This article contains a fascinating list of books that have been made into movies multiple times. And the top one is probably the most interesting… and the least surprising.

Ever since motion pictures became a popular form of entertainment, every book author has dreamed of getting a call from their publisher or a film studio, informing them of an interest in adapting their work. Even though most authors never appreciate the creative liberties taken when the story moves from the pages to the screen, they always appreciate the fact that their book was selected above many others. It’s undoubtedly the ultimate confirmation of quality.

While a single adaptation is often a reason enough to celebrate, some authors have had their books adapted dozens of times. Regrettably, most of them are no longer alive to see the scale of Hollywood’s obsession with the stories they wrote. Even so, there is a good reason their books continue to be chosen. They have timeless themes, and iconic characters, among other elements. Most importantly, each adaptation has performed well, justifying the need to make more.10 Famous Novels With the Most Film Adaptations

At the top of the list, Dracula by Bram Stroker has had 91 movies made from it according to this and that’s not at all surprising. Should probably add “and counting” to that, too.

I wondered where The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (first Oz book) would fall but then remembered that it hasn’t actually been made into that many movies. There are a lot of Oz stories out there in video but not that many that adapt that very first book.

Sherlock Holmes falls into the same category because there are so many Holmes stories. And, to be honest, the first book/story he is featured in, A Study in Scarlet, isn’t all that impressive in terms storytelling. It’s the character of Holmes and Watson that rivets attention. So basically Holmes is a character that’s been reinvented many times. Sometimes with some of the same stories. Sometimes with completely original ones, even if they have echoes of his well known cases in them. But there’s not really one definitive story that is connected to him. There are several.

I can’t help but want to see the books that didn’t make it into the top ten, however.

2 Comments

  1. 91 times?

    Welp.

    I mean, not shocked it’s at the top of the list, but. 91 times?

    I’m often surprised to learn that “Little Women” has only been adapted seven times, and most of Austen’s novels not even that many times.

    1. Author

      Yeah, not shocked either but I may have to see if I can find an actual list of Dracula movies. Because, wow, 91 does seem like a lot. Of course, also have to remember that they started doing Dracula movies in the silent era plus if they’re counting TV movies? 91 may actually be a low estimate.

      I’ve only actually seen one or two adaptations of Little Women even though it made a big enough impression on my growing up that I named my daughter Amy because I fell in love with the name in Little Women.

      It doesn’t surprise me that Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland is on that list but I can’t help wondering where Peter Pan would fall.

      Oh and sorry for taking so long to approve the comment over the holiday weekend.

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