10 Best Horror Movies Based On Books Ranked

10 Best Horror Movies Based On Books, Ranked

Some of the greatest horror movies ever made were books long before they were films, and these are the 10 best from that distinct squad of flicks.

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This is fundamentally subjective in every regard, and there will certainly be distinct omissions. Nearly the entirety of Stephen King’s work has been translated into cinema, with widely varying degrees of success. However, there have been many longstanding, undeniably crucial adaptations of horror literature. Some horror novels have bent or even re-defined the genre itself.

Others still were simply springboards for vastly superior cinematic giants, which have become staples of film, transcending mere horror. It’s a genre that reveals fear in the individual and society alike, thematically free as anything else in the right hands. The vehicle for these conversations just happens to frequently wield primal attitudes.

10 Invasion Of The Body Snatchers (1956)

This story was originally serialized before it was collected into a novel. It is an alien invasion the likes of which none had ever seen, and tapped into fifties paranoia. At the time, there could be nothing more fitting than the premise of a foreign contaminant replacing people with emotionless drones.

And yet, the novel itself was further transformed into one of the most enduring pieces of cinema. Bleak and dystopian, it will perpetually convey the fears of any divided socio-political landscape. Unlike its cheesy peers, this story had larger goals. The cinematography is gorgeous, the performances are outstanding, and the urgency escalates quickly after a slow beginning.

9 Dracula (1931)

Inspired by a terrifying historical figure, Bram Stoker’s classic could arguably be the most famous horror novel ever written. It’s influenced countless more tales about vampires, and is far more dense than any film adaptation has mustered.

However, Universal’s interpretation is likewise one of the most quintessential vampire stories in history. Bela Lugosi’s performance is truly iconic, and cements the film as a classic all on his own. But the immense task of condensing such an expansive novel barely affects the film’s expert pacing. The exotic setting and memorable characters are vividly brought to life with an attractive Gothic aesthetic. It is a crucially unique vision, skillfully executed.

8 The Fly (1986)

Director David Cronenberg is the undisputed king of body horror, crafting some of the most terrifying cinematic visuals. In this case, a smaller story is successfully elaborated on by transcending familiar themes of science gone wrong. Instead, this movie focuses on the protagonist’s deterioration, in parallel with actual illness.

The film is led by Jeff Goldblum, whose mind is gradually consumed altogether. Because of the many Goldblum-isms, poignancy is accompanied by witty comedy as only he can deliver. This only strikes up an even more sincere investment, as he slowly transforms into an outright monster. The pace of his condition is so drawn out, the grotesque experience has time to poison his relationship and capture the tragedy.

7 Frankenstein (1931)

Yet another Universal monster classic, this would be especially difficult to ignore. Although there have also been many iterations of this story, like Lugosi’s Dracula, none actually compare. Even Universal’s own sequels fail to equal the original hit with Boris Karloff.

One of the earliest examples of sci-fi horror, the source material offered foundational themes that will permanently reverberate through fiction. It speaks broadly, yet the observations of science and ethics are clearly understood and succinctly summarized in Universal’s adaptation. It criticizes a distortion of nature, through stealing and reanimating dead flesh with unchecked power. The special effects, music, and central performances are each equally mesmerizing.

6 Rosemary’s Baby (1968)

Before Roman Polanski was known for scandal, this film secured his place in cinema history. And there is, after all, an entire crew besides Polanski who helped transform Ira Levin’s novel into an epic horror-drama. Drawing on the widespread tangibility of religion, suspense is fueled throughout by doubt and a grounded approach to the supernatural.

Mia Farrow is stunning in the role, convincing even in her wildest desperation. Thematic corruptions of motherhood, marriage and community boast a striking, unsettling realism. The film is driven by escalating paranoia, shock, and distortions of the natural.

5 Jaws (1975)

In very few cases is the source material so distinctly inferior, despite such a potent concept. Master filmmaker Steven Spielberg survived a production from hell to deliver the definitive killer animal film. Rather than a monster, Spielberg’s great white—otherwise known as John Williams’ music—is recognized as a force of nature. A city-born man confronts his fear to defeat the beast, who was only enabled by foolish human bureaucracy.

Adamantly planted in reality, the film is more interested in a small town driven mad, seen through the eyes of an everyday family. Instead of prioritizing scares, events unfold with gut-wrenching plausibility. The additions and subtractions from the novel are crucial in securing the film’s place in any pantheon of perfect horror films.

4 Silence Of The Lambs (1991)

Somehow, Hannibal Lecter is more distinctly powerful precisely because he is apparently trapped. There is a noticeable intent, which boasts a higher intensity because it is contained. It also forces Lecter to utilize psychological manipulation, even as he flaunts his madness. This is far more imposing than any outright physical strength. Although, he proves himself capable later on.

All this, with an appearance that is only a fraction of the runtime. Thomas Harris provided an indelible character, tightly weaving him with a gripping manhunt. But Jodie Foster and her courageous, skilled hero tout the most range and intrigue—even apart from her fascinating relationship with Lecter.

3 The Exorcist (1973)

This is one of the most harrowing stories about a sick child and her loving, helpless mother. And yet, it is simultaneously an epic, straightforward clash of ancient evil and forces of good. The level of sincerity in religious conviction and suburban innocence and superbly balanced with their comprehensive corruption. The horror is creative, chilling, and disarmingly realistic.

The novel was in turn inspired by an actual possession case. This remains one of the most grounded films about the paranormal, even as it escalates into the impossible. The visuals alone are terrifying, with spinning heads and pea soup. But it is only so affecting because of the intimate, relatable drama and psychological torment.

2 The Shining (1980)

While Stanley Kubrick’s masterpiece has famously displeased Stephen King himself, the film is undeniably haunting. Kubrick’s eye for shocking imagery generates a museum-like quality to every shot, without losing its bite. The language is harsh, the violence and sexuality are bold and unapologetic. Isolation and winter steadily close in, while supernatural threats escalate and coincide with psychological terror.

Consequently, this is the definitive horror film, appealing even to those who would ordinarily write off the genre. The performances are brilliant, the pacing is immersive, and the iconography is utterly magnetic. Changes to the source material’s plot are actually somewhat minimal, but crucial, and the character shifts are most noticeable. Kubrick’s adaptation altered the tone and expectations in King’s novel, yet succeeds in its own way for those decisions.

1 Psycho (1960)

The uncanny parallels to an actual serial killer are already enough to preserve the story’s continued power. The titular villain’s mysterious psychology is innately fascinating, and perfectly suited for director Alfred Hitchcock. His immortal hit maintains a surprising amount of fidelity to the source material, in fact.

However, Hitchcock’s genius introduces new themes and maximizes suspense. Bird symbolism, depravity, voyeurism, and the corruption of small-town safety are prominently explored. The famous shower scene exploits one’s most vulnerable position imaginable. It played on the widespread paranoia of the time, deliberately utilizing atypical black and white film to wield Gothic imagery. The characters are richly explored and performed, and the score is iconic. Hitchcock crafted a genuinely surprising, character-driven, and methodical thriller.

Link Source : https://screenrant.com/best-horror-movies-based-on-books-ranked/

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