Check out this fantastic list of kid’s books made into movies. It’s a perfect list so you can plan a fun family activity this month: Read a kid’s book and then watch the movie. There are so many fantastic children’s books that have been made into movies, so your family can easily find one you’ll enjoy.
Not only will you be able to enjoy a great book together, but then you can discuss the choices made when adapting the story for the big screen!
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Looking for a great way to enjoy a kid’s book as a family?
Grab the audio version and listen together. It works well for our family to listen together during a meal, while relaxing in the evening, or at bedtime.
The advantage of an audiobook is that little ones can play quietly as they listen and older children can color or simply relax while listening.
Audiobooks are easy to find. They are often at your public library or available through the Libby app (using your library card). You can also purchase them on Amazon Audible or join with a monthly Audible membership and receive your first title free! (sometimes more – be sure to check out the lastest deal)
Ready to have a great discussion after the movie?
This kid’s book to movie guide contains 7 discussion questions you can use for a brief family discussion after the movie. It’s easy and fun to share your opinion of the book to screen adaptation and a great way to get your kids thinking more deeply about literature and screen-writing.
Over 45 Fantastic Kid’s Books that are Family-Friendly Movies
Let’s get this list started wtih over 45 of the best children’s books that have been turned into movies.
Please note that you should always research the content of books and movies to determine if they are appropriate for your own family. I recommend using Common Sense Media to review the specific content.
Because of Winn-Dixie by Kate DiCamillo
Because of Winn-Dixie: The Book
Because of Winn-Dixie: The Movie
The Borrowers by Mary Norton
The Borrowers: The Book
The Borrowers: The Movie
The Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson
The Bridge to Terabithia: The Book
The Bridge to Terabithia: The Movie
Matilda by Roald Dahl
Matilda: The Book
Matilda: The Movie
Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Richard and Florence Atwater
Mr. Popper’s Penguins: The Book
Mr. Popper’s Penguins: The Movie
Turn your movie day into a book celebration with our book club guide:
Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White
Charlotte’s Web: The Book
Charlotte’s Web: The Movie
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C. S. Lewis
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: The Book
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe: The Movie
Looking for TEEN books that are also movies?
Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine
Ella Enchanted: The Book
Ella Enchanted: The Movie
Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling​
Harry Potter: The Books
Harry Potter: Movie One
**There are 7 books and 8 movies in the series
Holes by Lois Sachar
Holes: The Book
Holes: The Movie
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen: The Book
Hoot by Carl Hiaasen: The Movie
A Wrinkle In Time by Madeline L’Engle
A Wrinkle in Time: The Book
A Wrinkle in Time: The Movie
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbit
Tuck Everlasting: The Book
Tuck Everlasting: The Movie
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
The Invention of Hugo Cabret: The Book
The Invention of Hugo Cabret: The Movie
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh by Robert C. O’Brien
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh: The Book
Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of Nimh: The Movie
Mouse and the Motorcycle by Beverly Cleary
Mouse and the Motorcycle: The Book
Mouse and the Motorcycle: The Movie
Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo
Tale of Despereaux: The Book
Tale of Despereaux: The Movie
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
The Bad Beginning (Book 1): The Book
A Series of Unfortunate Events: The Movie
The Golden Compass by Philip Pullman
The Golden Compass: The Book
The Golden Compass: The Movie
Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi
Spiderwick Chronicles (The Field Guide, Book One): The Book
Spiderwick Chronicles: The Movie
Stuart Little by E. B. White
Stuart Little: The Book
Stuart Little: The Movie
Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
The Secret Garden: The Book
The Secret Garden: The Movie
Beezus and Ramona by Beverly Cleary
Beezus and Ramona: The Book
Beezus and Ramona: The Movie
The Princess Diaries by Meg Cabot
The Princess Diaries: The Book
The Princess Diaries: The Movie
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
James and the Giant Peach: The Book
James and the Giant Peach: The Movie
>>> Looking for TEEN books that are also movies? <<<
Peter Pan by J. M. Barrie
Peter Pan: The Book
Peter Pan: Disney Movie; Peter Pan Movie; Pan Movie
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland by Lewis Carroll
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: The Book
Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland: The Movies – Cartoon – Real Person
Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum
Wizard of Oz: The Book
Wizard of Oz: The Movie
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Book
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory: The Movie (1971); The Movie (2005)
The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks
The Indian in the Cupboard: The Book
The Indian in the Cupboard: The Movie
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
Inkheart: The Book
Inkheart: The Movie
The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan
The Lightning Thief: The Book
The Lightning Thief: The Movie
Harriet the Spy by Louise Fitzhugh
Harriet the Spy: The Book
Harriet the Spy: The Movie
How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
How to Train Your Dragon: The First Book in the Series
How to Train Your Dragon: The First Movie in the Series
Diary of a Wimpy Kid by Jeff Kinney
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Book
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Movie
Wonder by R. J. Palacio
Wonder: The Book
Wonder: The Movie
The Jungle Book by Rudyard Kipling
The Jungle Book: The Book
The Jungle Book: The Movie (Disney); The Movie (2016)
How to Eat Fried Worms by Thomas Rockwell
How to Eat Fried Worms: The Book
How to Eat Fried Worms: The Movie
Around the World in 80 Days by Jules Verne
Around the World in 80 Days: The Book
Around the World in 80 Days: The Movie
Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl
Fantastic Mr. Fox: The Book
Fantastic Mr. Fox: The Movie
Call of the Wild by Jack London
Call of the Wild: The Book
Call of the Wild: The Movie
Howl’s Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones
Howl’s Moving Castle: The Book
Howl’s Moving Castle: The Movie
Robin Hood by Howard Pyle
Robin Hood: The Book
Robin Hood: The Movie (so many versions, but Disney is my favorite)
The BFG by Roald Dahl
The BFG: The Book
The BFG: The Movie
Guardians of Ga’Hoole by Kathryn Lasky
Guardians of Ga’Hoole: Book One
Guardians of Ga’Hoole: The Movie
Mary Poppins by Dr. P. L. Travers
Mary Poppins: The Books
Mary Poppins: The Original; The Sequel; Mary Poppins Returns; Saving Mr. Banks
Dr. Dolittle by Hugh Lofting
Dr. Dolittle: The Book​
Dr. Dolittle: The Movie
Cheaper by the Dozen by Frank B. Gilbreth
Cheaper by the Dozen: The Book
Cheaper by the Dozen: The Movie
Swiss Family Robinson by Johann David Wyss
Swiss Family Robinson: The Book
Swiss Family Robinson: The Movie
More Book to Movie Inspiration:
You Might Also Like These Booklists:
– Haiku Books for Kids
– 10 Children’s Poets Your Kids Will Love
– Graphic Novels for Middle School
– Graphic Novels Elementary School
– Booklist for 5th and 6th Grades
– Booklist for 7th and 8th Grades
She believes that creativity, laughter, and fun are the backbone for engaging and inspiring homeschools. You can find her encouragement and tips on this blog, Mary Hanna Wilson.
She is an enneagram 7 and an extrovert. She enjoys traveling, tea (iced or hot), good conversations, and books. You can connect with her on Instagram and Facebook.
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I love this! I reached you by way of an email newsletter from Raising Lifelong Learners. I am using the Robinson Curriculum for our homeschool but its emphasis is on very old books. I like to alternate those with more contemporary literature and pair it with a movie. This is so helpful and plus I didn’t realize that the Borrowers was a movie!! I loved that book as a kid. Thanks for your work on this resource!!