We have Family Friday Movie Night almost every week and have for almost five years – this is a fun way to start the weekend!
We have a homemade pizza and then pile up our large sofas (not worthy of intstagram) in the basement and watch movies. Usually with treats.
This is one of our favorite family rituals.
And what is better for the night of a family film besides movies that have been adapted from the books of your beloved children?
It is fun to read a book together and then watch the film version – you can talk about what is changed by the filmmaker, how different it is to how you imagine it, and what you like and do not prefer about the film versus a book.
Here is more than 35 children’s books that are made into films that might be suitable for the night of your next family film.
35+ Children’s Books are made into films
The story of Ferdinand. This is a trick to turn a picture book into a long film but this one does it fantastic. We laughed at our heads in this film. (Book // Film)
Anne from Green Gables. The film version is very loyal to this book and I may have seen the film at least 50 times. (Book // Film)
Time wrinkles. I haven’t seen the film version of this one but if you like this book, you might not be able to refrain from watching it to live on the screen. (Book // Film)
Paddington. This loved bear enters all kinds of scratches that are just as pleasant to watch on the screen like in a book. (Book // Film)
The Spiderwick Chronicles. This is one rare example where I have watched a movie but not reading a book! (Book // Film)
Bridge to Terabithia. I mean, get ready to nag. (Book // Film)
Ella Enchanted. This is a pretty terrible movie adaptation from the most pleasant book, but if you can see it as their own separate thing, this film is not too bad (and I live for singing scenes). (Book // Film)
Fantastic Mr. Fox. My girls all undergo this stages of listening repeatedly and the film is very good. (Book // Film)
Jumanji. I might not show my girls Jumanji Baru, but the old ones with Robin Williams are fun for the younger audience. (Book // Film)
MATILDA. This is my favorite Dahl Roald book and the film version is victory (even if, as usual, it’s not as good as a book). (Book // Film)
Inkheart. A man who can read characters and objects out of the book? Register me. (Book // Film)
Despereaux Story. This is the best book about a small mouse in a castle that wins The Newberry. (Book // Film)
Penguin Mr. Popper. I check this film from the library now for the next night movie! (Book // Film)
Mary Poppins. This is one of the books where many people prefer movies (version of Mary Poppins book is much tighter and less loved than Julie Andrews). (Book // Film)
Charlotte web. This book is a classic that is very loved and the film version managed to be perfect. (Book // Film)
Ballet shoes. Until I was working on this post, I didn’t even know there was a film version but now I really want to watch it. (Book // Film)
Lions, magicians, and wardrobes. This is a fertile and magical version of the film from a loved book. (Book // Film)
Heidi. I think this is the sweetest book and you can’t be wrong with the film Shirley Temple. (Book // Film)
Strange Friday. We haven’t read the book (I read it a few decades ago when I was young) but we all laughed silly on the film version. (Book // Film)
Harry Potter. We only let Ella watch the first few films with us because of the fact that we did not want children who were scared to sleep in our bed for the following year. (Book // Film)
Baby. I like Dick King-Smith and Babe is the most famous. This film is a little offbeat, but fun. (Book // Film)
Hole. This book is on my list to read for girls and then I can’t wait to show the film. (Book // Film)
Lightning thief. Ella just started this book, even though I thought the film might be a little more for the younger girls today. (Book // Film)
Hugo’s discovery. Apart from the large size, you can read this 500+ page in a few hours because most of them are no words. (Book // Film)
How to train your dragon. There are about one million (for example 12) books in this series and the film version is very good. (Book // Film)
Black beauty. I mean, can you be wrong with a horse movie? (NO). (Book // Film)
A series of unfavorable events. Ella and Ani are currently blowing this series in Audio and I think they will get a kick from the film version. (Book // Film)
A little princess. Bart and I am both crying at the end of this film (finally different from the book). (Book // Film)
Borrower. I admit, I found this book a little strange. But my girls like it. (Book // Film)
Ramona and Beezus. To be honest, I don’t think the film is that close to this book, but it’s fun. (Book // Film)
Where the red fern grows. One more where you have to buy stock at Kleenex. (Book // Film)
Winnie the Pooh. I think Disney doing a good job makes this classic a film. (Book // Film)
101 Dalmatians. Even non-hay people like me find myself thinking, “I can go for 100 dogs …” (just joking). (Book // Film)
Mrs. Frisby and Nihm mouse. We just read this book and now I hope to watch it for the night movie in the near future! (Book // Film)
Watership down. I haven’t read this book in 25 years but I have heard Rave about the Netflix series. (Book // Film)
Giver. This one is a bit old for my girls now, but I like this book. (Book // Film)
Nanny McPhee. The book version is called nurse Matilda, and we haven’t read it yet, but we like the film. (Book // Film)
Miracles in 34th street. This is a Christmas story that is very loved. The perfect seasonal reading option or film! (Book // Film)
And if you want a copy that can be printed from the list of children’s books is made into a movie that you can bring to the library or screenshot on your cellphone for easy access, just enter your email address below and it will go directly to your inbox!
Is there a favorite book made into a film that I miss? Tell me in the comments!
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