Great Book, Bad Movie
There’s nothing worse than when your favorite book becomes a movie and it is utterly disappointing.
Sadly, this happens often, which is why it is common knowledge that, “the book is always better”.
Here are 25 perfect examples of movies that butchered the books they were based on.
Death On The Nile
One of Agatha Christie's most beloved books of all time was butchered in the 2022 film adaptation.
Reviews claim the performances came off as staged and fake, disappointing the novel’s fans.
The Perfect Find
Tia Williams is a viral author, with numerous successful novels. But unfortunately, this highly anticipated Netflix release was a total flop.
Reviews claim the main characters lacked the passion needed to fill the shoes of their literary characters.
Where The Crawdads Sing
One of the best books of 2018, Where The Crawdads Sing was a highly anticipated film adaption in 2022.
Reviews claim that while there is nothing essentially wrong with the film, it was rather boring compared to the riveting and heart-strings-pulling novel.
TSG, Where the Crawdads Sing (2022)
Bones And All
This film quickly disappeared after its release in 2023. Many people didn’t even know it was based on a book.
Critics claim the film lacks the art of storytelling, and that this is one of those times when one should read the book and not bother with the film at all.
Blonde
The trailer to this movie offered more hype than it should have.
And while the acting was said to be “phenomenal,” critics claim the director Andrew Dominik made some “creative” cinematic choices that destroyed what the film stands for.
Artemis Fowl
In the novels, Artemis Fowl as a character is loved by his fans for being an antihero.
But in the films, critics claim his character is “diluted,” and doesn’t stand out as the main character.
Walt Disney, Artemis Fowl (2020)
The Gray Man
For this one, the novel is said to be a fun action read—however the action in the book makes a lot more sense than in the movie.
Critics say the film left them confused as to who was fighting who.
The Stars At Noon
The novel is a riveting romance-thriller, set in Nicaragua in 1984. The film modernizes the conflicts, putting characters in mid-pandemic Nicaragua.
Critics claim the actors in the film lack chemistry, and that the overall message and storyline is hard to believe.
Enola Holmes
Enola Holmes may be less famous than the Sherlock Holmes series—which is the central aspect for the films—but the books are said to be so much better.
The films are said to be incredibly slow, diminishing viewer’s interest early on.
Legendary, Enola Holmes (2020)
Percy Jackson And The Olympians
For most major sagas, it’s nearly impossible to please the fans when making a screen adaptation—but this one completely flopped.
From making major changes to the plot, as well as misrepresenting the characters, critics claim it was like watching a completely different story.
Twentieth Century, Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010)
The Hobbit
While the Hobbit is praised by many, true LOTR fans were disappointed claiming that it may have been better had they stuck to two films instead of three, ultimately adding in too much filler content.
MGM, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
Queen of the Damned
For this one, it is said that if you have never read the book, you’d probably enjoy the movie.
But critics who have read the book claim they took two books and “smashed” them into one movie—failing both of them.
Warner Bros., Queen of the Damned (2002)
The Dark Tower
This book turned film is said to have the largest gap between quality of the book and quality of the movie.
Critics say the books were excellent and intelligent stories by a “master storyteller,” that were turned into a “leather-bound action flick” that completely ruined the films style.
Columbia, The Dark Tower (2017)
The Golden Compass
Although this film is said to have had excellent casting choices, the movie itself was a huge downgrade from the novel.
Fans claim the book was absolutely ruined by the movie, and that it was a “colossal waste of potential”.
Warner Bros., The Golden Compass (2007)
I Am Legend
Not only did this movie change the original ending of the book, it completely changed the behaviors of the characters—specifically the intelligent vampires who were turned into mute zombies.
Critics claim the “mindless creatures” depicted in the film were nothing like what was described in the book—which gave off a completely different vibe, and made no sense.
Warner Bros., I Am Legend (2007)
Ender’s Game
Ender’s Game is said to have butchered two books, not just one.
Critics claim that only did it eliminate core details from the books, it seriously lacked emotion from the characters, calling it “an action flick peppered with key lines from the book and none of the feeling”.
World War Z
For this movie, the book is said to be “phenomenal,” with different points of views appealing to readers.
Critics say the movie though, ignored all of that.
With a nearly completely different plot, the movie lacked perspective and emotion.
Jumper
Again, for those who have never read the book, this movie may not be so bad. But if you’ve read the book, you may be disappointed.
Critics claim the movie completely missed the point of the story, removing all of the best elements of the book to make it more child-friendly.
Twentieth Century, Jumper (2008)
A Wrinkle in Time
For those who loved the book, they had high expectations of the movie.
This movie received numerous bad reviews, citing bad acting, a flat story, throw-away dialogue, and terrible CGI.
Walt Disney, A Wrinkle in Time (2018)
Ella Enchanted
Ella Enchanted was a favorite book for many young readers, and the movie was highly anticipated.
However, critics claim the movie was extremely tacky that went for cheap, easy laughs.
Miramax, Ella Enchanted (2004)
Miss Peregrines Home for Peculiar Children
Many middle school kids loved reading this book in school. So, when the movie was announced, people got excited—a little too excited.
Critics claim it was a disappointment, citing a “drastic re-write,” taking out important elements from the book.
TSG, Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children (2016)
Watchmen
While many people enjoyed this movie, fans of the books have a lot to say regarding the details and storyline.
Critics claim the film incorrectly copied iconic lines from the book, and the drastic re-writes ending up altering the story’s message.
The Lovely Bones
Another movie that a lot of people loved—if they hadn’t read the book first.
Critics claim the plotline in the movie was over-emphasized, and the mood was completely destroyed.
Zany comedy scenes took away from emotional moments.
Dreamworks, The Lovely Bones (2009)
My Sister’s Keeper
Once more, a great movie—if you hadn’t read the book first.
The problem with this one is that the ending was so drastically different than in the book—so much so that they kill off a completely different person, changing the entire feel of the storyline.
Critics say the different endings brought on different emotions:
the book left them sobbing while the movie left them angry.
Warner Bros., My Sister's Keeper (2009)
Water for Elephants
Water for Elephants is said to be a fantastic book that is absolutely worth reading. But the movie adaptation was disappointing.
Critics say the movie “ripped the soul out of the story,” and believe it made the circus seem boring.
Twentieth Century, Water for Elephants (2011)