Biggest Grossing Book Adaptations - page 2
14 May 2009
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Based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Winston Groom the movie was a critical, commercial and award hit.
It was nominated for thirteen Oscars winning six, including Best Picture, Best Director for Robert Zemeckis and Best Actor for Hanks.
War of the Worlds - $591 million
War of the Worlds was a science fiction novel published in 1898 and written by H.G. Wells and first made it to the big screen in 1953.
But in the hands of Steven Spielberg the War of the Worlds went from a much loved B movie to a big budget blockbuster starring Tom Cruise.
Despite some criticisms surrounding Cruise and his Scientology beliefs the movie was met well by the critics and War of the Worlds was the fourth largest grossing movie of 2005.
Jaws - $470 million
Spielberg seems to have a bit of a thing for book adaptations as he makes his third appearance on the countdown with his 1975 classic Jaws.
Based on Peter Benchley's best selling novel Jaws marked the birth of the big budget blockbuster setting the standard for the likes of Star Wars and Indiana Jones.
Upon release Jaws became the first movie to break through the $100 million mark at the U.S box office. It was nominated for Best Picture at the Oscars but lost out to One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.
Three movies followed none of which included Spielberg.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian - $419 million
2008 brought the next movie in The Chronicles of Narnia franchise in the form of Prince Caspian.
Unlike it's predecessor the film was released in the summer, at the height of the blockbuster season, and although the $419 million was considered a bit of a disappointment it did top the U.S box office ending Iron Man's reign.
As with the previous movie they cast an unknown actor, in the form of British actor Ben Barnes, in the title role of Caspian shooting him to stardom.
And despite the 'disappointing' gross Voyage of the Dawn Treader in the pipeline.
The Golden Compass - $372 million
Philip Pullman's novel Northern Lights was another fantasy story that got the go ahead after the success of The Lord of the Rings, however this one didn't fare quite as well as other movies in it's genre.
Released at Christmas the final gross of $372 million was a major disappointment as it was expected to dominate the global box office.
The movie was criticised by fans of the novel over the watering down of the religious elements of the book. The film also came under fire from some religious groups.
Despite there being two other books in the series there are currently no plans to film them.
Angels & Demons is out now
FemaleFirst Helen Earnshaw
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