Top Ten Movies & TV Shows That Would Make Great Books
I love this topic! I often think about this, and I've actually had this post locked & loaded for a month.Other posts at That Artsy Reader Girl, including my mirror @ Literary Loot.
1. Siberia (NBC)
I loved this twisty-crazy-unfairly-canceled-on-a-cliffhanger show with all of my heart, okay? I am desperate for it in book format, mostly so I could have a damn conclusive ending*, but also because I think text could just expand on all the weirdness so much more. (*I would accept a comic book continuation, that's how desperate I am)
2. The Age of Adaline
This is one of the few movies that immediately bewitched me body and soul on first viewing. I couldn't believe it wasn't based on a book. 90% of my interest in Addie LaRue is due to this movie because it seems the closest literary equivalent at the moment (I will almost definitely be disappointed because of it, but maybe I won't be!).
3. Pushing Daisies
Likely as a series of cozy mysteries, but I certainly wouldn't say no to making the romance and the mystery of Ned's gift/curse more central, and reducing the crimes down to 1 or 2 just to demonstrate how it works. The best part about making this a novel or perhaps trilogy would be THE GLORIOUS RESOLUTION when they finally find the loophole that lets them touch. (I'll accept They Both Die At the End. Just GIVE IT.)
4. El Orfanato (The Orphanage)
One of the best damn technically-horror/haunted-house stories I've ever seen, with so many gorgeous settings and creepiness but also EMOTIONS that could really play out well in text too, I think. If this actually is based on a book in Spanish, let me know! Brief googling didn't turn anything up to that effect but I could have missed it.
5. Ocean's 8
I love Ocean's Eleven too, but lbr, the women of 8 are FAR more interesting as individual characters in the way a book requires. While keeping the zany fast-paced plot.
6. Blood & Treasure (CBS)
Embarrassed it took me until the second half of the list to think of this considering the INCREDIBLE number of times both during and after its run I actually did wish with all of my heart that this was a book, not least so I could get more than one sequel (literally who can I pay to write a hypothetical season 3. again, I WILL accept a comic book!). The globe-trotting, the treasure-hunting, the ROMANCE, and every single last character is incredible. It's perfection.
7. Blame (2017)
As a YA novel, this indie film would be the most delicious prize because it's like the only high school student/teacher romance ever where they don't actually sleep together despite mutual attraction. If you don't recognize this one -- may I offer you a link to a gifset?
8. A Star is Born
There is no version of this movie I actually want to see, either because it's too old or I am lukewarm to cold on one or both of the leads (you would not believe how important casting is to me over story in movies. drives my husband nuts). But based on the detailed plot summaries I've read, it sounds like a story I would be really into and possibly cry about in the best way. If I could imagine actors I like in the lead roles.
9. Gifted (2017)
Possibly my fave Chris Evans movie, I just think it would be neat. There really just...aren't a lot of books like this from a male perspective -- women's fiction could easily produce something like this, but singularly from a male POV? not so much -- and it would be lovely to have Frank's inner monologue and perspective on everything.
10. Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making The Team*
*alternate fictional option: Hit the Floor (pro basketball dance team)
HEAR ME OUT. I would totally read a memoir from basically anyone who joined in the last 20 years, though I'm sure legal reasons suppress that, but I would be thrilled with a novel -- maybe YA, featuring an 18/19 y/o? could also be a regular romance -- about at least the audition process, if not the full season, as part of the team. Soooo many non-writers in the public eye release YA novels that are thinly fictionalized versions of their own experiences; I truly can't believe there's been no market for this one yet.
Obviously, if I'm mistaken about any of these OR you have a book rec that feels similar...bring it on! (ooh, should I add that one to the list...?)
Honorable Mentions
I) Crimson Peak
This would have been number 1 on my list, but they did turn this into a novel (more than just a novelization). It still kind of feels like you can tell it was based on a movie and not the other way around, but it's still really fantastic, definitely a higher level of writing craft than you'd expect.
II) My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan
a.k.a. that movie that never got made despite getting all the way to the point of casting, and became a novel instead (a novel that is great!)
1. Siberia (NBC)
I loved this twisty-crazy-unfairly-canceled-on-a-cliffhanger show with all of my heart, okay? I am desperate for it in book format, mostly so I could have a damn conclusive ending*, but also because I think text could just expand on all the weirdness so much more. (*I would accept a comic book continuation, that's how desperate I am)
2. The Age of Adaline
This is one of the few movies that immediately bewitched me body and soul on first viewing. I couldn't believe it wasn't based on a book. 90% of my interest in Addie LaRue is due to this movie because it seems the closest literary equivalent at the moment (I will almost definitely be disappointed because of it, but maybe I won't be!).
3. Pushing Daisies
Likely as a series of cozy mysteries, but I certainly wouldn't say no to making the romance and the mystery of Ned's gift/curse more central, and reducing the crimes down to 1 or 2 just to demonstrate how it works. The best part about making this a novel or perhaps trilogy would be THE GLORIOUS RESOLUTION when they finally find the loophole that lets them touch. (I'll accept They Both Die At the End. Just GIVE IT.)
4. El Orfanato (The Orphanage)
One of the best damn technically-horror/haunted-house stories I've ever seen, with so many gorgeous settings and creepiness but also EMOTIONS that could really play out well in text too, I think. If this actually is based on a book in Spanish, let me know! Brief googling didn't turn anything up to that effect but I could have missed it.
5. Ocean's 8
I love Ocean's Eleven too, but lbr, the women of 8 are FAR more interesting as individual characters in the way a book requires. While keeping the zany fast-paced plot.
6. Blood & Treasure (CBS)
Embarrassed it took me until the second half of the list to think of this considering the INCREDIBLE number of times both during and after its run I actually did wish with all of my heart that this was a book, not least so I could get more than one sequel (literally who can I pay to write a hypothetical season 3. again, I WILL accept a comic book!). The globe-trotting, the treasure-hunting, the ROMANCE, and every single last character is incredible. It's perfection.
7. Blame (2017)
As a YA novel, this indie film would be the most delicious prize because it's like the only high school student/teacher romance ever where they don't actually sleep together despite mutual attraction. If you don't recognize this one -- may I offer you a link to a gifset?
8. A Star is Born
There is no version of this movie I actually want to see, either because it's too old or I am lukewarm to cold on one or both of the leads (you would not believe how important casting is to me over story in movies. drives my husband nuts). But based on the detailed plot summaries I've read, it sounds like a story I would be really into and possibly cry about in the best way. If I could imagine actors I like in the lead roles.
9. Gifted (2017)
Possibly my fave Chris Evans movie, I just think it would be neat. There really just...aren't a lot of books like this from a male perspective -- women's fiction could easily produce something like this, but singularly from a male POV? not so much -- and it would be lovely to have Frank's inner monologue and perspective on everything.
10. Dallas Cowboys Cheerleaders: Making The Team*
*alternate fictional option: Hit the Floor (pro basketball dance team)
HEAR ME OUT. I would totally read a memoir from basically anyone who joined in the last 20 years, though I'm sure legal reasons suppress that, but I would be thrilled with a novel -- maybe YA, featuring an 18/19 y/o? could also be a regular romance -- about at least the audition process, if not the full season, as part of the team. Soooo many non-writers in the public eye release YA novels that are thinly fictionalized versions of their own experiences; I truly can't believe there's been no market for this one yet.
Obviously, if I'm mistaken about any of these OR you have a book rec that feels similar...bring it on! (ooh, should I add that one to the list...?)
Honorable Mentions
I) Crimson Peak
This would have been number 1 on my list, but they did turn this into a novel (more than just a novelization). It still kind of feels like you can tell it was based on a movie and not the other way around, but it's still really fantastic, definitely a higher level of writing craft than you'd expect.
II) My Oxford Year by Julia Whelan
a.k.a. that movie that never got made despite getting all the way to the point of casting, and became a novel instead (a novel that is great!)