Some of the best novels ever written have been banned for silly reasons, and they've been adapted into some of the best (and worst) movies ever created. Here are banned books turned into movies.
Banned Books You Can Watch as Movies
You can watch these movies based on banned books. Use this Book vs. Movie Review worksheet, too.
A Wrinkle in Time
After the disappearance of her scientist father, three peculiar beings send Meg, her brother, and her friend to space in order to find him. | Stream on Disney+
- Great Movie
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry was a TV pilot film in the form of a three-part miniseries. Set in 1933 Mississippi, the story focuses on the Logans, a closely knit, fiercely independent African-American family.
No products found.
The Handmaid's Tale
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Nigel Tomm (Director) - Remix Culture (Producer)
The Catcher in the Rye
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Of Mice and Men
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Tony Randall, Patty McCormack, Neville Brand (Actors)
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
- Stephanie Zimbalist, Dean Butler, John Friedrich (Actors)
- John Korty (Director)
Forever
This movie was made for TV in 1978. This is a very rare hard to find movie & was controversial back then. A teenager (Stephanie Zimbalist) feels confusing pangs of love with her first boyfriend (Dean Butler).
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Khalid Abdalla, Atossa Leoni (Actors)
The Kite Runner
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Gregory Peck, Mary Badham, Phillip Alford (Actors)
To Kill a Mockingbird
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Jeff Bridges, Meryl Streep, Brenton Thwaites (Actors)
The Giver
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- C Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Diane Lane (Actors)
The Outsiders
A teen gang in rural Oklahoma, the Greasers are perpetually at odds with the Socials, a rival group. When Greasers Ponyboy (C. Thomas Howell) and Johnny (Ralph Macchio) get into a brawl that ends in the death of a Social member, the boys are forced to go into hiding.
Soon Ponyboy and Johnny, along with the intense Dallas (Matt Dillon) and their other Greaser buddies, must contend with the consequences of their violent lives. While some Greasers try to achieve redemption, others meet tragic ends.
Thirteen Reasons Why
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Various (Director)
Harry Potter Series
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Amandla Stenberg, Regina Hall, Russell Hornsby (Actors)
The Hate U Give
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Henry Fonda, John Carradine, Dorris Bowdon (Actors)
The Grapes of Wrath
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Danny Glover, Adolph Caesar, Margaret Avery (Actors)
The Color Purple
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- James Aubrey, Tom Chapin, Hugh Edwards (Actors)
The Lord of the Flies
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- John Hurt, Michael Munn, Annie Lennox (Actors)
1984
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Harrison Ford, Omar Sy, Dan Stevens (Actors)
The Call of the Wild
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Viggo Mortensen, Christopher Lee, Andy Serkis (Actors)
The Lord of the Rings
The Lord of the Rings is a series of three epic fantasy adventure films directed by Peter Jackson, based on the novel written by J. R. R. Tolkien. The films are subtitled The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King
- Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
- Josh Hutcherson, AnnaSophia Robb, Robert Patrick (Actors)
Bridge to Terabithia
The life of Jesse (Josh Hutcherson), an adolescent, changes when he befriends Leslie (AnnaSophia Robb), the class outsider. The children create an imaginary world called Terabithia, which is inhabited by all manner of magical creatures.
Though difficulties fill their ordinary lives, Jesse and Leslie rule as king and queen in Terabithia. Soon one of the friends must draw on the strength of their imaginary kingdom to cope with a tragedy.
I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings
This film adaptation of Maya Angelou's autobiography focuses on the author's extremely difficult youth. Young Maya (Constance Good) lives at her grandmother's in Arkansas. Life is hard for the little girl, but a truly dark turning point comes when she is raped by her mother's boyfriend (Paul Benjamin).
After she identifies her rapist, her uncles murder him. Overwhelmed with guilt and confusion, Maya becomes mute for years, struggling all the while to come to terms with her trauma. | Stream on Youtube
To continue learning, check out the General Book/Movie Study Guide.
If you enjoyed this list of movies, I have a monthly membership for parents and educators that want to teach or supplement lessons with shows and movies.
“I absolutely love sharing movies with my kids as a way to teach them valuable lessons. It's like this awesome bonding experience where we all snuggle up on the couch with some popcorn, and I get to see their little faces light up with curiosity. Whether it's a classic with timeless morals or a new animated flick with hidden gems of wisdom, it's a fantastic way to impart important life lessons in a fun and engaging way. Plus, the post-movie discussions are priceless – hearing their take on the characters and the story adds a whole new dimension to our family time.” –a Homeschooling parent
With Homeschooling with Shows and Movies membership, you will get resources every month, including:
- List of This Month’s Suggested Themes
- List of Monthly Observances
- List Of Movies for Unit Study
- Unit Study Resource
- Seasonal Activities (minimum of three)
- (BONUSES) Resources for you, the teacher
These resources are worth it if you'd like to easily incorporate shows and movies into your homeschooling.
People also ask:
What books are completely banned in the US?
- The Great Gatsby, by F. Scott Fitzgerald.
- The Catcher in the Rye, by JD Salinger.
- The Grapes of Wrath, by John Steinbeck.
- To Kill a Mockingbird, by Harper Lee.
- The Color Purple, by Alice Walker.
- Ulysses, by James Joyce.
- Beloved, by Toni Morrison.
- The Lord of the Flies, by William Golding.
For more list here.
What is the number 1 most banned book?
For all time, the most frequently banned book is 1984 by George Orwell.
What books have been banned 2021?
- Slaughterhouse-Five Or the Children's
- 1984
- Alchemist. by Paulo Coelho
- Her Body and Other Parties: Stories. by Carmen Maria Machado
- Norwegian Wood. by Haruki Murakami and Jay Rubin
- The Catcher in the Rye
- Hitchhiker's Guide To The Galaxy (Book 1)
- The Handmaid's Tale.
For more list here.
Is it illegal to read a banned book?
The American Library Association reports hundreds of attempts each year by groups and individuals to remove books from schools and libraries. It is not unlawful to read a banned book, although it may be difficult to locate.
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- 100+ Educational Netflix Titles for Homeschooling (Free Printable List!) - April 26, 2025
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- Where to Watch The Grinch - February 3, 2025
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