The Godfather

Photo: Courtesy of MPTV.net

The Godfather
It's not often that a movie version of a book truly brings out the best of the story. Here are a few of our all-time favorite books on the big screen.

Based on Mario Puzo's 1969 novel, Francis Ford Coppola's movie adaptation has created some of the most iconic images in all of film—horse heads? Really?

Lord of the Rings

Photo: © 2001 New Line Productions, Inc.

The Lord of the Rings Trilogy
It's everything you'd ever want from a series of fantasy films—nearly nine hours of mythical monsters, magical rings and little people who perform extraordinary tasks.
Though it spawned a million "my precious" jokes, the onscreen journey through J.R.R. Tolkien's epic novels was more than worth it.
P.S. I Love You

Photo: Warner Bros.

P.S. I Love You
A young widow grieves the devastating loss of her husband...until she starts receiving letters from him. With each note comes a new assignment—and a new way for her to ease her pain and start a new life. Cecilia Ahern's debut novel was a heartbreaker, but it was Hilary Swank's emotional performance as Holly that had us passing the tissues.

With some hunky yet sensitive love interests to help her along the way (Hello, Gerard Butler, Harry Connick Jr. and Jeffrey Dean Morgan!), Holly comes into her own. We'll take a little girl power with our eye candy anytime!
Bridget Jones' Diary

Photo: © 2000 Alliance Atlantis and Miramax

Bridget Jones' Diary
This movie is two books rolled into one. Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice was the inspiration for Helen Fielding's Bridget Jones' Diary. We've all pulled "a Bridget" at least once in our lives—be it donning a cheesy Christmas sweater, embarrassing ourselves in front of a crush or even sliding ungracefully down a fireman's pole—all of which makes us root for Bridget even more.
The Princess Bride

Photo: 20th Century Fox

The Princess Bride
A beautiful princess, an evil prince, giants, sword fights, really big rodents...everyone loves a good fairytale, and they're even better when brought to life on the big screen! Complete with a kindly grandfather narrating the film, The Princess Bride, based on William Goldman's book, is everything we've ever wanted in a happily ever after tale and more.
No Country for Old Men

Photo: Paramount Vantage/Miramax

No Country for Old Men
No movie comes closer to its book version than Oscar®-winning Best Picture No Country for Old Men. The creepy cat and mouse game is based on Cormac McCarthy's novel—and the dialogue is taken from the book word for word. Javier Bardem's spine-tingling performance earned him the Oscar, though the haircut helped too.
To Kill a Mockingbird harper lee scout boo radley tom robinson gregory peck atticus finch

Photo: Courtesy MPTV.net

To Kill a Mockingbird
Harper Lee's classic novel is one of Oprah's favorites, and the 1962 film certainly rises to the occasion. It brings characters like Scout, Boo Radley and Tom Robinson to life in the way we've always pictured them—and Gregory Peck's Oscar®-winning performance as defense attorney Atticus Finch still brings us to our feet.
The Outsiders

Photo: Warner Bros.

The Outsiders
S.E. Hinton's book for teens is still flying off shelves today—and for good reason. Though first published in 1967, the issues facing Ponyboy, Dallas, Johnny and Sodapop remain relevant today. Not to mention we get some quality time with our favorite actors in their younger years—Matt Dillon, Ralph Macchio, Patrick Swayze, Rob Lowe, Emilio Estevez, Tom Cruise and Diane Lane star in the classic film.
Harry Potter

Photo: © 2001 Warner Bros. All rights reserved.

The Harry Potter Series
The films based on J.K. Rowling's books are magical indeed. From the opulence of the Great Hall to the creepiness of Severus Snape, the movies reinforce the pictures we played in our heads while reading into the wee hours of the morning. Now that this beloved book series has come to an end, the remaining films are the only things we Potter fanatics have to hold on to.

Did we miss one of your favorites? Leave a comment at the right of this page!

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