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Book or Movie...Which Was Better?
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items I’m a big fan of both novels and movies. There's a saying that “the book was better,” but not always. Occasionally, I find that I like the film version more. Here are some of my closest calls between the two (with the winner marked by a 🏆). Note: Th...
Sections
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The Godfather
The Wild Robot
To Kill A Mockingbird
Lord of the Rings
Legally Blonde
The Great Gatsby
The Godfather
The Godfather films (especially parts 1 & 2) are some of the most beloved movies of all time. You can include me in that category. But I actually read the book first, and it's an excellent read!
🏆 Leave the gun. Take the cannolis. The Godfather is one of my (and many others’) all-time favorite movies, a true classic. Given the fact that it’s widely considered a masterpiece, I have to say the film is better.
The Godfather - Apple TV
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I actually read the book before the movie, so I’ll always have a special place in my heart for The Godfather novel by Mario Puzo even if I think the movie is better.
The Godfather: Deluxe Edition a book by Mario Puzo
You can stream all of The Godfather saga on Paramount Plus.
Paramount Plus: Stream Movies, Shows & Live TV
I own all the Godfather movies, but you can actually stream them all on Paramount Plus, which comes free with a Walmart+ membership.
Free Paramount Plus subscription with Walmart+ Membership | Free 30-Day Trial
A fascinating and well-made series about the making of The Godfather.
The Offer
The Wild Robot
I'm glad that The Wild Robot movie has gotten rave reviews, but the book was even better! I hope people will read the book series. (And you get to find out what happens to Roz after the end of the movie.)
Starring Lupita Nyong'o as the Wild Robot, this movie was a delight. It has all the feels. It's still in the theaters and not streaming yet, but it's scheduled to be on Netflix and Peacock.
The Wild Robot (2024) ⭐ 8.3 | Animation, Sci-Fi
🏆 My son and I both adored The Wild Robot and its sequels. It's such a sweet, fun, funny, touching story. It edges out the movie just slightly for me.
The Wild Robot Boxed Set a book by Peter Brown
To Kill A Mockingbird
To Kill a Mockingbird is a classic, both the book and movie. This is a hard one to call. I love the story in each of its forms, and it's almost a tie for me. I give the slight edge to the book, but ask me on another day, and I might give you another ...
The haunting, beautiful soundtrack from To Kill a Mockingbird is my favorite movie musical score of all time. And Gregory Peck as Atticus Finch was one of the best cast roles ever. So it gets a trophy for that.
To Kill a Mockingbird - Apple TV
🏆 To Kill a Mockingbird is such a beautiful, heartwrenching coming-of-age story. It was the first “grown-up” book I ever read, and it still sticks to my bones.
To Kill a Mockingbird: 50th Anniversary Edition (Anniversary) a book by Harper Lee
I love this beautiful tote bag with the classic To Kill A Mockingbird cover.
To Kill a Mockingbird Tote Bag
Lord of the Rings
There are so many details in the books that couldn't make it into the Peter Jackson movies. But even so, the beauty and power of the films give them a slight edge for me. (Controversial opinion among devoted Tolkien fans, I know.) If I'm honest, this...
My limited edition box set of LotR is one of my prized possessions. I love looking through all the maps.
The Lord of the Rings Illustrated by the Author: Illustrated by J.R.R. Tolkien a book by J. R. R. Tolkien
🏆 I still remember how I felt, sitting in the theaters watching the films, starting with Fellowship of the Ring. I still try to watch the trilogy all the way through every few years.
The Lord Of The Rings™ Trilogy Extended Ed.
Perfect gift for anyone who's basically a Hobbit.
No Admittance Except On Party Business Door Mat, Lord Of The Ring Doormat, Doorway Cave, The Hobbit, LOTR, Movie Lover Gift, Funny Doormat
One of my favorite Tolkien quotes.
All We Have to Decide Tolkien Quote Print, Lord of the Rings Wall Art, Green Square Artwork
This is such a cute sweatshirt for any Lord of the Rings fan.
Hobbit Shirts, I'm Actually Quite Tall, Rings of Movie Power Sweatshirt, Tolkien Tee, Lord of Movie Rings, Gift for Film Lover, Joke Sweatshirt
One ring to rule them all… I think this would make such a cool wedding ring!
Sterling Silver Gold Plated The One Ring – Inspired Ring , Frodo Ring in Gold or Silver ,Elvish Inscription Gift for Him or Her.
Sometimes I wish the Ents would show up and squish some orcs. lol
The Fangorn Forest Conservation Society. The Hobbit/Lord of the Rings Decal for Laptops, Water Bottles, or any smooth clean surface.
This Aragorn and Arwen quote print would make such a great wedding or anniversary gift to your shmoopie.
Aragorn and Arwen | Lord of the Rings Art | J.R.R. Tolkien Quote | LOTR Print
This one just makes me laugh. hee hee
Lord Of The Cats Mug, A Purrfect Gift for Rings Fans, Cat, Kittens and Animal Lovers Ceramic Mug Double Sided 11oz
Legally Blonde
While the book was fun, the movie was iconic. What? Like it's hard?
The book was a fun and frothy rom com, and definitely a great beach read.
Legally Blonde | eBook
🏆 There are so many lines from Legally Blonde that I still quote today. Reese Witherspoon nailed Elle Woods. I actually went and saw the musical a few years ago with my niece, and it's super fun as well.
Legally Blonde
I saw the musical of Legally Blonde (based on the movie, based on the book), and it was so much fun! Not quite as good as the movie in my opinion, but if you like Broadway musicals, catch this one if it's ever travelling near you.
Legally Blonde (Broadway, Palace Theatre, 2007)
The Great Gatsby
I first read The Great Gatsby in high school. The 1974 film version was well-cast, but the 2013 film captured the wild, hedonistic 1920's of the setting.
🏆 As gorgeously filmed as the 2013 Baz Luhrmann movie version of The Great Gatsby was, I have to give the edge to the haunting F. Scott Fitzgerald novel.
The Great Gatsby a book by F. Scott Fitzgerald
Just like all Baz Luhrmann films, The Great Gatsby was a visual feast, and it was perfectly cast in my opinion. But you can't beat the original classic book.
The Great Gatsby
I worked this Great Gatsby puzzle over Christmas, and it was so much fun. A challenge with just enough details to make it solvable through close examination.
The World of The Great Gatsby 1000 Piece Puzzle: A jigsaw by Adam Simpson
Jurassic Park
Jurassic Park is one of those stories that I loved both the book and movie nearly equally, just in separate ways. If you haven't read Crichton's books, this is a great one to start with.
🏆 This one has to be the hardest call for me yet. I loved both the movie and novel of Jurassic Park. I have to give the slightest of edges to the movie because I can still remember the awe I felt watching it in the movie theater for the first time.
Jurassic Park
The book is definitely deeper in details, especially character back story and scientific theory. The sequel is also a fabulous read!
Jurassic Park a book by Michael Crichton
Love this cool wooden dinosaur skeleton tray!
Jurassic park velociraptor skeleton tray
Jaws
You're humming the theme too, aren't you?
🏆 Without a doubt, Jaws is a masterpiece, one of Spielberg's best films (and that's saying something). He does so much with the simple concept of a killer shark on the loose.
Jaws
Jaws was a bestseller for good reason, but there are a few extraneous plotlines and cringeworthy wording and details that wouldn't make it past an editor today.
Jaws by Peter Benchley
This Little Golden Book of Jaws is so adorable and a fun (age-appropriate) precursor to the movie a few years before kids need to be watching it. lol
JAWS: Big Shark, Little Boat! A Book of Opposites (Funko Pop!)
Kermit would definitely play Brody in the Muppet version of Jaws.
Comfort Colors® Vintage Washed Dark Humor Shirt, Smoking Frog Meme Tee, Shark Attack Parody Shirt, Retro Cinematic Graphic Shirt (DTG Print)
I can't believe it's been 50 years since Jaws was made, but this documentary was fabulous if you like to learn about how movies were made. I love that they used mostly locals as extras in the movie.
Jaws @ 50: The Definitive Inside Story (Full Documentary) | Sharkfest Special | National Geographic
The Princess Bride
If you're a fan of the movie and haven't read the book, The Princess Bride has all the charm and humor of the film. It's definitely worth a read, even if I'm still Team Movie.
The Princess Bride Deluxe Limited Edition
🏆 I still remember watching The Princess Bride for the first time and being not quite sure what I'd just watched. It was hilarious and romantic. I was only 8 or 9 when it came out, but I fell instantly in love with Westley and Buttercup. Rob Reiner'...
The Princess Bride
This minimalist “Cliffs of Insanity” mug is just too perfect.
The Princess Bride "Cliffs of Insanity" Dread Pirate Roberts, 15oz Mug
There are just literally so many hilariously awesome lines in this movie.
Anybody Want A Peanut - The Princess Bride inspired Peanut Jar // Fezzik Inigo Montoya 80s Inspired Gift for movie fans Andre The Giant
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Celebrating a Mawwiage calls for a perfect card.
Princess Bride Wedding Card: Funny Engagement Congratulations