Adapting Cinema: Top Novels Inspired by Movies

Turning movies into novelizations is a unique process, where the visual and cinematic elements of a film are translated into written word. While some may argue that movies offer a richer sensory experience, novelizations can expand on characters’ thoughts, backstories, and subplots, providing a deeper understanding of the story. Below is a list of 20 notable books adapted from original movies, alongside brief explanations and an assessment of their success as novel adaptations:

1. “Star Wars: From the Adventures of Luke Skywalker” by George Lucas (Ghostwritten by Alan Dean Foster) – Originally developed from George Lucas’s 1977 film, this novelized version expanded on the universe, providing additional scenes and deeper character insight. It was well-received as it enriched the beloved film’s narrative. (Good adaptation)
2. “2001: A Space Odyssey” by Arthur C. Clarke – Written concurrently with Stanley Kubrick’s film, Clarke’s novel provides much more detailed scientific explanations and character insights, complementing the film’s visual and thematic complexity. (Good adaptation)
3. “The Abyss” by Orson Scott Card – Based on James Cameron’s 1989 film, Card’s adaptation is notable for expanding on the characters’ emotional depths and backstories, often considered better fleshed out than the movie. (Good adaptation)
4. “E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial” by William Kotzwinkle – Based on the screenplay by Melissa Mathison, this novel delves deeper into E.T.’s perspective, adding emotional layers to the already heartwarming film. It’s praised for capturing the film’s essence and enhancing it. (Good adaptation)
5. “Batman: The Official Movie Adaptation” by Dennis O’Neil – A novelization of Tim Burton’s 1989 film, it sticks closely to the movie but adds a few new scenes and deeper character thoughts that were absent on screen. (Moderate adaptation)
6. “The Novelization of Blazing Saddles” by Maurice Murphy – This adaptation of Mel Brooks’s 1974 comedy attempts to capture the movie’s humor and outrageous scenes, though translating its visual gags to text proves challenging. (Moderate adaptation)
7. “Die Hard: The Authorized Novelization” by Roderick Thorp – Originally based on Thorp’s own novel “Nothing Lasts Forever”, this adaptation closely mirrors the film’s action-packed sequences, effectively capturing its high stakes and suspense. (Good adaptation)
8. “Mad Max: Fury Road” by George Miller, Nico Lathouris, and Mark Sexton – Primarily a graphic novel, this adaptation expands on the film’s storyline, providing backstory and depth to its visually stunning sequences. (Good adaptation)
9. “Preacher: Season One” by Garth Ennis – This adaptation borrows heavily from the original AMC series, focused more on character development and backstory, appealing specifically to fans of the TV show. (Moderate adaptation)
10. “Spider-Man: The Movie” by Peter David – This novelization adds depth to the characters and offers additional scenes and dialogues that provide a fuller understanding of the story, pleasing fans who want more than the film offered. (Good adaptation)
11. “Total Recall” by Piers Anthony – Based on the 1990 Arnold Schwarzenegger film, Anthony provides a deeper narrative that explores complex themes about reality and identity, more so than the film. (Good adaptation)
12. “The Thing” by Alan Dean Foster – While Foster’s adaptation of John Carpenter’s horror classic is closely tied to the film’s plot, it offers additional context and character thoughts, enhancing the chilling storyline. (Moderate adaptation)
13. “Inception: The Cobol Job” by Jordan Goldberg – This graphic novel prequel to Christopher Nolan’s film, while not a direct novelization, it provides insights into the characters’ backgrounds and sets up the film’s events, enriching the Inception universe. (Good adaptation)
14. “Dune: The Official Movie Adaptation by Joan D. Vinge – Based on David Lynch’s adaptation of Frank Herbert’s epic, Vinge’s novel manages to capture the complex world of Dune, providing a nuanced overview that complements the film. (Moderate adaptation)
15. “Terminator Salvation: The Official Movie Novelization” by Alan Dean Foster – Foster brings his adept novelization skills to this film, filling out the story with additional character motivations and setting details that the movie glossed over. (Good adaptation)
16. “The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers Photo Guide” by David Brawn – More of a companion book than a novelization, it includes photos and behind-the-scenes insights rather than expanding on the film’s story. (Poor adaptation)
17. “Independence Day” by Stephen Molstad – This novel provides more context around the alien invaders and the human characters’ backstories, offering fans of the film a more rounded story. (Good adaptation)
18. “Jurassic Park: The Junior Novelization” by Gail Herman – Aimed at younger readers, this adaptation simplifies the complex narratives and scientific elements of the film while keeping the excitement intact. (Moderate adaptation)
19. “Ghostbusters: The Return” by Sholly Fisch – Although not a direct adaptation, this book continues the story of the Ghostbusters, aiming to capture the humor and supernatural antics of the original films. (Moderate adaptation)
20. “The Warriors” by Sol Yurick – Originally a film adapted from Yurick’s novel, it has been re-novelized to align more closely with the cult classic film, focusing on the gang culture and iconic imagery. (Moderate adaptation)

These adaptations vary in their success, with some enhancing the storytelling experience by providing additional details and depth, while others struggle to translate the cinematic experience into prose effectively.