List RulesVote up the best movies based on books for kids to watch.
These days, parents are spoiled for choice when it comes to entertainment for their kids. Whether it's the newest superhero movie for the older kids, or Pixar's latest hit, there are more options than ever. But writers have been entertaining kids since long before movies ever existed, and there are hundreds, if not thousands, of amazing stories available at the click of a button.
Not only are these movies based on kids books fun, funny and exciting, they can be a wonderful gateway to the world of reading for younger kids. Child development specialists have been vocal about the benefits of reading for children of all ages, and there are numerous studies linking reading to increased brain health and better social skills.
If you're curious what book adaptation films can kids watch, you've come to the right place. All of these movies are rated G or PG, and are suitable for most children.
So if you're looking for good book adaptation movies for kids, you've come to the right place! Whether it's Dr. Seuss or JK Rowling, here are some great films that will entertain both you and your kids. Feel free to add items, and don't forget to vote up the very best movies for kids based on books!
1
618Charlie and the Chocolate Factory
Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham CarterReleased: 2005
Directed by: Tim Burton
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is a 2005 musical adventure film directed by Tim Burton. It... more2
5417Where the Wild Things Are
Mark Ruffalo, Forest WhitakerReleased: 2009
Directed by: Spike Jonze
Where the Wild Things Are is a 2009 fantasy drama film directed by Spike Jonze. Written by... more3
312Matilda
Danny DeVito, Mara WilsonReleased: 1996
Directed by: Danny DeVito
Matilda is a 1996 American fantasy comedy children's film directed and narrated by Danny... more4
369The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe
Liam Neeson, Tilda SwintonReleased: 2005
Directed by: Andrew Adamson
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is a 2005 fantasy adventure... more5
309The Jungle Book
Clint Howard, George SandersReleased: 1967
Directed by: Wolfgang Reitherman
The Jungle Book is a 1967 American animated film produced by Walt Disney Productions. Inspired... more6
265Holes
Shia LaBeouf, Sigourney WeaverReleased: 2003
Directed by: Andrew Davis
Holes is a 2003 American comedy-drama adventure film based on the 1998 novel of the same title... more7
288The Secret Garden
Maggie Smith, Irène JacobReleased: 1993
Directed by: Agnieszka Holland
The Secret Garden is a 1993 British drama fantasy film directed by Agnieszka Holland and... more8
256The Princess Diaries
Anne Hathaway, Mandy MooreReleased: 2001
Directed by: Garry Marshall
The Princess Diaries is a 2001 American comedy film produced by singer and actress Whitney... more9
2810The Shrek franchise from DreamWorks Animation, based on William Steig's picture book Shrek!,... more10
237Babe
Hugo Weaving, James CromwellReleased: 1995
Directed by: Chris Noonan
Babe is a 1995 comedy-drama film, co-written and directed by Chris Noonan. It is an adaptation... more11
219A 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,... more12
219Dumbo
Colin Farrell, Michael KeatonReleased: 2019
Directed by: Tim Burton
Dumbo is a 2019 American fantasy adventure film directed by Tim Burton, based on the story by... more13
2314Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Chloë Grace Moretz, Rachael HarrisReleased: 2010
Directed by: Thor Freudenthal
Diary of a Wimpy Kid is a 2010 American comedy film directed by Thor Freudenthal and based on... more14
2112James and the Giant Peach
Susan Sarandon, Richard DreyfussReleased: 1996
Directed by: Henry Selick
James and the Giant Peach is a 1996 British-American musical fantasy film directed by Henry... more15
178The Borrowers
Hugh Laurie, John GoodmanReleased: 1997
Directed by: Peter Hewitt
The Borrowers is a 1997 British/American live-action comedy film based on the children's novel... more16
158The Adventures of Huck Finn
Elijah Wood, Anne HecheReleased: 1993
Directed by: Stephen Sommers
The Adventures of Huck Finn is a 1993 American adventure film written and directed by Stephen... more17
1812Coraline
Teri Hatcher, Dakota FanningReleased: 2009
Directed by: Henry Selick
Coraline is a 2009 American stop-motion animated 3D dark fantasy film based on Neil Gaiman's... more18
1813The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Liam Neeson, Tilda SwintonReleased: 2010
Directed by: Michael Apted
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader is a 2010 fantasy-adventure film... more19
148Harriet the Spy
Rosie O'Donnell, Michelle TrachtenbergReleased: 1996
Directed by: Bronwen Hughes
Harriet the Spy is a 1996 film adaptation of the 1964 novel of the same name by Louise... more20
2218Fantastic Mr. Fox
George Clooney, Meryl StreepReleased: 2009
Directed by: Wes Anderson
Fantastic Mr. Fox is a 2009 American stop-motion animated comedy film based on the Roald Dahl... more21
149The Little Prince
Rachel McAdams, Marion CotillardReleased: 2014
Directed by: Mark Osborne
The Little Prince is a 2015 animated fantasy adventure family drama film directed by Mark... more22
139The Indian in the Cupboard
Steve Coogan, Richard JenkinsReleased: 1995
Directed by: Frank Oz
The Indian in the Cupboard is a 1995 American fantasy-adventure film directed by Frank Oz. It... more23
95Ramona and Beezus
Selena Gomez, Ginnifer GoodwinReleased: 2010
Directed by: Elizabeth Allen Rosenbaum
Ramona and Beezus is a 2010 Fox-Walden film adaptation of the Ramona series of novels by... more24
119Howl's Moving Castle
Akihiro Miwa, Akio ŌtsukaReleased: 2004
Directed by: Hayao Miyazaki
Howl's Moving Castle is a 2004 Japanese animated fantasy film scripted and directed by Hayao... more25
3138Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs
Anna Faris, Neil Patrick HarrisReleased: 2009
Directed by: Phil Lord, Chris Miller
Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs is a 2009 American computer-animated science fiction comedy... more