25 TV Show And Movie Adaptations That Are Soooooo Much Better Than The Books They're Based On

"The book was great, but the show was AMAZING. Can you ask for more than Kerry Washington and Reese Witherspoon? The acting was great, the story improved upon, and the characters had much more development. Also, the plot was more shocking and dramatic. Great music, too!"

—mollymartindale111

"I absolutely loved the movie, so I decided to read the book. I didn’t like it nearly as much, though. Peter Kavinsky was a total tool, and not at all the 'internet boyfriend' that Noah Centineo has turned him into. I also loved the portrayal of Chris and Lara Jean’s friendship way more in the movie. In the book, she’s flaky and a bad influence, but in the movie she’s just a bit rebellious and a loyal friend."

—TakingLsKickingAs

"I hated the book and thought it would make a better TV show the whole time I was reading it. The series was much better and made the characters more dimensional."

—clareb5

"The books are alright, but they don’t compare at all to the greatness of the show."

—anjaxmiller

"The books had several parts that were a bit boring, tbh. Like, I didn't need a lot of description of the characters walking. The movies kept the good parts."

—vitaliastrait

"I absolutely LOVE all the twists and turns in the show. It left me hanging off my seat. The book was amazing, no question, but it could easily have gotten a sequel."

—vee07

"One that immediately comes to mind is Stanley Kubrick’s version of The Shining. It was so much more real and raw. I could barely get through the book; it was simply ridiculous."

—maddygowers

"Call Me by Your Name was an incredible book, but the movie, cinematography, soundtrack, and actors completely transformed it. The movie was perfect."

—shawnmendesisthebest

"The Handmaid's Tale is such a gripping show. From the actors to the appropriate music, it's so much better than the book. The episodes make you feel a chill to your bone."

—fatimagillanis

"The book was good, but the film adaptation was just so visually stunning and delivered where the book didn't."

—Lauren

"Don’t get me wrong, I loved the books, but the characters had much better development in the show. Also, the books just focused on the main character’s perspective, but the show covered all of them."

—jazzy728

"I thought it was much more heartfelt and the characters were better developed!"

—muffinsfortyrus

"I'm definitely a 'the book is always better' kind of person, but...the movie is so good! It has an amazing cast, and the main actors play multiple characters. I love the makeup and the editing as well. It's basically six movies in one! While I also love the book, I think it's a difficult read because it's pretty long and the language isn't that straightforward. The movie's writers definitely removed some parts from the book, but I think it helped it flow so much more."

—rakidori

"I'd say 99.9% of the time, the book is better, but True Blood is my 0.1%. The books weren't my fave, but the TV show brought the characters to life in a way the books never could. Plus, who doesn’t love Alexander Skarsgård as a hot Viking vampire?"

—kristinap48d99e23b

"It was an absolutely beautiful, well-acted movie starring Kal Penn and Irrfan Khan. I was excited to read the book afterward, but I thought the book was terrible. I can't believe they made such an incredible movie from such terrible material."

—sprivey

"The book is hilarious and ridiculous, but the show just breathes fresh life into it. Plus, Michael Sheen and David Tennant as Aziraphale and Crowley? A+ casting."

—dianas4c3a401d8

"It’s a good book, but the film is so much better, IMO. The whole film is just wonderful. It's such a brilliant adaptation and reimagining of the book."

—hannahe4f2127f4a

"I’ve read the books and they're just fine. I prefer the show and its spinoffs way, way more."

—chelsear4ac211bd8

"I loved Looking for Alaska. It kept all the really important elements of the book but expanded on the characters and their relationships. I also really loved how they were able to flesh out the character of Alaska and make her seem like more than just Miles' idolization of her."

—liv2read

"The books weren't bad, necessarily, but the actors did such an incredible job bringing the characters to life."

—digigirl101

"The book is brilliant and unpredictable, but the TV show manages to capture the unfolding sense of dread, control, and tension in the household more so than the novel. Plus, Patricia Clarkson was flawless."

—sunshine193

"I grew up watching the movie — it’s one of my absolute favorites. I finally read the book a few years ago and was very underwhelmed. It just didn’t have the same magic that the movie did."

—jodyb4540670cd

"The movie made the characters much more endearing. The movie had the same vibe that the book had, but it was presented even better."

—fallinggrace

"The book came out a while ago, so the movie had a bunch of current pop culture references and appealed to the audience more. Plus, the visuals obviously come across better onscreen."

—cfrinkadju

"The first book and first season were great, but the second book, Hidden Bodies, wasn't that good. However, the second season was amazing!"

—amandam4dfae84ac