Movies I Wish Were Based on Books

Hi guys! A few weeks ago I was watching a booktube video and one of the books mentioned seemed strangely familiar to me, even though I’d never seen it before. Turns out, I’d watched the movie adaption. So of course I started wondering what other movies might be secret adaptions and in turn – what movies I wish were secret adaptions. These are all movies I think would make excellent novels, not necessarily my favorite movies of all time, some of which are in fact adaptions (I.e Breakfast at Tiffany’s, Trainspotting) and some of which I think would lose some of their magic on page. (Le passé, Frances Ha, American Honey)

Black Swan (2010)

A committed dancer wins the lead role in a production of Tchaikovsky’s “Swan Lake” only to find herself struggling to maintain her sanity.

This is an incredibly aesthetically pleasing movie, and while a novel would lose that visual aspect – I think the fact that most of the tension stems from internal conflicts and turmoil would make up for it. I picture this as a dark and twisted psychological thriller a la Megan Abbot’s cheerleader noir Dare Me.

 

 

How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days (2003)

Benjamin’s an advertising exec and ladies’ man who, to win a big campaign, bets he can make a woman fall in love with him in 10 days. Andie works for Composure magazine and is assigned an article on “How to Lose a Guy in 10 days.”

Ok, I’m already cheating. This movie was based on a book, but it wasn’t based on a novel and I wish it was. Hate to love’s one of my favorite tropes and no one does it better than Andie and Benjamin. The book cover would feature that famous yellow dress, of course.

The Craft (1996)

A newcomer to a Catholic prep high school falls in with a trio of outcast teenage girls who practice witchcraft and they all soon conjure up various spells and curses against those who even slightly anger them.

Y’all know I love reading books about witches, so of course I want the ultimate teen-witch movie in book format. I picture the book version as a mix between The Merciless and Labyrinth Lost, though honestly Zoraida Córdova’s Brooklyn Brujas would still be the baddest witches on the block.

 

Before Sunrise (1995)

Jesse and Céline meet on a train in Europe, and wind up spending one evening together in Vienna. Unfortunately, both know that this will probably be their only night together.

I’ve always had a thing for stories that take place in the span of one day and Before Sunrise is my favorite. We already know this works well in books based on novels like The Sun Is Also a Star, so I think this trilogy would be just as amazing on the page. Not to mention, it’d be like actually reading the book Jesse wrote about his meeting with Céline.

 

Notting Hill (1999)

The life of a simple bookshop owner changes when he meets the most famous film star in the world.

Notting Hill is one of the best romantic comedies out there and I’m convinced it’d be just as good as a novel. All it’s humor and charm would easily translate on to page and I mean, it’s partly set in a bookstore, you guys – it’s meant to be!

 

 

 

Love Me If You Dare (2003)

As adults, best friends Julien and Sophie continue the odd game they started as children — a fearless competition to outdo one another with daring and outrageous stunts. While they often act out to relieve one another’s pain, their game might be a way to avoid the fact that they are truly meant for one another.

This quirky, yet intense love story would make a really interesting novel, with a unique premise, strong leads and an unforgettable love story at it’s core. The cover art would of course have to be the carousel tin box they exchange back and forth.

 

Pan’s Labyrinth (2006)

 

In the falangist Spain of 1944, the bookish young stepdaughter of a sadistic army officer escapes into an eerie but captivating fantasy world.

I remember googling “Is Pan’s Labyrinth based on a book?” after watching it for the first time, but sadly it isn’t. I would’ve loved to experience this dark, strange fairy-tale in book form, but of course Guillermo del Toro himself would’ve had to write it. Cause no one else could do this story justice.

 

Coyote Ugly (2000)

Aspiring songwriter Violet Sanford, after getting a job at a women-run NYC bar that teases its male patrons, comes out of her shell.

At the mature age of 25, I can finally admit that this is no cinematic master piece and that the reason I watched this 100 times growing up was probably my epic crush on Piper Perabo. But I  do think this would make a pretty awesome New Adult novel – it has an awesome girl gang, a cool setting and a charming love interest. What else do you need?

 

What movie do you think would make a good book? And who would you want to write it?