We’re all familiar with books turned into movies, right? It’s a popular trend, and some of those movie adaptations are truly iconic. But what about movies turned into books? It’s not something you see every day, but when it happens, it adds a whole new layer to the story.
When a movie is adapted into a book, it’s not just a simple retelling of the plot. These novelizations dive deeper. They fill in the gaps. More character details, richer backgrounds, and the internal thoughts of characters—stuff you might miss in the rush of a film. So, why do movies get the book treatment? And what makes these novelizations so interesting? In this blog post, we’ll explore 23 movies turned into books—and why they’re worth the read.
Why Turn Movies Into Books? The Reasons Behind the Trend
Movies turned into books might seem unusual, but there are some good reasons why it happens:
- More Detail: Movies often skip important backstories and details that can be explored more deeply in a book.
- Character Depth: Books allow readers to discover characters’ thoughts, motivations, and feelings in a way that films might miss.
- Expanding the Story: Novels can introduce scenes or plot points not included in the movie, giving fans more content to enjoy.
- Filling Gaps: Some complex themes or storylines may be better explained or expanded upon within a book.
- Attracting New Fans: A book adaptation can reach a wider audience, including those who prefer reading over watching movies.
- Marketing Potential: For movie studios, movies turned into books is also an effective marketing strategy—creating a new product that extends the story, engages fans, and brings in additional revenue streams.
Explore 23 Movies Turned Into Books
Fantastic Voyage
Fantastic Voyage, the 1966 sci-fi film, was novelized by Isaac Asimov after Bantam Books bought the rights. The book was released six months before the movie, leading many to think it was the inspiration. Both the film and novel are landmarks of ’60s sci-fi. Besides, the movie won Oscars for its groundbreaking visual effects. Consider exploring other science fiction books to expand your horizons and better understand the peculiarities of this genre.
2001: A Space Odyssey
2001: A Space Odyssey is unique in that its movie came before the novel. Stanley Kubrick’s 1968 film, based on Arthur C. Clarke‘s short story, was followed by Clarke’s novelization, which became a sci-fi classic. Clarke later expanded the story into a series of sequels and solidified his place in the genre.
Alien
The 1979 sci-fi horror classic Alien was adapted into two novelizations by Alan Dean Foster—one for adults and a junior version for younger readers. These books helped expand the Alien universe and introduced the chilling tale of Ripley’s fight for survival to new audiences.
The Abyss
In 1989, Orson Scott Card adapted The Abyss into a novel, expanding on the film’s plot with character backstories and profound insights into the alien encounter. Working with director James Cameron, the novel adds context and depth to the story, making it a great read on its own.
Home Alone
Home Alone was adapted into several books, including a 1990 novelization by Todd Strasser, which was followed by a sequel for Home Alone 2. In addition, Kim Smith published kids’ picture books in 2015 and 2019, simplifying the stories with engaging illustrations. Strasser, known for his middle-grade and YA books, also adapted Home Alone 3 into a novel. If you want to read something as up-lifting as Home Alone, check out these feel good books that will also boost your mood.
GoldenEye
GoldenEye was adapted into a novel by John Gardner. The book closely follows the film’s plot but also adds more depth and an extra fight sequence from the video game. By the way, it was the first Bond film without elements from Ian Fleming’s novels.
Your Name
Your Name is a popular animated movie about two teens who swap bodies and fall in love across time. It was adapted into a successful young adult novel by Makoto Shinkai. The novel, released in Japan and later translated into English, closely follows the movie’s plot. What’s more, Your Name manga adaptation of the novel has been also created by Makoto Shinkai and illustrated by Ranmaru Kotone. Don’t forget to check out our list of the best manga books and the best Japanese books, where you’ll find more incredible titles that encapsulate the spirit of Japanese storytelling.
The Shape of Water
The Shape of Water was adapted into a novel by director Guillermo del Toro and author Daniel Kraus, released in 2018. The novel expands on the film by adding deeper internal thoughts and details, enhancing the romance and characters while complementing the movie’s visual storytelling. If you’re a fan of such a genre, check out our lists of the best mystery romance books and enemies-to-lovers books for more book recs.
Once Upon a Time… in Hollywood
Quentin Tarantino‘s Once Upon a Time in Hollywood became a 2021 novel that expands the film’s 1969 narrative. It explores the lives of actor Rick Dalton and his stunt double, Cliff Booth, offering deeper insights into characters like Sharon Tate. This unique retelling, rich with detail, gives fans a fresh perspective on the Manson family murders and Hollywood’s evolution. By blending fictional characters and events with real historical figures and occurrences, this book adaptation is one of the great examples of historical fiction books.
The Karate Kid
The Karate Kid by Bonnie Bryant Hiller brings the beloved film series to life through engaging novelizations. Hiller expertly explores the journey of Daniel LaRusso and his mentorship under Mr. Miyagi, enriching the story with additional details and character development. Her work ensures that fans can enjoy this classic tale in both movie and book form.
Back to the Future
The Back to the Future franchise includes five novelizations by screenwriter Bob Gale, who overcame early challenges to create a classic. George Gipe‘s adaptation is based on an early script draft and offers fresh insights into Marty McFly’s adventures while retaining the essence of the beloved story. Also, if you want to break the boundaries of time and space, discover some of the best time travel books.
Star Trek
Alan Dean Foster‘s Star Trek novelization showcases the thrilling adventure of Captain Kirk and Spock aboard the U.S.S. When Foster saw the finished film, he included extra scenes absent from the movie, enriching the story for fans of the iconic sci-fi franchise.
Terminator
The novelization of The Terminator by Randall Frakes and Bill Wisher expands on the film with added details and backstories, including Sarah Connor’s age and the Terminator’s preparations, which can be a curios read for most fans.
The Chronicles of Riddick
The Chronicles of Riddick novelization by Alan Dean Foster expands on the 2004 film and adds details like the Necromonger faith, Riddick’s escape from a command ship, and extended scenes on planets like Crematoria. That way, fans can get a richer understanding of the universe and its intricate dynamics by reading this book.
Star Wars
Star Wars: The Phantom Menace by Terry Brooks adds extra scenes and character depth, including Anakin’s backstory, the history of the Sith, and key moments like the duel with Darth Maul. No doubt, it’s a must-read for fans wanting more insight into the Star Wars universe.
Indiana Jones
Indiana Jones and The Raiders of the Lost Ark novelization by Campbell Black brings the thrilling film to life in a fresh, action-packed way. You’ll find some added backstories, unique scenes, and profound character insights to dive deeper into Indy’s quest for the Lost Ark.
Independence Day
Independence Day, the novelization of the blockbuster film, was written by Stephen Molstad, Dean Devlin, and Roland Emmerich. It expands on the movie’s events, offering new details and insights, such as alternate landmarks targeted by the alien invaders and deeper character development.
Dirty Harry
The Dirty Harry novels, including novelizations of the films and original tie-ins, depict the tough, no-nonsense Inspector Callahan in his relentless fight against crime. The first four movie adaptations were penned by various authors, with Philip Rock adapting the original 1971 film.
Transformers
The novelization of Transformers by Alan Dean Foster dives into the story’s rich lore and complex characters than its cinematic counterpart. Through vivid prose, readers uncover more about pivotal moments—such as Captain Archibald Witwicky’s fateful discovery of Megatron—and gain insights into relationships like that between Sam Witwicky and Bumblebee.
Ghostbusters
Ghostbusters: The Supernatural Spectacular by Richard Mueller is a novelization that expands on the 1984 film. It adds extra details, including deleted scenes, character backstories, and deeper lore, offering fans a more in-depth look at the Ghostbusters universe beyond what was shown on screen.
Blade Runner
The novelization of Blade Runner: A Story of the Future, penned by Les Martin in 1982, brings to life Ridley Scott’s iconic film while also drawing inspiration from Philip K. Dick’s original work, Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep?. Initially offered a hefty sum for a novelization that he declined, Dick instead chose to focus on his other projects. As such, Martin stepped in to fill this literary gap with his own spin on the story. The book delves into intricate details and nuances not fully explored onscreen—like character backstories and alternative dialogues—while omitting some key scenes entirely.
King Kong
King Kong, originally crafted by Delos W. Lovelace in 1932, exemplifies the movie-to-book transformation beautifully; it was not just a novel but part of an expansive marketing effort for Merian C. Cooper’s iconic film. Over time, its public domain status has allowed countless re-releases and creative interpretations, each bringing something fresh to readers with new illustrations or bonus material that sets them apart on bookshelves today.
Interstellar
In Interstellar, Greg Keyes masterfully translates Christopher Nolan’s visually stunning film into the written word, capturing its epic essence and complex themes. The story follows Cooper, a pilot on a mission to find a new home for humanity, who experiences profound sadness as he grapples with time dilation, causing him to miss years of his daughter Murphy’s life. If you’re into such moving and melancholic stories, you can find your next read among these sad books that will make you cry.
Final Thoughts
Exploring the fascinating world of movies turned into books reveals how storytelling transcends different mediums. We hope these novelizations will give you more of what you love as a fan, be it extra details or a fresh perspective on the beloved film.
Next time you finish a movie you loved, like Bridgerton, Game of Thrones, or Stranger Things, consider picking up the book version. Before making a purchase, be sure to compare prices on BookScouter.com for the best deals—you might uncover a whole new side of the story!
If you enjoyed this exploration of cinematic adaptations, don’t miss our other blog posts for even more intriguing insights: best biographies, dark romance books, best book series, dark fantasy books, and the hardest books to read.