12 Movies That Surpassed Their Books: Unexpectedly Brilliant Adaptations

1. Jaws 1975，IMDB Rating: 8.1, IMDB Votes: 668283, ID: 0073195
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Steven Spielberg’s ‘Jaws’ transforms Peter Benchley’s novel into a thrilling cinematic masterpiece. The film’s suspenseful pacing, iconic score, and unforgettable performances make it a superior experience to the book. Spielberg’s direction turns a simple shark story into a gripping tale of survival and fear, showcasing the power of visual storytelling.
2. The Princess Bride 1987，IMDB Rating: 8.0, IMDB Votes: 454377, ID: 0093779
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The Princess Bride, directed by Rob Reiner, builds on William Goldman’s novel and elevates the story to new heights through captivating performances and fantastical direction. It tells the story of farm boy Wesley, who ventures out to defeat an evil prince in order to save his beloved princess, White Butterfly. The film’s memorable quotes and endearing characters make it a classic that surpasses the original.
3. Jackie Brown 1997，IMDB Rating: 7.5, IMDB Votes: 378260, ID: 0119396
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Adapted from Elmore Leonard’s novel Rum Punch, the Quentin Tarantino-directed Jackie Brown gives new life to the story through stylized interpretations and adaptations. The movie centers around flight attendant Jackie Brown, who gets caught up in helping drug dealers launder their money, but through a clever scheme, tries to escape the double threat of both the police and the drug dealers.
4. A Clockwork Orange 1971，IMDB Rating: 8.3, IMDB Votes: 887498, ID: 0066921
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Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange is based on the novel of the same name by Anthony Burgess. The movie follows young Alex and his gang as they engage in extreme acts of violence and delves into the complex relationship between violence and free will. Through a strong visual style and a deep analysis of human nature, Kubrick’s directorial approach leaves a lasting impression as the movie explores morality and humanity.
5. Planet of the Apes 1968，IMDB Rating: 8.0, IMDB Votes: 199000, ID: 0063442
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Franklin J. Schaffner directed Planet of the Apes, based on the novel by Pierre Boulle. The movie tells the story of Tyler, an astronaut who discovers a society on a future Earth where apes rule over humans and tries to uncover the truth. The movie brings a strong social commentary by exploring themes of social class, power and human nature. Groundbreaking makeup effects give the characters realistic and impressive portrayals.
6. The Spy Who Loved Me 1977，IMDB Rating: 7.0, IMDB Votes: 117124, ID: 0076752
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Lewis Gilbert’s ‘The Spy Who Loved Me’ transforms Ian Fleming’s novel into one of the most entertaining James Bond films. It is about James Bond teaming up with a female Soviet spy, Anya, to track down a billionaire’s plot to start a global nuclear war. Through a series of adventures, Bond eventually foils the plan.
7. Psycho 1960，IMDB Rating: 8.5, IMDB Votes: 725123, ID: 0054215
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Alfred Hitchcock’s ‘Psycho’ takes Robert Bloch’s novel and crafts a suspenseful and groundbreaking thriller. It concerns Marianne Crane, who is on the run after stealing a large sum of money, checking into the Bates Motel on her way and mysteriously disappearing. The movie is known for its tense atmosphere and multiple reversals, making it a horror classic.
8. Die Hard 1988，IMDB Rating: 8.2, IMDB Votes: 953464, ID: 0095016
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John McTiernan’s ‘Die Hard’ elevates Roderick Thorp’s novel ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’ into an action-packed and iconic film. It is about New York cop John McClain who single-handedly fights a group of terrorists in a building in Los Angeles. The movie’s clever plot and memorable villain Hans Gruber set a new standard for action movies.
9. Brokeback Mountain 2005，IMDB Rating: 7.7, IMDB Votes: 387445, ID: 0388795
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Ang Lee’s ‘Brokeback Mountain’ transforms Annie Proulx’s short story into a poignant and visually stunning film. The movie’s powerful performances and emotional depth create a more immersive experience than the book. The story of the complex, decades-long love affair between two ranch hands, Jack and Ennis, is told.
10. No Country for Old Men 2007，IMDB Rating: 8.2, IMDB Votes: 1073120, ID: 0477348
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The Coen Brothers’ ‘No Country for Old Men’ adapts Cormac McCarthy’s novel into a tense and masterful film. The movie’s stark cinematography, gripping performances, and relentless pacing make it a superior adaptation. It is about a hunter, Llewellyn Moss, who discovers a huge amount of cash left behind by a failed drug deal and is hunted by cold-blooded assassin Anton Chigurh.
11. Beauty and the Beast 1991，IMDB Rating: 8.0, IMDB Votes: 482436, ID: 0101414
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Disney’s ‘Beauty and the Beast’ (1991) brought the fairy tale to life in a way that books never could with the movie’s captivating animation, unforgettable music and vivid characters. It is about Belle, who volunteers to stay in the Beast’s castle in order to save her father. Gradually discovering the goodness within the Beast, the two fall in love and break the curse that turns the Beast into a monster.
12. American Psycho 2000，IMDB Rating: 7.6, IMDB Votes: 728878, ID: 0144084
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Mary Harron’s ‘American Psycho’ (2000) elevates Bret Easton Ellis’s novel with a sharp satirical edge and Christian Bale’s chilling performance. The story of Wall Street elite Patrick Bateman. On the surface, Bateman is a successful investment banker, but behind the scenes he is a cold-blooded serial killer. The visual and narrative style of the movie enhances the story’s themes, making it more memorable and thought-provoking than the book.