When a film or television series is based on a pre-existing work, such as a book, musical, or play, it is known as an adaptation. Texts have been adapted for the screen since the first silent films of the early twentieth century. Quite often there will be many differences between the original work and the adaptation. The filmmakers may want to create a different story from the source material and the medium of film allows them to do things that cannot be done in other works. While consensus is usually that the book is better, there are always exceptions. Why not read the book and watch the film to form your own opinion on a particular film adaption?

As this is a compilation, a lot of good films were left off of this guide.  Please contact the library if you think there is a title worthy to be on this list.