Following up on my Bookwyrm Confessions post from a couple weeks back, Movies I Liked Better Than the Book (and Other Confessions), I’m here with a list of some books I’d love to see made into movies.
*gasp* The shock! XD *nervous laughter* I’m much more of a book person, but movies can be fun, and I can dream, right? π
As long as they were done right, with a proper budget and effects, and faithfully adapted *cough* (good luck with that, right?), I think these would make amazing movies and/or shows.
(This is not an exhaustive list, but these would all be pretty cool. ;))
In no particular order, here are 18 books (or… well… sometimes book series) I’d love to see on the screen.
Books to Movies
The Prydain Chronicles by Lloyd Alexander
These books are EPIC and were my main introduction to fantasy when I was young, and I just can’t imagine how amazing they would be if they were live-action movies and close to the book… Just… I want. π (In the meantime, I’ll content myself with a long-overdue-re-read of the series… after Realm Makers, maybe. :P)
(And no, I’m not even going to acknowledge the fact that there’s a terrible cartoon of The Black Cauldron. Just… no. We do not speak of this.)
The Sentinel Trilogy by Jamie Foley
GAH. I’m imagining how thrilling these would be as an edge-of-your-seat, post-apocalyptic, fantasy, superpower, modern-esque-but-on-another-world, awesome set of action movies. (Seriously, so hard to categorize. XD) Just know that it would be so much fun and so exciting and I need. XD
Song of Leira by Gillian Bronte Adams
I mean, yes, you’d probably do the other ones in the series first. But I just finished reading Song of Leira this month and it would make an incredibly epic movie, particularly the song fight scenes and all the Songkeeper’s powers and the griffin and the saif (the creature on the cover) and just… yes.
Illusionarium by Heather Dixon
ACK. This would make a brilliant movie with all the illusions and action and steampunkery, and a Jonathan and Lockwood buddy movie… Just do it, somebody.
Entwined by Heather Dixon
I mean, it would just be beautiful! And… somewhat creepy, but you know. Of course I want a Twelve Dancing Princesses movie, so since I haven’t written my own novel version of one, I’ll just have to pick this. XD It would be really neat. (Also, props to Heather Dixon for getting on this list twice, apparently.)
Halayda by Sarah Delena White
When I say this story looks like Pinterest in my head, it’s my way of saying that it’s SUPER VISUALLY STUNNING. And also epic and fun and Faerie-ish. I need a movie of it so badly.
Paper Crowns by Mirriam Neal
I JUST WANT THIS. It would be an amazing movie, with the wintry-ness, and the snarky shapeshifting blue cat Fae, and all the epicness and humor and dialog and magical feel. It’s perfection as a book, and I feel like it would make a fantastic movie as well. Also Azrael. Just… y’know. Throwing that out there. π I WANT IIIT.
Plenilune by Jennifer Freitag
This would be a gorgeous, epic movie, halp. I mean, it would be terrifying and dark, but just imagine how visually stunning (like above) it would be? *eyes the book’s length* …Eh, maybe it should be a TV series instead. XD (But it would be really cool; just sayin’.)
The Thrawn Trilogy by Timothy Zahn
I… um… I’m just going to leave this here. O:-)
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Okay, so I know there was a movie of this, but hear me out. While the movie was adorable and I still love it, it wasn’t very much like the book. Can you imagine how fantastic a true-to-the-book, live-action version of Howl’s Moving Castle could be, if they did it right? π *dreams*
A good version of Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
PLEASE. (And how about The Two Princesses of Bamarre, while we’re at it?)
Books to TV Shows
Because these would be perfect as more episodic onscreen adventures.
Redwall series by Brian Jacques
Okay, so I know there were some cartoon shows of this, so that’s fun, but really, just imagine the full potential of a… well… not exactly “live-action” since we wouldn’t have ACTUAL animals, but more like a CGI version, like new-Jungle-Book-movie style? The epic animal characters with their swords and food and gorgeous scenery in this, all having adventures. IT COULD BE AMAZING. Or… if not a show, I’d settle for a really good movie like this of just Mossflower. π (And maybe Taggerung… and Rakkety Tam… OKAY, I’LL STOP. XD)
Twinepathy and Lightporter by C. B. Cook
I’ve already remarked in my reviews that these books feel like a TV show, and just imagine the potential! A YA superhero show with oodles of awesome superpowers and fun characters and snark and different locations throughout the world. It would be awesome. (Maybe once a few more books in the series have been written! ;)) I want an IDIA superhero show, y’all!
Modern Tales of Na Fianna series by Hazel B. West
Seriously, someone get on this. Modern Irish warriors with swords and fast cars in an alternate Ireland with Fae and epic swashbuckling adventures and all the snarky bro friends. JUST. I NEED THIS. It would be a perfect show. π
Kate’s Case Files series by Sarah Holman
The books already feel like a TV show, and who doesn’t want another exciting FBI show? π It would be a lot of fun, and I’d love to see these characters come to life.
Beaumont and Beasley, Crockett and Crane, and Blackfire series by Kyle Robert Shultz
Okay, but seriously, an Afterlands TV show would just be the coolest. XD Or, y’know, a main one and two spinoff series (at least). Alternate 1920s fairytale stuff in the main show, with all the beloved characters and humor and special effects, and then a magical western spinoff with a part-time centaur, and a Regency era one about a dragon archaeologist hero and a jewel thief heroine. I mean… what could possibly be on TV that would be cooler than these??
(To be fair, the Blackfire books aren’t even out yet… *cough* But they sound like they’ll be fun, and there will be a peek at the characters in a novella, The Janus Elixir, releasing in July, which I HAVE READ and it’s amazing; just wait. :))

(The first book has a new cover and HOW COOL IS IT? :D)
Spellsmith and Carver series by H. L. Burke
Buddy story. Jericho. Auric. Snark. Mechanical fox. Scary fae. Magic. Steampunk. ‘Nuff said. (IT WOULD JUST BE AMAZING, OKAY.)
The Chrestomanci series by Diana Wynne Jones
I’m not sure how this would work, exactly… but just imagine the wonderful complexity of maybe weaving together all six of the books (and the four short stories) into a tapestry of adventures to last a couple of seasons, at least. With flashback parts about young Christopher Chant, and a main storyline with Cat Chant from Charmed Life and The Pinhoe Egg, and side stories about other adventures Chrestomanci has to drop in on, namely Magicians of Caprona and Witch Week. It could all be woven together, Once Upon a Time TV show style, and it would be epic! Or maybe just take it chronologically — that would work too. But either way, the different worlds and Chrestomanci being his fabulous self — it could be absolutely delightful. π
(Notice the shocking lack of The Silmarillion on this list — because I don’t really believe it could be done RIGHT, even though it would be cool if it could be — and the slightly less shocking lack of an Amazon TV show about young Aragorn, because they’re just going to make up loads of stuff and… halp. *hides face*)
And there you are!
Do you agree that any of these would make epic movies? What books would you like to see on the big or small screen? Let me know in the comments! Thanks for reading! π
*pretends not to cry because I didn’t spot my own books on here*
*really, I’ll be fine*
*sobs in corner*
Ahem. Pardon me. I completely agree that the idea of having a main series and then spinoffs for B&B/C&C/Blackfire would work perfectly. And, yes, we do not speak of the cartoon of The Black Cauldron (it terrified me to my soul when I was 11 or so).
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Oh my goodness, I knew I was forgetting something! :O No, seriously, that would be so cool. π All the fae things and modern stuff and YAS. I have sooo many other books I could have listed here…
Yes yes yes! They would be wonderful Afterverse shows. XD
Yeesh, I’m sorry! o.o I believe I remember it being rather terrifying to my young self on top of appalling in the changes department. Have you read the books? π
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I had to read The Prydain Chronicles as part of a class assignment (5th or 6th grade?), and I was one of the few who didn’t like it at all. Some of the kids just weren’t into fantasy, so it just wasn’t their thing. But for me, it was because at that time, I hadn’t really read anything with more action/violence than the 20th century santized versions of fairytales… So I was truly petrified by the evil Queen, and the hints at rape and torture happening in some places they passed through. (I was an extremely sheltered child.)
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How interesting. Makes me wonder if you’d like them better if you’d read them more recently. XD I read them as a kid and loved them, and it really got me hooked on fantasy, but there’s always something! π
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I’m honestly not sure, since I’ve found that a lot of the books that made a significant impact on me (positive or negative) as a child, I have a very hard time shaking that impression later in life.
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True. Maybe your alternate timeline self didn’t read them as a kid and could enjoy them as an adult, then. π No worries. XD
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Okay, YES, a GOOD version of Ella Enchanted!!!! π The movie was… I mean, it was decent if you forget it’s supposed to be based off that book? But I would loooove to see a book-accurate version!
I also agree that an IDIA TV show would be awesome, but I am a little biased… π
And I agree with your endnote. A movie or TV show Silmarillion would be cool if they did it right, but I don’t think they would, and I am not at all sure I’ll be watching that Aragorn show…
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Indeed! I mean, the movie was… fun… in a way… as long as one forgets it was based on a lovely book that was TOTALLY different which it turned into something just to make fun of everything and was basically an acted Shrek. XD But I would love an accurate version!
I thought you might agree on that. π (BUT SERIOUSLY. It would be SO COOL.)
I’m so glad you agree! It WOULD be cool, but, just… how would one get that right? And I’m kinda there with you right now. XD
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Exactly! I think the people who made the movie read the back of the book’s cover and based the movie off of that. XD
It would be cool! I almost want to do some kind of dream cast post for the IDIA characters, but I’m not sure if I could find actors for everyone. π
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Totally. XD
Ooh, I’d love a post about a dream cast! But yeah, some people might be hard to find actors for. π
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I agree with SO MUCH of this. Illusionarium and Entwined especially would be absolutely GORGEOUS movies, and a live-action Howl sounds like perfection. (As long as they get his accent right. If I don’t get a Howl with a gorgeous Welsh accent, I shall be thoroughly annoyed.) And the Modern Tales of Na Fianna as a TV showβ storms, yes. I didn’t know how much I wanted this until just now.
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YAY! Yes, they would be gorgeous. π Gaah, Howl being all Welsh and — yes! π I just… feel like the modern Na Fianna stories would be amazing as a show. I’m so glad you now realize that you want this! XD NEEEED. It would just be amazing! β€
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THIS. WAS. SO. FUN!!! And I agree with basically ALL of these! As you were listing them and describing how they could play out as a movie I was just like YESSSS! (As long as they do it right, of course. ;D)
I’m going to admit that I…sorta like The Black Cauldron cartoon??? Although I sadly did not grow up on Prydain AND I saw the cartoon first, so that’s probably why. Also, I ADORE that old style of cartoon movies. It harks back to my childhood and just makes me happy, so the nostalgic feel of it may be more why I enjoyed it than the actual production. Also I MUST read all the Prydain books. I only ever read the first one. ACK. #SHAME
The Sentinel Trilogy would be THE. COOLEST. MOVIE SERIES. :O I WAAAANT. (Also can we talk about the fact that we both used the feather Jamie sent us in our blog pics today. xD)
Illusionarium may be the one on your list I’d most want a movie of. The steampunk aspects would be GORGEOUS. And actually witnessing Jonathan and Lockwood on screen??? I NEED THIS IN MEH LIFE. Entwined, too, would make suuuuch a beautiful movie!
Paper Crowns would be so funnnn! And we definitely need a proper Ella Enchanted movie!
As much as I adore the Howl’s Moving Castle movie, I am totally with you. Having a true-to-the-book movie would MAKE. MY. LIFE. And a live action one? O__O Oh my goodness. NOW I WANT THIS SO BAD WHAT HAVE YOU DONE???
An IDIA TV show would be the most fun thing EVERRRR. It would be PERFECT. As would an Afterlands one.
Now I want all of these so bad it HURTS. Thank! π
(But seriously, I loved this so much. You picked the best choices!)
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Aaah, yay! I’m so glad! π (Yes, only if they do it right. ;))
OH NO. THE SHOCK, THE HORROR. :O Eheheh. Juuuust kidding. XD They just took one of my faaavorite series and smushed ’em together and mangled it in a cartoon, that’s aaall. XD But I can see why you’d like it if you hadn’t read the actual Prydain books. π (THEY’RE SO MUCH MORE AMAZING THOUGH.) Do you have the whole series or just the first one?
(Jamie featherrrr. :D) Just. Yes. It would be an epic movie series. WITH JET AND DARRIEN’S SNARK. AND WIIIINGS…
Yes, Illusionarium would be gorgeous and so fun! (Actually, I tend to forget the creepier parts of it so it would be terrifying too. o.o But still. XD)
I NEED PAPER CROWNS. NEED IT.
I’M SO SORRY BUT ALSO NOT SORRY. XD But yes, HMC live-action, true-to-the-book, would just be AMAZING. I wish somebody would do that instead of making tons of boring remakes and sequels. π
IDIA and Afterlands are already kind of like a show, so they would be PERFECT.
Hahaha, sorrrryyy! π (Yay! I’m so glad you liked my picks!) Thank you so much! β€
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Aw, thank you so much!! I really appreciate it! And I would love to see my books on the small screen. Maybe Netflix will call me someday. XD Love all the other items on this list as well!
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Haha, you’re welcome! They would be great fun. π Yep, maybe someday Netflix will get their act together and do that. π Thanks!
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Redwaaaaaaaaaaaalllll!!!
Also Prydain and Ella Enchanted
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Yeeees and YES and yes! π You have good taste. β€
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I need a live action Howl’s Moving Castle. It would be wonderful!
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YES. It would be amazing! β€
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I need to read Illusionarium and Twinepathy and Paper Crowns sooooo badly!!!! Maybe after the Silmarillion awards, because that apparently is when I have time to read.
*iz quietly sadz that Minstrel’s nowhere on the list*
Just kidding.
Well… sorta.
WE DO NOT SPEAK OF THE BLACK CAULDRON CARTOON. We throws it into the abyss after Darth Maul (who… apparently didn’t stay down there… Luke’s lightsaber… nope, that also came back… um… maybe Star Wars isn’t the best place to throw things we don’t want resurrected. Mount Doom. Shoulda gone with Mount Doom)
I would LOVE an accurate Ella Enchanted adaptation!!!! (I do love the movie with Anne Hathaway, but I consider it to be about as “based on the book” as Frozen is “based on” the Snow Queen… aka… somebody read the cliff-notes version of the BLURB and thought, “that would make a great movie” and then wrote their own story) LOL
Kyle’s books would be SUCH AN EPIC TV show!!!!! WANT.
I could not get through the HMC anime. Could be because I generally don’t like anime. I dunno… but an accurate adaptation would be awesomesauce.
Oh, and Chrestomanci! I have no idea how they’d do that, either, but I’d watch it for sure. π
Yet another fabulous blog post!!!
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Oh, and I am in complete agreement with you on the Thrawn Trilogy. Yep. Why they didn’t give the writing of the sequel trilogy to Zahn in the first place, I will never understand.
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Illusionarium and Paper Crowns (!!) and Twinepathy are all very fun. π After the Silmarillion awards sounds like a good idea. π I keep saying I’ll get to do stuff “after Realm Makers” and I’m fairly positive I will not have time to do any of them then either but I keep telling myself that. XD
OH MY GOODNESS. *smacks forehead* I knew I was missing something… The problem with posts like this is SO MANY AMAZING BOOKS get left out. XD Minstrel’s Call and co. would be SO awesome onscreen… like… just… O_O And my favorite parts are even spoilers. XD Ehehehe.
*laughing so hard about the Star Wars abyss/Black Cauldron thing* Agreed on all counts.
Yeah, I mean, the Ella movie is fun, just… yeah, not much like the book. Wouldn’t it be awesome if it was accurate? π
YAS. The Afterlands just… would make such wonderful episodes. π
I know what you mean… I don’t watch anime either. XD But it was still fun! Just not as amazing as the book. π
CHRESTOMANCI WOULD BE AMAZING AAAH.
(Same. Zahn’s books were just right. Just… whyyyy. XD)
Thanks so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed, and your comment is likewise fabulous! β€
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AAAGGHHH I WANT THEM AAAAAAAALLLL. π
Heather Dixon’s books would be AHmazing on the big screen!! Especially Illusionarium! We need more steampunk movies!
Oh my word, Paper Crowns as a movie. XD It NEEDS TO HAPPEN. I NEED THIS.
The Twinepathy books would be SO AWESOME as a TV show!! With the large cast of characters and the action and super powers, ack, it would be so epic. β€
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SAAAAME!
Oh, yes, we definitely need more steampunk movies — excellent point!! π
Paper Crowns would just be SO FUN. XD
Yeah, a large cast of characters and… the super powers would be so fun on-screen! :O It would be amazing. β€
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A high-quality animation show of Redwall would be so epicccc!
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YESSSSS! π
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So much yes to “The Prydain Chronicles”, both Heather Dixon books, and “Ella Enchanted”! I heard they’re making a computer game series out of “Redwall,” which could be really awesome – but a really good TV series like “Trollhunters” would be super awesome.
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*high-five on Prydain, Dixon, and Ella* Oh really? I had not heard that about Redwall! How interesting. Yes, it really would be super awesome! π
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