List of best movies based on young adult literature written by some of the best young adult writers. These films were all inspired by or adapted directly from novels written for a young adult or teenage audience. Many of these books are widely regarded as "classic children's literature" that has been popular and even assigned to students in schools for decades. Others - such as recent hit films like The Hunger Games and the Harry Potter series - are based on newer works that have become important cultural phenomena in the past few decades. Some of the most popular, beloved, and highest grossing movies of recent Hollywood filmmaking, in particular, originated in stories from young adult books.
The massive success of The Hunger Games - which scored one of the highest opening weekend totals in US box office history - has inspired other studios and filmmakers to look to young adult literature for ideas, and a number of other YA books are already set to be adapted in the coming years. (For example, Orson Scott Card's sci-fi thriller Ender's Game has long been considered for a big-budget film version.) Many of these YA books, like Harry Potter, take place in magical and fantasy worlds, making the stories even more compelling on a big screen. A few young adult book adaptations came out to considerably less fanfare, such as the first release from the ongoing Percy Jackson series - The Lightning Thief - but these are widely seen as exceptions rather than the rule.
This list compiles the best films ever made based on books for young adults. Be sure to vote for your favorites and move them up the list, and if your favorite movie based on a book for tweens or teens has been left off, be sure to add it at the bottom of the page.
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2,055947Harry Potter Franchise
Danielle Radcliffe, Rupert GrintReleased: 2001 - 2011
Directed by: Chris Columbus, Alfonso Cuarón, Mike Newell, David Yates
Harry Potter is a British-American film series based on the Harry Potter novels by author J.... more
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1,202448Mary Poppins
Julie Andrews, Dick Van DykeReleased: 1964
Directed by: Robert Stevenson
Mary Poppins is a 1964 American musical fantasy film directed by Robert Stevenson and produced... more3
841487Hugo
Jude Law, Chloë Grace MoretzReleased: 2011
Directed by: Martin Scorsese
Hugo is a 2011 American 3D historical adventure drama film directed and co-produced by Martin... more4
1,7451,114The Hunger Games
Jennifer Lawrence, Josh HutchersonReleased: 2012
Directed by: Gary Ross
The Hunger Games is a 2012 American dystopian science fiction adventure film directed by Gary... more5
1,7411,145The Chronicles of Narnia Franchise
Will Poulter, Tilda SwintonReleased: 2005 - Present
Directed by: Andrew Adamson, Michael Apted
The Chronicles of Narnia is a series of fantasy films from Walden Media, based on The... more6
749345Eragon
Rachel Weisz, John MalkovichReleased: 2006
Directed by: Stefen Fangmeier
Eragon is a 2006 British-American fantasy-adventure film based on the novel of the same name... more7
744651The NeverEnding Story
Gerald McRaney, LimahlReleased: 1984
Directed by: Wolfgang Petersen
The NeverEnding Story is a 1984 West German epic fantasy film based on the novel of the same... more8
602517The Secret Garden
Dean Stockwell, Margaret O'BrienReleased: 1949
Directed by: Fred M. Wilcox
The Secret Garden is a 1949 US drama film. It is the second screen adaptation of the classic... more9
944441Matilda
Danny DeVito, Mara WilsonReleased: 1996
Directed by: Danny DeVito
Matilda is a 1996 American fantasy comedy children's film directed and narrated by Danny... more10
552456A Little Princess
Camilla Belle, Liam CunninghamReleased: 1995
Directed by: Alfonso Cuarón
A Little Princess is a 1995 drama film directed by Alfonso Cuarón, starring Liesel Matthews,... more11
979850Divergent
Kate Winslet, Shailene WoodleyReleased: 2014
Directed by: Neil Burger
Divergent is a 2014 American science fiction action film directed by Neil Burger, based on the... more12
845865Jumanji
Kirsten Dunst, Robin WilliamsReleased: 1995
Directed by: Joe Johnston
Jumanji is a 1995 American fantasy adventure film directed by Joe Johnston. It is an... more13
852845Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief
Uma Thurman, Pierce BrosnanReleased: 2010
Directed by: Chris Columbus
This film is a 2010 fantasy adventure film directed by Chris Columbus. ... more14
447352Practical Magic
Nicole Kidman, Sandra BullockReleased: 1998
Directed by: Griffin Dunne
Practical Magic is a 1998 American romantic comedy film based on the 1995 novel of the same... more15
445424Race to Witch Mountain
Dwayne Johnson, Carla GuginoReleased: 2009
Directed by: Andy Fickman
Race to Witch Mountain is a 2009 science fiction/thriller film and a continuation to the 1975... more16
871959The Perks of Being a Wallflower
Emma Watson, Nina DobrevReleased: 2012
Directed by: Stephen Chbosky
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is a 2012 American coming-of-age comedy-drama film, and an... more17
849871The Maze Runner
Kaya Scodelario, Dylan O'BrienReleased: 2014
Directed by: Wes Ball
The Maze Runner is a 2014 American science fiction dystopian action thriller film directed by... more18
765926The Wizard of Oz
Judy Garland, Margaret HamiltonReleased: 1939
Directed by: Mervyn LeRoy, Norman Taurog, King Vidor, George Cukor, Victor Fleming
The Wizard of Oz is a 1939 American musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, and... more19
423408Escape to Witch Mountain
Kim Richards, Kyle RichardsReleased: 1975
Directed by: John Hough
Escape to Witch Mountain is a 1975 film based on the novel Escape to Witch Mountain by... more20
825869The Fault in Our Stars
Shailene Woodley, Willem DafoeReleased: 2014
Directed by: Josh Boone
The Fault in Our Stars is a 2014 American romantic drama film directed by Josh Boone, based on... more21
333316Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
Phil Collins, Dick Van DykeReleased: 1968
Directed by: Ken Hughes
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is a 1968 British musical film loosely based on Ian Fleming's novel... more22
315327To Kill a Mockingbird
Robert Duvall, Gregory PeckReleased: 1962
Directed by: Robert Mulligan
To Kill a Mockingbird is a 1962 American drama film directed by Robert Mulligan. The... more23
656828Bridge to Terabithia
Zooey Deschanel, Josh HutchersonmReleased: 2007
Directed by: Gábor Csupó
Bridge to Terabithia is a 2007 American-New Zealand fantasy adventure family drama film... more24
335397Nanny McPhee
Emma Thompson, Angela LansburyReleased: 2005
Directed by: Kirk Jones
Nanny McPhee is a 2005 British fantasy film directed by Kirk Jones. The film stars Emma... more25
582723Mrs. Doubtfire
Robin Williams, Pierce BrosnanReleased: 1993
Directed by: Chris Columbus, Chuck Jones
Mrs. Doubtfire is a 1993 American comedy-drama film directed by Chris Columbus, based on the... more
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