I believe everyone would agree that one of the main ways Hollywood loves to get off is by turning good books into bad movies. Of course, this is understandable, as no matter how good you are at directing, you’re still going to have to work with someone else’s vision. In most cases, that is. There are exceptions and they are amazing, but today we’re talking about the very bottom of the barrel.
Here are top 9 worst Hollywood book adaptations ever!
1. The Maze Runner (2014)
You know, when you change like 50% of the book, it’s gonna take a lot of fan-service to justify making new movies. They couldn’t even get the titular maze right!
2. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children (2016)
This is what you get when you change 90% of the book. The kids are not of the right age at all, who said this lode drama was a good addition? It is not! It’s safe to say we won’t see any more of this franchise anytime soon.
3. The Dark Tower (2017)
Gee, where do I start… At the very beginning, probably. The movie is nothing like the books. Sure, the gunslinger is there, and the Tower too, but what the hell did you expect from a movie that crammed in like 3 huge books into it?
4. The Golden Compass (2007)
Here’s a recipe for a failure: take a magnificent trilogy with complex story about love, life, multiple dimensions, and religion, and make it for kids! Just dumb it down. All the way. Here you go – a generic “crapsicle”!
5. A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)
It’s never a good sign when the writers smash 3 books into one movie and completely change the ending. Well, at least the Netflix version is going strong!
6. The Hobbit (2012)
Okay, this wouldn’t be the worst book adaptation if Peter Jackson didn’t try to spread 1 tiny book over 3 2hour+ movies.
7. Eragon (2006)
What was the book about? Dragons, fighting, more fighting… Yeah, you totally nailed it! Except for all the nuances the book had. But that’s all right, 20 bucks is 20 bucks.
8. The Percy Jackson series (2010, 2013)
It could have been the next Harry Potter, but the books were written for smart teens, while the movies dumbed it down and changes some quite important rules (like the gods not talking to their demigod kids).
9. Twilight (2008)
I hate to admit it but the books were much MUCH better than the movies. Don’t ask me how I know.
