Some of the besthorrorfilms of all time have come fromliterary classics.FrankensteinandDraculahaunted bookshelves before terrorizing the silver screen, and the tradition has continued ever since with modern masterpieces likeThe ExorcistandThe Shining.
That said, not all adaptations make the same impression, withsome less impressive works leaving the discerning horror fan preferring to stick to the book over the film. From big-budget disasters to remakes that should have been left well enough alone, these are some of the horror movie adaptations in which the book reigned supreme.
10’The Stepford Wives' (2004)
Based on ‘The Stepford Wives’ by Ira Levin
An idyllic community has a way of changing outspoken spouses' personalities inThe Stepford Wives.Nicole Kidmanstars in the 2004 remake as Joanna Eberhart, an overworked television executive whomoves with her familyto the town of Stepfordfor a much-needed change of scenery.When outspoken women around the neighborhood disappear, only to return as docile, subservient partners, Joanna believes a conspiracy is behind the changes.
Possibly the book is scarier by design in this case because the 2004 version ofThe Stepford Wivesseems less concerned with scares and more focused on laughs. The 1975 adaptation of Ira Levin’s novel starringKatharine Rosscarried the same darkly satiric tone as its source material, but the Kidman version is cartoonish by comparison. While the novel was an international bestseller, the 2004Stepford Wiveswas a high-profile box office failure that was quickly forgotten.
The Stepford Wives
9’The Relic' (1997)
Based on ‘Relic’ by Douglas Preston & Lincoln Child
A ship filled with dead bodies leaves Chicago police detective Vincent D’Agosta (Tom Sizemore) on the hunt for a killer who might not be human inThe Relic.A similar murder in the Museum of Natural History makes D’Agosta believe the two cases are related, and with the help of biologist Margo Green (Penelope Ann Miller), they work to solve the mystery.When the killer is discovered to be a giant monster, the two must work to stop the killing machine while convincing inept officials to close the museum off to the public.
The Relicreceived mixed reviews with a current critical score of 37% onRotten Tomatoes, but the novel byDouglas PrestonandLincoln Childwas much better received. As is the case with most adaptations from a novel, crucial aspects of the story were either cut or condensed, and inThe Relic, two characters were combined to streamline the narrative.The Relicwas a popular novel that benefited from a slower-paced plotthat the creature feature movie didn’t have the luxury of with a 110-minute runtime.
8’World War Z' (2013)
Based on ‘World War Z’ by Max Brooks
Zombies are no match forBrad Pitt’s star power in the action horror filmWorld War Z. Pitt plays Gerry Lane, a father and husband who seeks a cure for the out-of-control zombie plague as it overtakes the world. The film would see Gerry directly in the middle of the conflict as he fights for survival in the face of hordes of fast and deadly zombies.
The film was famouslyplagued with production issuesthat led to reshooting a large chunk of the story, but the film was met with decent audience reception. While the novel was an unsettling exploration of the breakdown of civilization, the movie was an action-heavy popcorn event that threw subtlety aside in favor of blockbuster set pieces. An example ofan adaptation that stops at the title, the 2013 film’s choice to focus on a single protagonist robbed audiences of an epic and frightening story.
World War Z
Based on the novel by Max Brooks, World War Z tells the story of a world ravaged by a zombie virus. Former United Nations investigator Gerry Lane (Brad Pitt) braves the apocalypse in search of a cure. He is tasked with finding the point of origin of the virus in order to synthesize a vaccine, reluctantly doing so in exchange for his family’s safety. His search takes him around the world, where he witnesses all the devastation of the apocalypse.
7’The Haunting' (1999)
Based on ‘The Haunting of Hill House’ by Shirley Jackson
When Nell (Lili Taylor) agrees to do a sleep study in a strange house, she unwittingly signs up for an encounter with malevolent ghosts inThe Haunting. The 1999 adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s novel also starredOwen WilsonandCatherine Zeta-Jonesas her fellow sleep study participants who are lured under false pretenses by Dr. David Morrow (Liam Neeson). The loose retelling of the novel had the group of strangers attempt to escape the large manor when faced with murderous spirits that want them to stay.
The film had a strong opening weekend but quickly slipped down the charts with poor word of mouth scaring off anyone but the most ardent horror enthusiasts. Multiple versions ofThe Haunting of Hill Houseexist with warm reviews, butThe Hauntingcurrently sits at a 17% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. WhileThe Hauntingis a largely forgotten adaptation,Jackson’s novel is considered a timeless work of classic horrorthat influenced the majority ofhaunted house talesto come after it.
The Haunting
Liam Neeson, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Lili Taylor, and Owen Wilson star in the supernatural horror The Haunting, the 1999 adaptation of Shirley Jackson’s novel The Haunting of Hill House. It revolves around a group of people who face paranormal events in a secluded house in western Massachusetts.
6’Monkey Shines' (1988)
Based on ‘Monkey Shines’ by Michael Stewart
When an accident leaves Allan (Jason Beghe) paralyzed from the neck down, he receives a helper monkey named Ella to assist him. Enhanced by experimental injections to increase her intelligence,Ella forms a psychic bond with Allan. Their bond becomes deadly when Allan’s subconscious violent desires manifest into Ella’s physical actions in theGeorge A. Romero-directed horror flick.
Since its 1988 release,Monkey Shineshas developed a bit of a cult following. However, it received mixed reviews from critics, who felt the movie was more melodrama than horror. Meanwhile,the novel is praised for its slow-burn approach,which slowly builds the tension until the story becomes a gripping page-turner. However, fans of Romero who haven’t seenMonkey Shinesmight consider crossing this off their completionist list.
Monkey Shines
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5’Pet Sematary' (2019)
Based on ‘Pet Sematary’ by Stephen King
InPet Sematary, Dr. Louis Creed (Jason Clarke) moves to a new town with his family and learns the dark secret of a burial ground that brings the dead back to life with a horrible twist. The film was a disappointing effort, considering of all King’s novels,Pet Sematarywill sit as one of his greatest achievements. A genuinely disturbing exploration of how grief can drive a person to madness, free from the sometimes unruly length of the horror masters' later efforts.Pet Sematary, the novel, is as imaginative as it is heartbreaking, with the reader feeling the same gut punch as Louis does during the more tragic moments of the novel.
The essential misstep in so many King adaptations is not understanding that less is more.The2019 film attempts to add horrific visualsto shock the audience, but the manipulation of a grieving parent’s wish is emotionally devastating if allowed. The original film from 1989 was closer to capturing the hopelessness of the novel’s ending, but technology might still not be where it needs to be for this story to be adapted properly.
Pet Sematary
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Based on a story in ‘Books of Blood Vol 3’ by Clive Barker
An awakened monster causes havoc in the Irish countryside inRawhead Rex. Howard (David Dukes) is a visiting historian from the U.S. researching a book with his family when a pagan monster,Rawhead Rex, emerges from the ground and goes on a rampage of terror.With little to no knowledge of what drives the monster, Howard will need to find an ancient weapon capable of killing Rawhead Rex before it takes more lives.
Audience reception was equally unkind, pointing out that the costume for the monster was poorly crafted and reduced any chance of taking the film seriously.
Although authorClive Barkerwrote the screenplay for the 1986 film, he’s gone on record as not being happy with the film. Audience reception was equally unkind, pointing out that the costume for the monster was poorly crafted and reduced any chance of taking the film seriously. AlthoughRawhead Rexfell flat in cinemas, it did nothing to Barker’s popularity as a horror novelist, withhisBooks of Bloodanthology series still highly regarded by his fans.
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3’Deadly Eyes' (1982)
Based on ‘The Rats’ by James Herbert
They haven’t built a mousetrap large enough for the oversized rats that attack the city of Toronto inDeadly Eyes.The film follows normal rats as they grow to incredible sizes after eating steroid-filled grain, and after their home is destroyed, they seek new shelter in the city where they find human-shaped food.Deadly Eyesmight be low on actual scares, but it’s high on camp value,with dogs in rat costumes chasing actors on sets dark enough to sell the illusion. Fans ofThe Shiningwill possibly want to check out the movie to see an appearance ofScatman Crothersin a small role as an ill-fated health inspector.
Fans of cheese (not the rats) will enjoy the grindhouse quality of the flick.
Based onJames Herbert’s novelThe Rats,Deadly Eyescurrently has a 33% critic score on Rotten Tomatoes. Fans of cheese (not the rats) will enjoy the grindhouse quality of the flick. Meanwhile, Herbert’s violent and gruesome novelThe Ratswas so well received that it led to a series of sequels that were highly regarded pieces of horror.
Deadly Eyes
Deadly Eyes is currently unavailable to stream or purchase in the U.S.
2’It Chapter Two' (2019)
Based on ‘It’ by Stephen King
The sequel to the 2017Itdirected byAndrés Muschietti, saw the Losers Club reunite as adults to fight the evil entity they know as Pennywise the Clown (Bill Skarsgard). Even though they were no longer kids, the danger was just as high with Pennywise preying on their fears before attempting to take their lives as long-overdue prizes. Returning to the cursed town of Derry would be an excellent cast, includingJames McAvoy,Bill Hader, andJessica Chastain.
When the adult cast forIt Chapter Twowas announced, the caliber of talent involved generated excitement, but unfortunately, they were all woefully misused for an uninspired adaptation. The special effects were underwhelming, considering the high-profile nature of the film, and they seemed like they were from a movie made ten years earlier. The ending of King’s epic tale of generational terror was always going to be difficult to film for a multitude of reasons, butthe 2019 sequel made an odd choice to introduce immersion-breaking levity to the climactic finale.
It Chapter Two
Twenty-seven years after their first encounter with the terrifying Pennywise, the Losers Club have grown up and moved away, until a devastating phone call brings them back.
1’The Wicker Man' (2006)
Based on ‘Ritual’ by David Pinner
The search for a missing young woman leads police officer Edward Malus (Nicolas Cage) to an island filled with strange people inThe Wicker Man. Edward is trying to find his ex-fiancé’s daughter, but in the process,he begins to suspect the small community is hiding a deadly secretabout her fate. After a dogged journey, Edward rescues the girl (Erika Shaye Gair), but that leads to a new set of problems for the police officer when he discovers the bigger plan the villagers were hatching the whole time.
Currently sitting at a critics score of 15% on Rotten Tomatoes, the Cage-led movie is consideredone of the worst remakesin recent memory. The film is both a remake of the 1973 film of the same name starringEdward Woodwardand of the 1967 novelRitualbyDavid Pinner. While the reviews for Pinner’s novels are mixed,the reception to the book is far more kind than to the 2006 filmthat was lambasted by critics for a third act that borders on parody with a reliably over-animated performance from Cage.
The Wicker Man
A police officer embarks on a journey to a secluded island to solve the case of a missing girl, only to find himself in the midst of an eerie and secretive community. The island’s inhabitants, with their peculiar traditions and rituals, hinder his investigation, leading to a series of bizarre and unsettling encounters. As he gets closer to the truth, he uncovers a chilling conspiracy that puts him in grave danger. The film blends suspense and horror, presenting a gripping narrative that explores themes of isolation, belief, and the harrowing depths of human nature.
