So it is award season now with the Grammys behind us and the Oscars staring us in the face in a couple of weeks. And of course, the Cybils awards were announced last week as well along with myriad others. Check out the Cybils winners here, for you never know which of those books might end up as a show or movie soon. For today, I have a list of books that inspired Oscar winners of the years past as well as the books that inspired many of this year’s nominees as well.
Celebrating the Books Behind the Oscar Winners
Every great film begins with a story, be it that of a talented screenwriter, like with Nora Ephron’s many movies (one of the first persons I could recall though there are countless more in this category). And for many other movies, that story is born from the pages of a book.
How do some books get picked to be made into a movie or a show? What is it that sets them apart? Have you seen a movie made from a book and wondered why it was picked? Did you agree or disagree with any of these choices filmmakers made? Are there any books that you think deserve to be made into a movie or show?
Anyways, as we enjoy the magic of cinema and the talents of award-winning filmmakers, we also need to recognize the literary inspiration behind these movies. As I mentioned earlier, today I bring you a list of books that served as the catalyst for those magical moments on the big screen.
First up are 13 books that inspired Oscar winners of the past, and then another one that includes books leading to movies nominated this year (2024).
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So, join me as I explore this enchanting journey from page to screen with
13 Books that Inspired Oscar Winners and More
NOTE: Book cover images are fair use images from Wikipedia and/or from book covers I own already. I have linked the heading to my previous mentions/reviews of the book where applicable.
Q&A
Here, the book is slightly darker/grittier than the movie but I enjoyed both book and movie (for YA and older)
The Lord of the Rings
👍🏻, please.. read the books, watch the movies, enjoy both!
- Film Adaptation: “The Lord of the Rings” Trilogy (2001-2003)
- Oscar Wins: The trilogy collectively won 17 Academy Awards, including Best Picture for “The Return of the King.”
- Synopsis: J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy saga, set in the fictional world of Middle-earth, has captivated generations of readers
- Read the books ; watch the movies.
Life of Pi
Another book and movie combination you should do – read and watch …
- Film Adaptation: “Life of Pi” (2012)
- Oscar Wins: The film won three Academy Awards, including Best Director.
- Synopsis: Yann Martel’s book follows a young Indian boy named Pi who survives a shipwreck and is stranded on a lifeboat in the Pacific Ocean with a Bengal tiger named Richard Parker.
- Read the book ; watch the movie.
The Actes and Deidis of the Illustre and Vallyeant Campioun Schir William Wallace
Yet to read this epic poem but I recall watching Braveheart years ago and then again with my kids when they were a little older, and loved it both times.
- Film Adaptation: “Braveheart” (1995)
- Oscar Wins: The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture and Best Director for Mel Gibson.
- Synopsis: This epic poem details the life and exploits of Scottish hero William Wallace who was part of Scotland’s struggle for independence in the face of English oppression.
- Read the poem ; watch the movie.
The Master of Disguise
Have to read the book still but the movie Argo was totally worth watching!
All Quiet on the Western Front
I watched the 2022 version of the movie. If you haven’t watched it yet, I highly recommend you do. And while you are at it, read the book as well. I am not sure if I have read it but it does seem likely I read it ages ago…
- Film Adaptation: “All Quiet on the Western Front” (1930 and 2022)
- Oscar Wins: The 1930 film won two Academy Awards, including Best Picture, while the 2022 movie won four Oscars.
- Synopsis: Erich Maria Remarque’s powerful anti-war novel depicts the experiences of German soldiers during World War I and is stark reminder of the horrors of war.
- Read the book (or the comic book) ; watch the movies – 1930/ 1979 (no Oscars but a Golden Globe)/ 2022.
To Kill a Mockingbird
Loved the book and the movie (Gregory Peck, what can I say?!)..
- Film Adaptation: “To Kill a Mockingbird” (1962)
- Oscar Wins: Gregory Peck won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of Atticus Finch.
- Synopsis: Harper Lee’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel is set in the racially charged atmosphere of the American South and continues to resonate with readers for its powerful exploration of morality and justice (as does the movie)
- Read the book ; watch the movie.
One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest
Read, watched, loved, cried!!!
- Film Adaptation: “One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest” (1975)
- Oscar Wins: The film swept the Academy Awards, winning in all major categories: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, and Best Adapted Screenplay.
- Synopsis: Ken Kesey’s groundbreaking novel, set in a mental institution, delves into themes of individuality, authority, and the human spirit’s resilience.
- Read the book ; watch the movie.
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ
I did read a children’s version of this book when I was little, watched the movie years later, and was awed by everything (and 👍🏻, the car in the chariot races too!). Have you read/watched this one? If not, remedy it now..
The Story of the Trapp Family Singers
I am yet to read this memoir but I have watched the movie way too many times to keep count.
Around the World in 80 Days
Watched the movie(s), read the book (so many times), and enjoyed them all.
- Film Adaptation: “Around the World in 80 Days” (1956)
- Oscar Wins: The film won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
- Synopsis: Jules Verne’s classic adventure novel follows the journey of Phileas Fogg and his valet Passepartout as they attempt to circumnavigate the globe in 80 days.
- Read the book ; watch the movie.
Gone with the Wind
As you can see in the linked post, I read this book the second time over while watching the movie!!
The King’s Speech: How One Man Saved the British Monarchy
Yet to read the book, but this movie had to be watched, for so many reasons. Colin Firth is one!
- Film Adaptation: “The King’s Speech” (2010)
- Oscar Wins: The film won four Academy Awards, including Best Picture.
- Synopsis: Mark Logue and Peter Conradi’s historical account of King George VI’s struggle to overcome his speech impediment explores the bond between monarch and speech therapist against the backdrop of a nation on the brink of war.
- Read the book ; watch the movie.
Bonus: Bookish Oscar Movie to Book!
- Film: “The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore” (2011)
- Oscar Wins: Best Animated Short Film
- Synopsis: This “allegory about the curative powers of story” follows Morris Lessmore as he takes custody of a magical library of flying books!
- The Book Adaptation: The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore by William Joyce and Joe Bluhm
- Read the book ; watch the movie.
13 Books that Inspired Oscar Nominees this Year
NOTE: The Book title by authors: The Movie name (Nominations this year)
Regarding this list of books/movies, I watched #s 11 and 12; read #5 ‘How Do You Live?’ and #12 Henry Sugar (and the Spiderman comics). But I will be getting to the rest over the next few months for sure.
- American Prometheus by Kai Bird and Martin Sherwin: Oppenheimer (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Adapted Screenplay, Production Design, Costume Design, Cinematography, Editing, Makeup and Hairstyling, Sound, and Original Score).
- The Color Purple by Alice Walker: The Color Purple (Best Supporting Actress)
- Erasure by Percival Everett: American Fiction (Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, Adapted Screenplay, and Original Score)
- Find a Way by Diana Nyad.: Nyad (Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress)
- How Do You Live? by Genzaburo Yoshino: The Boy and the Heron (Animated Feature).
- Killers of the Flower Moon by David Grann: Killers of the Flower Moon (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Production Design, Costume Design, Cinematography, Editing, Original Score, and Original Song).
- Nimona by ND Stevenson: Nimona(Animated Feature) was adapted from
- Poor Things by Alasdair Gray: Poor Things (Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor, Adapted Screenplay, Production Design, Costume Design, Cinematography, Editing, Makeup and Hairstyling, and Original Score)
- Robot Dreams by Sara Varon: Robot Dreams (Animated Feature)
- Society of the Snow by Pablo Vierci: Society of the Snow (International Feature)
- Spider-Man comic series: Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse (Animated Feature)
- The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar by Roald Dahl: The Wonderful Story of Henry Sugar (Live-Action Short).
- The Zone of Interest by Martin Amis: The Zone of Interest (Best Picture, Best Director, Adapted Screenplay, Sound, and International Feature)
Bonus: More Book Inspired Oscar Nomination Finds for 2024
- Famous Father Girl, written by Leonard Bernstein’s daughter Jamie, partly inspired Bradley Cooper’s Maestro.
- Reviving Ophelia by Mary Pipher and Sara Gilliam provided inspiration to Greta Gerwig for Barbie
- The ABCs of Book Banning is one of the Documentary Short nominations where a centenarian, Grace Linn, confronts a Florida School Board, opposing book banning in local schools.
- Rustin, nominated for Best Actor, is based on the life of activist and author Bayard Rustin.
- War Is Over! Inspired by the Music of John and Yoko is a 2022 animated short film directed by Dave Mullins.
Bonus: More Movie Inspiring Books and Related Stuff
- 6 Award-Winning Movies Based on Books: The Magic of Animation
- R.K. Narayan’s The Guide: From Wonderful Books to Movies
- 10 Popular Movies To Books: Cool Novelizations
- 10 Great Halloween Movies Based on Books to Watch Together
- It’s a Wonderful List of Holiday Movies Based on Books
- 30 Great Children’s & Young Adult Books Made into Movies
- Top 10 Books Vs Movies
And Now, the End of This Post
Dear reader, have you read any of these books that inspired Oscar winner movies? and/or watched the movies themselves? Any other favorite books/movies that would fit in this category that I missed here? Or any other book to movie that you truly loved – award winning or not (but in your eyes, a winner!)?
Linking to Thursday 13.
I like films from novels because I know the authors took time to think about the stories. Sometimes I see movies or series where I can feel the writers just making stuff up and it doesn’t feel real or believable.
Wow, great list. It’s nice to read first the books to see a different vision from the movie creators.
The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy is one of the finest films I have ever watched. J.R.R. Tolkien, the author of the novels on which the movies are based, is an exceptionally talented and revered writer.
A wonderful wealth of books read and to be read. Thanks
This is so interesting and fascinating and books do make the best movies for sure. I want to watch Gone with the Wind after seeing your list!
I’ve often found that movies inspired by books carry a certain richness in narrative and character development, perhaps because they have such a detailed blueprint to draw from!
There are some really great books listed here! I need to check out The Story of the Trapp Family Singers. <3
I’ve only seen Spider-Man among your list. I haven’t read the books, though. I may have to check them out.
It’s always fascinating to see how stories transition from the pages of a book to the big screen, and your compilation gives us plenty of inspiration for our next movie night or reading session. I can’t wait to dive into some of these classics and experience the magic of storytelling in both forms.
It’s not surprising that these wonderful books inspired Oscar-winning films, as great literature often translates beautifully onto the big screen with its rich storytelling and vivid characters. The ability of these books to captivate audiences and spark creativity in filmmakers is a testament to their enduring popularity and timeless appeal.
Great list of titles! These are all powerful works, and I can see how they were inspiring to Oscar winners are are well known. I have not read many of these at all, so it is a good list to think about checking out some of these books.