With so many new series and movies to watch right now, I decided to dedicate this post to some popular books to movie or tv adaptations.
These are some of my favorite books to movie or tv adaptations. In order for you to get most of this post, I organized it by category: the Nordics, fantasy/drama, thrillers/mystery, and contemporary.
Every single one of those adaptations are well done, with some amazing casts. So, they are the perfect choice for when you’re planning to binge-watch something on your tv.
Without further ado, let’s see which are my favorite books to movie or tv adaptations.
The Nordics
The Are Murders
The newest addition to Netflix, this tv series is based on the books by Viveca Sten.
Hidden in Snow is the first part of The Are Murders series, which includes episodes 1-3, while Hidden in Shadows corresponds to episodes 4 and 5. While the adaptation is cleverly done, I find the books are a lot more detailed. A more in-depth look at the character’s lives is better explained, so there’s more context. Nevertheless, I enjoyed the series very much.
The Chestnut Man
This is another one of my favorite Nordic Noir series. Based on the novel written by Soren Sveistrup, the producer of the Danish series The Killing, this adaptation is a must-see. It is dark, atmospheric, with lots of twists and turns you will not see coming. Unless you read the book first, of course. But even then, it manages to take us by surprise. There’s something about a Danish TV series that just works for me, so I’m hoping you’ll enjoy it as well.
The Killing
With this one, I’m not sure if the tv series came first, or the books by David Hewson. But in all honesty, it doesn’t matter, because it is one of the best tv series out, book as well. While I prefer the Danish version, the American one is decent as well. I cannot stop raving about this show, it is still one of my favorite Nordic Noir series ever made. The complex plots and numerous twists and turns will keep you wanting for more. I’m warning you, it is highly addictive!
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo
The Millenium trilogy, which consists of the three Stieg Larson books, includes The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, The Girl Who Played with Fire, and The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest. The Swedish movie adaptations based on the books are almost perfect. While the books are a lot more detailed, the on-screen adaptation comes pretty close. In this case, the American version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo doesn’t even compare, so you can skip it altogether.
Fantasy/Drama
Games of Thrones
If you haven’t watched the Games of Thrones on HBO yet, you are truly missing out. The series is based on the original books by George R.R. Martin. I started watching the series before I read the books, and honestly, in this case, I think I prefer the series. The books are great, don’t get me wrong, but they are so detailed and have so many characters, they are hard to keep track of. Plus, with the shortest book counting at over 800 pages, they’re hard to read.
The Witcher
Based on a series of books and short stories by Polish author Andrzej Sapkowski, The Witcher is one of the most popular Netflix series out. Revolving around Geralt of Ravia, an eponymous witcher – or a monster hunter that has superhuman abilities – the series is appreciated by its viewers. If you’re into fantasy mixed with lots of action, this one is a must-add to your series to watch. Fantasy is not one of my go-to genres, but if I was to choose one series in this category, this one is as good as it gets.
Thrillers/Mystery
Tell Me Lies
Based on the novel by Carola Lovering, Tell Me Lies follows a group of college students throughout the years on campus, and the terrible decisions they make. When they meet again years later for one of their own weddings, their lives are not what they used to. But did the decisions they made back then have an impact on their adult lives? Filled with intrigue and mystery, this drama series is easily bingeable.
Gone Girl
10 Psychological Thrillers Like Gone Girl You Should Read in 2024
This is one of the best thriller books ever written. Gillian Flynn made a name for herself with this 2012 novel. She already wrote two noteworthy novels before, Sharp Objects and Dark Places, but Gone Girl put her on a different level. All three of her books were made into on-screen adaptations, but, once again, Gone Girl is the best of the three. If you haven’t read the book or watched the movie yet, I urge you to do so, especially if psychological thrillers are your thing.
The Silence of the White City
This Netflix series based on the books by Eva Garcia Saenz comes in three parts, just like the books. The Silence of the White City is the first, followed by The Water Rituals and The Lords of Time. They are very similar to my favorite sub-genre, Nordic Noir, although these books take place in the Basque region of Spain. The Silence of the White City is also a very dark thriller, in which horrible crimes are committed. The book offers more details, but the on-screen adaptation is one of the best ones out in the genre.
Contemporary
Lessons in Chemistry
Kudos to Apple TV for making this tv series adaptation based on the book by Bonnie Garmus. I read the book only last year, but it quickly became a favorite of mine. The tv series adaptation is actually what enticed me to prioritize it, because I wanted to read the book before I watched the series. And I’m so glad I chose to do it in that order. Mind you, I would have enjoyed it either way, but I find reading the book first gave me a more in-depth understanding of the characters and the context. Another series I highly recommend!
Little Fires Everywhere
Based on the novel by Celeste Ng, Little Fires Everywhere is a tv series adaptation featuring Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon. With solid acting and a great storyline, Little Fires Everywhere is a contemporary drama that follows two very different women and mothers from Shaker Heights, a suburb of Cleveland. One of them is a stickler to rules while the other is a liberal artist, and their worlds collide after secrets come to the surface.
Big Little Lies
Anything that Reese Witherspoon touches is a gold mine, at least, as far as I’m concerned. This is by far my favorite series in this category. Big Little Lies is based on the book by Liane Moriarty, an Australian author, but the series takes place in a California coastal town. It is full of drama, gossip, and a touch of mystery. All the ingredients for a delightful show. And that cast is absolutely amazing! I highly recommend it!
Concluding Words
This sums up some of my favorite books to movie or tv adaptations. I organized this post by categories, so it’s easier for you guys to skip to your preferred genre.
I like all of these series, some more than others. But they all have something in common: they’re all very well done, so choose any of them next time you’re looking for something to watch.
I hope you enjoyed this post. Until next time, my fellow bookworms!
