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The Best Kid Adventure Flicks Based on Books

The Best Kid Adventure Flicks Based on Books

Percy Jackson and the Sea of Monsters (2013)

With kids' books from Harry Potter to Dr. Seuss' The Lorax to The Chronicles of Narnia all the rage at the cineplex nowadays, we take a look back at classic kid flick adventures adapted from books.

Based on Rick Riordan's book, Sea of Monsters finds demigod Percy Jackson and his friends on a journey to find the Golden Fleece and save Camp Half-Blood.
Dr. Seuss' The Lorax (2012)

Dr. Seuss' beloved environmental fable was vividly brought to life in 2012 with the help of such famous voices as Zac Efron, Danny DeVito and Taylor Swift. Warning of the perils of corporate greed and the delicate balance of the natural world, The Lorax is a colorful and powerful movie the whole family can enjoy and learn from.
Where the Wild Things Are (2009)

Before the live-action 2009 feature film, Maurice Sendak's 48-page children's book was adapted into an animated short film and also inspired part of an opera! The story focuses on a boy who deals with anger by running away with his imagination into a world of wild creatures, who crown him as their king.

2009 Warner Bros.
Night at the Museum (2006)

The original 2006 movie was loosely based on this children's book by Milan Trenc, first published in 1993. Only 32 pages long and full of pictures, the filmmakers expanded on the idea quite a bit.
Harriet the Spy (1996)

Before she was on "Buffy the Vampire Slayer," "Gossip Girl" or in 17 Again, Michelle Trachtenberg starred as the curious 11 year old spy in the movie adaptation of Louise Fitzhugh's 1964 book of the same name.

1996 Paramount Pictures
Nim's Island (2008)

Abigail Breslin plays Nim Crusoe, a young girl living on a beautiful island with her father in this family friendly adventure based on Wendy Orr's 1999 book.

2008 Fox-Walden
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory (2005)

Although some are partial to the 1971 "Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory," both movies are based on Roald Dahl's 1964 classic. Dahl also wrote the kid's books "Matilda," "The Witches" and "James and the Giant Peach," all of which were turned into movies.

2005 Warner Bros. Pictures
Holes (2003)

A young Shia LaBeouf stars in this adaptation of Louis Sachar's 1998 book about an unsolved mystery in the desert. Fun Fact: LaBeouf re-teamed with co-star Jon Voight in 2007's Transformers.

2003 Buena Vista Pictures
The Secret Garden (1993)

Based on the Frances Hodgson Burnett 1909 book with the same name, this movie is about a young girl taking over a neglected garden and transforming it into a beautiful sanctuary.

1993 Warner Bros. Pictures
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)

The first published book in the Narnia series of 7 by C.S. Lewis in 1950, it's technically the second chronologically. "The Magician's Nephew" is chronologically the first. Either way, this movie captures all of the fantasy adventure of the magical, wintry land of Narnia.

2005 Buena Vista Pictures
Journey to the Center of the Earth (2008)

While many versions of the Jules Verne sci-fi classic book from 1864 have been made by Hollywood, this most recent Brendan Fraser version was available in 3D as well as the traditional 2D format.

2008 Warner Bros. Pictures
The Golden Compass (2007)

Book number 1 of Philip Pullman's 'His Dark Materials' series was first published in 1995. A fantasy-filled adventure about a young girl's quest to rescue her friends was made into a big budget movie in 2007 starring Nicole Kidman.

2007 New Line Cinema
Hook (1991)

Loosely based on J.M. Barrie's 1904 play "Peter Pan," this Steven Spielberg-directed movie asks the question, "What if Peter Pan grew up?" Fun Fact: Barrie turned his play into a book in 1911 and originally entitled it, "Peter and Wendy."

1991 TriStar Pictures
Inkheart (2009)

Cornelia Funke's 2003 book seems like a great idea for a movie -- a father can 'read' characters out of books and bring them to life. Maybe that's why the Adam Sandler Bedtime Stories movie seems eerily similar to this one?!

2008 Warner Bros. Pictures
Jumanji (1995)

Robin Williams stars with a young, 13 year old Kirsten Dunst in this adaptation of Chris Van Allsburg's 1981 book of the same name. Van Allsburg also wrote "Zathura" and "The Polar Express," both of which were turned into movies.

1995 TriStar Pictures
Lemony Snicket's A Series of Unfortunate Events (2004)

Jim Carrey stars as the villainous Count Olaf in this adaptation of the series of Lemony Snicket (aka Daniel Handler) books. 13 books in total, the series starts with "The Bad Beginning" from 1999.

2004 Paramount Pictures
Nancy Drew (2007)

While Emma Roberts plays the well known teen sleuth, this movie adaptation isn't directly based on any of Carolyn Keene's 1930's series of mystery books but is an updated tale set in modern day Los Angeles.

2007 Warner Bros. Pictures
Zathura (2005)

Author Chris Van Allsburg's 2002 sequel book to "Jumanji," the movie starred a young Kristen Stewart before she was Bella from Twilight, and was directed by Iron Man director and actor, Jon Favreau.

2005 Columbia Pictures
Race to Witch Mountain (2009)

Many people think this movie is just an update of the 1975 Disney movie, Escape to Witch Mountain, but they are both based on Alexander Key's 1968 book, "Escape to Witch Mountain."

2009 Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
The Spiderwick Chronicles (2008)

A fantasy film based on a series of 5 books by Holly Black and Tony DiTerlizzi, this adventure has plenty of goblins, faeries and magical creatures. The first book, "The Field Guide," was published in 2003.

2008 Paramount Pictures
Bridge to Terabithia (2007)

Although a bit emotional with a tragedy that could make you cry, this movie adaptation of Katherine Paterson's 1977 book stays true to the source material about an imagined, magical kingdom in the forest.

2007 Buena Vista Pictures
The Princess Bride (1987)

William Goldman penned the screenplay from his own 1973 book entitled "The Princess Bride: S. Morgenstern's Classic Tale of True Love and High Adventure." A classic fairy tale that has fencing, fighting, torture, poison, true love, hate, revenge, giants and so much more!

1987 Twentieth Century-Fox Film Corporation
Harry Potter series

With so many great Harry Potter books, we couldn't pick just one! Starting with J.K. Rowling's 1998 "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" and ending with the 2007 "Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows," all 7 of these books have been turned into great adventure movies starring Daniel Radcliffe as Harry.

Warner Bros.
The Wizard of Oz (1939)

First published in 1900 as "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum, this classic movie musical has been beloved by many generations over the years and has topped numerous lists naming it the 'Greatest Family Film' of all time.

Which kid adventure movies based on a book did we miss? Comment below!

1939 Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM)
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