There is no lack of examples in the history of cinema of good films inspired by books (although this formula is not infallible). We selected films inspired by novels, short stories and soap operas for those who are fans of the Seventh Art and love a good story. Let's check it out?
Schindler's List (1993)
- Based on the book Schindler's List by Thomas Keneally
- Available at: Globoplay
- Genre: historical drama
The award-winning film Schindler's List, winner of 7 Oscars and 3 Golden Globes, is based on the book Schindler's Ark (1982), by Australian writer Thomas Keneally. Both the film and the book tell the real story of the German industrialist Oskar Schindler (1908-1974), responsible for saving the lives of thousands of Jews during World War II.
Watch the trailer:
Schindler's List (25th Anniversary) - Official Trailer (Universal Pictures) HDOne Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest (1975)
- Based on the book One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest by Ken Kesey
- Not available on streaming platforms
- Genre: drama
The American writer Ken Kesey wrote the novel Um Estranho no Ninho (One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest) based on his experiences as a nursing assistant in the psychiatric ward of a hospital. Published in 62, the book hit theaters in 75, featuring Jack Nicholson in the lead role and earning 5 Oscars. Kesey's story is highly critical of psychiatric institutions and some of their methods.
Little Women (2019)
- Based on the book Little Women by Louisa May Alcott
- Available on: HBO Max, Prime Video
- Genre: drama
Published in 1868, the novel Little Women, by the American writer Louisa May Alcott, continues to enchant the new generations. In the 6th century USA, the young March sisters seek to fulfill their dreams, each in their own way. Jo, identified as Alcott's alter-ego, intends to become a writer, and for that she has to overcome distrust and prejudice. The film had XNUMX Oscar nominations - won in the Best Costume category.
Watch the trailer:
Lovely Women | Subtitled Trailer | January 09th in theatersThe Theory of Everything (2014)
- Based on the book The Theory of Everything: The Remarkable Story of Jane and Stephen Hawking by Jane Hawking
- Available on: Globoplay, Star+
- Genre: Biographical Drama, Romance
The Theory of Everything tells the story of one of the greatest geniuses of the 25th century, British physicist Stephen Hawking. The film is an adaptation of the biography written by Jane Hawking, wife of Stephen. It is, therefore, through the testimony of the person who lived with Stephen for XNUMX years that we know not only the life trajectory of a genius, but a beautiful and moving love story.
Watch the trailer:
The Theory of Everything - Official TrailerThe Pianist (2002)
- Based on the book The Pianist by Władysław Szpilman
- Not available on streaming platforms
- Genre: Biographical Drama, War Film
One of the greatest films ever made about the horrors of World War II is based on the memoirs of Władysław Szpilman (1911-2000). Szpilman was a Polish pianist who managed to survive the occupation of Poland by the Nazis, which lasted from 1939 to 1945. The film won 3 Oscars, including Best Director (Roman Polanski).
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
- Based on the book The Wolf of Wall Street by Jordan Belfort
- Available on: HBO Max
- Genre: Drama, Comedy, Police
Martin Scorsese's film is an adaptation of the memoirs of Jordan Belfort, founder of the Stratton Oakmont stockbroker, closed in 1996 on fraud charges, which led to the Belfort chain and its partners. The film tells the story of Belfort and how Stratton Oakmont became the largest over-the-counter company in the United States in the late 80s.
Watch the trailer:
The Wolf of Wall Street - Official trailer with subtitlesForrest Gump (1994)
Based on the book Forrest Gump by Winston Groom
Available on: Netflix, Prime Video
Genre: comedy drama
Oscar 95 sensation, with 13 nominations and 6 awards, Forrest Gump is one of those films that make us laugh and get emotional. Alongside the imaginative and charismatic Forrest, we travel across the United States from east to west and experience key moments in American history in the second half of the XNUMXth century. It is a truly unforgettable experience.
The Shining (1980)
- Based on the book The Shining by Stephen King
- Available on: HBO Max
- Genre: Horror, Suspense
One of the most acclaimed works by the master of horror, Stephen King, filmed by none other than Stanley Kubrick. Of course the result is spectacular! Even more so when the story stars Jack Nicholson, who immortalized some of the most incredible scenes in the history of horror cinema.
The Godfather (1972)
- Based on the book The Godfather by Mario Puzo
- Available on: HBO Max, Prime Video, Paramount+
- Genre: Drama, Crime
The first film in the franchise is based on Mario Puzo's masterpiece, published in 1969, which tells the story of a family of Sicilian mobsters, led by boss Don Vito Corleone (Marlon Brando). Of the 9 Oscar nominations, it won in 3 categories, including Best Picture and Best Adapted Screenplay.
The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957)
- Based on the book The Bridge on the River Kwai by Pierre Boulle
- Available on: HBO Max
- Genre: War
The Bridge on the River Kwai is a super classic of cinema and one of the best films ever made about World War II. The film tells the story of British prisoners who are tasked by Japanese soldiers with building a bridge over the River Kwai in Thailand. The super production featured the biggest film set ever made in Sri Lanka. The film won 7 Oscars, including Best Picture.
Watch the trailer:
The Bridge On The River Kwai (LEG) - TrailerPsychosis (1960)
- Based on the book Psycho by Robert Bloch
- Not available on streaming platforms
- Genre: suspense
Psycho, by Alfred Hitchcock, is perhaps the greatest classic of suspense cinema. You don't have to be a movie buff to know the soundtrack of the violins, the stabbing scene in the bathroom, the iconic character of Norman Bates... A curiosity: as soon as he acquired the rights to make the film, Hitchcock bought all copies of Bloch's book from in order to prevent people from knowing the end of the story.
Apocalypse Now (1979)
- Based on the book Heart of Darkness by Joseph Conrad
- Not available on streaming platforms
- Genre: War
In the book, Charles Marlow undertakes an expedition through the Congo jungle in search of the ivory trader Mr. Kurtz. In Francis Ford Coppola's film, Captain Willard is tasked with a mission to enter the Cambodian jungle to stop Colonel Kurtz's insane activities during the Vietnam War. The film had 5 Oscar nominations, winning in 2 categories.
Sense and Sensibility (1995)
- Based on the book Sense and Sensibility by Jane Austen
- Available on: Netflix
- Genre: romantic comedy
Sense and Sensibility (1811) is the first book published by the English writer Jane Austen. The film adaptation, with a script by Emma Thompson and direction by Ang Lee, had no less than 7 Oscar nominations and won the BAFTA in 3 categories. It is the story of two sisters who, in England at the end of the XNUMXth century, seek happiness and love in the midst of the interests and injustices of society at the time.
Fight Club (1999)
Based on the book Fight Club by Chuck Palahniuk
Available on: Prime Video, Netflix, HBO Max, Star+
Genre: Action
Based on the 1996 book of the same name, Fight Club has achieved cult film status. Controversial, violent, revolutionary - these are some of the adjectives generally used to characterize this film, which makes a scathing critique of consumer society and the servitude regime of capitalist society. In addition to the good action scenes, Fight Club is a film that makes us think.
12 Years a Slave (2013)
- Based on the book 12 Years a Slave by Solomon Northup
- Available in: Star+
- Genre: Biographical Drama
The film is based on the autobiography of Solomon Northup (1807-1857). Born free in New York, Solomon was kidnapped in Washington in 1841 and sold into slavery to a plantation owner in the southeastern United States. Transposed to the cinema screen, Solomon's story moved the world. There were 9 Oscar nominations in 2014, having won in 3 categories, including Best Picture.
The Irish (2019)
- Based on the book The Irishman by Charles Brandt
- Available on: Netflix
- Genre: Biographical Drama
The Irishman tells the story of Francis Joseph Sheeran, a World War II veteran who worked for mobster Russell Bufalino as a hired killer. The material that gave rise to the book comes from the countless hours of recording of Sheeran's testimony to former investigator Charles Brandt. With a cast full of stars, such as Robert De Niro and Al Pacino, the film had 9 Oscar 2020 nominations.
Watch the trailer:
The Irishman | Official Trailer | NetflixTo Cor Purple (1985)
- Based on the book The Color Purple by Alice Walker
- Available on: HBO Max
- Genre: drama
The Color Purple is an adaptation for the cinema of the famous novel by the American writer Alice Walker, winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction in 1983. The story revolves around Celie (Whoopi Goldberg), a black woman whose life is marked by suffering and humiliations imposed by a sexist and racist society. There were 10 Oscar nominations 86.
Ran (1985)
- Based on the book King Lear by William Shakespeare
- Not available on streaming platforms
- Genre: War, Epic
Inspired by William Shakespeare's classic theatrical tragedy, Ran is considered by many to be the masterpiece of Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa. Set in XNUMXth century Japan, the story revolves around the Ichimonji clan, whose patriarch, the feudal lord Hidetora, decides to share all the land he conquered throughout his life with his three children. The father's goal is to keep the family together and his power intact. But that's not quite what happens...
Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001)
- Based on the book Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone by JK Rowling
- Available on: HBO Max
- Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
This is the first film in the famous series inspired by the books by British writer JK Rowling. In it we are introduced to Harry, a seemingly ordinary boy who, on his 11th birthday, is surprised by the news that sorcery runs in his blood. With many doubts about his past, Harry is invited to enter Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. Since then, Harry's life will never be the same...
Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
- Based on the book The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring by JRR Tolkien
- Available on: HBO Max, Prime Video
- Genre: Adventure, Fantasy
The first film in the award-winning Lord of the Rings series, based on Tolkien's 1954 book, chronicles the first steps of Frodo's great adventure to prevent the One Ring from falling into the wrong hands. The film was an absolute success with the public and critics, and was nominated for no less than 13 Oscar statuettes - it won in 4 categories, including Best Visual Effects and Best Cinematography.
The White Tiger (2023)
- Based on the book The White Tiger by Aravind Adiga
- Available on: Netflix
- Genre: drama
Nominated for an Oscar in the Best Adapted Screenplay category, The White Tiger tells the story of Balram, a young man who, born in a very poor village in India, struggles to have a life different from that of his father. For this, he subjects himself to countless humiliations and makes use of his cleverness to approach the powerful. To become a powerful one too, Balram is willing to do anything.
Watch the trailer:
The White Tiger | Official Trailer | NetflixWizard of Oz (1939)
- Based on the book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
- Available on: HBO Max
- Genre: Musical, Fantasy, Adventure
Wizard of Oz is a classic of children's cinema, responsible for immortalizing characters like Dorothy, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow. Trying to save her dog Totó, little Dorothy decides to run away from home, but is surprised by a devastating tornado, which takes her to a fantastic world full of adventures. The musical had 6 Oscar nominations in 1940 - it won in the Original Song and Soundtrack categories.
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
- Based on the novel Rita Hayworth and the Shawshank Redemption by Stephen King (Four Seasons book)
- Available on: HBO Max, Netflix
- Genre: drama
Adaptation of a Stephen King novel, The Shawshank Redemption tells the story of bank clerk Andy Dufresne, who receives a double sentence of life imprisonment after being accused of murdering his wife and her lover. In jail, Andy is faced with violence, oppression and injustice. And despite all the difficulties, he holds firm to the hope of proving his innocence.
Where the Weak Have No Time (2007)
- Based on the book No Country for Old Men by Cormac McCarthy
- Not available on streaming platforms
- Genre: Action, Thriller
Directed by the Coen brothers, No Country for Old Men is a film that exudes violence and brutality from start to finish. The plot takes place in Texas in the 80s and has the feel of a western movie. When, after a shootout between drug dealers, Llewelyn Moss seizes a bag of $2 million, he becomes the target of a lot of bad people - including the bloodthirsty psychopath Anton Chigurh.
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
- Based on the book The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris
- Available on: Prime Video
- Genre: Suspense, Horror
To assist in the investigation of a series of brutal murders, agent Clarice Starling is tasked with interviewing the dangerous psychiatrist Hannibal Lecter, who is incarcerated in a psychiatric institution. The impeccable performance of Anthony Hopkins, who plays Dr. Hannibal won him his first Academy Award in the Best Actor category in 1992.
Breakfast at Tiffany's (1961)
- Based on the book Breakfast at Tiffany's by Truman Capote
- Available at: Globoplay
- Genre: romantic comedy
Holly Golightly is a very beautiful, ambitious and intelligent girl who loves to be surrounded by luxury and important people. To move up in life, Holly, who is a luxury escort, intends to marry a rich man. But Holly's life will never be the same after she befriends her neighbor, writer Paul Varjak.
Call Me By Your Name (2017)
- Based on the book Call Me By Your Name by André Aciman
- Available in: Paramount+
- Genre: Romance, Drama
Young Elio lives with his family on a large country estate in northern Italy. In the summer of 1983, the family receives a visit from Oliver, an American student who will spend a few days at the residence to help Elio's father with his academic research. Elio and Oliver become friends, and from this friendship a beautiful love story is born. The film won an Oscar in the Best Adapted Screenplay category.
Watch the trailer:
Call Me By Your Name | Subtitled Trailer | January 18 in theatersRear Window (1954)
- Based on the short story Rear Window by Cornell Woolrich
- Not available on streaming platforms
- Genre: suspense
This super classic thriller, directed by master Alfred Hitchcock, is based on a short story by crime writer Cornell Woolrich. The protagonist is Jeff, a photographer who has a broken leg and therefore spends his days in a wheelchair, in front of the window of his house. From there, Jeff can see the windows of other buildings and, like a voyeur, follows the lives of his neighbors. One rainy night, Jeff is sure he has seen a murder in Mr. Thorwald.
