Making a book to film adaptation is not an easy task. However, when it is done right, the rewards can be enormous. Some of the best film adaptations of books are also some of the highest-grossing films of all time.
As per the list compiled by Betway Insider, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows II have made over one billion dollars at the box office so far, while other book-based movies like Jurassic Park, Alice In Wonderland, and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey have also crossed the mark of a billion dollars.
1- Little Women
Little Women, written by Louisa May Alcott and published in two volumes in 1968 and 1969, is one of the most beloved books of all time. Considering the enormous popularity of the book, there was pressure on Greta Gerwig to do a good job when she decided to turn it into a movie. However, the American filmmaker managed to create excellent work.
The seventh film adaptation of the famous book follows the lives of the March sisters during the 19th century. Saoirse Ronan has played the role of Jo March who is a writer, while her sister Amy March (Florence Pugh) is a student. Emma Watson has portrayed the role of the oldest March sister who is married to a schoolteacher.
Little Women came out in December 2019 and did very well commercially. Made on a budget of $40 million, the American coming-of-age period drama film made $219 million at the box office. It also received many glowing reviews from critics who mainly focused on the strong performances, direction and screenplay of the film. The Greta Gerwig-directed movie claimed six nominations at the Academy Awards and won for Best Costume Design in the end.
2- Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter book series became enormously popular around the world. It was a tough task to satisfy the loyal fanbase of the series but the team of Alfonso Cuaron, Chris Columbus, David Heyman and Steve Kloves did an incredible job.
Starring Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson and Rupert Grint in the main roles, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban hit the screens in 2004 and became a roaring success at the box office. It made $796 million to become the second-highest-grossing film of 2004. The Alfonso Cuaron directed film was also very well received by the critics who regard it as one of the best movies in the franchise.
3- Sense and Sensibility
Sense and Sensibility is one of the most famous novels of Jane Austen that was first published in 1811. There have been many screen adaptations of the popular book but Ang Lee directed period drama film is the best of all. Emma Thompson wrote the screenplay and features as the main protagonist – Elinor Dashwood while Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, and Hugh Grant have played the other main roles of the movie.
Sense and Sensibility became both a commercial and critical success. Made on a budget of $16 million, it grossed $135 million at the box office. The film won over the critics as well, who showered praise on the amazing performances and direction of Ang Lee. It earned seven nominations at the 68th Academy Awards and ultimately won for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Just like making a book-based film is challenging, so is the creation of a movie about football and Premier League top goal scorers as they already are highly interesting and difficult to render them more exciting.
