Whether on screen or on paper, women can certainly do it all. The general audience sometimes overlooks the fact that the majority of famous book-to-film adaptations were actually based on novels written by women authors — whether it’d be during the 18th century when women as writers were a rarity due to gender inequality (like Jane Austen) or two centuries later when women wanted to see more heroines, so they created their own (such as Suzanne Collins).
Update August 31, 2023: This article has been updated by Yosra Ben lagha to include even more great film adaptations of novels written by women.
We wouldn’t have classic tales such as The Hundred and One Dalmatians if it weren’t for Dodie Smith or the harrowing romantic story of Jane Eyre if not for the excellency of Charlotte Brontë. Let’s take a look at the best movie adaptations of books written by women.
15 Harry Potter
There is no denying that J.K. Rowling's Harry Potter series is one of the most influential series in terms of both books and films. The story of a young boy who goes off to a magic wizard school and fights in a great battle of good vs evil captivated audiences all over the world and defined a generation. The films were even more impressive as somehow brought the stories to life in ways that connected with casual fans and hardcore fans of the books.
What keeps the series from ranking higher on the list is Rowling herself. In recent years, the writer has made many harmful public comments regarding trans individuals, which runs counter to the message of acceptance in the original series. Rowling's comments now cast a dark cloud over the Harry Potter films and book series where it is understandable if someone doesn't feel comfortable with them anymore. The films might stand apart as it was the work of many talented artists who do not share Rowling's belief, but it is still something he had an active part in.
14 The Color Purple
The Color Purple was a big turning point for Steven Spielberg as a director, so much as it was a breakthrough for Whoopi Goldberg as the main lead. What many of you may not be aware of is the fact that the movie is based on a novel of the same name written by Alice Walker in 1982. The plot tells the heartbreaking story of two Black sisters fighting for their independence and freedom from men, only to get eventually tormented by white women. Although the story has received a fair share of criticism for its depiction of violence, Walker still won a Pulitzer Prize for it. It certainly reaffirms your religious beliefs and makes you believe in the immense power of love.
13 Lust, Caution
Lust, Caution's story is a masterpiece. Author Eileen Chang set the story during the Second Sino-Japanese War, when Hong Kong and Shanghai were occupied by the Japanese Imperial Army. University students use a young woman Wong Chia Chi to seduce an important official, Mr.Yee, so they can assassinate him. The story offers a wide range of aesthetics and story points: from the fashion, to the visible gap between the rich and the poor, to the atrocities of the impending invasion.
12 Addicted
Zoe Reynard (Sharon Leal) risks her stable life with a husband and her three kids because of her nymphomaniac tendencies — that's the story of Addicted. The addiction gets so affecting that she decides to seek a therapist. Even though the movie didn't enjoy much critical success, the book by erotica writer Zane was a best-selling novel. It might not be your cup of tea, but it gives a unique insight on what it's like to live with a different kind of addiction.
11 Interview With A Vampire
Anne Rice was one of the most famous authors of all time, and Interview With A Vampire is certainly her most iconic story. What's more impressive is it was her debut novel. The story follows two vampires, Lestat (Tom Cruise) and Louis (Brad Pitt), and their lives together as they try to come to terms with who they are. It's narrated in an interview-like style with Louis. If you're fascinated by tragedy and angst, Interview With A Vampire is definitely for you.
10 The Hunger Games
Everyone remembers the craze that The Hunger Games started around the globe — and deservedly so. Suzanne Collins wrote an intriguing anti-capitalist story, but what did marketers do? Similarly to Squid Game, they overlooked the heavy, political message and turned it into fun visuals to make profit on. All that aside, the plot of The Hunger Games tells a story of televised competition, which takes two kids from twelve districts to fight for their lives in an arena in order to allegedly preserve peace in the country. It's arguably one of the few franchises that did a great job of properly adapting the books into movies.
9 Gone Girl
David Fincher's 2014 adaptation of Gillian Flynn's novel Gone Girl took the world by storm. While it may not have been the awards contender they hoped for, it was a rare breakout box office hit, grossing $369 million worldwide against a $61 million budget. The film stars Ben Affleck as Nick Dunne, the prime suspect in the disappearance of his wife Amy (Rosamund Pike), but there is more to the mystery than meets the eye.
The film is an engaging cat-and-mouse game that keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats for the whole film. Nobody could guess the twists before the film came out, and it has only grown in estimation among audiences since it was released.
8 The Hate U Give
2018 saw the release of The Hate U Give. The film is an adaptation of the novel of the same name by author Angie Thomas. Both are young adult stories that follow the fallout of a high school student witnessing a police shooting of her young friend. The film has only become more topical in recent years as questions about police brutality, racial profiling, and Black Lives Matter becoming a bigger talking point.
The film is a gripping story that examines the unfair system and how one can feel powerless to change the world, but also how one can still try to make a difference despite the system being stacked against you. The Hate U Give is one of the most underrated movies of the 2010s and is worth a watch.
7 Pride & Prejudice
We can probably collectively agree that Jane Austen was ahead of her time. Pride & Prejudice follows the life of Elizabeth Bennet as she battles her moral judgments when she has to marry to support her poor family. There have been countless adaptations of the beloved English novel throughout the years, but the one we're addressing here is Joe Wright's 2005 feature directorial debut starring Keira Knightley as Elizabeth and Matthew Macfadyen as Mr.Darcy. It's truly amazing how both of these characters exhibit both pride and prejudice throughout the story, depicting just how much they've grown as people.
6 Carol
Carol is an adaptation of Patricia Highsmith's novel The Price of Salt (it was published under the pseudonym Claire Morgan). Set in 1952, the film is a romance as it chronicles the forbidden affair between an aspiring female photographer named Therese (Rooney Mara) and a woman going through a divorce named Carol (Cate Blanchett). Carol is a beautifully moving film, a sweet romance and also a great holiday watch. Directed by Todd Haynes, the film was a critical darling and was nominated for six Academy Awards.
5 First They Killed My Father
Not only did Loung Ung write the book, but she and Angelina Jolie also wrote the screenplay for the movie adaptation together. It's most likely because of its intimate biographical nature that Ung ended up participating in both. The story is set in 1975 in Cambodia, during the Khmer Rouge regime. War is never easy, and in contrast with the other war movies, this story is told from the perspective of the 7-year-old Ung, who had to train as a soldier in order to survive. Directed by Jolie, First They Killed My Father is easily accessible on Netflix.
4 Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret
Are You There God? It's Me Margaret is a classic book by Judy Blume and was controversial when it was first published in 1970. For years, producers had tried to adapt the book, but Blume was always hesitant to give up the film rights. 2023 saw the long-awaited film adaptation get released from director Kelly Fremon Craig (The Edge of Seventeen) in one of the best films of 2023.
The film follows the plot of the book, as Maraget (Abby Ryder Fortson) is an eleven-year-old girl who is facing preadolescent anxieties. The film, like the novel, is a frank and forward discussion about subjects that are normal for everyday life but are often treated as taboo. The film is a triumph and will be a classic for years to come.
3 Frankenstein
Mary Shelley certainly does not get the recognition she deserves for creating such a prominent part of our culture. There's probably no need to explain the story of Frankenstein, for it's truly one of the most acknowledged tales of our times. If you're one of those people who complain that some adaptations are not the same as the book, you have to realize that it's not supposed to be. Media doesn't perfectly translate over mediums. What's important is that Shelley was the one who not only created a literary icon who would become a cinematic one but invented the genre of science fiction.
2 To Kill a Mockingbird
Easily one of the best films adapted by a novel from a female author and one of the greatest films of all time, To Kill a Mockingbird. Adapted from Harper Lee's debut novel, To Kill a Mockingbird tells the story of a trail of Tom Robinson, a young Black man who is accused of a crime he didn't commit. The film is primarily told through the point of view of Scout and her relationship with her father, Atticus Finch, who is also Tom Robinson's lawyer. The film is a great examination of racial prejudice and what it means to grow up and do the right thing.
1 Little Women
Last but not least, we have to mention one of the biggest movies of 2019: Little Women. Although there are other adaptations of Louise May Alcott's 1868 coming-of-age novel, Greta Gerwig's version, with its golden cast, has received the highest critical acclaim, garnering six Academy Awards nominations. The story follows the lives of four very different sisters as they try to find themselves. The main focus is on Jo March (Saoirse Ronan), who, after watching everyone prioritize romantic love, realizes just how lonely she is.