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Literature has always been a significant source of inspiration for filmmakers, especially in the realms of fantasy and science fiction. Over the years, we've seen numerous movies adapted from novels. In this article, we compile the top 10 best Hollywood films adapted from novels.
1. Forrest Gump (1994) – The Life of Forrest Gump
Forrest Gump, starring Tom Hanks in the lead role, has been a cinematic masterpiece since its release. However, many were surprised to learn that it was based on the novel of the same name by Winston Groom. The film grossed $678.2 million at the box office, winning the Oscar for Best Picture and Best Actor.
The film narrates the story of Forrest Gump, a boy with an IQ lower than average. It was thought that his life would encounter many hardships as he grew up. However, with his optimistic attitude and a hint of innocence, Forrest Gump lived a meaningful life.
2. Harry Potter (from 2001)
It's no surprise that the tale of the young wizard holds a high position on this list. The eight films based on J.K. Rowling's seven-part Harry Potter series grossed a total of $7.7 billion worldwide. The entire series revolves around the protagonist - the young Harry Potter - as he attends Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Alongside his studies, he and his friends must confront the ruthless Dark Lord Voldemort, who seeks to dominate the entire wizarding world.
3. The Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit (from 2001) - The Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit
Although these are two separate series, they can be combined as they both reference a fantasy world created by author J.R.R Tolkien - Middle-earth. The Lord of the Rings depicts events that occur after The Hobbit. The title of The Lord of the Rings revolves around the main antagonist: the Dark Lord Sauron, who created the One Ring to rule the other Rings of Power. The story of the entire film series is a struggle for power among the various races. The Hobbits set out on a mission to destroy the One Ring and end the war.
4. The Da Vinci Code (2006) - The Da Vinci Code
Ron Howard's thrilling film The Da Vinci Code is based on the novel of the same name by Dan Brown. Additionally, the director also made two sequels: Angels & Demons and Inferno. The story begins with a murder at the Louvre Museum in Paris, with cryptic clues revolving around famous paintings by Leonardo da Vinci. Robert Langdon, a professor of religious symbology, becomes the prime suspect in the murder case as he is a knowledgeable cryptologist.
5. Alice in Wonderland (2010) - Alice in Wonderland
Lewis Carroll's classic tale has been vividly brought to the big screen since the silent film era of Hollywood. While there have been many Alice films produced earlier, we only mention the 2010 version of Alice in Wonderland due to its success. At a garden party, Alice encounters a peculiar white rabbit and follows it. Guided by the rabbit, Alice falls into a deep hole and arrives in Wonderland. This is a magical land with many mystical creatures, where she reunites with the Mad Hatter, the Cheshire Cat, and others. It turns out Alice had been here as a child and lost her memory of it.
6. Jurassic Park (1993) - Jurassic Park
Director Steven Spielberg has been adapting novels into films since the early days of his career, starting with Jaws. However, Jurassic Park, adapted from the novel of the same name, marked Spielberg's global introduction. The film, along with the entire franchise, has created a captivating fictional world about prehistoric dinosaurs still living in today's era.
7. The Chronicles of Narnia (2005) - The Chronicles of Narnia
Author C.S Lewis created seven storytelling books for children starting from the 1950s. In 2005, the first film adaptation of the series was produced with a huge budget, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe. The film is set during World War II, when London is bombed, and four siblings are sent to the countryside for safety. One day, Lucy finds a wardrobe that leads her to the magical world of Narnia. She quickly persuades her siblings to join her on a thrilling adventure.
8. The Hunger Games (2012) - The Hunger Games
The film adaptation of The Hunger Games introduced Jennifer Lawrence to the world. Although not her first role, at that time, it was her biggest role yet. The film series revolves around a game called the Hunger Games, where teenagers from 12 different districts participate. They fight each other in a large area until only 1 person remains.
9. The Maze Runner (2014) - The Maze Runner
The Maze Runner is also a blockbuster action series similar to The Hunger Games. The story begins when Thomas gets lost in a giant maze and doesn't remember who he is. Thomas meets others in the same situation. They quickly form a team trying to escape from the dangerous and deadly maze.
10. Twilight (2008) - Twilight
Despite receiving mixed reviews, some praising it while others criticizing it, we cannot deny the influence of Twilight since its release. The vampire saga was exactly what young people desired at the time: a beautiful cast, a romantic storyline, and captivating fantasy elements. Bella Swan is a new high school student who moves to Washington with her father. Feeling bored with everyday life, Bella meets Edward Cullen, a vampire in the 'vegetarian' family. Bella falls in love with Edward wholeheartedly and hesitates not to enter into a relationship filled with danger.
Conclusion
The captivating films and series listed above will provide you with a fantastic time. Immerse yourself in the world of cinema and start watching the top 10 Hollywood movies adapted from novels right away!
