Book adaptations. It’s a love hate relationship, if you are a reader. Sometimes what you envision the characters to be are completely different when hitting the big screen. On the other hand, sometimes the movie is better than you imagined. There are usually some changes from the book to movie when it comes to book adaptations. Additionally, there are various factors that go into adaptations which could make or break the film. Spooky, suspenseful, and jaw dropping moments is what you will find in this book adaptation list. Thrillers are a way to have you are the edge of your seat and wanting more.
Whether you love to read the book first or the movie, it can be fun seeing characters in your favorite books come to life and make it to the screen. Also, it is amazing seeing one of your favorite authors get in contract for an adaptation! That is an amazing accomplishment for authors.
Below is a list of 8 of the best book adaptations in the thriller/horror genre. You are going to know about how well the film did rating wise, how long it took between the publishing date and the film, and if the film is still popular. After reading this, you will have a list of some thriller movies and books to add to your list. Whether you are a reader or a movie person (or both), this list is giving you some of the best thriller book adaptations.
This post is all about the best book adaptations to thriller movies.
1. Misery by Stephen King
First on the list, an all time favorite and popular thriller book is Misery. This 1990 film and 1987 published book are known as some of Stephen King’s finest work. The film was rated over 90% on rotten tomatoes. If you are not familiar with rotten tomatoes, it is a rating system that can be used by audiences to rate a film. A lot of people use rotten tomatoes to determine if a movie is worth watching or what critics had to say. The movie stars Kathy Bates and James Caan.
Synopsis:
The premise of the book and movie is that a number one fan, Annie, meets her favorite author, Paul. Paul was in a car accident that left him in need of care. Luckily for Paul, Annie came to the rescue. Paul just released a new novel in his popular romance series. Annie is not thrilled about some plot twists in this romance novel. As a result, Annie wants Paul to correct the error of his ways in his last novel by writing a new one. Annie has some interesting methods to keep Paul at her mercy and writing the ending she wants.
2. Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn
Second on the list is Gone Girl by Gillian Flynn. The book was published in 2012. This fast-paced thriller book gained extreme popularity and became a movie in 2014. The Gone Girl movie, starring Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck was a hit in theaters and still talked about to this day. As of the date of this post, the film earns almost 90% on rotten tomatoes.
Gone Girl is a story that follows the perspective of a husband, Nick Dunne, and the diary of his wife Amy Dunne. The story begins with Nick reporting Amy missing. The perspective follows days, weeks, and months from her disappearance. Amy’s diary portrays the perspective of an abused woman. Amy’s diary states she is being abused mentally, physically, and that Nick was using her for her money. As a result, Nick becomes a person of interest in the investigation to a suspect in the investigation. He tells the police he had nothing to do with his wife’s disappearance. Is Nick hiding anything? Was Amy murdered? Also, are there any other suspects the police should be investigating?
Check out the movie and book! They are both amazing thrillers that will have you at the edge of your seat and excited for what is to come next.
3. Shutter Island
Next on the list is the thriller book, Shutter Island by Dennis Lehane. The thriller book was published in 2003 and the movie premiered in 2010.
This psychological thriller follows a U.S. Marshall Teddy, played by Leonardo DiCaprio and his partner is played by, Mark Ruffalo. Teddy is investigating a missing woman at an asylum on an island. As Teddy and his partner are investigating, more secrets and strange occurrences happen in this isolated asylum. A book/movie set in an asylum is almost guaranteed to be amazing. You will have jaw dropping moments and there are some horror elements to this film. Additionally, the film does go back and forth between the past and present. The movie earns an average rotten tomatoes score of almost 70% as of the date of this post.
4. The Shining by Stephen King
Next up is the book adaptation is The Shining is a ghost thriller book that was published by Stephen King in 1977. The movie adaptation premiered in 1980 and movie earns an 84% on rotten tomatoes as the date of this post.
The movie stars Jack Nicholson, Shelley Duvall, and Danny Lloyd. The Shining follows a family that moves into an isolated hotel. There are many strange occurrences that begin to develop shortly after the family moves in. Is the house truly haunted or is this all in the families heads? Is the family safe in this hotel? If you love ghost stories and a haunted house/hotel, be sure to check out this book and movie. In conclusion, this has a horror element for those horror and thriller movie fans.
5. The Silence of the Lambs
The Silence of the Lambs is a psychological thriller/horror novel by Thomas Harris that was published in 1988. The Silence of the Lambs movie was debuted in 1991 and starred Jodie Foster and Anthony Hopkins. Foster plays the character of Clarice, a top FBI agent that is sent to study, Dr. Hannibal Lecter, played by Hopkins. Dr. Lector is facing prison for cannibalism and murder. As a result, Clarice becomes increasingly intertwined in Dr. Lector’s games and everything comes crashing down. The movie earns 95% on Rotten Tomatoes and 8.6/10 on IMDB as of the date of this post.
In conclusion, if you enjoy a psychological thriller with some gore and horror elements, be sure to read this book and/or check out the movie.
6. The Shawshank Redemption
Sixth on the list is The Shawshank Redemption. The Rita Hayworth and The Shawshank Redemption is a novella that was written by Stephen King in 1982. The 1994 adaptation stars Morgan Freeman and Tim Robbins.
Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
IMDb: 9.3/10
This movie follows the story of Andy who is facing life in prison for a crime he did not commit, or so he claims. He is convicted of killing his wife and her lover. The character named Red, becomes fast friends with Andy. Also, Andy needs friends since prison life could be a major adjustment. This story is about friendship, survival, and revenge. Also, this is one of the most well known Stephen King adaptations. As a result, critics loved this movie and it is one that has a shocking twist you will not see coming. You will be questioning every character. If you love a thriller story with some twists, be sure to check this out.
7. Bird Box
Next on the list is Bird Box which is a book by Josh Malerman that was originally published in 2014. This is a post-apocalyptic thriller/horror fiction novel. The film was released on Netflix in 2018. The movie gained popularity quickly and is still one of the most talked about Netflix films.
Something is impacting people all over the world. No one know exactly what is is or how to explain it. As a result, people are afraid but have no where to turn. The only thing people know if to keep your eyes closed and blind folds on. This will help eliminate any more deaths. What will happen to the population in the future if this “thing” is still in control? Will people become extinct?
If you love a post-apocalyptic thriller movie, be sure to add this one to your list. The movie earns a 64% on rotten tomatoes as of the date of this post.
8. The Girl On the Train
Lastly, The Girl on the train which is a book by Paula Hawkins that was originally published in 2016. This thriller adaptation was released to film in 2016. The film stars Emily Blunt, Haley Bennett, Rebecca Ferguson, Luke Evans, and Justin Theroux. Rachel Watson is a commuter on a train and loves watching this one particular couple. The couple has a picture perfect life that many would be envious of. Watson is watching one day when she notices something disturbing in the perfect couples home. Watson is determined to get to the bottom of what happened. Was someone hurt or murdered? Life might not be so perfect for this couple. This is a jaw dropping, suspense book and movie to add to your list. The movie earned 44% on rotten tomatoes and 6.5/10 on IMDb as of the day of this post.
This post gave you a list of Mind-blowing book adaptions to add to your list if you are a lover of thrillers. The edge of your seat, jaw dropping moments are some of the best moments in books and films. If you have additional thriller books you would love to see on the big screen, drop some comments below. On the other hand, if you have some thriller recommendations (does not have to be book adaptations), drop them in the comments.
In conclusion, Book adaptations are a great way to see your characters come to life. It can be fun to read the book first or after watching the film. Drop some comments below on which one is your favorite or which adaptation you are adding to your list.
Happy reading and movie watching! xx