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50 Great Works of Literature You Should At Least Watch on Film

March 24th, 2010

Sometimes the busy life of being a college student can mean having to make other sacrifices–even those related to learning. After all, with homework, reading, papers and finding time for a social life, there can be little room for adding leisure reading into the mix. Not to worry, however, as you can get the gist of some of the greatest works of literature in the space of only a few hours with these great films based on the book, so the next time you’re in the mood for a little entertainment, check out one of these titles.

Standard Classics

Make sure you know the classics by giving these films a viewing.

1. Lord of the Flies: While remade in the 90′s, the classic version of this film was made in 1963 and will let you see all the drama between boys stranded on an island as in the original Golding novel.
2. Of Mice and Men: This Steinbeck classic isn’t a particularly long book, but if you can’t muddle through, consider this adaptation starring Gary Senise and John Malkovich.
3. East of Eden: If you still haven’t gotten enough Steinbeck, try out this Oscar nominated adapatation of the book starring James Dean.
4. The Odyssey: Those who don’t love tales set in ancient Greece can see an adaptation of this ancient tale in O Brother, Where Art Thou or in Cold Mountain. Otherwise, check out the original in a TV movie from 1997.
5. Heart of Darkness: You can get a straight-up interpretation of this Conrad classic or see it adapted to a more modern setting in the iconic Apocalypse Now.
6. 1984: Orwell’s tale of a totalitarian future was made into this film, released, of course, 1984.
7. Frankenstein: There have been multiple adapatations of this Mary Shelley classic; try the version from 1931 to see Boris Karloff in action or get an update in the 1994 version.
8. The Hunchback of Notre Dame: While perhaps the most well-known film version of this novel is a bit Disnified (and not true to the novel) you can see an older version that might give you a better idea of true spirit of the novel.
9. A Farewell to Arms: If you’ve given up on reading this Hemingway novel based loosely on the author’s life, try the movie version instead, starring actor Rock Hudson.
10. The Scarlet Letter: The langauge in this book can be a bit of a challenge, and if you’re not up to it, there’s always the movie version starring Demi Moore.
11. The Good Earth: The 1937 film of the same name brings this novel set in rural China to life.
12. Catch-22: This novel can be a bit challenging to read with numerous characters to keep track of, but you can cut to the chase with the film adaptation showing the quest of a man to be declared insane so he can escape battle.

Well-Rounded Reading

Already got a handle on the basics? Watch these films based on novels to get even more top-notch literature knowledge.

13. The Last of the Mochicans: The film version of this novel by James Fennimore Cooper shows the injustices and conflicts that often took place in relations between Native Americans and settlers. Check out the version starring Daniel Day Lewis for drama and action.
14. Lolita: This novel has been controversial since it was released and the same is true for the films, both the Kubrick version and the 1997 adaptations.
15. Their Eyes Were Watching God: In this novel set in the 1920′s, one woman is on a quest for happiness. If you don’t have time to read, you can rent the film starring Halle Berry.
16. Love in the Time of Cholera: Gabriel Garcia Marquez’s novel stretches over decades as a man waits for his true love, and you can see the heart of the story brought to life in the film adapatation.
17. A Clockwork Orange: While it will likely never be mainstream reading, this Burgess novel has won many accolades and was even adapated into an iconic film by Stanley Kubrick in 1971.
18. Count of Monte Cristo: Many may be more familar with Dumas’ The Three Musketeers, but this tale of revenge is worth reading, or watching as the case may be, as well. The most recent film-take on the novel came out in 2002.
19. Deliverence: The movie of this book perhaps has more reknown than the novel itself as it was nominated for several Academy Awards, but both are well worth your time.
20. The Postman Always Rings Twice: This noir novel by James M. Cain is iconic of the genre, and the film adapatation of it starring Lana Turner does the book justice.
21. Nostromo: You could read this Conrad classic or you could invest your time in watching the TV mini-series inspired by the book.
22. Bonfire of the Vanities: While critics widely panned the film version of this book, you’ll still largely get the idea what happens in this best-selling novel about ambition, racism, social class, politics, and greed.

Movies as Good As the Books

While in most cases the book is better than the movie, these films show that sometimes movies can do a book justice.

23. The Color Purple: This Alice Walker novel won the Pulitzer Prize for fiction in 1983 and is well worth reading, but if you don’t want to read, there’s always the film–itself nominated for an impressive 11 Oscars.
24. The Lord of the Rings: Peter Jackson’s adaptation of Tolkien’s iconic fantasy novels garnered him numerous awards, and if you haven’t got the time for the lengthy trilogy, the movies are more than adequate to bring the tale to life.
25. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest: Time Magazine included the novel in its TIME 100 Best English-language Novels from 1923 to 2005, but the film won’t steer you wrong either, with 5 Oscar wins including one for Jack Nicholson’s unforgettable performance as a mental patient fighting against the powers that be.
26. Sophie’s Choice: This harrowing tale of a mother who must make an impossible choice won the National Book Award and was a bestseller. Of course, if you prefer to watch your fiction, the film is a good watch, garnering Meryl Streep an Oscar for her performance.
27. All the King’s Men: Robert Penn Warren’s novel of politics, corruption and greed has won numerous awards and accolades. The same holds true for the original film adaptation made in 1949, winning best picture at the Academy Awards.
28. To Kill a Mockingbird: If you never read this book in high school English, it’s never too late to take in the story of racial injustice told by Harper Lee. You can catch up on your reading a lot quicker by watching the Oscar-caliber film adapated from this Pulizter-prize winning novel.
29. Gone with the Wind: While Margaret Mitchell’s novel is a classic, there are some that would argue that the 1939 film is even better at documenting the turbulent love affairs and traumas of the Civil War.
30. The Great Gatsby: F. Scott Fitzgerald’s novel about the Jazz Age is standard English class literature, but if you want to see it in motion try out the 1974 Francis Ford Coppola adaptation.
31. A Tree Grows in Brooklyn: If you’ve never read this coming of age story, then check out the 1945 film that won an Oscar for Best Supporting Actor and was nominated for Best Writing.

Period Pieces

Go back in time with these period pieces.

32. Remains of the Day: This much lauded Kazuo Ishiguro novel is masterfully brought to life by Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson in the film adaptation, which earned eight Oscar nominations.
33. Howards End: Soak up this E.M. Forster novel without actually having to do all that reading with this great Oscar-winning film version of it.
34. Vanity Fair: Most recently adapted with Reese Witherspoon taking the leading role, this satirical novel by William Makepeace Thackeray has been important literature for decades.
35. Sense and Sensibility: This Jane Austen classic about the often unfair treatment of women in her time must beg for adaptations as there are numerous films and mini-series you can watch.
36. Wuthering Heights: If you can’t read this, the only novel by Emily Bronte, then at least see a film adaptation as there are numerous versions to choose from.

Adapted Plays

These works were created for the stage but work just as well as films.

37. The Crucible: Arthur Miller’s work about the Salem witch trials is brought to the big screen in this 1996 adaptation.
38. Hamlet: You don’t have to have read Hamlet to be familiar with its famous soliloquy, and you can hear it spoken as it was meant to be in both older and newer adaptations.
39. The Importance of Being Earnest: This famous play by Oscar Wilde has been performed for stage and the small screen many times, but check out the film version from 2002 for a newer take.
40. Romeo and Juliet: It’s hard to get by without having seen or read this play in some form. Check out the 1968 version for a classic adaptation and the 1996 film for something a little more updated.
41. A Streetcar Named Desire: Marlon Brando gives an amazing performance in this film version of Tennessee William’s drama, every bit as worth your time as the original text.

Modern Fiction

Watch these film adaptations of modern bestsellers.

42. No Country for Old Men: Cormac McCarthy’s novel was brutal and unnerving, and you’ll get the same experience from the Oscar-winning adaptation of the book done by the Coen brothers.
43. The Joy Luck Club: If you don’t have the time or inclination to delve into Amy Tan’s novel about mother-daughter relationships, at least give the movie made of it a chance.
44. Girl, Interrupted: Angelina Jolie rocketed to fame and won an Oscar of her portrayal of one of the many troubled girls at the center of this harrowing novel.
45. The Shipping News: This book won numerous awards including the Pulitzer. While the film adaptation may not entirely do it justice, you’ll get the spirit of it nonetheless.
46. The English Patient: Winner of the Booker Prize for fiction, this novel was also made into an award-winning film following the story of a wounded WWII pilot and the nurse who cares for him.

Children’s Lit

If you’re looking for something lighthearted, fun and designed for a younger audience, consider these films.

47. Alice in Wonderland: While there is no matching the illustrations and text from this highly original children’s book, check out the film take if you’re in the mood for entertainment.
48. Charlotte’s Web: Both the novel and film versions of this classic farm tale are real tearjerkers, so prepare yourself in advance.
49. Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: There is no doubt that Roald Dahl has a very special way of telling children’s stories. While the film is not an exact adaptation, you’ll likely still be able to glean the moral from it.
50. The Chronicles of Narnia: This series of novels may be written for children, but there’s plenty for adults to enjoy as well, something that holds true for the films as well.