10 Movies That Are Adaptations Of Books – And You Didn't Even Know

A very common practice in Hollywood is to take premises, details or even entire stories from books and turn them into movies.

Some are readily announced as adaptations (as it was with 'Harry Potter', 'Twilight' and 'The Fault in Our Stars', for example), but others happen more discreetly.

Or else the movie could take on a life of its own and end up overshadowing the book. Therefore, many people think that it is an original script and do not even realize that, in fact, it is an adaptation.

Here we separate 10 films that you may not even know about, but which are screenplays adapted from books. Do you know at least some of them? Let's go!

Movies that are adaptations of books and you didn't even know

'Mean Girls'

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The story of Cady and Regina George, starring Lindsay Lohan and Rachel McAdams, is inspired by the book “Queen Bees and Wannabes”, by writer Rosalind Wiseman. However, it is not a work of fiction, it is more a manual for parents and guardians on how teenage girls behave.

'The Exorcist'

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In fact, 'The Exorcist' is a story inspired by another story. William Peter Blatty, author of the book that gave rise to the film, was inspired by a report about an alleged possession. After the success of the novel, he himself adapted the work into a film – which earned an Oscar nomination for it.

'Fight Club'

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This one is another one of those cases where the movie overshadowed the success of the book. Chuck Palahniuk's work tells the exact same story as the film, without taking anything away from it. But, we know, the film, released just three years after the novel, is much more impactful.

'Freaky Friday'

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The film starring Lindsay Lohan (her again!) and Jamie Lee Curtis is based on a children's book of the same name, published in 1973.

Some details were added to the story, giving it a more current and interesting air for the audience at the time – like the fact that LiLo's character had a band.

'The devil Wears Prada'

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Perhaps you already knew this one, because the book was a bestseller and was reprinted when the movie was successful. 'The Devil Wears Prada' is based on a book of the same name by writer Lauren Weisberger. The author drew on the experience she had working for the editor-in-chief of the magazine vogue, Anne Wintour.

'Hard to kill'

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This cinema success is the adaptation of the book “Nothing Lasts Forever”, which ended up earning the same title as the film in a reissue.

The film's producers changed several details of the novel, including the protagonist's name. According to critics, they even left out some of the darkest details of the plot.

‘Gucci House’

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Starring Lady Gaga and Adam Drive, “Casa Gucci” showed the true story of how Patrizia Reggiani framed the murder of her husband, Maurizio Gucci.

The screenwriters were based on the book-report 'Casa Gucci: A story of glamour, greed, madness and death', by writer Sara Gay Forden.

'The perfect choice'

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It's very curious to think that a musical was based on a book, isn't it? But you can calm your heart and we'll explain.

As with 'Mean Girls', 'Pitch Perfect' is based on the reportage book 'Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate a Capella Story'. In it, journalist Mickey Rapkin follows the season of university choirs.

'Legally Blonde'

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I bet you didn't know this movie is based on a book! And the best: it's autobiographical!

Writer Amanda Brown wrote 'Legally Blonde' based on what she experienced as a student at the University of Right from Stanford. She and Elle Woods have a lot of common interests, like fashion and beauty, and they had to show that they're not just a pretty face.

'Annihilation'

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The science-fiction film starring Natalie Portman is based on a book of the same name by writer Jeff VanderMeer. In fact, 'Annihilation' is the first volume of a trilogy and just this part of the story was enough for director Alex Garland to be interested in adapting it for the cinema. The plot had many changes from the source material.

Graduated in Social Communication at the Federal University of Goiás. Passionate about digital media, pop culture, technology, politics and psychoanalysis.