Adaptations can be polarizing things. 

If you’ve read the original source material, you might have strong feelings about how certain characters are supposed to look and act, particular moments that are special, and even the tone of the movie or show. 

Problem is, everyone is likely to imagine these things a little differently. It’s impossible to please everyone, and, usually, changes are necessary when it comes to translating book to screen. 

When Booked & Screen first launched in February 2026, you may have read what is essentially our mission statement: Adaptations don’t have to be faithful to be good. We stand by that, but we also recognize that some are just better than others. 

So here’s a look at our favorite and least favorite adaptations we’ve come across. We’d love to hear yours in the comments!

Danielle Haynes

Favorite: ‘Howards End’  

The 1992 adaptation of E.M. Forster’s “Howards End” is a fairly straightforward retelling of the British modernist classic, but I love it. The film, directed by James Ivory and written by Ruth Prawer Jhabvala, tells the story of two families brought together by proximity and the love of a family home. It explores themes of class and gender, and dives into the issues of industrial versus pastoral living in Edwardian England. 

The cast is a who’s who of British literary film stars—Anthony Hopkins, Vanessa Redgrave, Helena Bonham Carter, Emma Thompson (who won the Best Actress award at the Oscars), Samuel West and Jemma Redgrave. It also won Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Art Direction at the Academy Awards. 

Least favorite: ‘Shadowhunters’ 

This is probably not the most consequential title on this list, but I was really disappointed in the “Shadowhunters” series developed by Ed Decter that aired on Freeform. The show ran for three seasons on Freeform, which is at least two seasons too long. It was an adaptation of “The Mortal Instruments” series of books by Cassandra Clare about a group of beings who police the supernatural world and protect humans. 

The first attempt at an adaptation of this fantasy world came in 2013 with the film “The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.” It starred Lily Collins and Jamie Campbell Bower, and while it wasn’t the best example of young adult fantasy out there at the time, I felt like it struck the tone of the books much better than its later TV counterpart. The Freeform production, which starred Katherine McNamara and Dominic Sherwood, felt more like an over-the-top, teen soap opera. I really wish the 2013 film had done well enough for that same cast and group of creators to explore the rest of Clare’s works. 

Ben Hooper

Favorite: ‘Lord of the Rings’  

I know, I’m basic, but “The Lord of the Rings” films became instant classics for a reason. The screenplay by Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson and Philippa Boyens makes plenty of alterations to J.R.R. Tolkien’s sprawling novels, but each diversion is entirely justified in the context of adapting 1,000+ pages of epic fantasy into just shy of 12 hours of film (watch the extended versions, you cowards). The themes of the story and wonder of Middle Earth shine through beautifully—not to mention the visuals, which despite being over 20 years out of date, can go toe-to-hairy-toe with even the best-looking films of the past decade.

Least favorite: ‘Wuthering Heights’ 2026

Admittedly, this is probably a pretty strong case of recency-bias in action, but every minute since I left the theater after seeing “Wuthering Heights” earlier this year I’ve gotten just a little more mad about it. Emily Bronte’s gothic novel about obsession and cycles of generational trauma became a lurid exercise in romantasy-brained fanfic wish-fulfillment geared toward BookTok’s edgiest 12-year-olds–plus a heaping dose of Emerald Fennell’s signature disdain for anyone lacking the moral fortitude to be born into aristocracy. 

S. Lynn Bonanno

Favorite: “Normal People” by Sally Rooney

I watched “Normal People,” starring Daisy Edgar-Jones and Paul Mescal, before I read Sally Rooney’s book. There’s something about a quiet, sexy coming-of-age story with a side of depression and Irish accents that entrances me. The limited series streams on Hulu and follows a complicated romance between two very complicated people. I thought the love story was beautiful and I could feel their longing through the screen and the page. 

Since this article was my idea, I am going to break some rules and pick runners-up for my favorite. First, Gillian Flynn’s “Gone Girl.” Starring Rosamund Pike and Ben Affleck and directed by David Fincher, it is exciting and surprising and certainly lived up to the novel. And second, “Tell Me Lies” by Carola Lovering. I read the book first, watched the entire series and obsessed over the shady characters and the choices they’d make. The series stars Grace Van Patten and Jackson White and both the book and show will make you shriek in horror but also give you that warm feeling of just learning the best, most scandalous gossip ever.  

Least favorite: “Nine Perfect Strangers” by Liane Moriarty

I have read every Liane Moriarty book. I am a dedicated fan. After the success of the adaptation of her bestseller “Big Little Lies,” I was optimistic about her novel “Nine Perfect Strangers” getting the book-to-screen treatment. The story follows nine guests at a wellness spa led by the mysterious Masha. When the cast was announced, I started to get genuinely hyped—Nicole Kidman as Masha! And Melissa McCarthy, Regina Hall, Manny Jacinto, Michael Shannon, Luke Evans and Bobby Cannavale? I mean, come on—how could this go wrong?

Well, I learned pretty quickly how it could. With the change of location, changes in the rules of the spa, some random romances thrown in and Kidman’s over-the-top (not in the good way) performance, I stopped watching midway through Episode 3 and never returned. The show ran for a second season, but I did not return to Tranquillum House. It’s bad for my health.