A great adaptation can redeem a flawed novel, cast new light on a favorite one, or introduce us to something new. It can also be simply pleasurable, and sometimes that’s enough. But which adaptation is best? To try and figure it out, we’ve compiled a list of 64 of our favorite adaptations* from the last 50 years (don’t worry, Old Hollywood-heads, the pre-1976 bracket is coming) but we need your help.
Voting is now open for our Best Contemporary Literary Film Adaptations Bracket. We’ve got faithful adaptations, wild reimaginings, and everything in between. We’ve got meta-adaptations, thematic adaptations, and tonal adaptations. We’ve got movies based on novels, short stories, and one ancient epic poem. And we have The Lord of the Rings, of course.
*Obligatory disclaimer: As always, the initial draft picks are based on the taste, interests, opinions, and sometimes the whims of the Literary Hub staff. If your favorite movie is not here, we are sorry. Also, you’re probably wrong.
So without further ado: cue the projectionist and roll that bracket:
|