Few things can provide such a solid base and inspiration for movies as books. Novels from all time periods and corners of the world have been movie material since the early days of cinema, with some of the greatest and most memorable adaptations being 2006 period romance Pride and Prejudice, Hitchcock’s 1980 adaptation of psychological thriller The Shining, Kubrick’s take of A Clockwork Orange, and early 2000s’ recreation of Tolkien’s classic Lord of the Rings.
Although this decade is just getting started, and we have probably had the longest cinema hiatus in history, the 2020s have already brought us some incredible novel-to-film adaptations that are simply gems.
The Call of the Wild, 2020
Starring Harrison Ford and Karen Gillian and directed by Chris Sanders, the movie is based on Jack London’s 1903 novel of the same name. It tells the story of an old, grieving man and his relationship with a dog, Buck, who gets stolen in yet another painful loss for our main character.
A spectacular Canadian scenery, exceptional production, superb acting, and emotional narrative make this movie one of the most powerful retells ever made of Jack London’s classic novel.
The Invisible Man, 2020
Elizabeth Moss gives an amazing performance in this modern reimagining of the 1897 homonymous book by H. G. Wells. The story of Cecilia, a woman that miraculously escaped a violent and controlling relationship with a brilliant scientist, is given a modern twist in this movie, as when she suddenly starts to feel her ex’s presence again, everyone around her believes her to have lost her mind.
Although the first adaptation of this story, this version brings a unique psychological element, great sound, and camera effects that instead of relying on jump scares, help build palpable tension, suspense, and horror.
The White Tiger, 2021
Director Ramin Bahrani delighted us with this clever drama based on the novel of the same name written by Indian author Aravind Adiga. The movie was a Netflix surprise hit, ranking in its top ten in over 60 countries.
It tells the story of an ambitious Indian driver who uses his wit and intuition to escape poverty and become an entrepreneur. In a decade that seems to be all about nomad working and entrepreneurship, this story, narrated in the first person’s darkly humorous voice, feels very timely and inspiring.
Dune, 2021
With six Academy awards under its belt, Dune could easily become the sci-fi epic of the decade. Starring Jason Momoa, Zendaya, Oscar Isaac, and Timothée Chalamet, there is nothing missing in this take of its homonymous novel by Frank Herbert.
Breathtaking futuristic landscapes, giant sandworms, high-tech spaceships, galactic armies, and intergalactic political conflicts, are all present in this captivating recreation for the big screen.
Nomadland, 2020
Nomadland: Surviving America in the Twenty-First Century is a nonfiction book about older Americans who, as a result of the Great Recession, had to adopt a nomad lifestyle in search of work. While slow-paced, this movie does a great job of delivering a realistic and moving portrayal of the life of a woman who has lived the loss of just about everything she had due to the economic crisis.
Frances McDormand is fantastic in this role, as she captures the frailty that can hide behind a person’s apparent stern and stable exterior.
