Some of the best movies started as books. If you’re a movie buff, you know the thrill of spotting tiny details from the book on screen and the satisfaction of saying, “The book was better.” At Plotwit, we think the debate is half the fun!
Here’s a curated list of 10 must-read books and their brilliant screen adaptations. Read them first, then stream or rewatch the movies to catch every hidden detail and decide for yourself!
1. The White Tiger
The Book: Aravind Adiga’s Booker Prize-winning novel is a dark, witty, and unflinching exploration of ambition, class divide, and the brutal reality of the ‘White Tiger’ in modern India.
The Film: The Netflix adaptation, starring Adarsh Gourav and Priyanka Chopra Jonas, perfectly captures the book’s cynical tone and sharp social commentary.
- Read: Buy The White Tiger
- Watch: Stream on Netflix
2. The Great Gatsby
The Book: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s Jazz Age masterpiece is a timeless and tragic take on love, devastating excess, and the elusive American Dream.
The Film: Baz Luhrmann’s visually dazzling adaptation, starring Leonardo DiCaprio, brings the chaotic glamour of the Roaring Twenties spectacularly to life.
- Read: Get The Great Gatsby
- Watch: Available on Prime Video.
3. Gone Girl
The Book: Gillian Flynn’s psychological thriller is a masterpiece of manipulation, packed with shocking twists and the ultimate unreliable narrator — a true page-turner.
The Film: Director David Fincher delivers a tense, moody, and pitch-perfect adaptation that gave us Rosamund Pike’s unforgettable, chilling performance.
- Read: Grab Gone Girl
- Watch: Watch on Prime Video
4. The Fault in Our Stars / Dil Bechara
The Book: John Green’s young adult bestseller is a profoundly moving story about finding deep love and hope amid crushing loss. Keep tissues ready.
The Film: The Bollywood adaptation, Dil Bechara, became Sushant Singh Rajput’s last film, adding an extra layer of poignancy and making this adaptation truly special.
- Read: Buy The Fault in Our Stars
- Watch: Stream Dil Bechara on Disney+ Hotstar
5. Harry Potter Series
The Book: J.K. Rowling’s seven-book series is the definitive modern fantasy saga and a non-negotiable rite of passage for every fantasy lover.
The Film: The eight-film series is a cinematic milestone. Rewatching them after reading the books provides a deeper appreciation for the complex world-building and character arcs.
- Read: Get the Harry Potter Box Set
- Watch: Available on JioCinema & Prime Video.
6. Little Women
The Book: Louisa May Alcott’s coming-of-age classic is a heartfelt and enduringly empowering story about sisterhood, dreams, and defying expectations.
The Film: Greta Gerwig’s 2019 adaptation is visually stunning and emotionally resonant, featuring stellar, Oscar-nominated performances from Saoirse Ronan and Florence Pugh.
- Read: Buy Little Women
- Watch: Stream on Prime Video
7. Life of Pi
The Book: Yann Martel’s philosophical tale is a magical and thought-provoking narrative about survival, faith, and the power of storytelling.
The Film: Ang Lee’s Oscar-winning film achieved the impossible, turning the book’s complex and abstract visuals into a stunning, photo-realistic spectacle.
- Read: Get Life of Pi
- Watch: Watch on Disney+ Hotstar
8. To Kill a Mockingbird
The Book: Harper Lee’s seminal novel is a powerful, timeless commentary on racial justice, innocence, and morality in the American South.
The Film: The classic black-and-white film is an exceptionally faithful and moving adaptation, featuring Gregory Peck in an iconic, Oscar-winning role.
- Read: Grab To Kill a Mockingbird
- Watch: Available on Prime Video.
9. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
The Book: Stieg Larsson’s Millennium series opener is a dark, twisted, and utterly addictive Swedish crime thriller that will hook you instantly.
The Film: The American David Fincher version is stylish, atmospheric, and brilliantly cast, capturing the grittiness and complexity of the original novel.
- Read: Buy The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
- Watch: Stream on Netflix
10. The Kite Runner
The Book: Khaled Hosseini’s unforgettable debut novel is a deeply emotional, powerful story of friendship, betrayal, and the painful path to redemption, set against the backdrop of Afghanistan.
The Film: The movie captures the raw heart of the book and its unforgettable characters, proving that even the most expansive story can be translated to the screen with integrity.
- Read: Get The Kite Runner
- Watch: Watch on Prime Video
Final Take
Books and their film adaptations are two essential sides of the same storytelling coin. Reading first gives you the full emotional depth and internal monologue, while watching adds the thrilling spectacle of seeing your imagination come alive on screen.
Which adaptation do you think is better than the book? Let us know in the comments!
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