10 Classic Novels That Are Begging For A Modern Movie Adaptation

Classic novels that are begging for a modern movie adaptation possess timeless themes, characters, and narratives – and they deserve their rightful place in cinema history. The rich character development, layered plots, and universal messages in these classic books are bound to be captivating to contemporary audiences. By translating these literary gems to the screen, filmmakers can introduce iconic stories to a new generation – or give long-time readers worthwhile interpretations of their favorite novels. The main challenge lies in preserving the essence of the original work while infusing a fresh perspective to resonate with today’s viewers, which isn’t always an easy task.

However, as seen in many great movies based on books deemed to be “unfilmable,” there are ways to achieve this balance, breathe new life into classic novels, and offer a visual and emotional experience that complements the written word. This typically entails picking the right book, which needs to be either one that hasn’t been adapted yet, or one that hasn’t had an adaptation in ages. While this can make classic stories feel fresher and avoid comparisons with recent films, successfully adapting any novel requires a careful blend of creative vision, respect for the source material, and an understanding of contemporary viewer sensibilities.

10 Blood Meridian (1985)

by Cormac McCarthy

Blood Meridian by Cormac McCarthy delves into the stark brutality of the American West in the mid-19th century, following the journey of an unnamed protagonist known only as “The Kid.” The novel explores the inherent violence in human nature, the clash of civilizations, and the desolation of the frontier. McCarthy’s vivid and relentless prose will finally be adapted in the Blood Meridian movie by director John Hillcoat, who previously succeeded with adapting McCarthy’s The Road – another “unfilmable” book. As social tensions, the impact of colonization, and environmental concerns remain pressing issues, it’s not surprising that there have been so many attempts to turn Blood Meridian into a movie.

9 Dune Messiah (1969)

by Frank Herbert

WARNING: This paragraph contains SPOILERS for Denis Villeneuve’s Dune movies.The second novel in Frank Herbert’s foundational sci-fi saga, Dune Messiah is set 12 years after Dune, revealing the aftermath of the first book’s cataclysmic events. There is a crucial need for Dune Messiah to be adapted into a movie, particularly because this would complete Denis Villeneuve’s plans for a Dune film trilogy. Following Dune: Part Two, Dune 3 – which would be based on Dune Messiah – is needed to properly conclude the story of Paul Atreides. As its title implies, Dune Messiah is a deep dive into the galactic implications of Paul’s messianic destiny, and it completes the Dune saga’s timeless overarching message about blindly following charismatic leaders.

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8 East of Eden (1952)

by John Steinbeck

John Steinbeck’s East of Eden follows the intertwined destinies of the Trask and the Hamilton families across generations. At its core, East of Eden revolves around the complex relationship between two brothers, Charles and Adam Trask, and their father, Cyrus – echoing the biblical tale of Cain and Abel. Notably, the 1955 film adaptation starring James Dean only covers the book’s last chapter, while all the other attempts to adapt East of Eden into either a movie or series have not yet manifested. By bringing Steinbeck’s masterpiece to the screen with a contemporary lens, filmmakers could offer a poignant exploration of human nature and the struggle between good and evil.

7 Haunted (2005)

There are several reasons why Chuck Palahniuk’s Haunted needs a movie adaptation. In Haunted, 17 aspiring novelists participate in a secret writer’s retreat, where they are forcibly locked inside an abandoned theater. However, they’re free to leave in 3 months – after completing their magnum opus. Although they’re given all the provisions needed to survive, the retreat soon devolves into a theater of horror. In between the real-time events, Haunted also tells the sordid backstories of the 17 writers, some chapters of which have garnered infamy through serialization. Combined with the weight of Palahniuk’s name as the author of Fight Club, Haunted could become a successful contemporary horror anthology movie.

6 The Left Hand of Darkness (1969)

by Ursula K. Le Guin

Set on the planet Gethen, Ursula K. Le Guin’s The Left Hand of Darkness follows the journey of Genly Ai, an ambassador from Terra, as he navigates the complex social and political landscape of a world where individuals can change gender at will. Through Genly’s interactions with the Gethenians – particularly with the high-ranking politician Estraven – the book delves into the fluidity of gender roles and the ways in which social norms shape identity. A groundbreaking novel now heralded as one of the first true feminist science fiction books, The Left Hand of Darkness is a timely and essential adaptation for today’s cinematic and political landscape.

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5 To Your Scattered Bodies Go (1971)

by Philip Jose Farmer

Philip Jose Farmer’s To Your Scattered Bodies Go follows British adventurer Sir Richard Francis Burton and a diverse group of individuals, all of whom awaken in a world where they discover that they have been resurrected from various points in Earth’s history. They soon learn that Riverworld is controlled by enigmatic beings who have granted them a second chance at life. In the wake of sprawling cinematic sci-fi worlds like The Matrix and Dune, To Your Scattered Bodies Go’s philosophical mysteries and themes of transhumanism and the afterlife are relevant more than ever. As the first novel in the Riverworld series, it also has the potential to spawn a franchise.

4 Foucault’s Pendulum (1988)

by Umberto Eco

Undoubtedly of the best books that surprisingly have no movie adaptations, Umberto Eco’s Foucault’s Pendulum is also known in some circles as the thinking man’s The Da Vinci Code. The labyrinthine tale follows three editors at a Milan publishing house who, while creating a fictional conspiracy theory, unwittingly become entangled in a real-life quest for a secret society’s hidden knowledge. As they delve deeper into the mysteries surrounding the Templars, Rosicrucians, and other esoteric groups, they confront the blurred lines between truth and fiction, sanity and madness. Today, a faithful adaptation of Foucault’s Pendulum could conceivably become the biggest conspiracy-driven mystery thriller of the 21st century.

3 I Am a Cat (1906)

by Natsume Sōseki

I Am a Cat by Natsume Sōseki is a satirical novel that offers a humorous yet incisive critique of Japanese society in the early 1900s. As promised, I Am a Cat is narrated by an unnamed feline who observes the absurdities and hypocrisies of human behavior from the vantage point of various households in Tokyo during the Meiji era. Through the cat’s perspective, Sōseki explores themes of social class and cultural shifts. The novel’s witty social commentary remain relevant in today’s society, where issues of hierarchy, behavioral norms, and the effects of colonialism continue to be scrutinized. It’d also be hilarious to hear such poignant commentary from a household cat.

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2 Bleeding Edge (2013)

by Thomas Pynchon

Set in New York City in the aftermath of the dot-com bubble burst and leading up to the September 11 attacks, Bleeding Edge by Thomas Pynchon follows Maxine Tarnow, a fraud investigator. As Maxine uncovers a web of corruption and intrigue involving internet startups and shadowy organizations, Bleeding Edge dissects the human experience in the digital age. Today, it remains a stark and timely examination of surveillance culture, and the increasingly blurred lines between reality and virtual space. A film adaptation that’s faithful to the postmodern narrative and sharp wit of Bleeding Edge would undoubtedly deserve a place among the best movies about 9/11.

1 Noli Me Tangere (1887)

by Jose Rizal

Set during the Spanish colonial period in the Philippines, Noli Me Tangere (“Touch Me Not”) centers around Juan Crisóstomo Ibarra, a young Filipino returning to his homeland after studying in Europe. Upon his return, he witnesses the injustices inflicted upon his countrymen by the oppressive Spanish regime and the corrupt friars. The 19th century novelist and polymath Dr. Jose Rizal was executed by the Spanish for writing Noli Me Tangere and other subversive works that inspired the Philippine Revolution. A movie version of Noli Me Tangere would resonate strongly in today’s world, where movements for social justice and decolonization continue to gain momentum.