Unbelievable! The Top 10 Movies That Made Book Lovers Rich!

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Translating a book for the big or small screen isn’t about following specific formulas for success. A successful book sale can create an appealing canvas for a blockbuster movie, but it doesn’t guarantee it. Sometimes, it’s all about transforming a story in a way that works best on film. Some stories are reborn through the visual storytelling of cinema, leveraging its unique strengths to captivate audiences in ways that the written word can’t.

Instead of debating which is superior between books and movies, let’s focus on the hard data. Here are the top-earning films adapted from existing literature.

10
‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I’ (2010) – Box Office Earnings: $960.9 Million

Based on ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’ by J.K. Rowling (2007)

The seventh installment in the “Harry Potter” series, marking the commencement of its conclusion, is widely regarded as one of the top films featuring the young wizard who consistently saves the world. Translated, this refers to “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I”, which serves as the first half of the two-part finale for the movie saga. In this film, Harry, along with his companions, take on the task assigned by Dumbledore – to locate Lord Voldemort’s remaining Horcruxes, thereby bringing an end to his destructive rule.

Initially, on its debut day, it ranked high in box office earnings charts for a single day, and it held the record for the biggest opening-day gross for any Harry Potter film. Yet, several months later, when part 2 was unveiled, it surpassed all other titles, including the one atop your current list.

9
‘The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies’ (2014) – Box Office Earnings: $962.2 Million

Based on ‘The Hobbit’ by J.R.R. Tolkien (1937)

The Battle of the Five Armies,” part of the Hobbit trilogy by Peter Jackson in the 2010s, serves as its conclusion. This series acts as a prequel to his Lord of the Rings series. In this movie, Bilbo Baggins and his companions find themselves in a struggle to protect the Lonely Mountain from Azog the Destroyer.

Despite not being the most financially successful among its peers, Jackson’s adaptation remained a significant triumph for him, as he demonstrated his skill by extending a compact novel into a trilogy with extended runtime. Coming very close to grossing a billion dollars at the box office and though it didn’t receive universal acclaim, it served as a strong finale to a 13-year journey of one of the most influential movie franchises in history.

8
‘The Jungle Book’ (2016) – Box Office Earnings: $966.6 Million

Based on ‘The Jungle Book’ by Rudyard Kipling (1894)

In the late 1800s, I found myself as an orphaned boy brought up among wolves in the heart of the jungle, the setting for “The Jungle Book.” When the menacing tiger Shere Khan threatened my life, it was decided that I should leave the safety of the wild and join human society. My protectors, Baloo, a friendly bear, and Bagheera, a wise black panther, agreed to guide me on this perilous journey through the jungle, ensuring my safe passage among its many dangers.

As a movie reviewer, I can confidently say that Jon Favreau’s “The Jungle Book” stands out from the crowd. It’s one of Disney’s pioneering live-action remakes, and while it leverages enough computer-generated imagery (CGI) to remind you of the flops, this film is anything but ordinary. Adapted from Rudyard Kipling’s 1894 adventure novel, “The Jungle Book” is a remarkable cinematic experience that has left both critics and audiences spellbound. Reflected in its impressive 94% score on Rotten Tomatoes and staggering box office earnings nearing $1 billion, this film is a testament to exceptional storytelling and innovative visual effects.

7
‘Oppenheimer’ (2023) – Box Office Earnings: $976.8 Million

Based on ‘American Prometheus’ by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin (2005)

In the film “Oppenheimer“, modeled after the biography “American Prometheus“, renowned theoretical physicist J. Robert Oppenheimer faces a challenging endeavor on the verge of World War II. The discovery of nuclear fission leads to the US Army commissioning him for the construction of an atomic bomb. However, at some juncture, this scientist was also suspected of being connected with communism. The man who once wielded immense power in weaponry development for the country, was later even brought to trial on charges of betraying American ideals.

Intriguingly significant, the movie by director Christopher Nolan, produced by Universal Pictures, represented a bold risk in securing a filmmaker who previously worked with Warner Bros. The outcome was an unprecedented success that shattered multiple box office records and eventually earned the director the prestigious Academy Award for Best Director.

6
‘The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey’ (2012) – Box Office Earnings: $1.017 Billion

Based on ‘The Hobbit’ by J.R.R. Tolkien (1937)

2012 marked the start of the prequel trilogy entitled “The Hobbit,” with “An Unexpected Journey” as the initial installment. This was a $300 million venture by Warner Bros., aiming to determine if director Peter Jackson could duplicate the triumph he achieved with “The Lord of the Rings.” In this movie, Bilbo Baggins undertakes a quest to unite with Dwarven companions and seize back the Lonely Mountain, currently controlled by the fearsome dragon Smaug.

To begin with, this is how things unfold. Whether you opt for the theatrical or extended version, you’re in store for a detailed movie that sticks closely to the book. However, it lasts 169 minutes and covers just a quarter of the story. Despite this, it breezed past the $1 billion mark effortlessly, granting Jackson full creative freedom to produce two lengthy follow-up films.

5
‘Alice in Wonderland’ (2010) – Box Office Earnings: $1.025 Billion

Based on ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ by Lewis Carroll (1865)

Tim Burton’s film, titled “Alice in Wonderland“, represents a contemporary reinterpretation of Lewis Carroll’s timeless story. To bring his concept to life, Burton leaned heavily on visual effects, distinctive production design reminiscent of his previous works, and strong acting performances. The end product is an excellent rendition of the narrative about a girl who tumbles down a rabbit hole, assisting Wonderland’s inhabitants by confronting the Red Queen and her dragon.

The 2010 movie turned out to be incredibly popular, leading Disney to consider transforming their animated films into live-action CGI productions. However, none of these adaptations could match Burton’s cleverness. Despite being costly, Alice in Wonderland breezed past the $1 billion mark and even picked up a few Academy Awards.

4
‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ (2001) – Box Office Earnings: $1.026 Billion

Based on ‘Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone’ by J.K. Rowling (1997)

Among the outstanding films released in a year known for its cinematic excellence, “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone” was an exceptional film adaptation. Originally a less popular young adult novel in countries outside the United Kingdom, it quickly gained fame and cultural significance, largely due to Chris Columbus’ brilliant portrayal of the tale about a young wizard embarking on a life-changing journey at a magical school.

The initial movie within this series is an enchanting, kid-friendly journey that mirrors the heartwarming essence found in the original book. Not surprisingly, it turned out to be the top-earning film of the year and received praise from critics, who recognized its promising start as a franchise with eight movies, theme parks, TV shows, and more.

3
‘Jurassic Park’ (1993) – Box Office Earnings: $1.058 Billion

Based on ‘Jurassic Park’ by Michael Crichton (1990)

In 1993, Steven Spielberg was working on an ambitious project that would shake up the industry. He had already made a significant impact in 1975 with the adventure-thriller “Jaws,” and now, in the 1990s, he was poised to make waves once more with “Jurassic Park,” a sci-fi action film adapted from Michael Crichton’s novel. The outcome was a movie that would transform the face of commercial cinema and blockbusters yet again.

1993 was an astounding year for Steven Spielberg, as he managed to release not one, but two films that made a significant impact. “Jurassic Park” became the summer blockbuster that revitalized dinosaurs on screen, while “Schindler’s List,” a powerful Holocaust drama, showcased his exceptional talent in dramatic storytelling. With these two movies generating nearly $1.5 billion at the box office, it was undoubtedly Spielberg’s most successful year to date.

2
‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ (2003) – Box Office Earnings: $1.151 Billion

Based on ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King’ by J.R.R. Tolkien (1955)

Peter Jackson’s movie, titled “The Return of the King,” marked the culmination of a trilogy that solidified the widespread interest in J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy novels. In this film, Frodo and Sam grapple with Gollum while striving to eliminate the One Ring. Meanwhile, the remainder of the group strive to conquer Sauron and the spectral creatures of Mordor.

In that year, “The Return of the King” stood out as the most financially successful film, earning an impressive $1.1 billion from a budget under $100 million. It further solidified its status at the Oscars by winning every category it was nominated for, joining films such as “Ben-Hur” and “Titanic” in legendary company. With 11 Academy Awards to its name, this film is now synonymous with the ceremony’s prestige. Although subsequent installments, including “The Hobbit” trilogy, also made a mark at the box office, “The Return of the King” served as a powerful conclusion that validated the public’s affection for a genre that many had initially doubted would succeed when the franchise began.

1
‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part II’ (2011) – Box Office Earnings: $1.342 Billion

Based on ‘Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows’ by J.K. Rowling (2007)

2011 marked the finale of the Harry Potter series when Part 2 of “Deathly Hallows” was released, wrapping up Harry’s transformative journey from an innocent boy to a powerful wizard ready to confront his greatest adversary. In this movie, our young hero squares off against Lord Voldemort, dismantles his tyranny, and ultimately demonstrates his valor and worth.

The excitement around the movie played a significant role in ticket purchases, as the first part had concluded with an unresolved cliffhanger which was set to be resolved months later, and people were eagerly buying their tickets in advance. Not only did the film turn out to be Warner’s highest-grossing feature (until 2023 when Barbie surpassed it), but it also became the most successful adaptation of a book into a movie ever made.

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2025-01-19 00:07