When thinking of the best ever films that started off life as a book, two names spring instantly to mind: Harry Potter and James Bond. Between them, these two cult titles have earned huge fortunes in box office revenue, not to mention millions of fans. But who are their nearest competitors? Here are the top five book to film adaptations of all time.
1. The Godfather
Mario Puzo’s Godfather novel was one of the best selling books of all time, but it became even more immortal when captured on screen by Francis Ford Coppola. 30 million people might have read it, but a great many more have seen the films, often voted the greatest of all time.
2. The Shawshank Redemption
The prolific Stephen King’s novella was adapted into a 1994 prison drama, featuring Tim Robbins and Morgan Freedman. It’s often considered the finest film never to have won an Academy Award, despite being nominated for seven.
3. Bridget Jones’ Diary
Bridget Jones actually started off as a newspaper column, and then a book, written by Helen Fielding. Something about this dizzy singleton captured the imagination, and her misadventures in love and life soon became a cult hit. Now with a third movie to her name, Bridget Jones is a heroine for all misfit romantics.
4. Lord of the Rings
Lovers of JRR Tolkien’s books were equally enchanted by the Peter Jackson films, set in the stunning scenery of New Zealand. The Hobbit also gets a side-mention here, being from the same author and director.
5. Psycho
Hitchcock’s Psycho is such a famous horror film that many don’t know it was originally adapted from a book by Robert Bloch. It certainly earns its place on the top five list as one of the most terrifying spectacles in cinema history.
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