We all know that big Hollywood hits like Pride and Prejudice or The Hunger Games are based on books, but what about those films you’ve enjoyed without realizing they’re actually literary adaptations? Many popular films have literary origins that go unnoticed, especially when they’re loosely adapted or based on obscure (or even unknown) works. Here are some surprising films you didn’t know were book adaptations.
Die Hard (1988) – Based on Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp
One of the most iconic action films of all time, Die Hard, was based on a 1979 novel called Nothing Lasts Forever by Roderick Thorp. Originally written as a sequel to Thorp’s earlier novel The Detective, which was adapted into a 1968 film starring Frank Sinatra, Nothing Lasts Forever tells a surprisingly similar story to Die Hard—but with a much darker and grittier ending. Fans of John McClane might be surprised to learn that this Christmas classic originated from a thriller novel.
Clueless (1995) – Loosely based on Emma by Jane Austen
The quintessential 90s teen comedy, Clueless, isn’t just an original creation of the era. In fact, it’s a modern retelling of Jane Austen’s Emma. Director Amy Heckerling cleverly set the tale of Austen’s meddling heroine in the upper-crust world of Beverly Hills high schoolers. While Cher Horowitz may seem like a world apart from Regency-era England, her matchmaking schemes and ultimate personal growth align closely with Austen’s original story.
10 Things I Hate About You (1999) – Inspired by The Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare
This iconic teen rom-com might feel far removed from its literary roots, but it is, in fact, a modern-day retelling of Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. Set in an American high school, 10 Things I Hate About You reinvents the dynamics between Katherine and Petruchio as the fiery Kat Stratford and the boy paid to date her, Patrick Verona. While the language has changed, the core conflict of love, defiance, and compromise comes straight from Shakespeare’s classic.
A History of Violence (2005) – Based on the graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke
This taught thriller, directed by master of the genre David Cronenberg, follows a small-town diner owner whose violent past catches up with him. While the film feels like a classic crime drama, it’s actually adapted from a 1997 graphic novel by John Wagner and Vince Locke. Even if you’re not a fan of graphic novels, if you like true crime, this one will grab your attention and never let go. The novel’s exploration of hidden identities and the nature of violence is fully present in the film, but the adaptation is so seamless that many viewers aren’t aware of its comic book roots.
Pitch Perfect (2012) – Inspired by Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory by Mickey Rapkin
This hugely popular musical comedy, known for its quirky characters and catchy songs, was inspired by a non-fiction book. Pitch Perfect: The Quest for Collegiate A Cappella Glory by Mickey Rapkin explores the competitive world of college a cappella groups. The movie loosely takes inspiration from this exploration of the real-world collegiate singing scene, mixing in humor and drama to create the film that became a fan favorite.
Withnail and I (1987) – Based on an unpublished novel by Bruce Robinson
One of my favorite films, Withnail and I, is known for its hilarious and quotable dialogue and depiction of two struggling actors in late 1960s England. What many fans don’t realize is that the screenplay is based on an unpublished semi-autobiographical novel written by director Bruce Robinson. The novel drew on Robinson’s own experiences living in a decrepit London flat with a friend, and though the novel never made it to print, its biting wit and dark humor found a perfect home on screen.
Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) – Based on Alias Madame Doubtfire by Anne Fine
Robin Williams’ hilarious and heartfelt turn as Mrs. Doubtfire originated in a 1987 novel by British author Anne Fine. The novel is not well known compared to the film, and people are usually surprised to realize it’s an adaptation. That said, the film stays relatively close to the book, which follows a recently divorced father who disguises himself as an elderly nanny to spend more time with his children. Although the movie became a beloved family classic, its literary origins are often overlooked, mainly since the novel presents a more bittersweet take on the story of family dynamics.
The Thing (1982) – Based on Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell
This one shocked me because the film truly seems like it came out of nowhere and is such an original production. John Carpenter’s cult horror classic The Thing is often thought of as a purely cinematic masterpiece, but it’s actually based on the novella Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell. Even more surprising, to me at least is that the book was first published in 1938. The novella tells the story of a group of scientists in Antarctica who discover a shape-shifting alien that can take on the appearance of any living creature. Carpenter’s film stays true to the paranoia and tension of the original work, though the novella remains less known compared to its adaptation.
So, how many of these did you know were adaptations? How many books have you read from this list, versus the movies you’ve seen? I know that I’ve seen most of the movies but only read two of these books, which is rare for me, as I usually love reading books that films are based on! But hard to set the plan if you didn’t realize the film was an adaptation in the first place!