Movies that are better than the books

Movies that are better than the books by Neha, Grade 9

A pattern I often notice is that I tend to enjoy books more than their movie adaptations. Maybe it’s due to the fact that I usually read before watching, or maybe I feel like movies ruin the magic of novels, but almost every time I sit down to watch a movie adaptation, I find myself longing for the book. This list is composed of a select few outliers that I believe are better than the books that inspired them.

1. How to Train Your Dragon

The How to Train Your Dragon movies were on repeat throughout my entire childhood. I always loved the attention to detail in the movies through Viking references, humor, the animation style, and the incredibly well-executed soundtrack. I was blown away watching the first movie, and loved the second one even more. The books, however, are a different story. I thoroughly enjoyed all of them, but they felt a whole lot different than what I was expecting. Everything was different: the characters, the sense of humor, and the plots themselves. I still enjoyed the series, and read all the books eagerly, but still, my young self felt a little let down, since I expected the books to align with the movies more.

How to Train your Dragon

How to Train your Dragon

2. Lord of the Rings

Lord of the Rings was a series that I never felt was that special, reading the books. Everybody around me told me that they were classic, and funny, and fantastical, but I always felt like they were pretty normal, nothing revolutionary. When I watched the movies, however, I changed my mind. Every Lord of the Rings (and The Hobbit!) movie that I watched were so well executed and planned out that I saw the storyline come to life in a way that I never experienced reading the books. I finally felt the emotions that I wanted to feel, understood the humor, and began to appreciate Toklien’s world building as unique from other authors after seeing it come alive on the screen. 

The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings

3. The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz movie will always hold a special place in my heart. It’s an absolute classic to me, and always will be. Every character is portrayed so well, and at the time it was considered an extremely high quality film. Its charm and adventurous spirit are timeless to me, and I will continue rewatching (and singing along!) to this movie forever. It took a pretty ordinary fictional storyline from the book and added songs, fun, laughter, and I will always appreciate how the producers of this movie were able to take a novel that didn’t stick out to me and turn it into an experience that never gets old. 

The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz

4. Jurassic Park

I do have to admit, the plot of Jurassic Park is a pretty extraordinary one. I love the action packed story and the mystery that are all included within the book, and who doesn’t enjoy some dinosaurs and destruction? The movie adaptation of Jurassic Park was already working off a very strong storyline, so I wasn’t surprised that I enjoyed it. What did surprise me, however, was how much I was obsessed with it. The CGI and acting skills of the cast were extraordinary in my opinion, and I feel like all my expectations were met. The movie adaptation really strengthened and brought the book to life in a way that I think enhances the story. 

Jurassic Park

Jurassic Park