If you’re like me, you probably enjoy spending your free time watching TV series and films. However, when talking about book adaptations, you probably insist on reading the novel – or several of them – before you watch the film or series it was based on. I did this with “Game of Thrones”, and though the TV drama is a bit different, I learned more about the characters and overall plot.
So, if you found yourself in a situation where you want to watch something new, but wish to ensure that you go through the novels first, you may be wondering – what are some of the best flicks and shows based on novels that I could view on Netflix during 2024? Luckily, the article below will shed some light on the entire topic. Let’s take a closer glimpse at the list:
01: “Behind Her Eyes”
Author: Sarah Pinborough
Before we look at the plot of this adaptation, one of the first things that you should know about it is that you should reserve one entire day for watching it, mostly because you won’t be able to stop when you play the first episode. This incredibly well-written psychical thriller was adapted into a six-episode show on Netflix.
If you opt for reading the novel first, you’ll realize that it revolves around a mom called Louise and the aftermath of her getting dragged into a mysterious couple’s lives. I would prefer to tell you more about it, but the entire series is full of surprises, so, it might be better for you to discover all of the intrigues by yourself.
02: “The Dig”
Author: John Preston
Next is a flick that perfectly represents real life and it also shows us that real life is, in most situations, stranger than fantasy. The novel is actually entirely based on real events that happened during the Second World War. Without revealing too much information, the plot revolves around a widowed farmer.
Throughout the book – and film – you’ll be able to follow the main character that finds some incredible treasure in his garden in Great Britain. In fact, the medieval ruins that he finds date back to the sixth century and if you want to learn what occurs next, you should either read the paperback or watch the movie.
03: “Death on The Nile”
Author: Agatha Christie
If you’re up for a real thriller, you should definitely choose to read “Death on The Nile”, a novel that comes from one of the best-known authors, Agatha Christie. If you watched or read “The Murder on The Orient Express”, you should know that this adaptation is the sequel to the film and novel.
Like every other book by Agatha, Hercule Poirot needs to investigate the death of a young debutante while he is vacationing on the river Nile. Keep in mind, this movie isn’t released yet, meaning that there is plenty of time for you to get the novel and if you want to learn more info about the upcoming film you can view here.
04: “Firefly Lane”
Author: Kristin Hannah
If there is one show on this list that is truly binge-worthy, it’s “Firefly Lane”. The plot revolves around two characters, Kate and Tully, who meet as adolescents during the ‘70s. They quickly become best mates and together, they both deal with and observe the tension in each other’s lives.
Keep in mind, both the show and the book switch between the present day, their adolescent years, and childhood, meaning that you’ll be capable of learning their backstories. And, if you closely view the show, you’ll quickly determine that they’re still dreaming about their past and the things they experienced.
05: “The Power of The Dog”
Author: Thomas Savage
One of the first things that you must know about this adaptation is that it’s incredibly tense. The movie is yet to be published, hence, you could read the novel that starts with the tale of the Burbank siblings residing on their farm in Montana during the ‘20s, so, the plot will mostly revolve around them and their lives.
Throughout the course of the novel, you’ll notice that everything is going well for all of the siblings until one of them chooses to marry a widow. Once he does, his older sibling is set on ruining his relationship, and what occurs next is for you to discover on your own.
06: “Monster:
Author: Walter Dean Myers
Before we look at what this book, as well as film, is about, you should know that the novel won a lot of prizes including the Pulitzer and National Book Award, and it’s safe to say that it is, perhaps, a classic. The plot revolves around a teen that is 16, and who gets arrested and charged with murder. The novel was published in 1999, and in 2018, the movie was revealed during the Sundance festival. In 2024, the movie rights were obtained by Netflix, hence, you can expect it to be published for streaming soon.
07: “Always And Forever, Lara Jean”
Author: Jenny Han
If you have been following Jenny Han, you probably know that this novel is her last chapter of the trilogy and the movie will be coming at one point in 2024. So, if you love an interesting mix of romance, comedy, and drama, you might want to check these novels and movie adaptations.
You should know, you’ll be seeing Lara going off to university and more importantly, you’ll finally be able to see her love triangles sort themselves out. Now, don’t worry, although the trilogy is coming to an end, you’ll be able to watch it as many times as you want on Netflix.
Conclusion
Whether you’re a book worm or a movie/series enthusiast, there is a wide range of adaptations that you could choose to watch on Netflix. Depending on your preferences and needs, you’ll certainly be capable of finding something that you’ll enjoy watching, as well as reading.
So, now that you’re aware of what you can choose to watch, you might not want to lose any more of your free time. Instead, you should go through the list above one more time, pick a movie or series that might appeal to you, and then turn on Netflix, grab some popcorn, and enjoy some of the best book adaptations out there.
