In some circles, liking the movie more than the book is considered a crime. Under most circumstances, I prefer the book versions of a lot of stories, but there are a few movies that I just really liked just as much (or, gasp, better than the book). Read on, and please don’t shoot me.
Ella Enchanted
Status: More than the book
My best friend (who I’m never sending this post to) would hang me for this. But we got past the time I used all the Power Rangers stickers, so we’ll probably survive.
Anyway, I read Ella Enchanted several years ago and just struggled to get through it. Then I watched the movie, which admittedly isn’t a spitting image of the book, and, I don’t know, it just clicked with me. It’s fun and cute and not something I have to think too much about.
Oh, and Anne Hathaway and Cary Elwes are in it.
The House With the Clock in Its Walls
Status: More than the book
Was it me, or was the book version of this…very religion-heavy? Not that this is necessarily a bad thing, but when I saw the movie, it felt like a totally different story, one that Jack Black really proved his acting chops in, in my opinion. It was paced well, had great lessons—I just liked it better than the book.
The 2003 A Wrinkle in Time
Status: Just as much as the book
I’m sure this will ruffle a lot of feathers, but I really enjoy that adaptation. It does a lot more justice than that 2018 travesty where Aunt Beast (who didn’t even have a name until Meg gave her one) was name-dropped and then left out of the affair entirely. Granted, the 2003 movie is low-budget with poor effects, but Charles Wallace is exactly as I pictured him, and Alfre Woodard’s Whatsit was everything I wanted.
Plus, Meg gave me one of my now-favorite quotes: “Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul.” – Emily Dickinson
Catching Fire
As a book, Catching Fire felt a bit lackluster after Hunger Games. At least until the games started, and then I got into it enough to say “just as much as the book.” But the driving around and making speeches part came alive for me on screen. There was something about seeing Katniss and Peetah talking everything out and realizing they were screwed that was more powerful than the words on the page.
Plus, Cinna’s death scene—that still breaks my heart.
Bonus: The Princess Bride
Status: More than the book
And I’m rereading the book now just to make sure. In this case, though, I think it has less to do with not liking the book and more to do with just loving the movie’s cast. As Cary Elwes said when there was talk of a remake, “There’s a shortage of perfect movies in the world. It would be a shame to damage this one.”
What movies do you like just as much (or more) than the book? I promise I won’t judge, so drop me a comment!