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17 Movies Based on Classic Novels

March 28, 2022 by What to Watch Guide 1 Comment

Looking for Movies Based on Classic Novels? There are some great titles you can stream that have been based on Classic Novels. These films and TV documentaries are a great resource any time of year.

You can also have Movies Based on Books on Netflix if you are looking for something that streams on Netflix.

In this post:

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  • Movies Based on Classic Novels
    • Little House in the Big Woods
    • Charlotte's Web (2006 version)
    • Charlotte's Web (1973 version)
    • Black Beauty (2015 version)
    • Black Beauty (1946 version)
    • Little Women (2019 version)
    • Madeline
    • The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
    • The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1986)
    • Peter Pan
    • The Swiss Family Robinson
    • The Hundred Dresses
    • Treasure Island
    • Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry
    • The Outsiders
    • Where the Red Fern Grows
    • Pippi Longstocking
  • People also ask
    • What movies are based on books?
    • Are most movies based on books?
    • What is the best movie adaptation of a book?
    • What classic novel is easy A based on?
  • Related Posts:

Movies Based on Classic Novels

Sale
Little House in the Big Woods (Little House, No 1)
Little House in the Big Woods (Little House, No 1)
  • Laura Ingalls Wilder, Little House in the Big Woods, paperback
  • Wilder, Laura Ingalls (Author)
$6.69 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

Little House in the Big Woods

Little House in the Big Woods is an autobiographical children's novel written by Laura Ingalls Wilder and published by Harper in 1932 (reviewed in June). It was Wilder's first book published and it inaugurated her Little House series. 

No products found.

Charlotte's Web (2006 version)

Julia Roberts is the voice of Charlotte the Spider who sets out to save a sweet little pig in this heartwarming adaptation of the novel.
Charlotte's Web (1973)
Charlotte's Web (1973)
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Debbie Reynolds, Henry Gibson, Paul Lynde (Actors)
$12.99
Buy on Amazon

Charlotte's Web (1973 version)

Miracles do happen! E.B. White's timeless children's story comes to life in this colorful animated musical.

No products found.

Black Beauty (2015 version)

A father allows his daughter to spend the summer with her grandfather rehabilitating an injured horse, and they learn that love and trust can heal anything.

Black Beauty
Black Beauty
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Mona Freeman, Richard Denning, Evelyn Ankers (Actors)
$7.99
Buy on Amazon

Black Beauty (1946 version)

Widower Squire Weldon, trying to raise his motherless daughter, Anne, presents her with a colt, Black Beauty, in the hope that by disciplining the horse she may learn to discipline herself.
 
Passing through Birtwick Farms, Bill Dixon arouses Anne's interest when he expresses his hope of finding a “very beautiful young colt” when he returns to England in two years.
Little Women
Little Women
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh (Actors)
$9.99
Buy on Amazon

Little Women (2019 version)

Greta Gerwig's adaptation of the timeless and beloved story of four sisters each determined to live life on their own terms.

Madeline
Madeline
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Kristian De La Osa, Frances McDormand, Pål Espen Kilstad (Actors)
$14.09
Buy on Amazon

Madeline

Fearless Madeline (Hatty Jones) is the heroine of this family comedy about a Parisian schoolgirl and her classmates. Based on Ludwig Bemelman's classic book series.
 
The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe
The Chronicles Of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch & the Wardrobe
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley (Actors)
$4.99
Buy on Amazon

The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

Four siblings play a game of hiding and seek and wind up entering a magical land.

RELATED:  Netflix Book Club (May)

Once there, they discover a world inhabited by beasts, dwarfs, and giants and find themselves in a battle to defeat a witch.

To continue learning, check out The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe Movie Study.

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Morgan Hallet, Richard Dumont, George Morris (Actors)
Buy on Amazon

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1986)

In this classic anime version of the legendary work, Dorothy and her friends – The Tin Man, the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, and Toto – explore the magical and mysterious world of Oz.

Peter Pan
Peter Pan
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Bobby Driscoll, Kathryn Beaumont, Hans Conried (Actors)
Buy on Amazon

Peter Pan

Adventures await when Peter Pan and his friends fly to Never Land.

Swiss Family Robinson
Swiss Family Robinson
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Reba West, Jeremy Platt, Wendee Swann (Actors)
$9.99
Buy on Amazon

The Swiss Family Robinson

Surviving shipwreck, the Robinson family finds that life on a bountiful deserted island is filled with adventures, dangers, and family fun. Each episode of this classic adventure brings a lesson of hope, joy, and the value of a strong and loving family.

Sale
The Hundred Dresses
The Hundred Dresses
  • Estes, Eleanor (Author)
  • English (Publication Language)
$7.19 Amazon Prime
Buy on Amazon

The Hundred Dresses

Inspired by a true story from the author's childhood, this is the story of three girls in the same class at school.

RELATED:  A Full List of All of the Wonka Movies

Wanda wears the same old dress to school every single day but claims to have a closet full of 100 beautiful dresses at home.

Treasure Island
Treasure Island
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • Bobby Driscoll, Robert Newton, Basil Sydney (Actors)
$17.99
Buy on Amazon

Treasure Island

Jim Hawkins and Long John Silver search for buried treasure.

Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry
Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry
  • Great Movie
$29.99
Buy on Amazon

Roll of Thunder, Hear My Cry

With the land to hold them together, nothing can tear the Logans apart.

Why is the land so important to Cassie's family? It takes the events of one turbulent year- the year of the night riders and the burnings, the year a white girl humiliates Cassie in public simply because she is black- to show Cassie that having a place of their own is the Logan family's lifeblood.

It is the land that gives the Logans their courage and pride- no matter how others may degrade them, the Logans possess something no one can take away.

 

         

The Outsiders
The Outsiders
  • Amazon Prime Video (Video on Demand)
  • C Thomas Howell, Matt Dillon, Diane Lane (Actors)
$14.99
Buy on Amazon

The Outsiders

S.E. Hinton's best-selling classic, starting Tom Cruise, Patrick Swayze, Diane Lane, Matt Dillon, Lowe, and Emilio Estevez. Directed by Ford Coppola.

No products found.

RELATED:  40+ Netflix Movies Based On Books (For Kids 8-10)

Where the Red Fern Grows

In this family-friendly adventure tale, a young boy grows and bonds with his two Redbone hunting dogs. Featuring Grammy-winning songwriter Dave Matthews.

No products found.

Pippi Longstocking

A mysterious young girl, Pippi Longstocking, moves into the abandoned Villa Villekulla.
 
The redheaded Pippi, living alone but for a monkey called Mr. Nilsson and her horse Little Old Man, befriends two neighboring children, Tommy and Annika.
 
Join in the fun-filled adventures of the world's strongest girl in her first full-length feature film! Stars Inger Nilsson, Par Sundberg and Maria Persson.

Click here to download this printable.

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.

Grab your membership here.

People also ask

What movies are based on books?

  • Children of Men (2006) 
  • 12 Years a Slave (2013)
  • The Princess Bride (1987)
  • Election (1999)
  • Sense and Sensibility (1995) 
  • Little Women (2019)
  • The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
  • Mean Girls (2004) 

Are most movies based on books?

An incredible 70% of the world's top 20 grossing films are based on books (Frontier Economics). (source)

What is the best movie adaptation of a book?

  • Sense and Sensibility (1995) 
  • The Lord of the Rings (2001-2003)
  • The Life of Pi (2012)
  • Schindler's List (1993)
  • Trainspotting (1996)
  • The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
  • A Clockwork Orange (1971)
  • Fight Club (1999)

What classic novel is easy A based on?

Scarlet Letter
 
Easy A (2010) is based on Nathaniel Hawthorne's Scarlet Letter (1850)

Related Posts:

  • Netflix Movies Based on Books (For Kids 11-12)
  • 11 Awesome Books that Became Movies
  • 40+ Netflix Movies Based On Books (For Kids 8-10)
  • 10 Movies Based on Books on Netflix
  • Where to Watch Nicholas Sparks Movies

 

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Raki Wright launched What to Watch Guide to help movie lovers streaming from all around the world find the best movies on Netflix, Hulu, Amazon Prime and more.
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