What was your favorite movie that was based on a book, and what was your biggest disappointment?
Starr M.
My favorite movie based on a book was Lonesome Dove.
My biggest disappointment was The Clique.
*****
Madalyn B.
Favorite:Lonesome Dove
Disappointment:The Clique
*****
Hannah
Hmmmm so difficult. Best book to movie would have to be The Thief Lord :)
Biggest disappointment would be Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban because it was my favorite Harry Potter book and they absolutely butchered it in the movie! They cut out so many important things and tried too hard for the laughs that they lost important aspects of this wonderful book! Yes, I'm bitter, haha.
*****
Naseoul L.
My favorite movie that was based on the book was probably Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone. The book itself was fantastic but seeing all that magic happen right in front of my eyes as a little kid was a dream come true.
The biggest disappointment was probably Beastly because they just changed the storyline so much and cut so much out. The beginning was also too rushed (I thought), so everything was just a confusing blur even if you read the book (and more so if you didn't).
*****
Leah M.
I'll tell you my two biggest disappointments, because I almost always prefer the books. Ella Enchanted and Eragon were huge book to movie failures in my opinion.
*****
Arielle
My favorite books-to-movies were Little Women, Harry Potter (1 and 7), and Ballet Shoes.
My biggest disappointments were The Tale of Despereaux, andHarry Potter 4 and 5.
*****
Christi
The Twilight Saga. The books were sooo much better than the movies. The movies left out too much detail, so when you watch it, the characters come off as just spoiled rotten teenagers lost in a ridiculous drama. The hype that made those movies was strictly because the books were so amazing.
*****
Marta
When I was a teenager I had read the book MY SIDE OF THE MOUNTAIN by Jean Craighead George. I couldn't wait to see the movie because I loved the book so much. I actually cried because they destroyed the story so much.
*****
Ashley
Disappointment: Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1; Harry and Ginny are still together, and their goodbye "silver lining" kiss never happened.
*****
Erica
My favorite was Harry Potter because the movies were really good even if they weren't always 100% like the books.
My greatest disappointment was either The Lightning Thief or My Sister's Keeper and I won't even get into why because then I'll just be grumpy all day.
*****
Jennifer B.
The Last Song was phenomenal.
The worst was Twilight --- just horrible.
*****
Laura Y.
My favorite was I Am Number Four and I didn't have any disappointments yet.
*****
Simran S.
My favorite movie that was based on a book would definitely beHarry Potter. These movies get the whole book really well and follow the book plot as best as they can for 2-hour movies. Also the actors are well fit to play the roles they were given.
My biggest disappointment was Twilight. I didn't like the actors chosen, and the acting wasn't very good. The movies just ruined the books for me.
*****
Ashley
My favorite movie based on a book was A Walk to Remember. It wasn't set in the past like the book, but I really enjoyed it anyway. My biggest disappointment was Twilight. I couldn't wait to see it, but afterward I was extremely disappointed becuase it definitely wasn't how I thought it would be.
*****
Tayte H.
My favorite book was Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. My only disappointment of that movie is that the descriptions of the characters weren't really close and some of the events that were in the movie weren't in the book or in one of the other books.
*****
Dania
Fav. movie: A Walk to Remember
Biggest disappointment: The Da Vinci Code
*****
Suzanne J.
I Am Number Four was my favorite movie this year that was based on a book. I saw the movie first --- twice actually --- and then I read the book. I liked the movie more. I'm not saying the book was bad, but as "Pittacus Lore," his first book was very wordy. It happens often, and it's not exactly bad, but I thought that the screenwriters for the movie did a very good job of making the story one that people of all ages could enjoy. The series of events was better set, and it made more sense. Maybe the next book will be a little better!
*****
Shannon B.
Fave movie based on a book (in the past year): Red Riding Hood. The book was bad (because the publishers left out the last chapter!!) but the movie was really good.
Slight disappointment was Beastly. The movie changed around some of the relationships of characters when they should have stayed true to the book.
*****
Lane B.
I don't think anything can top The Lord of the Rings for "best book made into a movie." Peter Jackson did an amazing job converting J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy into a masterpiece of epic proportions.
As for my biggest disappointment, I would have to say Ella Enchanted. By itself, the movie was alright, and my parents loved it, but I wished they had stayed true to the book. My favorite part was when Ella went to Boarding School (and stole Hattie's wig), but they left that out completely!
*****
Emily
My favorite movie based off the book is It's Kind of a Funny Story. I read the book about a year before the movie came out and thought it was amazing. I was going through a rough patch in life so i could really relate to the book. When I found out they were making a movie, I was thrilled! the movie was just as good as the book! The character selection was amazing!
*****
Erin
I can't think of a movie that was based on a book that disappointed me, but I do know I loved the book AND movieBecause of Winn Dixie!
*****
Kelsey
My favorite is Gone with the Wind!
My least favorite would probably be Ella Enchanted because so much was changed!
*****
Sarah P.
My favorite movie based on a book was The Painted Veil. I saw the movie first, then read the book later. The movie is much, much better, one of the best movies I've ever seen.
The most disappointing movie I've seen based on a book was the 1980s version of Northanger Abbey. It's so bad that it's almost not even funny. The book pokes fun at the gothic novels of the early Victorian era, but that movie version treats the story itself as gothic. Which it sooo isn't. It's a train wreck, basically.
*****
Sara
One of my favourite movies that was a book was Holes. I enjoyed watching the movie Holes so much that I went out and bought the two HOLES books. Although I saw Holes at my age now I still say it is one of my favourite novels-to-movies and I would recomend it to anyone. I also really enjoyed the Lovely Bones, although they didnt really stick to the story.
The biggest disapointment was most likely be Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events. I loved the books and the movies but I didnt think the movie did any one the books justice!!
*****
Michaela
Inkheart-- the movie was nothing like the book. In the movie they cut out bits, they put in their own little bits and they ended it in a way that makes it look as though there isn't going to be a second one.
*****
Natalie
I loved the newer version of Alice in Wonderland. I like the fact that Tim Burton gave it an actual storyline. It could have been more focused on Alice, though. It mostly kept on Hatter.
I really don't have a disappointment.
(Gosh I hope I'm not the only one who liked Alice in Wonderland)
*****
Sarah
Best was probably Ella Enchanted, even though the book is completely different from the movie, or Voyage of the Dawn Treader.
The worst ones were Percy Jackson and Prince Caspian.
*****
Elisabeth
Favorite: the Harry Potter movies
Disappointment: Percy Jackson and the Olympians because they didn't follow the book at all!
*****
Hannah S.
Favorite: Sabrina
Disappointment: Twilight
*****
Cache` P.
My favorite movie based on a book is Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.
My biggest disappointment is Twilight.
*****
Madi L.
My favorite movie based on a book is The Outsiders It stayed true to the book and had a really great cast.
My biggest disappointment was The Chronicles of Narnia, Prince Caspian. The book was magical and exciting but the movie focused more on war. It was not a very good movie.
*****
Gina J.
Harry Potter. My biggest disappointment was when they didn't include the funny parts of the story.
*****
Roselyn
I am Number Four
My biggest dissapointment was that they messed up the legacies. John was supposed to have lights and be fire resistant and number 6 was supposed to turn invisible and control the elements. In the movie John had lights and could
"power up" number six. In the movie number 6 could turn invisible and was fire resistant.
*****
Amber
Beastly was my favorie movie based on a book.
Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince was my biggest disappointment.
*****
Fiona D.
My favorite was Beastly. It was definitely amazing.
My biggest disappointment was Twilight. So much could have been done with it, but the director did not do a good job. She took out big parts of the book and the story wasn't right because of it.
*****
Cara
Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief --- my disappointment was that they messed up everything!!!!!!!!!!!!
*****
Cassidy R.
Call me a nerd but I'd have to say Harry Potter! Haha
My biggest disappointment with all the movies is that they have to take out some of the parts of the book and change it to make it fit in a 2-4 hour time frame :(
*****
Casandra
My favorite movie based off of a book would have to be Dear John.
My biggest disappointment was the first 2 Harry Potter movies.
*****
Marina S.
My favorite movie is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows:Part 1.
My biggest disappointment was Harry Potter and the Order Of The Phoenix.
*****
Kayla
Because Of Winn-Dixie was an awesome film adaptation to Kate DiCamillo's novel of the same name. The characters were perfect and the acting was awesome.
Biggest disappointment: Cold Sassy Tree, no contest there. The book was just so good, and the movie was just so... bad. Really bad acting.
Also not a fan of the Twilight movies, although I didn't just love the books either, so, whatever.
*****
Susan L.
I loved Beastly but wished he had been a bit more hairy in the film.
Didn't read Red Riding Hood but the movie was absolutely hilarious and so predictable that I will not be seeing it again.
*****
Cristine C.
Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist was my favorite because, although they changed some of the plot, I felt like they were still true to the characters and the overall urban-adventure love story.
*****
Sydney R.
Favorite movie based on the book- Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone
Worst- The Lightning Thief
*****
Laurel S.
Favorite: Stardust
Disappointment: Harry Potter series
*****
samiha
Best: Lord of the Rings.
Worst: Harry Potter.
*****
C
Favorite Movie from a book: X-Men 2
Disappointment: Twilight, the director ruined it with things that never happened in the book.
*****
Carli Jo
Percy Jackson
It was great movie, but some of the better parts of the book had been left out. Like when the gang runs in to Ares --- that part is not in the movie.
*****
Kara P.
Favorite: The Two Towers
Disappointment: Eragon
*****
Paul H.
My favorite movie was Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone.
My biggest disappointment was Eragon.
*****
Jordan
Favorite- Gone With the Wind
Disappointment- It
*****
Nicole
Beastly is my favorite, but they got his name all wrong. If they hadn't the movie would have gotten a 10 from me.
*****
Katie
My absolute favorite movie that was based on a book was The Notebook (book by Nicholas Sparks). I feel that they chose great actors and stayed true to the book and the amazing storyline and they really connected with the audience.
My biggest disappointment is Percy Jackson (book by author Rick Riordan). This movie made me want to kill the director. They changed all of the characters' personalities and looks and didn't even stay true to the storyline; it wasn't even similar so they killed their chances of ever making a sequel, and it was a failure at the box office.
*****
Morgan R.
Biggest disappointment was most definitely Marley and Me!!!
*****
Veroelle
HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS! HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS! HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS! HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS! HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS! HARRY POTTER AND THE CHAMBER OF SECRETS!
(as favorite movie that was based on a book)
Disappointment: Percy Jackson
*****
Carolyn
Disappointment: Prince Caspian
They changed it WAY too much, such as Peter acting like a jerk and still wanting to act as king, when in the book he knew he wasn't king anymore and wanted to help Caspian become king.
*****
Micheala
I was really excited about Beastly being made into a movie and I went to see it the week it came out, but the big disappointment was that the movie didn't really stick to the baseline of the book.
*****
Nancy M.
Best: I Am Number Four
Disappointment: The Lighting Thief
*****
Melissa H.
The Twilight saga was my biggest disappointment. While there are no words to describe how great that book was, the first movie was a big let down. I walked out of the theater before the movie was over. I was very disappointed with the woman who directed this movie, as there were too much left out and improvised where it should have been based upon the book. I'd like to see it redone by someone who is a bigger fan of the series.
*****
Kyra
My favorite is any of the Harry Potter movies
Biggest disappointment would beThe Last Song.
*****
Gerardeanne R.
My favorite movie would have to be Twilight (the whole series), but I was also very much disappointed because they kind of deleted my favorite chapters. However, the cast was super amazing.
*****
Cait M.
My favorite is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part One. In my opinion, this is the best movie adaptation of a book by far, and it showed the seriousness of their situation yet still added some dry humour.
The biggest dissapointment was Twilight. I had actually enjoyed the book quite a bit before the movie was released, but now I can't even bear to pick it up.
*****
b
Favorite is Diary Of A Wimpy Kid because it was hilarious!
Biggest disappointment is Percy Jackson...THEY CHANGED IT WAY TOO MUCH!
*****
Hamna
My favourite movie would have to be Beastly (book by Alex Flinn). It was so realistic and true, and I loved how it made "ugly" seem "beautiful."
My disappointment in this, though, would have to be that the actor playing Kyle (Alex Pettyfer) wasn't beastly enough. Like if there had been more hair and claws for the movie, it would have matched my image of him from the book. Instead, it kind of destroyed this, since Alex, with the tattoos and weird skin, looked good in a weird sense, and not as ugly as the book described.
*****
Sarah H
Favorite Movie Based on a Book: I am Number Four
Most Disappointing: The Lightning Thief
*****
Bailey
All the Harry Potter movies were great; except for a few good parts they left out of the movie like Lupin's freak out at Sirius's old house in the last book.
I was very disappointed in Percy Jackson. It was nothing like the book.
*****
Tarunika
My favorite movie based on a book is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
My biggest disappointment is either I am Number Four or Beastly.
*****
Madison
My favorite movies based on a book are I Am Number Four andThe Notebook.
My biggest disappointment was Twilight the movie. I really didn't like it.
*****
Melanie F.
My favorite movie based on a book is Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.
I only had one major disappointment with the whole movie: they didn't explain how Voldemort was tracking them because his name had been tabooed. I thought that was a very important fact because it caused Harry to battle his instinct to say his name.
*****
Tania M.
New Moon was my biggest disappointment. The romances weren't exaggerated enough. Also, I was upset that we didn't see enough of Edward in the movie, along with not enough detail.
*****
Sammie Lou
My favorite movie based on a book was and still is Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.
I would say that my biggest disappointment from that movie is that they show much more detail than the book and the badges that the Slytherins wear in the movie are different than the badges they wear in the book. Also, in the movie, there are no Blast-Ended Skrewts.
*****
Hanna J.
My favorite movie that was based on a book would have to be I Am Number Four.
The biggest disappointment was definitely Eragon.
*****
Jackie V.
My biggest disappointment was: Percy Jackson and the Olympians
My favorite is probably Tangled which is based on Rapunzel.
*****
Kimberly B.
My favorite movie based on a book was Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
I really didn't have a big disappointment in books turned to movies that I have seen. I love them all. :)
*****
Stephanie
My favorite movie when compared to the book is the Narniaseries.
My biggest disappointment when compared to the book wasEragon.
*****
Bethany C.
My favorite has been Percy Jackson. Although it was different from the book, it still held the basic structure and characters.
Keeping that in mind, my biggest disappointment has been the entire Twilight Saga. In the books, there is a love story. The characters are appealing. The story makes you feel good and fall for the characters. The movies held none of that! Instead, it presented a series of unappealing characters and annoying situations.
*****
Asha W.
My favorite movie based on a book is The Notebook.The novel is in my top ten of all times, and I was extremely excited to see the film. The movie is well made with an exceptional cast and though there are some changes, the true essence of the novel was captured beautifully.
In contrast, the worst movie was hands down, Twilight. I am a die hard fan of the novels, but was so very disappointed in the movie. The acting was mediocre at best, the set design did not match the novel, and the peculiar blue tint to the movie made me sick. I was thoroughly disappointed.
*****
Rebecca C.
Twilight. My biggest disappointment was the acting. Kristen Stewart may fit the character, but her acting is a whole 'nother story. And while I love Rob, he needs to brighten up a little. The whole mood isn't what the book is about.
*****
Sara
Favorite: Cold Mountain
Disappointment: Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince
*****
Chelsee H.
My favorite adaptation of a book into a movie was every Harry Potter. They transferred very well.
My biggest disappointment was the movie version of THE GOLDEN COMPASS.
*****
Lexi S.
Biggest disappointment: The Notebook. It was pathetic. The movie ruined the book.
Favorite:Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 2. I know it hasn't come out yet but I can already tell it will be amazing.
Favorite movie(s) based on a book that came out already:The Goblet of Fire and The Order of the Phoenix. Those were the best movie portrayals, I think. They made me cry and everything. Also, Robert Pattinson could act then.
*****
Jamie
My favorite book-based movie was Eclipse.
My biggest disappointment was Beastly.
*****
Cassidy
My favorite is Howl's Moving Castle...which is strange because the book is not my favorite.
The worst book to film movie is Percy Jackson because it was so far off, or Eragon because they butchered it so much there will never be a sequel.
*****
MacKenzie D.
Favorite movie based on a book: Red Riding Hood.
Biggest Disappointment: Twilight Saga...all of them.
*****
Robert S.
Favorite: Pride and Prejudice (with Keira Knightley).
I can't decide on a worst.
*****
Katrina S.
Well, I guess I'll start with my biggest disappointment, which would have to be the Twilight movies. I absolutely loved the first book when it came out, but the following sequels were nowhere near as good. Well, the movie was even worse! The actors did not do the characters justice and the movies were not at all as exciting as the books. I find myself dreading the release of this last movie. I have no clue how they'll put such a story into movie form.
As for my favorite, right now it would have to be the whole Harry Potter series! They are well made and so fun to watch! Oh and theBourne Trilogy! So intense! As well as some of the Jane Austen novels, like Emma!
I think there are so many more successful movies based on books than there are failures. It's a great industry and they should definitely never stop! I think in the next couple of years I will have many more favorite books-to-movies. I am so excited forThe Hunger Games and the Mortal Instruments
series to be made into movies! They'll be wonderful I'm sure!
*****
Joridan
My favorite movie based on a book was The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.
The biggest disappointment was Ella Enchanted; it ruined one of my favorite books ever.
*****
Kazia
My favorite is Sense and Sensibility (the 1995 film).
The biggest disappointment is a three-way tie between The Golden Compass, Inkheart, and The Tale of Despereaux.
*****
Ann
Princess Diaries was my favorite (although different from the books).
The Twilight Saga has been a disappointment.
*****
Leah K.
I really loved Flipped and Angus, Thongs and Perfect Snogging. So far I haven't been disappointed in any book turned into a movie.
*****
Tanya
My favorite movie based on a book is Percy Jackson; the Lightning Thief.
But, the movie was disappointing because well...they changed a lot of the plot, and the ages of the characters. Even though I'm a big fan of Logan Lerman (Percy Jackson), not all the fights were included and those details made the movie not as impressive as the book.
But still the movie is great, I love it! I love a lot of Rick Riordan books; he is one of my favorite authors.
*****
Ashley
Harry Potter and The Half-Blood Prince was not at all like the book. There were a few parts from the book, but not many. It started out as a disappointment. In the book there were several key parts. In the movie they took out those key parts and filled them in with things that were confusing. For example, in the movie they had the Weasleys' house burnt down by Death Eaters. That was not in the book.
*****
Emily
My favorite movies that have been made from books are theHarry Potter movies.
My biggest disappointment in them is that there is no Peeves and, in the fifth movie, there's not a lot of D.A. lessons.
*****
Steph C.
Legend of the Guardians: The Owls of Ga'Hoole was the best.
*****
Gina
My favorite movie based on a book was Bridge to Terabithiabecause many of the visuals in the movie matched those in my head (while reading it).
My biggest disappointment was Harry Potter and The Prisoner of Azkaban because some very important stuff was left out causing some confusion to new audience members (non-readers).
*****
Sabrina
Favorite: Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Disappointment: Percy Jackson and the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
*****
Angela
I have a lot of favorite movies that were based on a book --- there's no way I could pick just one.
However, my biggest disappointment was Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief. I am a huge fan of the books but the movie was just...not at all like the books. They changed the characters' appearances and, most importantly, they changed the plot! They spent the movie searching for pearls! They were supposed to be a gift! I'm sorry but I totally disliked that movie.
*****
Mayan
My Sister's Keeper --- the movie was horrible. It didn't give the same emotion or plot as the book. In the movie, the story felt rushed and key events and characters were left out. The real let down was that the endings were completely different.
*****
Laura E.
I think my favorite movie based on a book was The Fellowship of the Rings and others in Tolkien's trilogy.
The biggest disappointment was Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix.
*****
Jasmine
Definitely A Walk to Remember! It's the best movie ever and I totally love Nicholas Sparks! I believe he writes the best books in history!
*****
Emma
My favorite movie based on a book was It's Kind of a Funny Story.The book was really awesome and I thought the movie would suck, but I was wrong. They changed the story a little bit, but I still loved it.
The movie that was the biggest disappointment, in my opinion, was Twilight. It just didn't impress me. I guess I was expecting something more. The acting was the worst, it was not good at all!
*****
