What was the best movie you watched that was based on a book...?

Gone With the Wind. The movie brought the book to life for me. When I reread the book, I could visualize what I was reading.

I, Robot; was the worst movie ever. They combined several short stories into a single movie that was a poor imitation of the stories. It was miserable for a movie, but it did not ruin the book for me. I was just disappointed in what they did to the collection of short stories. All the movie did was show off the computer generated graphic abilities of the movie studio.

I've heard from many people that they have to read the book first, but honestly, I've never had a preference. If I read the book before the movie came out, it's usually just coincidental. I've never purposely gone and read the book because I knew the movie was coming out. Personally, I look at the book and the movie as two completely different things. I try not to compare them. I appreciate the movie as a *movie* and the book as a *book*. Of course, the book is going to have much more details because the limit is endless; where the movie will have only the essential parts that will keep the audience's attention. The book is almost always going to be better than the movie -- that's why you can't go to the theater with such high expectations. I think some people really lose out on enjoying the movie for what it's worth because they're too busy comparing it to the book. For example, I love the Harry Potter movies and have never read any of the books. Most of my friends have read the books, and they pick the movie apart piece by piece, saying, "It went this way in the book! The book was so much better!" I think they miss out on what the movies have to offer. Two of my favorite books are the Time Traveler's Wife & My Sister's Keeper. I saw both movies before reading the books. Yes, both of the books *are* better... but I still love love love the movies. Although I love to read, the fact that I'm a huge movie buff usually gets the best of me, and I see the movie first. If I enjoyed the movie, then I'll pick up the book... that's usually the way it goes for me. [sorry for the lengthy answer!] :D

American Psycho worked very well on screen, the book is gorier, and maybe a bit darker, but overall it was a good adaptation.

Also, John Grisham's books work very well on film, The Firm, A Time To Kill, Runaway Jury and The Client, all good.

One that I don't like at all is The world according to Garp. But I'm not a fan of Robin Williams, I think that played a part. I can't say it ruined the book though, it was just so much better, a completely different experience.

The recent version of The Great Gatsby stayed very true to the book, with a couple add-ins and very few changes.

One of my favorite books, John Dies At the End, was recently turned into a movie, and the movie made me less excited to read the sequel. It was like the movie focused around the first few chapters, and then skipped over the good stuff and went straight to the end.

To Kill a Mockingbird is one of the few movies that did the book justice. It was a perfect adaptation.

As for a movie that completely ruined my desire to reread the book, the 1998 Great Expectations adaptation with Gwyneth Paltrow and Ethan Hawke. The old one with John Mills and Alec Guinness was quite good, but this one was just... bleh!

Perks of being a Wallflower was pretty good,

The Hobbit also did the book justice.

Harry Potter & The First Blood

Only book ive read is the first harry potter so im gonna go with that.

The kite runner

Beautiful film and book!

Twilight. The movie kinda runined the books.