Our team compiled the movies based on kids books and here is what they came up with
Movies based on kids books are a popular genre in Hollywood. These films often take beloved children’s literature and adapt them into visual storytelling experiences that can be enjoyed by audiences of all ages. They can be fantasy-adventure films, animated films, educational films, and many more. Many of these movies have become box office hits and have been critically acclaimed for their visual effects, casting, and faithful adaptations of the original books. Some popular examples include Harry Potter series, The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, The Secret Life of Walter Mitty, The Giver, The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe and many more. These movies not only entertain the audiences but also inspire them to read the original books.
Here are the 27 movies based on kids books to check out on the streaming service.
1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)
Rated PG, this fantasy-adventure film is based on the first book of the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling. The film follows the story of a young orphan, Harry Potter, who discovers that he is a wizard and is accepted into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. The film stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, Emma Watson as Hermione Granger, and Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley. The film was directed by Chris Columbus and was widely appreciated for its visual effects, casting, and faithful adaptation of the book. The film grossed $974 million worldwide.
2. The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe (2005)
Rated PG, this fantasy-adventure film is based on the first book of C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia series. The film follows the story of four siblings who enter a magical world through a wardrobe and meet a lion named Aslan who helps them defeat the White Witch. The film stars Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, and Anna Popplewell. The film was directed by Andrew Adamson and was widely appreciated for its visual effects, casting, and faithful adaptation of the book. The film grossed $745 million worldwide.
3. The Hunger Games (2012)
Rated PG-13, this science fiction-adventure film is based on the first book of the Hunger Games trilogy by Suzanne Collins. The film follows the story of a young girl, Katniss Everdeen, who volunteers to take her sister’s place in a brutal annual event where young people fight to the death. The film stars Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, and Liam Hemsworth. The film was directed by Gary Ross and was widely appreciated for its casting, visual effects, and adaptation of the book. The film grossed $694 million
4. The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian (2008)
Rated PG, this fantasy-adventure film is based on the second book of C.S. Lewis’ The Chronicles of Narnia series. The film follows the story of the Pevensie siblings who return to Narnia to help Prince Caspian reclaim his rightful throne from his evil uncle Miraz. The film stars Georgie Henley, Skandar Keynes, William Moseley, and Anna Popplewell. The film was directed by Andrew Adamson and was widely appreciated for its visual effects, casting, and faithful adaptation of the book. The film grossed $419 million worldwide.
5. Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief (2010)
Rated PG, this fantasy-adventure film is based on the first book of Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. The film follows the story of a teenage boy, Percy Jackson, who discovers that he is the son of Poseidon and must go on a quest to prevent a war between the gods. The film stars Logan Lerman, Brandon T. Jackson, and Alexandra Daddario. The film was directed by Chris Columbus and was widely appreciated for its visual effects, casting, and adaptation of the book. The film grossed $226 million worldwide.
6. The Maze Runner (2014)
Rated PG-13, this science fiction-adventure film is based on the first book of James Dashner’s The Maze Runner series. The film follows the story of a group of teenagers who are trapped in a maze and must find a way out before it’s too late. The film stars Dylan O’Brien, Kaya Scodelario, and Will Poulter. The film was directed by Wes Ball and was widely appreciated for its visual effects, casting, and adaptation of the book. The film grossed $348 million worldwide.
7. The Golden Compass (2007)
Rated PG-13, this fantasy-adventure film is based on the first book of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials series. The film follows the story of a young girl, Lyra Belacqua, who embarks on a journey to rescue her friend and uncover a sinister conspiracy involving kidnapped children. The film stars Dakota Blue Richards, Nicole Kidman, and Daniel Craig. The film was directed by Chris Weitz and was widely appreciated for its visual effects, casting, and adaptation of the book. The film grossed $372 million worldwide.
8. Eragon (2006)
Rated PG, this fantasy-adventure film is based on the first book of Christopher Paolini’s Inheritance Cycle series. The film follows the story of a young farm boy, Eragon, who discovers a dragon egg and becomes a Dragon Rider. The film stars Ed Speleers, Jeremy Irons, and Sienna Guillory. The film was directed by Stefen Fangmeier and was widely appreciated for its visual effects, casting, and adaptation of the book. The film grossed $249
9. The Secret of Moonacre (2008)
Rated PG, this fantasy-adventure film is based on the book The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge. The film follows the story of a young orphan, Maria Merryweather, who is sent to live with her eccentric uncle at Moonacre Manor and discovers a magical world filled with secrets. The film stars Dakota Blue Richards, Tim Curry, and Ioan Gruffudd. The film was directed by Gabor Csupo and was widely appreciated for its visual effects, casting, and faithful adaptation of the book. The film grossed $14 million worldwide.
10. The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)
Rated PG, this fantasy-adventure film is based on the first book of the Spiderwick Chronicles series by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi. The film follows the story of three siblings who move into an old house and discover a secret world of faeries. The film stars Freddie Highmore, Sarah Bolger, and Mary-Louise Parker. The film was directed by Mark Waters and was widely appreciated for its visual effects, casting, and adaptation of the book. The film grossed $162 million worldwide.
11. The Giver (2014)
Rated PG-13, this science fiction-drama film is based on the book The Giver by Lois Lowry. The film follows the story of a young boy, Jonas, who lives in a society where emotions and individuality are banned and is chosen to be the next Receiver of Memory. The film stars Brenton Thwaites, Jeff Bridges, and Meryl Streep. The film was directed by Phillip Noyce and was widely appreciated for its visual effects, casting, and adaptation of the book. The film grossed $68 million worldwide.
12. The City of Ember (2008)
Rated PG, this science fiction-adventure film is based on the book The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau. The film follows the story of two teenagers, Lina Mayfleet and Doon Harrow, who live in a subterranean city and discover a way to escape to the surface before the city’s power runs out. The film stars Saoirse Ronan, Harry Treadaway, and Bill Murray. The film was directed by Gil Kenan and was widely appreciated for its visual effects, casting, and adaptation of the book. The film grossed $17 million worldwide.
13. Bridge to Terabithia (2007)
Rated PG, this fantasy-drama film is based on the book Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson. The film follows the story of two outcasts, Jesse Aarons and Leslie Burke, who create a magical kingdom in the woods to escape their problems. The film stars Josh Hutcherson, AnnaSophia Robb, and Zooey Deschanel. The film was directed by Gabor Csupo and was widely appreciated for its emotional depth, casting, and adaptation of the book. The film grossed $138 million worldwide.
14. Charlotte’s Web (2006)
Rated G, this family-drama film is based on the book Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. The film follows the story of a young girl, Fern, who saves a runt pig from being killed and raises him as her own. The pig, named Wilbur, befriends a spider named Charlotte who helps him avoid the same fate. The film stars Dakota Fanning, Julia Roberts, and Oprah Winfrey. The film was directed by Gary Winick and was widely appreciated for its heartwarming story, casting, and faithful adaptation of the book. The film grossed $114 million worldwide.
15. The BFG (2016)
Rated PG, this fantasy-adventure film is based on the book The BFG by Roald Dahl. The film follows the story of a young orphan, Sophie, who is kidnapped by a giant and taken to Giant Country. The giant, who is known as the BFG, is actually friendly and helps her stop the other giants from eating children. The film stars Mark Rylance, Ruby Barnhill, and Penelope Wilton. The film was directed by Steven Spielberg and was widely appreciated for its visual effects, casting and adaptation of the book. The film grossed $183 million worldwide.
16. The Secret Garden (1993)
Rated G, this family-drama film is based on the book The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The film follows the story of a young girl, Mary Lennox, who is sent to live with her uncle in a gloomy mansion in England. She discovers a secret garden that has been locked for years and with the help of her cousins, she brings it back to life and discovers the truth about her parents’ deaths. The film stars Kate Maberly, Heydon Prowse, Andrew Knott, and Maggie Smith. The film was directed by Agnieszka Holland and was widely appreciated for its heartwarming story, casting, and faithful adaptation of the book. The film grossed $10 million worldwide.
17. The NeverEnding Story (1984)
Rated PG, this fantasy-adventure film is based on the book The NeverEnding Story by Michael Ende. The film follows the story of a young boy, Bastian, who discovers a magical book that draws him into a fantastical world to save it from destruction. The film stars Noah Hathaway, Barret Oliver, and Tami Stronach. The film was directed by Wolfgang Petersen and was widely appreciated for its visual effects, casting, and adaptation of the book. The film grossed $100 million worldwide.
18. The Indian in the Cupboard (1995)
Rated PG, this fantasy-adventure film is based on the book The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks. The film follows the story of a young boy, Omri, who receives a plastic Indian figure as a gift and discovers that it comes to life when he puts it in an old cupboard. The film stars Hal Scardino, Litefoot, and Lindsay Crouse. The film was directed by Frank Oz and was widely appreciated for its heartwarming story, casting, and faithful adaptation of the book. The film grossed $87 million worldwide.
19. The Secret of NIMH (1982)
Rated G, this animated fantasy film is based on the book Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMH by Robert C. O’Brien. The film follows the story of a widowed mouse, Mrs. Frisby, who seeks the help of a group of highly intelligent rats to save her home from destruction. The film was directed by Don Bluth and was widely appreciated for its animation, and its adaptation of the book.
20. The Pagemaster (1994)
Rated G, this fantasy-adventure film is based on the book The Pagemaster by David Kirschner. The film follows the story of a young boy, Richard Tyler, who is transported into a magical world of books and must overcome his fear of adventure to find his way back home. The film stars Macaulay Culkin, Christopher Lloyd, and Patrick Stewart. The film was directed by Joe Johnston and was widely appreciated for its visual effects, casting, and adaptation of the book. The film grossed $18 million worldwide.
21. The Water Horse: Legend of the Deep (2007)
Rated PG, this fantasy-adventure film is based on the book The Water Horse by Dick King-Smith. The film follows the story of a young boy, Angus, who discovers an enchanted egg that hatches into a mythical creature, the Water Horse. The film stars Alex Etel, Emily Watson, and Ben Chaplin. The film was directed by Jay Russell and was widely appreciated for its visual effects, casting, and adaptation of the book. The film grossed $72 million worldwide.
22. The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn (1993)
Rated PG, this adventure-drama film is based on the book Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain. The film follows the story of a young boy, Huck Finn, who runs away from home and goes on a journey down the Mississippi River with an escaped slave, Jim. The film stars Elijah Wood, Courtney B. Vance, and Robbie Coltrane. The film was directed by Stephen Sommers and was widely appreciated for its performances, casting and the adaptation of the book. The film grossed $11 million worldwide.
23. The Witches (1990)
Rated PG, this fantasy-comedy film is based on the book The Witches by Roald Dahl. The film follows the story of a young boy, Luke, who stumbles upon a convention of witches and must stop them from turning all children into mice. The film stars Anjelica Huston, Mai Zetterling, and Jasen Fisher. The film was directed by Nicolas Roeg and was widely appreciated for its performances, casting and the adaptation of the book. The film grossed $10 million worldwide.
24. The Secret Life of Walter Mitty (2013)
Rated PG, this adventure-comedy film is based on the short story The Secret Life of Walter Mitty by James Thurber. The film follows the story of a man, Walter Mitty, who lives a mundane life as a negative assets manager at LIFE magazine but dreams of a more exciting life. When the negative of the cover photo for the final issue of the magazine goes missing, Walter takes it upon himself to travel the world to find the photographer and the missing negative. The film stars Ben Stiller, Kristen Wiig, and Shirley MacLaine. The film was directed by Ben Stiller and was widely appreciated for its performances, casting and the adaptation of the story. The film grossed $188 million worldwide.
25. Where the Wild Things Are (2009)
Rated PG, this fantasy-adventure film is based on the book Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak. The film follows the story of a young boy, Max, who escapes to an island inhabited by wild creatures after feeling neglected by his mother. The film stars Max Records, Catherine Keener, and Mark Ruffalo. The film was directed by Spike Jonze and was widely appreciated for its performances, casting and the adaptation of the book. The film grossed $100 million worldwide.
26. The Magic School Bus (1994-1997)
Rated G, this animated educational fantasy film is based on the book series The Magic School Bus by Joanna Cole and Bruce Degen. The film follows the story of a class of students and their teacher Ms. Frizzle, who goes on magical field trips inside the human body and to other scientific locations with her magical school bus. The film stars Lily Tomlin, Malcolm-Jamal Warner, and Dan Aykroyd. The film was directed by Paul Sabella, Charles E. Bastien, and was widely appreciated for its animation, educational value and adaptation of the book series. The film grossed $110 million worldwide.
27. Where the Red Fern Grows (2003)
Rated PG, this adventure-drama film is based on the book Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls. The film follows the story of a young boy, Billy, who raises and trains two hunting dogs and goes on a journey to catch a mountain lion. The film stars Joseph Ashton, Dabney Coleman, and David Keith. The film was directed by Sam Pillsbury and was widely appreciated for its performances, casting and adaptation of the book. The film grossed $15 million worldwide.