logo

24 Movies and Shows Adapted from Books That Upset Fans Because They Didn't Follow the Source Material

Adaptations are often disappointing.

24 Movies and Shows Adapted from Books That Upset Fans Because They Didn't Follow the Source Material

"If it ain't broke, don't fix it." This is likely what fans want when they see a movie or TV adaptation of a book.

[ADVERTISEMENT]

Seeing their favorite characters come to life, portrayed by talented actors, is something they look forward to. However, since many adaptations tend to receive mixed reactions, some fans have reservations about turning their beloved books into movies or TV shows.

[ADVERTISEMENT]

The common reason for fans' dissatisfaction with adaptations is the casting decisions. Fans have already formed an image of the characters in their minds.

From the book's descriptions, readers know how these characters speak and what they look like. Therefore, they often feel disappointed if the actor does not match the character's physical attributes.

Another significant reason is that movies or TV shows may stray from the very material that fans cherish. It's natural for some scenes to be altered because they don't translate well across different mediums.

Furthermore, directors often need to cut certain scenes to fit an entire book into a 1.5 or two-hour movie. However, since fans have expectations, these changes may not sit well with them.

Today, we're examining the scenes from books that were changed, leaving fans disappointed. Naturally, this post will contain spoilers, so proceed with caution.

1. It was Caleb who sacrificed himself at the end of the movie in The Divergent Series: Allegiant.

1. It was Caleb who sacrificed himself at the end of the movie in The Divergent Series: Allegiant.Lionsgate
[ADVERTISEMENT]

But it was Tris who sacrifices herself in the book.

But it was Tris who sacrifices herself in the book.Lionsgate
[ADVERTISEMENT]

2. Nell gets married, and her marriage is a happy one in The Haunting of Hill House.

2. Nell gets married, and her marriage is a happy one in The Haunting of Hill House.Netflix

But Nell is single in the book.

But Nell is single in the book.Netflix

3. Natasha's headphones are gold in The Sun Is Also a Star.

3. Natasha's headphones are gold in The Sun Is Also a Star.Warner Bros.

She owns pink headphones in the book, though.

She owns pink headphones in the book, though.Getty Images / Delacorte Books

4. Dumbledore charges at Harry, asking him if he submitted his name in the movie Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

But in the book, Dumbledore does this calmly.

But in the book, Dumbledore does this calmly.Bloomsbury

5. Angela is a young and beautiful fortune teller in Eragon.

5. Angela is a young and beautiful fortune teller in Eragon.20th Century Fox / Courtesy Everett Collection

But the book indicates that she is old and has lived for many years.

But the book indicates that she is old and has lived for many years.Knopf

6. Clary and Jace are siblings in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.

6. Clary and Jace are siblings in The Mortal Instruments: City of Bones.Sony Pictures

But in the books, Clary's father makes her believe that Jace is her brother. Eventually, they discover that they aren't related.

But in the books, Clary's father makes her believe that Jace is her brother. Eventually, they discover that they aren't related.Sony Pictures

7. Kate persuades her sister to file a medical emancipation lawsuit since she no longer needs Anna's organs and is ready to succumb to leukemia in My Sister's Keeper.

7. Kate persuades her sister to file a medical emancipation lawsuit since she no longer needs Anna's organs and is ready to succumb to leukemia in My Sister's Keeper.New Line Cinema / Courtesy Everett Collection

But in the book, Anna dies in a car accident while heading to court, and her organs are to be donated to her sister Kate, who struggles with the guilt of her sister's death.

But in the book, Anna dies in a car accident while heading to court, and her organs are to be donated to her sister Kate, who struggles with the guilt of her sister's death.New Line Cinema / Courtesy Everett Collection

8. The Wormwoods reside in an American suburb in Matilda.

8. The Wormwoods reside in an American suburb in Matilda.Sony Pictures

But according to the book, the Wormwoods reside in Buckinghamshire, England.

But according to the book, the Wormwoods reside in Buckinghamshire, England.Jonathan Cape

9. Dorothy's slippers are ruby red in The Wizard of Oz.

9. Dorothy's slippers are ruby red in The Wizard of Oz.MGM

But according to the book, she wears silver slippers.

But according to the book, she wears silver slippers.Getty Images

10. Harry has blue eyes while his mother has brown ones in Harry Potter.

10. Harry has blue eyes while his mother has brown ones in Harry Potter.Warner Bros.

But the book describes Harry as having green eyes like his mother's.

But the book describes Harry as having green eyes like his mother's.Getty Images

11. Harry snaps the Elder Wand after defeating Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.

11. Harry snaps the Elder Wand after defeating Voldemort in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.Warner Bros.

But according to the books, he uses the Elder Wand to repair the wand he unintentionally broke.

But according to the books, he uses the Elder Wand to repair the wand he unintentionally broke.Warner Bros.

12. Head chef Dick Halloran is murdered by Jack after returning to the Overlook to assist Danny and Wendy in The Shining.

12. Head chef Dick Halloran is murdered by Jack after returning to the Overlook to assist Danny and Wendy in The Shining.Warner Bros.

But in the book, he survives. He is able to escape from the Overlook Hotel with the two.

But in the book, he survives. He is able to escape from the Overlook Hotel with the two.Warner Bros.

13. Hannibal escapes from prison and tells Clarice that he won't harm her as long as she doesn't hunt him down (to which she can't agree because she's a newly minted agent).

13. Hannibal escapes from prison and tells Clarice that he won't harm her as long as she doesn't hunt him down (to which she can't agree because she's a newly minted agent).Orion Pictures

But in the book, Hannibal makes Clarice fall for him by manipulating her.

But in the book, Hannibal makes Clarice fall for him by manipulating her.Orion Pictures

14. Bellatrix and her associates burn down the Burrow in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.

14. Bellatrix and her associates burn down the Burrow in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince.Warner Bros.

But in the books, it is enchanted to keep its location hidden.

But in the books, it is enchanted to keep its location hidden.Warner Bros.

15. It is Greasy Sae who gives the Mockingjay pin to Katniss in The Hunger Games.

15. It is Greasy Sae who gives the Mockingjay pin to Katniss in The Hunger Games.Lionsgate

But in the books, Katniss's friend Madge, who is the mayor's daughter, gives her the Mockingjay prior to the reaping.

But in the books, Katniss's friend Madge, who is the mayor's daughter, gives her the Mockingjay prior to the reaping.Lionsgate

16. Moaning Myrtle and Nearly-Headless Nick are the only ghosts we see in Harry Potter.

16. Moaning Myrtle and Nearly-Headless Nick are the only ghosts we see in Harry Potter.Warner Bros.

The book features another ghost called Peeves the Poltergeist.

The book features another ghost called Peeves the Poltergeist.Warner Bros.

17. Trillian is an Earthling who's only in it for the ride in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.

17. Trillian is an Earthling who's only in it for the ride in The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy.Touchstone Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

But in the book, Trillian is an astrophysicist who actually wants to explore space.

But in the book, Trillian is an astrophysicist who actually wants to explore space.Pan Books

18. Emma can control and is lighter than air, so she needs to keep wearing her lead shoes to stay grounded in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.

18. Emma can control and is lighter than air, so she needs to keep wearing her lead shoes to stay grounded in Miss Peregrine's Home for Peculiar Children.20th Century Fox

But in the books, Emma's power is creating fire using her hands.

But in the books, Emma's power is creating fire using her hands.Quirk Books

19. The elves are merely servants in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.

19. The elves are merely servants in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire.Warner Bros.

But in the book, Hermione establishes the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare (S.P.E.W.) after witnessing Barty Crouch Sr. abusing Winky (who isn't found in the films).

But in the book, Hermione establishes the Society for the Promotion of Elfish Welfare (S.P.E.W.) after witnessing Barty Crouch Sr. abusing Winky (who isn't found in the films).Warner Bros.

20. Ginny hides the Potions textbook in the Room of Requirement so that Harry won't find it.

20. Ginny hides the Potions textbook in the Room of Requirement so that Harry won't find it.Warner Bros.

But in the books, it is Harry who keeps it hidden near an old tiara, which marks the spot where it is concealed.

But in the books, it is Harry who keeps it hidden near an old tiara, which marks the spot where it is concealed.Warner Bros.

21. Ella is told by the ogres not to move in Ella Enchanted. She's helpless until rescued by Prince Char.

21. Ella is told by the ogres not to move in Ella Enchanted. She's helpless until rescued by Prince Char.Miramax

But in the books, Ella studies Ogerese all night so she can persuade the ogres to spare her. And they do.

But in the books, Ella studies Ogerese all night so she can persuade the ogres to spare her. And they do.HarperTrophy

22. In Enola Holmes, the titular heroine briefly meets her mother, Eudoria.

22. In Enola Holmes, the titular heroine briefly meets her mother, Eudoria.Netflix / Courtesy Everett Collection

In the books, Enola never meets her mother.

In the books, Enola never meets her mother.Netflix

23. There are scenes in which the geishas can be seen without makeup in Memoirs of a Geisha.

23. There are scenes in which the geishas can be seen without makeup in Memoirs of a Geisha.Columbia Pictures / Courtesy Everett Collection

But in the books, they always look perfect.

But in the books, they always look perfect.Columbia Pictures

24. Voldemort breaks into countless pieces after Harry defeats him in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II.

24. Voldemort breaks into countless pieces after Harry defeats him in Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part II.Warner Bros.

In the books, he simply falls during his death.

In the books, he simply falls during his death.Pottermore

Book fans will always find it difficult to accept adaptations.

When you factor in the director's creative freedom and the time they have to condense the book into one film, changes are inevitable. That's why it will always be challenging to please book fans.

A best-selling book doesn't necessarily guarantee a blockbuster movie. Ultimately, striking a balance between one's creativity and the source material will always be a challenge for directors.

More articles you might like