The 10 Best Movies Based On Books (According To IMDb)

The debate between books and movies is one that has been raging on forever. Some people are diehard bookworms who will always be drawn to the power of the pen and paper, while some are cinephiles, consumed by the art of the theatrical picture. So many times though, the latter inspires the former resulting in absolute magic.

Some of the greatest films of all time have been based on the writings of fantastic authors. Some books are well known with well-known movie counterparts, while others are more obscure. IMDb certainly sees movies based on books as the absolute best of the best going by their ratings. Here are the 10 best movies based on books, according to IMDb.

NOTE: This list focuses on singular novels from which a film is based, therefore movies based off of comic books/various stories (The Dark Knight & Pulp Fiction)

10 ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST (1975) –  8.7

Perhaps Jack Nicholson’s best role, an Oscar-winning one at that, One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is a terrific film directed by Milos Forman following a rebellious criminal deliberately entered into a mental asylum. IMDb deems it the 17th best film on its Top 250 with an 8.7.

It is based on the 1962 novel of the same name which follows the same narrative, written by Ken Kesey. It is a fantastic read which translates into an also fantastic film and is one of the most equally leveled pairings on this list.

9 GOODFELLAS (1990) – 8.7

Directed by the legendary Martin Scorsese and starring Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, and Ray Liotta, Goodfellas is one of, if not the greatest gangster movies of all time. The acting, the direction, the dialogue, the story, the tension, everything falls into place beautifully in the film which was robbed of the Best Picture Oscar and gained an 8.7 on IMDb – falling 16th on the IMDb top 250.

The film was based on the novel Wiseguy which was written by Nicholas Pileggi who co-wrote Goodfellas with Scorsese. Both book and movie are true stories and so the pair are fairly similar, but under Scorsese’s hand, the movie will always be remembered more.

8 THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE TWO TOWERS (2002) – 8.7

The second entry into the iconic Lord Of The Rings franchise Two Towers is a phenomenal epic directed by Peter Jackson. It is the continuation of the journey from the first film and is one of the finest fantasy films of all time alongside its counterparts. It earned an 8.7 on IMDb and falls 14th on the top 250.

The movie, of course, is based on the second volume of J. R. R. Tolkien’s series of the same name. The volume – like the other two – is split into two books, Book III – The Treason Of Isengard and Book IV – The Ring Goes East. The book, like the movie, is adored by its fans.

7 FORREST GUMP (1994) – 8.8

The 1994 Best Picture winner Forrest Gump is directed by Robert Zemeckis and starring Tom Hanks. The movie has not held up amazingly in the 26 years since its release, however, it still holds a charm and sweetness about it which Tom Hanks’ performance only serves to further. It earned an 8.8 on IMDb, falling 12th on the top 250.

The least known book-based film on the list thus far, the movie is based on the 1986 novel by Winston Groom of the same name. The movie follows the first eleven chapters of the book before skipping to the books ending relating to Forrest Jr. and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

6 THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE FELLOWSHIP OF THE RING (2001) – 8.8

The film that kicked off the pop culture phenomenon – in terms of the movies – that is Lord Of The Rings, The Fellowship Of The Ring, kicks off the journey of our heroes in a quest to save Middle Earth. It is beautiful, packed, and epic, and delivers on every level. It falls 11th on the IMDb Top 250 with an 8.8 rating.

The film comes from the book of the same name written by J. R. R. Tolkien which is a volume split into two books, Book I – The Ring Sets Out and Book II – The Ring Moves South. The mind of Tolkien created a masterpiece which did truly kick off a cultural phenomenon beloved by all.

5 FIGHT CLUB (1999) – 8.8

The 1999 cult classic which has developed into one of the defining films of a generation, Fight Club was directed by David Fincher and is rated by IMDb as the 10th best movie of all time with an 8.8. It is one of the most iconic roles of Pitt’s career and has developed a mass following of fans.

Some people may not know that the movie is based on a book of the same name written by Chuck Palahniuk in 1996. The book has two comic book sequels and follows the same plot as the film centered around the narrator and Tyler Durden who begin an underground fighting circle.

4 SCHINDLER’S LIST (1993) – 8.9

Stephen Speilberg’s period drama following a German’s rescue of over a thousand Jewish people during WWII is a massively somber and successful affair. Schindler’s List sits at 8.9 and 7th on the Top 250, just to add to its 1994 Best Picture win.

The movie is based on Booker-prize winning novel by the name of Schindler’s Ark written by Austrian novelist Thomas Keneally which also follows Oskar Schindler in his quest to save over a thousand Jews as a member of the Nazi party. It has become one of Keneally’s most well-known works but is still not as well known generally as the movie it inspired.

3 THE LORD OF THE RINGS: RETURN OF THE KING (2003) – 8.9

The final history-making entry to the Lord Of The Rings franchise Return of the King was an unbelievable end to an unbelievable trilogy as the quest to save Middle Earth comes to an end and so to do the journeys. It is an insane epic which won all 11 Oscars it was nominated for in a record-breaking sweep and ranks 5th on the IMDB Top 250 with an 8.9.

The volume is written by J. R. R. Tolkien includes Book V – The War Of The Ring and Book VI – The End Of The Third Age. It is widely credited as a masterpiece similar to the film that it inspires. The pair will live long in tandem as a phenomenal pair which are themselves a phenomenon of pop culture.

2 THE GODFATHER (1972) – 9.0

Widely considered one of the greatest and most significant pieces of cinema to ever grace the screen, The Godfather directed by Francis Ford Coppola is a movie that to this day is talked about constantly as one of the very best. With a transcendent performance from the legend that is Marlon Brando, the film earned a 9.0 on IMDb and sits at 2nd on the Top 250.

It is based on a 1969 novel of the same name written by Mario Puzo. The Godfather: Part II is also loosely based on the novel, but since it primarily relates to The Godfather, it does not earn a place here. The book is of good acclaim, but for generations to come may only be remembered by hardcore book readers or those who loved the film first.

1 THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION (1994) – 9.3

Another film which is widely credited as one of the best of all time, The Shawshank Redemption truly is one of those rare perfect movies. Directed by Frank Darabont, the greatness of the movie was not appreciated nor realized upon release, but as the years have passed by it has garnered a following and revere like no other. It sits at number 1 of the IMDb Top 250 with its 9.3.

The movie is based on a Stephen King novella with the name of Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption released in 1992 as part of a collection known as Different Seasons. Once again the book will never be remembered as clearly or as fondly as the movie, but a lot has to be said about that IMDb considers being the best movies of all time to have a large number based on books.