Header for worst to best YA book to film adaptations, credit: @nishikasharma_

22 Aug 2024

I ranked 20 YA book to film adaptations from worst to best

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Need a good cry? Or need some background noise while working? Maybe you’re after an easy read or want to know if that book or movie is worth the hype. Well, I’m here to help! If you’ve been keeping up with all of the It Ends With Us drama, and the film just didn’t hit the spot, boy have I got some recs for you.

As an avid reader, I love books, and sometimes those film adaptations just are not it.

To be fair, in the world of YA novels it is tough for a film to get it all right but some of them manage to do a pretty good job. So, I’m ranking twenty YA books that got film adaptations from worst to best. This list will include ones that fit into the 15-25 age demographic, ranked based on their accuracy from book to film, enjoyment value, rewatchability and memeability as these are the metrics that are important to me.

20. After (series) by Anna Todd

To kick things off, we’re diving into the world of One Direction fanfiction. And yes, the books are just as bad as the films. But, it was super memeable… (thank you, Hero Fiennes Tiffin, for that “Fucking Trevor!” meme). This list does get better from here, I swear.

Trevor and Tessa in After. Image credit: @aftermovie — Trevor and Tessa in *After*. Image credit: @aftermovie

19. The Idea of You by Robinne Lee

It’s wild that One Direction fanfiction was turned into not one film, but two??? Kudos to the team behind the project for somehow getting Anne Hathaway on board. Live out your MILF dreams, girlie.

Boyband August Moon in The Idea Of You. Image credit: @ideaofyoumovie — Boyband August Moon in *The Idea Of You*. Image credit: @ideaofyoumovie

18. Divergent (series) by Veronica Roth

I can explain. I was a Divergent girlie back in the day. Heck, my faction was meant to be Amity. But, the films took quite a turn and unfortunately did no justice to the books with missing plotlines, poor casting choices and strange one-liners. Also the Tris scream trending on TikTok took me out. The one thing that I am grateful for, though, is Theo James as Four. THANK YOU casting directors.

Tris and Four in Divergent. Image credit: @thedivergentseries — Tris and Four in *Divergent*. Image credit: @thedivergentseries

17. The Maze Runner (series) by James Dashner

Yes, dystopian fantasy had a huge moment back in like 2010 and The Maze Runner jumped on the tail end of that. It’s an enjoyable watch, and also an enjoyable read, but from what I’d read versus what I’d watched, this felt like two completely separate projects. It did, however, bring Dylan O’Brien onto the radar of non-Teen Wolf watchers, which I think was the best thing to come out of the series.

Scene from The Maze Runner. Image credit: @mazerunnermovie — Scene from *The Maze Runner*. Image credit: @mazerunnermovie

16. The Perks of Being a Wallflower by Stephen Chbosky

Okay, there’s a lot to unpack here. This book and movie tried to do a lot, but it was really convoluted and glossed over most of its more nuanced themes. Don’t get me wrong, it’s fine, but it will also make you feel more confused than when you started. Can’t say that I’d go out of my way to watch or read it again.

Charlie, Patrick and Sam in The Perks of Being a Wallflower. Image credit: @perksmovie — Charlie, Patrick and Sam in *The Perks of Being a Wallflower*. Image credit: @perksmovie

15. The Giver by Lois Lowry

This was one of the projects where Brenton Thwaites, our Aussie king, got his big break. The Giver tackled a bunch of topical themes including euthanasia through a forward-thinking lens. And while the book did have more nuance, the big reveal in the film felt a little lacklustre. For me, it’s meh, but it’s good for background noise.

Scene from The Giver. Image credit: IMDb — Scene from *The Giver*. Image credit: IMDb

14. To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before (series) by Jenny Han

I’m going to be so real right now. I don’t know how this got three films, plus a TV series.

If you’re into that girlypop romance trope that has the same aura as Emily in Paris and Never Have I Ever but less chaotic, this is it. But getting onboard with about seven plot twists was a bit difficult for me. While I love the representation and it is really easy to read and watch, there isn’t much character growth so don’t be expecting that! But it is good for a cute, romance-driven moment.

Peter and Lara Jean in To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before. Image credit: @toalltheboysivelovedbefore — Peter and Lara Jean in *To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before*. Image credit: @toalltheboysivelovedbefore

13. Tomorrow When The War Began (series) by John Marsden

This is such a throwback. Dystopian realness, and it gave Birdbox before that became a thing. Personally, I think it’s so unfair this didn’t get more love. There were seven books and only one film, so watchers were left on a cliffhanger and readers were left unsatisfied. It was giving the abrupt ending of Silversun (and I will go on a tangent about this if you let me), rip.

Main cast from Tomorrow When The War Began. Image credit: ABC — Main cast from *Tomorrow When The War Began*. Image credit: IMDb

12. Me Before You by Jojo Moyes

I think the messaging of the book gets confused quite a bit. It also tackles the topic of euthanasia and autonomy, which is done well but can be misunderstood by the book’s ending. I do think that the film stayed quite true to the core of the book, Emilia Clarke embodied Louisa so well and anything with Sam Claflin has my tick of approval. This is one for when you want to be taken on a rollercoaster of emotions or just need a good cry.

William and Louisa in Me Before You. Image credit: @mebeforeyouofficial — William and Louisa in *Me Before You*. Image credit: @mebeforeyouofficial

11. The Fault In Our Stars by John Green

This was Shailene Woodley’s first win in my eyes. From Divergent to The Spectacular Now to TFIOS, she was cashing that check. TFIOS was literally everywhere when the film came out, and I don’t think I’d seen a film have such an impact apart from huge franchises up until this point (key note: I was a child). It was quite true to the book, and will make you bawl your eyes out just as much. Plus, it’s film had a banging soundtrack — including Ed Sheeran and Charli XCX way before her BRAT era.

Augustus and Hazel Grace in The Fault In Our Stars. Image credit: @faultinourstarsmovie — Augustus and Hazel Grace in *The Fault In Our Stars*. Image credit: @faultinourstarsmovie

10. My Sister’s Keeper by Jodi Picoult

This one hits you in the feels. This tackles something I’ve never seen before in a book or film, and I really appreciate that. In the book, you get multiple perspectives while in the film, it focuses on the POV of the main character, but both work to serve the messaging of the story. Just… be prepared to cry.

Scene from My Sister’s Keeper. Image credit: IMDb — Scene from *My Sister’s Keeper*. Image credit: IMDb

9. Twilight (series) by Stephanie Meyer

Yeah, this is a crazy pivot from the last one. Let me start by saying I hate Twilight. It’s beyond cringe, the logistics of everything are wild and learning about the context of the author in relation to the book… it changes things. But I have to give credit to the amount of incredible memes that have followed suit, which I don’t think would’ve happened without the films and their cult following. Plus, it’s so cringey that you can’t help but watch the films when they’re on, so it sits pretty high on the list for its accuracy to the books and memeability. Trust me, if I could validly put it last, I would.

Jacob and Bella in Twilight. Image credit: @twilight — Jacob and Bella in *Twilight*. Image credit: @twilight

8. Aquamarine by Alice Hoffman

Yes, it’s technically a series. But since only one film was made, I’m only focusing on that. And man, was it a good film. Maybe the nostalgia is factoring into this but it was so enjoyable, and I LOVE rewatching (what an iconic cast) and rereading. It gives everything I loved about friendship-focused stories, plus it had mermaids. It definitely does skew younger but I’m totally on board.

Claire, Aquamarine and Hailey in Aquamarine. Image credit: IMDb — Claire, Aquamarine and Hailey in *Aquamarine*. Image credit: IMDb

7. The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins

This was my shit, and it definitely became a core part of my personality when I was growing up, so I am super biased. Katniss as a character was both likeable and unlikeable, and all of my favourites were done dirty, which for me is an indicator of a good story because it made me FEEL. What lets this franchise down is its films. I genuinely think that Catching Fire and Mockingjay Part 2 were almost perfect, and while the others were great, they didn’t live up to the books. Overall though, you’re in for a great time, so it sits at seventh.

Katniss Everdeen in The Hunger Games. Image credit: @thehungergames — Katniss Everdeen in *The Hunger Games*. Image credit: @thehungergames

6. Angus, Thongs and Full-Frontal Snogging by Lois Lowry

We’re going with the original book name since it’s a book-to-film adaptation ranking. Once again, this does skew younger but it’s still so good. Firstly, it normalised a character that wasn’t considered “conventionally” attractive, big slay. Secondly, you get exactly what you signed up for with moments of unavoidable cringe, genuine sadness and pure joy. Plus, Ultraviolet from the film’s soundtrack is a banger. And finally, the film has Aaron Taylor Johnson. Need I say more?

Robbie and Georgia in Angus, Thongs and The Perfect Snogging. Image credit: @IMDb — Robbie and Georgia in *Angus, Thongs and The Perfect Snogging*. Image credit: @IMDb

5. The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants (series) by Ann Brashares

This was such a breath of fresh air, especially as a young brown girl. Multiple girls with different styles, personalities and body types was so nice to see in a mainstream novel, especially on the big screen, although there was the tokenistic value of a singular WOC. The books gave realistic perspectives on friendships, clashes and overall life as just a girl, and the films mostly did that, too. I really loved it and felt somewhat represented for the first time apart from Bollywood films. Now, if only that pair of jeans existed…

Main cast from Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants. Image credit: IMDb — Main cast from *The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants*. Image credit: IMDb

4. Coraline by Neil Gaiman

This is one for my horror buffs. I didn’t appreciate the eerieness of the film, let alone the book, until recently, and it’s truly mind-blowing stuff. This gets right under your skin, and the detailing in both adaptations is a wonder. If you’re brave enough to rewatch more than once (I’m not) there are so many details you’ll notice you’d missed before. Maybe I shouldn’t have been reading or watching this as a kid.

Tunnel scene from Coraline. Image credit: IMDb — Tunnel scene from *Coraline*. Image credit: IMDb

3. The Lovely Bones by Alice Sebold

Warning: do not proceed with this one unless you’re in the mood for a tale that’ll haunt you. This was one of the most impactful stories I’d come across when I was younger, and holy shit did the movie do it justice. This is another one that I grew even more of an appreciation for as I got older.

Scene from The Lovely Bones. Image credit: IMDb — Scene from *The Lovely Bones*. Image credit: IMDb

2. Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson

Apparently I really love books and films that make me ugly cry, so here’s another one. Reading this for the first time is so heavily ingrained into my memory because of the pure trauma I gained, but it’s so worth it. And the film did a great job, too. It tackles such a mature theme so well, especially through the eyes of children. I can’t praise it enough.

Scene from Bridge to Terabithia. Image credit: IMDb — Scene from *Bridge to Terabithia*. Image credit: IMDb

1. The Princess Diaries (series) by Meg Cabot

Finally, this lighter-toned gem takes the crown. This series was great, and somehow the movies made it even better. Mia’s character was done justice, thank you Anne Hathaway (who appears at either end of this list actually, lol) and the queen by Julie Andrews was so iconic. It’s light and funny, serious when it needs to be, empowering for young girls and so memorable that it’s withstood the test of time. Such a shame that there weren’t more movies.

Michael and Mia in The Princess Diaries. Image credit: IMDb — Michael and Mia in *The Princess Diaries*. Image credit: IMDb

Okay, that’s enough from me on this, but I do have a disclaimer. Before you start coming at me for not including iconic series like Harry Potter and Percy Jackson, they didn’t fit the criteria for YA!!!! And some excluded ones like Mortal Instruments were made into a TV series instead, but I just didn’t think they needed to be on the list. Sorry, not sorry!

Now, I think it’s time for me to relive this list IRL.

Written by Nishika Sharma, who’s got some major rereading and rewatching to do. You can follow her at @nishikasharma_ on socials.

Image credit: Instagram, IMDb, ABC + Punkee