique will appeal to fans of love stories in the format: just him and her – and nothing else.

Read more:

• 20 latest movies based on books: part 2