reading books or watching movies essay

Books Vs. Movies: Similarities and Differences Essay

Books vs. movies – introduction, similarities between books and movies, difference between books and movies, works cited.

This paper examines the similarities and differences between books and movies. Although both tell stories and evoke emotions, they also have distinct characteristics. For example, books rely on the reader’s imagination, while movies present a pre-determined visual interpretation. Another difference between books and movies is that books typically offer a more in-depth exploration of characters, while movies may prioritize visual spectacle over character development. Despite these contrasts, both books and movies have the power to entertain, educate, and inspire. This essay compares and contrasts the two products in detail and provides examples from famous works.

Books and movies are two of the most important mediums for communicating ideas to an audience. The two can be used for various purposes, including entertaining and informing. Books make use of written words to communicate with the reader. On the other hand, movies utilize audio-visual technology to communicate with the viewing audience. Books and Movies have several significant similarities and differences.

A major similarity is that both books and movies set out to tell stories that are often fascinating to the audience. Regardless of which medium is being used, efforts are made to create stories that are going to be engaging to the reader or viewer. For both movies and books, the story is a central part, and the authors or directors come up with themes and plotlines that can captivate and entertain the audience (Bordwell and Staiger 262). By using elements such as characters, setting, conflict, and resolution at the end, book authors and movie directors can come up with successful stories.

Another similarity is that both books and movies make great use of characters through whom the story is told. Bordwell and Staiger note that the characters used must be well suited to the story, and they must be clearly distinguished from one another (262). They are given personalities and used to fulfill the key elements of the story being told through the book or the movie. In most cases, it is the characters that make the audience regard a movie or book as superior or inferior.

A significant difference between books and movies is in the manner in which the visual images are created. When reading a book, the reader has to use his/her imagination to create a visual image from the words contained in the book (Mayer 17). For example, in the Harry Potter books, the reader is required to form his/her own image of the various magical creatures. On the other hand, movies present the reader with a ready visual image. In the Harry Potter Movies, the images of creatures such as trolls and goblins are presented to the audience. The imagination of the viewer is not required since the movie makers have already created the image they want the audience to have.

Books and movies differ in the level of detail provided. In books, the author spends a lot of time providing details of characters, events, objects, and places. These lengthy descriptions are necessary to help the reader to create a mental image of the story. With movies, there are no lengthy details used. Movies do not have to engage in detailed descriptions since a complicated image can be shown in a single movie shot. Mayer notes that a movie can, within the span of a few seconds, graphically show a mass of details to the viewer (17).

Books and movies are both adequate means of telling a story. While the two make use of different technologies to communicate with an audience, they have some similarities. These include the use of stories and the reliance on characters to tell the story. However, the two have major differences in terms of the level of imagination required of the audience and the use of details. Overall, books and movies are important communication mediums that play a great role in our society.

Bordwell, David, and Janet Staiger. The Classical Hollywood Cinema: Film Style and Mode of Production to 1960. NY: Routledge, 2003. Print.

Mayer, Robert. Eighteenth-Century Fiction on Screen . Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2002. Print.

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IvyPanda. (2023, October 29). Books Vs. Movies: Similarities and Differences Essay. https://ivypanda.com/essays/books-vs-movies-similarities-and-differences/

"Books Vs. Movies: Similarities and Differences Essay." IvyPanda , 29 Oct. 2023, ivypanda.com/essays/books-vs-movies-similarities-and-differences/.

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IvyPanda . 2023. "Books Vs. Movies: Similarities and Differences Essay." October 29, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/books-vs-movies-similarities-and-differences/.

1. IvyPanda . "Books Vs. Movies: Similarities and Differences Essay." October 29, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/books-vs-movies-similarities-and-differences/.

Bibliography

IvyPanda . "Books Vs. Movies: Similarities and Differences Essay." October 29, 2023. https://ivypanda.com/essays/books-vs-movies-similarities-and-differences/.

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• Rowling's “Harry Potter” Books in Connection to Mythology
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• "Harry Potter" Movie and Novel: Plot Changes
• J. K. Rowling's Harry Potter and Its Popularity
• Harry Potter Stories and Impact on Pop Culture
• Concept of Home in "The Odyssey" and "Harry Potter"
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Books Vs Movies: Which Is Better? The Debate Settled!

Last Updated on August 18, 2023 by Louisa

Books and movies are two of the most popular forms of entertainment, but which is better? This age-old debate of books vs movies has been causing a stir for decades, so I’ve decided it’s time to settle the score once and for all.

While both offer unique ways to experience stories, there are pros and cons for each. When determining which is better, reading books or watching movies, the answer really is determined by a number of factors.

If you ask any reader, they will of course tell you all the reasons why books are better than movies, but if you ask a movie buff, you will receive a strong counter-argument for why movies are better.

In this guide, I’ve listed the reasons why you would want to choose a book over a movie, or a movie over a book, and in doing so, settle the debate once and for all.

To be clear, in this guide, we are concentrating on books that have been adapted into movies.

Books vs Movies Pros and Cons

If you need a quick summary of whether reading books or watching movies is better, then check out the below table which summarizes the points in this article.

Keep reading for a detailed analysis of reading books vs watching movies.

Pros of reading books over movies

• There is more depth to a book, scenes are described in more detail, and have more plot-setting scenes.
• A book allows the reader to use their imagination.
• Readers follow the plot as it was intended by the author.

Cons of reading books over movies

• Books take a long time to read, sometimes several days.
• Some books can drag in the middle.
• Dialogues can sometimes be unrealistic in books but come to life on the big screen.

Pros of watching movies over reading books

• Movies are quicker than books.
• You can watch a movie with a friend, but you can’t read a book with someone else.
• You don’t have to concentrate on a movie and there is less need for your own imagination.
• Acting is an art form.

Cons of watching movies over reading books

• Scenes are often adapted or deleted based on what looks better visually.
• Viewers are often left asking questions because scenes from the book not being included.
• Characters can often be drastically changed.

Why books are better than movies?

If you’re a book enthusiast looking for arguments for books over movies, these are some of the reasons why books are better than movies.

#1. Books nurture the reader’s imagination

When it comes to reading books, readers have an unparalleled level of control in terms of how they visualize the story. When I first read The Hobbit, I pictured a very different-looking Bilbo Baggins to that seen on screen.

Readers can also move through a story at their own pace and use their imagination to create vivid scenes in their mind’s eye. Sometimes even filling in the blanks where there are questions that need answering.

Not only this, but you also get to experience the book in the way the author intended. When directors make a movie adaptation, they have to decide what scenes are the most action-packed and therefore keep the audience engaged.

This often means that some scenes are cut out from the plot that may seem important to the overall storyline.

The biggest example of this is how characters are described in books. Often characters in books look different in movies.

Frankenstein’s monster comes to mind here. In the book, he is described as:

“He is so gentle, yet so wise; his mind is so cultivated; and when he speaks, although his words are culled with the choicest art, yet they flow with rapidity and unparalleled eloquence.” Frankenstein, Victor Hugo, Letter 4

The monster was intended to be gentle. Frankenstein wanted to create a friend, not the brutish monster that we see in the movies.

#2. Books have more depth than movies

But the biggest argument as to why books might be better than movies is that books often have more depth than films due to the additional time they spend on character development and intricate plot points.

When I talk about depth, I am referring to descriptions. The reader gets more insight into how words are said, how characters look, and how scenes are created.

The small details in a book, such as short scenes or little descriptions, are the parts of a book that help readers ask the right questions, start to piece parts of the story together, and even predict what will happen next.

There are usually some key depth features that are missing in movies.

#3. Movie adaptations miss out on key points

If you think about the number of hours you spend reading a book compared to watching a movie, then you get an idea as to how much is missing.

Films tend to lack some of the detail and nuance found in books due to time constraints. This usually leads to unanswered questions after watching the movie.

One of the biggest examples of this is in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

In the movie, there is a scene in which Harry sees a patronus charm of a doe, which leads him to a pond covered in ice where he discovers the sword of Griffindor beneath the surface.

If you watch the movie without reading the book, this scene would be somewhat confusing.

While we do later learn that Severus Snape’s patronus is a doe, and therefore alludes to him placing the sword for Harry to find, the movie never answers the question: how does Snape find Harry?

We also don’t learn how Snape has the sword in the first instance and why it never fell into the ministry’s hands.

While I absolutely loved the movies, I can honestly say I loved it more because I had read the book prior to watching and was able to fill in the blanks.

My partner has never read the books (yes I know, a book blogger is dating someone who has not read Harry Potter. Dumpable offense? Let me know in the comments) and he was constantly badgering me with questions to which I always responded with “in the book, this happens”

#4. Reading has other benefits

There is more to reading books than just following a story. Reading helps to grow your knowledge, expand your creative horizons, and even helps improve your mood.

According to Healthline , reading books can help strengthen your brain, both cognitively and in terms of your mental health.

So you see, there are many reasons why reading is important , not just for something fun to do!

#5. Books allow the reader to think more deeply

Books often have an underlying theme or moral tone that allows the reader to think deeply about certain topics or situations.

The storylines can help you to empathize with certain characters, and reflect on how situations would be handled in our own world.

In classic literature books such as 1984 , for example, there are a lot of areas in which the reader can think about how political influences shape society, but in the movie, you do get a sense of this but it is less developed than in the book.

Why are movies better than books?

If you’re looking for arguments for movies being better than books, here are some reasons why you may prefer a film vs a book.

#1. Movies help bring hard-to-visualize scenes to life

Movies offer a unique cinematic experience that allows viewers to sit back and enjoy a story without having to actively think about it.

This is great for those who don’t have a vivid imagination or struggle to see a clear picture of what an author is describing in their mind.

Movies provide visuals that can often be breathtakingly beautiful or incredibly intense, sometimes more so than written in a book.

One great example of this is in The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies.

In the book, Bilbo is hit on the head and knocked out for the whole battle. Only when he awakes does Gandalf fill him in on what happens, but it’s short and to the point.

When you watch the movie, you see all these incredible stunts and action-packed scenes.

Yes, it does feature some gravity-defying performances from Legolas who does not appear in the books, which is something Peter Jackson decided to add to the storyline to make the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit franchise more connected.

But in the book, you don’t get any of that.

#2. Acting is an art form

Something that readers may not appreciate about movie adaptations is the acting.

Acting is an art form, and by watching movies, audiences can appreciate acting performances as well as special effects such as CGI or stunts that would be much more difficult to experience in a book.

#3. Movies are quicker than books

Reading often requires more time and effort than watching a movie. Reading a book from start to finish usually takes a few days with breaks in between.

If you do sit down to read from start to finish, you can take several hours to get through the entire story.

One reason why you wouldn’t want to do this is that you will instantly forget what happens or you won’t appreciate the detail enough.

Reading should be savored like a fine wine, allowing you to digest information and ponder on the themes, morals, and messages.

If you don’t have time on your side, then movies are your saving grace.

#4. Social interactions are more relatable in movies

Often times when I am reading the dialogue in a book, I feel it’s too staged, or unnatural.

When dialogue is spoken in a movie, it can feel more authentic, as often actors will improvise the script and make it feel more real.

#5. You can watch a film with friends

While you can always go to a book club to talk about a book you love, this is really an activity that hardcore readers enjoy more.

When you go to the cinema, it becomes a larger social outing that can bring together people with all different hobbies and interests.

Should Books Be Made Into Movies?

So while you can now see there are many pros and cons to books and movies, the question remains; should books be made into movies?

Absolutely.

While we can all agree that there is less detail in a movie than in a book, I personally feel that when a book I love has been made well on the big screen, I love the book more.

The best example of this is Lord of the Rings. It doesn’t matter how many times I watch the movies or read the books, I fall in love with the story and characters all over again.

I also find that when I’m not in the mood to read, watching a movie brings back fond memories of the book and helps me get out of a reading slump and inspired to read again.

And it’s not just me that thinks this. According to a study by SuperSummary , 82% of people agree that movie adaptations bring a book to life.

Books vs Movies: The Verdict

Ultimately, which form is better comes down to personal preference as both offer unique experiences that shouldn’t be compared side by side.

While books allow you to use your imagination to its fullest, movies allow the viewer to follow a story without concentrating.

You get more depth to a plot from a book, but you spend less time watching a movie.

Whichever way you choose, whether it’s curling up with a good book or settling into your couch for some movie night fun, there can be no doubt that both will result in an enjoyable escape from reality.

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About Louisa Smith

Editor/Founder - Epic Book Society

Louisa is the Founder, Editor, and Head Honcho of Epic Book Society. She was born and raised in the United Kingdom and graduated from the University for the Creative Arts with a degree in Journalism. Louisa began her writing career at the age of 7 when her poetry was published in an anthology of poems to celebrate the Queen's Jubilee. Upon graduating university, she spent several years working as a journalist writing about books before transitioning to become a Primary School Teacher. Louisa loves all genres of books, but her favorites are Sci-Fi, Romance, Fantasy, and Young Adult Fiction. Read more Louisa's story here .

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Reading a Book or Watching a Movie

Nowadays, people often read books or watch movies to entertain themselves in their free time. Since the film was invented, the use of the book has vanished a lot. However, some argue that the film has negative effects on both the individual and society, because it makes us lazy and not very communicative to other people. Others support watching movies, stating that it is more entertaining and convenient. Reading books makes people more interactive and open minded.

Movies are a much more exciting and intense form of entertainment. It presents a series of actions, emotions and takes the audience to the story in a much more structured way than what the reading books can produce. One can watch a movie within 2 or 3 hours. This is one of the key reasons why most people prefer watching movies than reading a book. Instead of taking a couple of hours or days reading a novel, they want to see it for 2 hours and get over it. However, that’s as far as movies go.

Books have shown again and again that they are more valuable than any other literary technological advancement tool that man has. They are more attractive than movies, and a reader can go deeper and understand the content more than they would for a movie. First, the books show an original version, that is, the version written by the same author. Normally, the best explanations, phrases and descriptions are found in the book because they are those of the author, the creator of the book. All the ideas in the book are the true descriptions, without alterations. Reading allows the reader to develop their mind, either to imagine or conceptualize. Words allow the reader to improve their thoughts, making them more fluid. For example, a person who has read a good book can argue better than someone who has not. This is because you do not need time to know how to express your ideas, just ‘come out’ without any problems.

As an example, I will present my case: In these days of holidays they have returned to put on TV the saga of Harry Potter and I can not help but think that, as a fan of this saga of books, the films degenerated into a lack of ‘love’ for the books, the plot and even its characters, often losing the coherence of the story.

In conclusion, the books are a timeless treasure. They are more detailed and are highly informative and educational compared to a movie. The authors are not limited by time and budget constraints such as movie editors. Technological changes have little impact on the effectiveness of the book whose greatest value is not found in the paper on which it is written, but in the content of the pages. The books will definitely stand out during the next two unlimited centuries. The book produces an emotional connection between the reader and the characters in the book and is deeply endearing and compelling. A film requires actors to emulate the plot and behave in a certain way, but human beings are prone to deficiencies and some end up not acting or behaving as expected, so viewers find that some films are not satisfactory in comparison with the characters that are vividly described in the books.

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Books vs. movies: the age-old debate.

The Mountain Between Us , It , Murder on the Orient Express , Wonder , My Cousin Rachel . These films released in 2017 have one thing in common, and you may have guessed it already: They were all books that were later adapted into movies.

Similar to its affinity for sequels and remakes , it seems to me like Hollywood is increasingly looking to books for inspiration for the next blockbuster hits. From a business standpoint, it makes total sense because producers can draw on the popularity of a certain book and use that to their advantage when it comes to marketing the film’s release.

As an avid reader, I am always excited at the news that a book is being adapted as a feature film. My mind is occupied by thoughts of who the actors/actresses are going to be (and if I approve), if the film will stay true to the book, and most importantly, if the movie will be just as good as the book. The thought of finally being able to visualize what has only previously been limited to my imagination is always an exciting prospect.

However, I am usually underwhelmed after watching a certain film based on a book, and if you asked me a year ago which one I would prefer: the movie or the book, I would have immediately chosen the book.

Hands down. No doubt. However, within the past year, I have come to appreciate movie adaptations of books more because I have realized that comparing books to their counterpart movies isn’t fair; at the end of the day, the two mediums of storytelling have different advantages and different qualifications for what makes them good. Like Stephen King once said, comparing one to the other is like comparing apples to oranges. They are both great sources of entertainment, but they aren’t comparable. For those still reluctant to accept this theory, I’ll be delving more into this age-old question: “What’s better: books or movies?” I’ll make a case for each argument and let you make the final call.

The popular belief is that books are often a hundred times better than their movie counterparts; if you need any further proof, just take a look at the following Washington Post visual.

Books are great because they allow the reader to be a part of the story; we are the observers that have insight into the character’s thoughts and feelings, and all the nuances that create three-dimensional characters. With books, there’s just more. More detail, more focus on character development, and more depth to the meaning of the artwork. It’s also the more time-consuming form of the two, and after finishing a novel, after a couple of hours of being immersed into a different world and mind space, it seems like you have suddenly been thrust back into reality.

On the other hand, the great thing about movies is their ability to show, and the overall experience of watching one. While reading a book, I often have a movie reel playing in my head. I can map out the setting, I can see the characters’ expressions, and I can empathize with their emotions.

However, watching the same story unfold on the big screen is a different experience. While reading spurs your imagination, a movie helps you visualize all the elements of the books that were previously confined to your imagination. It immerses you into the story in a different way than a book.

For example, instead of reading about the magical world of Harry Potter, while watching the movie, I can actually see what J.K. Rowling means by “He was almost twice as tall as a normal man and at least five times as wide. He looked simply too big to be allowed, and so wild – long tangles of bushy black hair and beard hid most of his face, he had hands the size of dustbin lids and his feet in their leather boots were like baby dolphins.” To put it simply, movies make it easier for us to just lean back and enjoy the show.

An added benefit of movies is the music and visual designs that enhance the experience of watching a film. Imagine, for example, that you are watching an emotional scene. It’s the climax of the story, and in the background plays a gentle orchestra, that eventually swells into a big crescendo as the story reaches its resolution. In that moment, you feel exactly what the characters feel, and your heart races along with the melody of the music. So although (in some cases) the audience might not have a play by play of the characters’ thoughts and emotions, movies have another way of conveying the emotion and tone of a certain scene.

If you feel like further exploring this age-old debate personally, come down to Media Services to check out movies even the worst critic would have to admit are just as good as the books. Don’t know where to start? Try Pride and Prejudice, Psycho, Jaws, The Godfather, etc.

Until next time! RE

Robiati Endashaw is a sophomore studying public policy analysis in KSB with a minor in Economics. In her spare time, she enjoys reading non-fiction and watching crime documentaries.

Oh gee thanks so much . I also feel quite the same way too when it comes to books as in they are so much enjoyable because they allow us as the reader to explore the depths of my imagination and every thing happening Is felt dearly. 😊

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To Watch or to Read: The Great Debate of Books vs. Movies

The debate between books vs. movies has been raging for decades. Some people prefer the immersive experience of reading a good book, while others enjoy the visual and auditory spectacle of a blockbuster movie. While both mediums have their own unique advantages and disadvantages, there is no denying that they both offer a powerful and engaging way to tell a story.

In this article, we will explore the pros and cons of both books and movies and delve into the reasons why some people prefer one medium over the other. We will also examine the impact that film adaptations have had on the literary world, and how books and movies have influenced and inspired each other over the years.

Through this exploration, we hope to provide a better understanding of the book vs. movie debate and help readers decide which medium they prefer. Whether you’re a die-hard bookworm or a film buff, there’s no denying that both books and movies have a place in our cultural landscape. So sit back, relax, and join us as we explore the great debate of book vs. movie.

Book Vs Movie: Compare And Contrast

Books vs. movies: The age-old debate. Here’s a chart summarizing the key differences between books and movies:

These are just a few of the many differences between books and movies, and there is no right or wrong choice when it comes to deciding which medium you prefer. It ultimately comes down to personal preference and what you enjoy most in a story.

The Advantages of Reading a Book Over Watching a Movie

Books and movies are two very different forms of media. While movies can be visually stunning and entertaining, books offer a deeper, more immersive experience that simply can’t be replicated on the big screen. In this section, we’ll explore some of the key advantages of reading a book over watching a movie and find out the reasons why good books are better than movies.

Reading a book offers a more immersive experience than a movie, as it allows readers to delve deeper into the story and form a stronger connection to the characters. With more extensive descriptions of people, places, and events, readers can visualize the story in their own way and bring their own experiences and perspectives to the reading experience. This personal connection is not possible with a movie, which visualizes the story for the viewer.

Reading also has cognitive benefits, improving memory, focus, and concentration, as readers actively process and make connections between story elements. Additionally, reading expands vocabulary and language skills, exposing readers to a wider range of words and sentence structures.

While movies have their own unique advantages, such as a cinematic experience and visual and auditory stimulation, reading a book offers a deeper, more engaging experience that cannot be matched by any other medium. Overall, the benefits of reading make it an essential and highly rewarding activity.

The Advantages of Watching a Movie Over Reading a Book

While there are numerous advantages to reading a book, there are also many reasons why watching a movie can be a more enjoyable and fulfilling experience. In this section, we’ll explore some of the key advantages of watching a movie over reading a book and find out the reasons why movies are better than books.

Movies have a distinct advantage over books due to their visual medium, which can create stunning visuals, deliver visceral impacts, and transport viewers to different worlds. Movies are also more convenient than books, as they require less time and effort to enjoy. Additionally, movies are accessible to a broader audience, including young children and those with limited literacy skills. 

Finally, movies offer a shared experience that can bond friends and family and create lasting memories. While books offer a deeper, more immersive experience and can improve cognitive functioning and language skills, movies should not be overlooked. Movies are an essential and valuable part of our culture, and their unique advantages should be appreciated.

The Importance of Originality: The Book vs. Movie Debate

The importance of originality is a crucial factor in the debate of book vs. movie. Books and movies require originality to stand out in their respective mediums. 

In books, originality is crucial to the success of the story, as readers are looking for something new and fresh. Authors who can deliver original and compelling stories are more likely to attract a loyal following of readers. 

On the other hand, movies need to offer something unique and different from what has come before to succeed in a crowded marketplace. Audiences want to be entertained and challenged, to see something they haven’t seen before. The challenge lies in adapting a book for the screen, as movies need to capture the essence of the original story while also offering something new and original to viewers. A successful movie adaptation captures the spirit of the original story while also offering something fresh and unique to the audience. 

Overall, originality is crucial for both books and movies to be successful and memorable.

The Impact of Film Adaptations on Book Sales

Film adaptations of books have become common in the entertainment industry, and their impact on book sales is significant. A successful movie adaptation can result in a surge of book sales and increased attention for the author. However, a poorly received adaptation can damage the reputation of the source material and turn potential readers away. 

The impact of film adaptations on book sales can also vary depending on the genre of the book , with young adult novels having a particularly strong impact. A successful adaptation can also lead to increased interest in the author and their other works. 

Nonetheless, the relationship between books and movies is complex, and a delicate balance must be struck between staying true to the source material and offering something new and original. 

Despite the challenges, it is clear that the relationship between books and movies is important, with each medium having the potential to influence and enhance the other.

Comparing the Popularity of Books and Movies: A Statistical Analysis

This section explores the popularity of books and movies by analyzing sales figures and audience engagement. 

According to the Association of American Publishers, book sales in the US reached $25.8 billion in 2020, while global box office revenue for movies was $42.2 billion in 2019. However, these figures are not necessarily indicative of overall popularity, as the success of a book or movie can depend on various factors such as genre and marketing. 

In terms of audience engagement, a survey by the Pew Research Center found that 65% of American adults reported reading a book in print or digital format in 2019, while data from the Motion Picture Association shows that the average US moviegoer attended about 5 movies in theaters in 2019 . 

Nonetheless, it is important to note that reading books and watching movies are not mutually exclusive activities, and personal preference and taste play a significant role in determining the popularity of these two forms of entertainment. 

Ultimately, both books and movies have the potential to provide enjoyable and meaningful experiences for viewers and readers alike.

Why Some Movies Fail to Capture the Essence of the Book

Movie adaptations of books often face challenges in capturing the essence of the original work. The biggest challenge is condensing the story into a shorter running time, which can result in a movie that feels rushed or incomplete, with important plot points or character development left out. 

Another challenge is finding the right tone and style, as books can be written in a variety of styles, from lyrical and poetic to straightforward and simple. Filmmakers may make changes to the story or characters that alter the tone or style of the original work, resulting in a movie that feels different from the book. Inner thoughts and emotions, which are extensively described in books, can be difficult to convey visually, leading to clunky or awkward voiceovers or other techniques. 

Lastly, some movies fail to capture the essence of the book simply because they are not faithful to the original work, as filmmakers may make changes that are not in line with the author’s vision.

Overall, adapting a book to a movie is a challenging task that requires balancing various elements such as condensing the story, finding the right tone, conveying inner experiences, and staying faithful to the original work. However, when done well, a movie adaptation can provide a fresh perspective on a beloved story and introduce new audiences to the world of the book.

How Movies Can Enhance or Detract from the Reading Experience

Movies can impact the experience of reading books in both positive and negative ways. While a well-made movie adaptation can bring a story to life in a new way and provide new insights into the characters and settings, it can also limit your imagination and leave out important details or changes that affect the overall meaning of the story

A movie adaptation can enhance the reading experience by providing a visual representation of the story and bringing new nuances to the characters and events. On the other hand, movies can detract from the reading experience by limiting the reader’s imagination and leaving out important details or changing aspects of the story that affect its overall meaning. When a movie adaptation leaves out a key subplot or character, the story may feel incomplete, and if it changes the ending of the story, it can alter the entire meaning of the book. 

Ultimately, the decision to read a book or watch a movie adaptation is a personal one and depends on the individual’s preferences and the specific book and movie in question.

Does Reading the Book First Ruin the Movie Experience?

The debate over whether reading the book before watching the movie adaptation ruins the movie experience has been ongoing. Some people believe that knowing the story beforehand takes away the suspense and surprises that make movies enjoyable, while others argue that reading the book first enhances the movie experience. 

Those against reading the book first argue that it takes away from the suspense and surprise of the movie and leads to constant comparison with the book. However, reading the book first can also provide a deeper understanding of the story and characters, making the story more meaningful and impactful. It can also help fill in gaps that are often left out in the movie adaptation. Movies have to condense the story, leaving out important details or subplots, which can leave viewers feeling confused or unsatisfied. 

Ultimately, whether reading the book first ruins the movie experience is a matter of personal preference. It’s up to the individual to decide whether they want to read the book first or wait to see the movie without any prior knowledge of the story.

The Role of Directors and Screenwriters in Adapting Books for Film

Adapting a book into a film is a challenging task that requires a skilled director and screenwriter to bring the story to life on the big screen. They must carefully decide which elements of the book should be included in the movie, considering the pacing, structure, characters, and motivations, to ensure that the movie stays true to the spirit of the book while also being entertaining for moviegoers. Without understanding the psychology of movie watchers, a movie hardly gets success at the box office. The tone and mood of the book must also be captured in the movie adaptation, which can be particularly challenging when adapting books known for their unique style or voice.

Practical constraints of the movie medium must also be considered, such as deciding which scenes and characters can realistically be portrayed on screen and which elements of the story may need to be altered or omitted to fit within the constraints of the movie format.

The success of a movie adaptation depends on the skill and creativity of the director and screenwriter, who must work together to craft a cinematic experience that stays true to the book while also being engaging for moviegoers. When done well, a movie adaptation can bring a beloved book to life in a new and exciting way, creating a powerful and memorable cinematic experience.

The Future of Books and Movies: Will One Outlast the Other?

The future of books and movies is uncertain, and it is difficult to predict which medium will outlast the other. 

Books have been around for centuries and provide an immersive experience, allowing readers to engage with the story and characters. They have a wide range of genres and subject matter, making them accessible to a broad audience. On the other hand, movies offer a unique cinematic experience that cannot be replicated by any other medium. They visually immerse viewers in the story and characters and can reach a wider audience through mass distribution in theaters and online streaming platforms.

However, concerns remain about the future of both mediums. The rise of e-books and audiobooks and the decline of traditional print books are concerns for the book industry, while the decline of movie theaters and the rise of streaming services are affecting the movie industry. 

Despite these concerns, both books and movies have shown resilience over time. While the formats may change, the desire for stories and entertainment will always be present. It is likely that both mediums will coexist in the future, with each offering its unique benefits to audiences.

The debate between books and movies will continue as both have their unique advantages and disadvantages, and the choice depends on personal preference. While books provide an immersive experience and movies offer a unique cinematic experience, the impact of movie adaptations on book sales and the role of directors and screenwriters in the adaptation process is crucial. Both books and movies have influenced and inspired each other, but some movies fail to capture the essence of the book. 

Ultimately, both mediums have a place in our cultural landscape, and it’s important to celebrate and appreciate their unique benefits while enjoying the stories and characters they bring to life.

So, Keep Watching and Be Bookish !

Dennis K. Hawkins is a writer, blogger, book critic and bookish person. He has written several books and regularly write blogs. As a bookish, he reads a lot and regularly share his opinion regarding books. Besides, he has a huge collection of unique accessories related to book. So, he is an expert and also a real user of the book accessories that he chooses to write on.

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Compare and Contrast A Book and Movie Activities

My first year teaching - when I was constantly running on empty - I slipped several movie watching afternoons into my lesson plans. I defended this as educational, claiming that we were going to compare and contrast the book and movie.  Really, however, I just needed some time to play catch up.

Now, we did actually spend some time comparing and contrasting the book with the movie, but this was still a little bit of a cop-out.  My students filled in a blank Book Vs. Movie Venn Diagram, and most of the similarities and differences they found were simply the first observations that came to their head.  These were surface level observations that required no real thinking.

I wanted my students to think more critically and more deeply. 

Comparing and contrasting a book and a movie can be a very meaningful, educational experience that requires critical thinking - and without all the prep.  Use the questions and activity ideas below to help make your movie vs book lesson plans more rigorous for your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students.

Or, check out these ready to use, no prep activities for comparing books and movies.

Questions to Include in Your Movie Vs. Book Lesson Plans

I found the best way to encourage deeper thinking was to ask upper elementary students some questions before watching the movie so that they would be thinking more critically while watching the movie. This also helped my 3rd graders think about what they expected from the movie.  (No duh - teachers use before, during, and after reading questions with books. For some reason it took me a while to translate that to movies.)

Then, after the movie, I encouraged my students to think about very specific details about the book and movie, rather than just comparing and contrasting using the first thing that popped into their heads.

Not all of the questions I asked were directly related to comparing and contrasting the book and the movie, but these questions got students thinking more critically, which made their comparisons later more thoughtful.

Use the example questions below in your own compare and contrast lesson plans.  And while you're at it, teach students to ask their own meaningful questions.  

Pre-Movie Questions

• What do you think your favorite part of the movie will be, and why? • What do you think the main characters will look like/act like? • What do you think the main setting will look like? Will it be messy, small, bright, noisy, beautiful, spooky, cold, colorful, etc? • What parts of the book do you think will be cut out of the movie? • What should be added to the movie to make it better than the book? • Which do you think you will enjoy more – the book or the movie? Why? • What was your favorite scene in the book? Would you be upset if this scene was changed in the movie? • What parts of the book will be difficult to portray in the movie? For example, how should the movie portray what a character is thinking?

Post-Movie Questions

• Which did you enjoy more – the book or the movie? Why? • Did the main characters look and act like you expected? Why or why not? • Did the main setting look like you expected? Why or why not? • Think about the scenes that the movie changed so that they were different from the book. What scenes do you wish hadn’t been changed? What scenes were better because of the change? • What parts of the book did the movie leave out? What scenes were added to the movie that weren’t in the book? Were these changes good or bad, and why? • What are some other differences between the book and the movie? • What stayed the same in both the book and the movie? • Whose point of view do you agree with more - the author of the book or the director of the movie?  Why?

Want to hold students accountable while watching a movie?  Check out this No Prep Movie Vs. Book Resource.

Activity Ideas to Compare and Contrast

Apart from asking questions, there several fun, yet rigorous activities you can do with your 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students to help them compare and contrast the movie.

For example:

• Have students assign a grade to the movie based on how well it stayed true to the book, and then defend the grade.
• Have students write an essay comparing and contrasting the movie and the book.
• Have students write book reviews and movie reviews.
• Have partners or groups of students list as many differences they can find.  See what group can find the most!
• Have students think about one of the scenes that wasn't included in the movie.  Then, have them draw/write about what it would have looked like if the director would have included it.
• Have students use paragraph frames to write an opinion paper explaining which was better - the book or the movie.

Principal Problems?

Some principals look down on activities like this for upper elementary students, and understandably so.  Too often, movies are used as a way to babysit students - however, this activity really can be meaningful.

This no prep resource is a great way to convince your principal that comparing and contrasting a book with its movie version can be rigorous.  They will LOVE the scaffolded compare and contrast essay and other activities.  Best of all, it can be used over and over again with ANY book that has a movie companion.

This is a great activity for the end of the year!  

Books and Movies that can be Compared and Contrasted

Below is a list of children's books that are also movies. Before showing the movies to your class, be aware of your school's policy on movies. Some of these are rated PG or PG-13 and have some language and content that you might want to fast-forward through or that might require parental consent.

Because of Winn Dixie

• The Tale of Despereaux
• The Phantom Tollbooth
• Charlotte's Web
• Wizard of Oz
• Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
• James and the Giant Peach
• Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
• Mrs. Frisby and the Rats of NIMN
• Where the Red Fern Grows
• Polar Express (a great option for a fun Christmas activity )
• The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe
• The Indian in the Cupboard

Where the Wild Things Are

• Fantastic Mr. Fox
• Spookley the Square Pumpkin
• How to Train Your Dragon
• A Wrinkle in Time
• Tuck Everlasting
• Percy Jackson Series
• Harry Potter Series (your students who love Harry Potter might like some of these similar books)
• The Mouse and the Motorcycle
• The Witches

City of Ember

• Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library
• Freak the Mighty
• Flora and Ulysses
• The Bad Guys
• Maniac Magee

Never Stress Over Sub Plans Again!

Make copies, find a fiction book, and you'll be ready for any emergency that comes your way!

Comments 178

I love to do Polar Express, Tuck Everlasting, Jumanji, The Wizard of Oz, and Charlotte’s Web (both the cartoon and regular one). I wish I could do them all in a year, but I have to pick a couple to do each year. I am doing a 4/5 split this year, so it will be harder to decide.

I love teaching Because of Winn Dixie!

I am currently teaching a Christmas carol to my 7th grade learning support students. We are going back and forth between reading the play and watching the movie. However, as far as our comparing and contrasting go, we are having more discussion than anything. This would be s fantastic resource that I could use with them right now!

Charlotte’s Web as it works great as a cross-curricular unit with life cycles in science.

My favorite novel to compare and contrast with the movie is “Hatchet”!

I love to compare and contrast The BFG. I feel that students often times enjoy the movie so much more after they have read and discussed the book. There are so many things in the book that are not in the movie and the students love to point them out.

Sarah, Plain and Tall…I’m from Kansas and I love this book because it reminds me of home and my grandparents farm. The movie was actually shot in Emporia, Kansas, where I attended college, and I actually waited on Christopher Walken at a restaurant I worked at at the time. 🙂 Great memories!

I like to compare Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” with Theodor Seuss Geisel’s “How the Grinch Stole Christmas”. Fingers crossed! Thanks for hosting this giveaway. Teresa Special Ed Shenanigans

Polar Express would be perfect!

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a good one! I also like doing Shiloh!

I loved comparing the first Harry Potter because my students loved the book and I was able to get permission to show the movie. I also do Because of Winn-Dixie and my students love that

I love to compare the movie and book: The Grinch Who Stole Christmas and The Polar Express

Wonder – It sparks great discussions and has so many great messages that benefit the students.

I just commented and realized that I hit submit too quickly. I meant to add that we like to compare Number the Stars to the Disney movie Miracle at Midnight. I accidentally mentioned the picture book The Butterfly. (Which is another great comparison)

Jumanji and Zathura, as well as Percy Jackson are all interesting to compare and contrast.

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

My class loves to compare Number the Stars with the picture book The Butterfly. We also enjoy reading Island of the Blue Dolphins and then watching/comparing it to the movie.

I would love the holes package as I am planning on reading that novel in the new year

My favorite book to read and compare with the movie is the Newberry Award-winning novel The Phantom Tollbooth… such amazing fun with words, maps, adventure, and learning important lessons. Truly a timeless treasure! 🙂

My students and I love Winn Dixie! We’ll be watching the movie soon.

The Witches by Roald Dahl

Holes is my favorite!

Inside Out, Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, or Sky High

I also love Matilda! Harry Potter is also a strong movie representation of the book. 🙂

Thank you so much!!

My 5th graders compare and contrast the book The Sign of the Beaver to its companion movie Keeping the Promise.

Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs or Horton Hears a Who!

I am a first year teacher and my 4th grade students and I have just completed reading aloud all 17 Chapters of “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” – it has taken us the entire semester! I was able to get approval for us to the watch the movie the last day before winter break, and I could really use some compare/contrast activities to make the experience more meaningful (and to fill the afternoon when the movie is done!) Here’s hoping you choose a newbie to the profession! (Krista G., TMP member and 4th grade teacher in Johns Creek,GA)

We’re reading Fantastic Mr Fox at the moment, because the film is quite different it’s really interesting to see what the students can pick apart for an author’s intent and why it might be different.

Percy Jackson – The Lightning Thief! My kids love it!

I would love to compare/contrast The Giver. I haven’t seen the movie yet, but I love the book! 🙂 Thank you and happy holidays!

I am an absolute Wizard of Oz fanatic! I even had a “Toto” dog and named her Ruby, after the red slippers! I always wanted to to compare and contrast with the book and movie, but couldn’t find a resource where my admin. would allow me to do it. I also love Charlie and the Chocolate Factory as well! And of course WONDER!

We’ve done To Kill a Mockingbird. I would love to do Wonder.

The Polar Express!

Thank you for all you thorough work. In my 5th grade class, we read and watch War Horse. The film adaptation is a favorite among my students. They love comparing the book and movie to see the differences. One of most talked about differences is about Joey and Albert at the end. I will not say more and spoil it! Check it out!

My favorite book to compare to the movie is The Grinch. We do the animated and the Jim Carrey version. Now, there is a new movie. We could start comparing the movies to each other!

Wonder!!!! My class LOVES the book, and they are SO excited to watch the movie! They are very similar, but my kids were mad they left a few things out, and laugh at how different the characters looked compared to what they had imagined!

compare and contrast Mr. Popper’s Penguins

Freak the Mighty and Tuck Everlasting

I love teaching Charlotte’s Web! Comparing and contrasting is one of my favorite things to do with this!

Any Narnia book with the movie version.

Tale of Desperaux and Percy Jackson and the Lightening Thief.

I like to use compare and contrast of the movie and the book with either The Polar Express or Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. I use the old version of this movie and book rather than the Johnny Depp version which is almost identical to the book.

I’m a huge Roald Dahl fan and do at leats two of his books a year. My favourites for compare and contrast book to movie are The BFG and Charlie and the Chocolate factory. This is more about content and missed bits than plot change.

Another good one is The Tale of Despereaux – the movie is so sanitised and happified (is that a word?!) compared to the darker, and in my opinion better, book – more opportunity for critical thinking.

Winn Dixie!

Our school is showing The Polar Express to families as a fun evening activity next week. I would love to read my students the book and compare and contrast the movie and book:-)

Thanks for the awesome free resources!!!

I would love to compare “The Hate You Give!” with my class.

Wonder would be a great book/movie to compare and contrast!

Holes would be great!

We love comparing and contrasting both Where the Red Fern Grows, To Kill a Mockingbird a Mockingbird and Old Man and the Sea. I would love to do the same with Freak the Mighty or The Giver!

I love any Ronald Dahl book. Currently, we are doing BFG. Next is Matilda! 🙂

The City of Ember has been a fun one to compare movie and book. I would love to teach Because of Winn Dixie, since Kate DiCamillo is one of my favorite writers.

Swindle. I do it as a read aloud at the beginning of school, then we watch the movie.

To Kill a Mockingbird book and movie

Tuck Everlasting is a good one!

Phantom Tollbooth is one of my favorites and has been since I was younger. Although I think it’s a little too high for my current students.

Wonder is a favorite of mine.

I did Polar Express last week, and we are going to do It’s A Wonderful Life/ The Great Experience next week! 🙂

I love Holes for my 5th grade babies.

The Grinch, and The Lorax are my favorite. I am interested in looking into comparing Tale of Despeaurex

I love reading Because of Winn Dixie and we are going to watch the movie this year too! I also love the Polar Express!! I would love use your resources please!

We are just finishing Wonder and will watch the movie in a couple of weeks.

Our grade level loves to compare and contrast “The Polar Express.” We do a whole week centered around this book, then wrap up the week with a Polar Express party and the movie. Then we complete a graphic organizer to compare and contrast both of them, and write a short essay response.

Wonder! We are going to start reading that after Christmas break!

I love Because of Winn Dixie!

I love to use Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone or Chamber of Secrets with upper elementary because I’m a huge HP nerd. They take a long time to read though!

Charlotte’s Web

Right now we are reading Harry Potter (the 1st one). We will be watching the movie version to compare and contrast. 🙂

I’ve done The Grinch with classes multiple times, I was excited to do Stubby the War Dog last spring unitl I realized the movie wasn’t out yet!

Harry Potter is a fun compare and contrast.

The Worst/ Best Christmas Pageant Ever!

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe!

I want to do Ferdinand this year with my Dual Language students!

Sarah, Plain and Tall (and the series)

I use Shiloh.

Wonder. Or any Harry Potter

I’ve done Charlie and the chocolate factory as well as Charlotte’s Web. Love the activity 🙂

I love comparing and contrasting Holes.

This is such a fun activity! I’d like to try the Nutcracker, once the new movie comes out, or use an older version. I’d love to see if there is a movie for Hatchet. The Indian in the Cupboard would be fun!

We read “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever” as a class novel every year in December and then watch the movie.

I have compared and contrasted Cloudy with a chance of Meatballs many times, but I would like to compare and contrast Matilda.

I like to compare/contrast Charlotte’s Web.

I like to compare/contrast “Series of Unfortunate Events”. My 4th graders love that book. We use the old movie with Jim Carey, and now with the Netflix version they are able to view it at home and come up with yet another take on the story.

Stone Fox or Polar Express!

I love comparing and contrasting the Polar Express or the Grinch with my 4th grade students.

I love to use Charlotte’s Web and Wonder.

I love your resources! I look forward to and enjoy the freebies you send! They are greatly appreciated. I would like to compare/contrast Wonder. I am currently reading the book to my students. Thank you! 🙂

I read Stelluna to my class every year, but I didn’t realize there was a movie too! I am definitely going to have to get the movie so we can compare and contrast the book vs movie. Thanks for the idea!

I love to compare and contrast The Grinch and The Lorax.

We usually compare and contrast Maniac Magee. The book is amazing, but the movie leaves out SO much of the story! Great one to prove the book is much better.

Wonder and Phantom Tollbooth

I love to compare and contrast the book/movie Wonder. Both the book and the movie are wonderful and my students enjoy both. I am doing Tuck Everlasting and The Giver this year as well.

We compare and contrast the movie The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, Maniac Magee, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. My kids love finding ways the movie is different. Many of them have also promised me they will create a movie for There’s a Boy in the Girls’ Bathroom when they grow up. It is one of our favorites! 🙂

I love comparing and contrasting Because of Winn-Dixie with my students

Charlotte’s Web is fun to compare and contrast! There’s several different versions of movies to choose from – animated and non-animated.

I just started reading Because of Winn-Dixie with a fifth grader and he already saw the movie, so your compare/contrast resource is very helpful! Thank you

Each year I compare/contrast The Christmas Shoes just before Winter break. I also did Wonder last year.

I love to compare and contrast Wonder with my fifth graders!

When I taught third grade I would compare and contrast Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and Charlotte’s Web. With my sixth graders, we compare and contrast Where the Red Fern Grows.

I love to do the movie/book comparison for HOOT. There are a lot of differences and it is a popular book with both the boys and the girls.

Book to movie– Matilda

I think The Grinch would be a great one!

The grinch is a movie and book I would like to compare/contrast

I would like to compare/contrast Wonder. Thanks for all of your resources.

I would like to compare and contrast The Best Christmas Pageant Ever! 🙂

We ha e read the Tale of Despereaux and I’d love to compare/contrast that story with the movie.

I love Charlotte’s Web!

I love compare and contrasting The Outsiders with my 6th graders, but this year I’m embarking on a new one – Percy Jackson and the Olympians – The Lightning Thief. The students are so jazzed about finishing the book and looking forward to watching the movie!!

My class reads Wizard of Oz every year. Of course, we also watch the movie. It’s the best compare & contrast! Although we did do Because if Winn Dixie last year too, because it was a Battle of Books. 😉

This is perfect! We are working on comparing and contrasting and getting ready to do Polar Express. Awesome! Choose me, choose me

Thanks for all of your resources you provide. I am interested in compare/contrast for the movie Polar Express! Thanks

This time of year I like to “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” as a compare and contrast of the book versus the movie. It has such a nice message.

Book/Movie to compare/contrast: The Grinch!!

I love doing Stuart Little! 🙂

Love Love love Charlotte’s Web to compare and contrast.

I love to compare and contrast Stone Fox with my fourth graders.

I have been comparing and contrasting movies for years. The last few years it has been harder to find the time because some administrators do not feel that showing a movie is educational. Last year I showed the movie Holes after having read the book with my fourth graders. I think I will go back to my all time favorite this year, Peter Pan (the cartoon). Many of my students have not heard of the great Disney classic movies yet alone read one.

My team teacher and I are hoping to compare and contrast the book/movie of Wonder this year in fourth grade!

I would love to use this with Wonder. 🙂

Actually, my team and I are planning to compare and contrast the Polar Express! Thank you!

Some of the book/movies I’ve done:

Hachiko Waits vs. Hachi: A Dog’s Tale Sarah, Plain & Tall Holes

Jumanji & Zathura

I have compared the books and movies for Polar Express and The BFG.

We do Wonder and we compare and contrast the book and movie! Lots of fun!

My favorite movie & book to compare & contrast is Stone Fox. There are a ton of differences between the 2 so it’s very easy to contrast for sure!

My students and I have been reading Escape from Mr Lemoncello’s Library and I just learned there is a series/movie! I’d love to use your resources!

Percy Jackson, The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan. We love the book.

We used Winn Dixie this year, which was a hit. We also did this last year with Wonder. We read it aloud to start the year and watched it towards the end to have a full circle ending! I’d love to try the Polar Express around this time of year as well.

I love to use Mr. Popper’s Penguins to compare and contrast a book and a movie. There students have to really listen and focus to find the similarities in the two. They always love how many differences there are and are very quick to point them out…so much so that they can hardly watch the movie for telling each other and me things like, “Hey! They didn’t do that in the book.” or “That’s not anything like how Mr. Popper acted in the book.” I love to see that they are paying attention to those details, and it helps me know how well they listened to the book as we read it in class. I would love to have additional resources to use in my classroom to make my book/movie comparison lessons more engaging. Thank you for the opportunity, and thank you for all that you do and share with educators.

I love to compare and contrast The Sign of The Beaver. It’s old but every year the students love it. The movie is different enough that it gives lots of opportunities for discussions.

I would like to try to compare and contrast the book and movie versions of Stellaluna.

I am comparing and contrasting The Westing Game book and movie the week before Christmas.

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The Grinch would be great for my fourth graders!

I want to compare and contrast Because of Winn Dixie with my students!

Because of Winn Dixie and Polar Express

Holes for sure is my favorite! What a great resource.

I would love to compare and contrast the book and movie Polar Express!

The Grinch Who Stole Christmas

We have compared and contrasted the book and movie “Holes”! I also like to do “Charlotte’s Web”.

I also love reading Matilda! So many themes you can pull from that text. Around this time of year, we like to read The Grinch, discuss it in depth, then watch the classic version of the movie. Inadvertently, we are also able to make comparisons with the more recent version of The Grinch and compare both adaptations with the book.

My students and I are finishing Charlie and the chocolates factory! I would love to put this great spin on watching the movie. #12daysofChristmas

I would love any of the books/movies listed above. Especially Polar Express! One of my favorites! Thanks for everything!

I love Polar Express of course! But earlier this year we did Stone Fox with my third graders and that was so fun! They loved finding all the little differences!

Where the red fern grows is an excellent comparison but watching the movie students can really feel the emotion which in the book they may not understand some of the events that take place

My favorite book/movie to compare and contrast is “Bridge to Terabithia” by Katherine Paterson. The students get to compare and contrast events that happen in the book and not in the movie (or vice versa), but an added bonus is they get to compare and contrast the visual that they create in their minds of imaginary world Terabithia and the magical world the producers made. There are lot of points to compare that it always leads to a great discussion!

We love to compare any Roald Dahl books/movies.

My third graders have been reading Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and they have been loving it!! We will be finishing it next week, so the following week (right before break) we will be watching the movie! I was already planning on having my students compare and contrast the movie to the book, so this resources would definitely be a huge help!!

I would like to compare the book/movie Wonder with my kiddos.

My favorite book and movie to compare and contrast is Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone. My 5th graders love it!

A unit my students are doing focuses on the Nez Perce Indian tribe. We read the book, Thunder Rolling in the Mountains, and then watch the movie, I Will Cry No More Forever. I have my students do some comparing/contrasting, but I would love your resources! Thank you!

The first book we read is Mrs Frisby and the Rays of NIMH. We then compare and contrast it with the movie, the Rats of Nimh. This time of year we read A Christmas Carol together and then watch A Muppet Christmas Carol and compare. It’s a bit silly, but so fun for the last week before Christmas break. I also hope to use The Man Who Invented Christmas and do a little compare and contrast with Dickens actual life.

So I would love to compare and contrast Harry Potter, but it is such a taboo book and I don’t know that I’d even want to try it. I would also love Matilda! I’ve never thought of that one, but I saw it on the list as I was scrolling through, and thought it would sound fun!

I would love to compare and contrast “The Polar Express” movie and book. Not only is it perfect to read around the holidays, but we are actually working on comparing and contrasting right now. It is a perfect way to do something fun and interesting with the kids that will also be educational and get them in the holiday spirit.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is the latest book/movie we have done this with. Back when the first Harry Potter movie came out, we did that one and it was a HUGE hit. There were so many points to compare and contrast in that set! The kids loved it!!! One student told me that reading the book was like a movie playing is his head, because the details were so well written in the book. I think I may need to recycle that one. 🙂

Thank you! Have a great day!

I am reading Because of Winn-Dixie for the first time with a class. I would love to have the movie to show them when we finish right before winter break.

I am currently reading Tale of Depereaux with my four sections of language arts classes. I would love to have some resources to help my students compare and contrast the book to the movie!

Thank you, Ms. G Heiligenstein

My latest favorite movie/book to compare/contrast is Wonder.

I just compared and contrasted The Jungle Book movie and story and then we got to watch a play of it too. The kids loved it!

I would love to compare/contrast the book and movie “Wonder” with my students. Such good themes and point of view!!

I would love to be able to compare and contrast the book and movie “Wonder”.

My all time favorite read aloud and movie to watch with my kids is Holes! I read this book as a kid probably 5 or 6 times. I love being able to share my love for this book and the movie. 🙂 It’s great for 5th and 6th grade students.

I love comparing Balto to the movie. The real story to the cartoon. I would love to have this resource to use during this unit. Happy Holidays. Debbie

My students are a little older than yours but good materials are good materials. We are currently doing 2 different book/movie projects (the students had a choice.) We are doing Wonder and The Hate U Give.

I use The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe and The Giver with my middle school students.

I’ve been receiving your newsletter for some time now. Perhaps I originally requested your sub plans, but if so I’m afraid I’ve mislaid them. Now when I click on the button to request them, nothing happens.

Could you please send me your sub plans, maybe via email?

I emailed them to you!

My class always enjoys “Lemoney Snickett: A Series of Unfortunate Events.”

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Home — Essay Samples — Life — Reading Books — Why Should You Read The Book Before You Watch The Movie

Why Should You Read The Book before You Watch The Movie

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Published: Jan 8, 2020

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The Tearsmith : The Biggest Differences Between The New Dark Romance Movie and Bestselling Book

The new film, now streaming on Netflix, is based off of Erin Doom's Italian bestseller of the same name

Rebecca Aizin is an Editorial Assistant at PEOPLE. She has been working at PEOPLE since 2023. Her work has previously appeared on Elle, HGTV and Backstage. 

Ready for the next Twilight ?

Erin Doom's Italian bestseller The Tearsmith has arrived stateside to give the popular franchise a run for its money. The spine-tingling romance story follows Nica and Rigel, both orphans at The Grave who are adopted by the same family. While Nica is as naive and innocent as a harmless butterfly, Rigel is often compared to the volatility of a wolf.

Unbeknownst to Nica, Rigel has been harboring an undying love for her since the day she stepped into the orphanage at 5 years old. Though she's terrified of his aggressive nature, Nica can't help but be intrigued by Rigel's hidden vulnerability and a bond begins to form between the two — hindered only by the fact that they're about to be siblings.

Never miss a story — sign up for  PEOPLE's free daily newsletter  to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

Now adapted into a movie streaming on Netflix, The Tearsmith , which was filmed in Italian with English subtitles, is spreading to new audiences looking for their next romantic fix.

Here's everything to know about the differences between the book and the movie adaptation. Some light spoilers ahead, for those who haven't yet discovered the magic of either version.

The abusive matron is still at the orphanage

In the book, Nica and Rigel often talk about their complicated history with the matron from their childhood, Margaret Stoker. While Nica was brutally abused by the matron, Rigel was her favorite and the only child spared from her abuse — which only exacerbated his feelings of isolation and shame.

In the movie, the same relationship with the matron exists, but unlike the book where she was replaced by Mrs. Fridge when Nica was 12, Margaret was still the matron when Nica and Rigel were adopted.

Nica and Rigel's relationship developed more quickly in the movie

Netflix/Youtube

The novel is a whopping 550 pages and it isn't until around halfway through that a physical relationship starts between Nica and Rigel, after much tension and build-up. However, given the runtime of the movie is an hour and 45 minutes, the relationship is sped along much faster onscreen.

Rigel is prone to headaches and severe fevers and, early in the book, he experiences a fever that causes him to pass out, leaving Nica to take care of him while their adoptive parents are out of town. While the same scene happens in the movie, it is also the first time Nica and Rigel get together physically — whereas in the book, Rigel is asleep and Nica merely sees his vulnerability for the first time.

Chaos ensues at a school dance rather than at a party

There is a raving animosity between Lionel, who has a romantic interest in the clueless Nica, and Rigel, who doesn't trust his rival (and let's face it, he's jealous). In the book, the rivalry culminates in the final scene where Rigel and Lionel get into a massive fight.

However, in the movie, it all comes to a head during the climax of the film at the school dance — which does not happen in the book. Instead, a similar chaotic scene happens when Nica attends Lionel's party, where a drunk Lionel is aggressive toward her.

At the dance, Lionel is the sober one while Rigel fends off an inebriated Nica. A near-fatal incident that occurs at the end of the book happens directly after this scene — after Nica and Rigel have sex for the first time (which is also not when it happens in the book!).

Though Asia is a minor character in the book, she is important to the story as Nica stands up to her and proves that she's not there to replace her adoptive parents' deceased son, Alan, but rather to bring them new joy. Asia, who was in love with Alan before his death, has a hard time accepting her and is brusque and rude to her.

In the film adaptation, Asia's character is the same but she is not developed and is only in two scenes: the initial scene where she reacts poorly to Nica's presence and the final scene where she accepts Nica. Her friendship with Adeline is ignored and her story as a law student (and Adaline's love story) is also not portrayed in the film.

The story has a somewhat different ending

The plot still ends with Nica testifying against Margaret (but no spoilers on the outcome of that testimony!), but it's in a slightly different, more condensed order than the book.

In the book, Nica sits by a comatose Rigel's side for months, telling him stories and attempting to rouse him.

How this dark fairytale come to end? You'll just have to read—and watch—to find out.

Related Articles

The story of epochal flop ‘Heaven’s Gate’ isn’t a disaster yarn. It’s a cautionary tale

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When Steven Bach’s “Final Cut” appeared in 1985, it was mainly sold as Hollywood dish. Bach, the former head of production at United Artists, had delivered the inside story of “Heaven’s Gate,” a 1980 epic western by Michael Cimino that was budgeted at about $11.5 million, wound up costing around four times that, and prompted the hobbled studio’s sale to MGM. Here at last were the details of Cimino’s outsize ego and UA’s futile attempts to restrain it.

The Ultimate Hollywood Bookshelf

“Final Cut: Art, Money, and Ego in the Making of Heaven’s Gate, the Film That Sank United Artists” ranks No. 18 on our list of the best Hollywood books of all time.

In the years that followed, as “Heaven’s Gate” was eclipsed by bigger debacles with bigger budgets (“Cutthroat Island,” “Treasure Planet,” “Battlefield Earth” and on and on), “Final Cut” became something more like a history lesson. Bach had delivered a cautionary tale about the hubris of ’70s Hollywood’s conglomerate era, when manufacturers such as Gulf and Western and insurance firms such as Transamerica Corp. (which owned UA) treated movie studios as profit centers without caring much about movies per se. It was also a snapshot of the end of the American auteur period, when filmmakers were given more leeway and then abused it. Francis Ford Coppola’s “Apocalypse Now” closed the door on the age of the freewheeling director; “Heaven’s Gate” nailed it shut.

Today, reading it again — “Final Cut” rewards revisiting the way few Hollywood tell-alls do — the book’s virtues are more nuanced than those production details. It reads a little like a love story, albeit a dysfunctional one. Without denying his own complicity in the movie’s failure, Bach is mainly rueful that it all turned out so badly, that it all felt so inevitable. Bach and Cimino, it’s clear, both wanted the same thing: a masterpiece. But their visions about how to make a masterpiece diverged. Bach wanted the director of 1978’s “The Deer Hunter,” which had just collected a wheelbarrow full of Oscars, to simply repeat his success. Cimino wanted a perfect rendition of an epic Wyoming battle between immigrants and landowners. Standing in the way of both men was the budget.

But what is the price, exactly, for genius and prestige? Because they couldn’t answer that question, Bach and his affiliates kept giving in. Cast Isabelle Huppert, and her impenetrable French accent, as the female lead? Whatever the auteur wants. Countless takes of one scene of Kris Kristofferson cracking a whip? Whatever’s needed. When the producers protested, Cimino put them off by showing some spectacular wide-angle shots — whatever the film’s flaws, Vilmos Zsigmond’s cinematography is jaw-dropping — and everybody retreated to their corners. “Had we been struck down by a runaway taxi,” Bach writes about yet another meeting where execs caved to Cimino, “there might be a United Artists today.”

Yet in “Final Cut,” Bach isn’t simply falling on his sword, nor is Cimino simply a dictator in the director’s chair. The fault isn’t just with them — in Hollywood, blame and error metastasize — and Bach tracks how Transamerica, UA executives and the media contributed to the production’s failure. Moreover, the person who can change the narrative isn’t necessarily the person in charge. A freelance writer named Les Gapay, rebuffed from formally covering the set, sneaked in as an extra and reported on the production’s physical perils and cost overruns in a story that ran simultaneously in the L.A. Times and Washington Post. A masterpiece in the making had become a story about dollar figures.

“Heaven’s Gate” is sodden, both in its original 3½-hour version and the version Cimino hastily cut an hour from. But either way, you can see why Bach and Cimino cared so much. “It was an orgy of brilliant pictorial effects, and no one who sat in that theater would ever again question where the money had gone,” Bach writes of Cimino’s five-hour-plus rough cut. “For it was there to see: the sweep of movement before the camera, by the camera, spectacular effect following spectacular effect until there couldn’t be any more, but there were, and still more after that.” In one passage, you can sense Bach’s passion and then witness his desperation as it slips away.

Bach died in 2009, Cimino in 2016. The type of studio executive and director they represented probably won’t be seen again. Hollywood is too cautious, too alert to demographics to hand off so much trust to any one person. Yet Hollywood still wants to make genius films, and people still want to see them. That’s what makes “Final Cut” worth returning to. It asks: How much recklessness do you need to make a masterpiece? How much control, how much brilliance, how much money?

Athitakis is a book critic in Phoenix and author of “The New Midwest.”

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How to stream ‘Blind Date Book Club’ on Hallmark for free: Time, TV, more

• Updated: Apr. 06, 2024, 4:01 p.m. |
• Published: Apr. 06, 2024, 4:00 p.m.

"Blind Date Book Club" premieres on Saturday, April 6 Courtesy of Hallmark

• Yzzy Liwanag | [email protected]

“Blind Date Book Club” is set to premiere on the Hallmark Channel on Saturday, April 6 (4/6/2024) at 8 p.m. ET. A live stream of the movie can be found on Philo (free trial) , FrndlyTV (free trial) , and more TV services listed below.

In “Blind Date Book Club” facing a string of setbacks, a skilled golfer decides to return to her hometown of Budapest to reassess her future in the sport. During her stay, a golf professional aids her in rediscovering her identity and leads her to find love.

How can I watch “Blind Date Book Club” for free?

The movie can be streamed for free on Philo (free trial) , FrndlyTV (free trial) , fuboTV (free trial) , DirecTV Stream (free trial) , and Sling (half of the first month) .

What is the movie about?

According to the movie’s official synopsis, “A bookstore owner finds love and direction in life after agreeing to review a famous author’s new novel in her blind-date-with-a-book club.”

What are the differences between the streaming services?

Philo is a live TV streaming service focused on entertainment channels like MTV, Paramount Network, Discovery and more. It offers 60+ channels for the budget-friendly price of $25 per month. It has unlimited DVR and can be streamed on all your favorite app-enabled devices. Right now, you can try Philo free for 7 days.

Frndly TV is the most affordable live TV streaming service in America. Starting at only $6.99/mo., billed annually, Frndly TV offers 40+ top-rated live TV networks including A+E®, Hallmark Channel, The History Channel™, INSP, Lifetime®, Hallmark Movie & Mysteries, MeTV+, Game Show Network, GAC Family, and more. Customers can also access a wide range of on-demand content at no extra cost. Frndly TV delivers feel good programming at a family friendly price.

FuboTV is a live TV streaming service focused on live sports, including U.S. and international soccer, the NFL, MLB, NBA, NHL and more. It also includes its own fubo Sports Networks with exclusive programming. It offers 150 channels starting at $74.99, including 1,000 hours of DVR, and streams on most devices. Right now you can try fuboTV free for 7 days.

DirecTV Stream is comparable to FuboTV, as it provides similar channels and functionalities. Their basic package, priced at $74.99 per month with a free trial, includes just over 75 live TV channels. You can explore all of DirecTV Stream’s channel packages on their website.

Sling is known for its affordability and provides new subscribers with a 50% discount on their initial month of service. There are three channel packages available: Sling Blue and Sling Orange, each priced at $40 per month, and Sling Orange + Blue, which combines the first two packages for $55 per month. To enjoy the Bravo channel, you will need either a Sling Blue or Sling Orange + Blue subscription.

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