While they have always been popular, there’s no denying that there has been a surge of book-to-screen adaptations in recent years, and Netflix offers some of the best titles available to stream right now. Netflix’s catalog of films and TV shows is extensive, with many being distributed by the streaming service itself, which allows it to keep up with competitors like Amazon Prime Video and Hulu, for example. The best TV shows streaming on Netflix are often a hot topic of conversation, and when it comes to adaptations, it’s always intriguing to see how many viewers are simply interested in the title, and how many are watching because they have read the source material.
It’s worth noting that a few factors can determine the overall opinion of an adaptation. While it’s important for an adaptation to stay true to its original story, some reimaginings or titles that make changes to the plot can still be considered a success to both readers and audiences because they’re so enthralling and binge-worthy. From Netflix’s miniseries masterpieces to its gripping feature-length films, the streaming service offers an incredible array of book-to-screen adaptations that audiences should add to their watch list.
‘The Witcher’ (2019-)
Based on the book series of the same name by Andrzej Sapkowski, as well as the video game adaptations, The Witcher is a thrilling fantasy adventure that follows an array of magical characters set in the fictional land known as the Continent. A lot of the show centers on Geralt of Rivia, a monster-hunter who is renowned for his iconic long white hair, gruff appearance, and sword-fighting abilities. However, there are also other fascinating characters, like Cintra’s princess, Ciri, and sorceress Yennefer of Vengerberg.
While The Witcher has its flaws, like any title, the show has been praised for its action-packed sequences, intense interactions between characters, and fantastic cinematography. With The Witcher Season 5 now confirmed, and considering Liam Hemsworth has recently taken over from Henry Cavill as Geralt, now is the perfect time to check it out on Netflix.
‘A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder’ (2024-)
A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder is an adaptation of Holly Jackson’s 2019 novel of the same name, which sees British teenager Pip throw herself headfirst into the disappearance of another young girl from years previously, convinced that the person convicted isn’t actually responsible. A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder‘s ending caught viewers’ attention upon its release in 2024, and on top of Emma Myers’ performance as Pip, the show has been celebrated for its gripping storyline and murder mystery conundrum.
The 6-part TV show follows the events of Jackson’s first book in a three-title series, but A Good Girl’s Guide to Murder doesn’t particularly cover the events of the sequel, As Good As Dead, or the prequel novella Kill Joy. The show was renewed for a second installment back in November 2024, so readers will have a good idea of what the story should be, although there is always room for changes with adaptations.
‘Bridgerton’ (2020-)
Bridgerton is easily Netflix’s best-known adaptation. Based on Julia Quinn’s book series, Bridgerton focuses on the titular family and those around them, with each installment following one of the 8 siblings’ love stories with their respective romantic interests. Although the show has been criticized for changing certain plot points from the book, as well as most lead characters becoming notably absent after their story wrapped up, Bridgerton is still an enthralling watch.
Now that Bridgerton Season 4 has come to an end, audiences will be eagerly awaiting Season 5, which will see either Francesca or Eloise take center stage. Bridgerton may not be the truest book adaptation to ever exist, but most of its changes have been considered somewhat improvements, especially when it comes to characterization. In fact, the spinoff Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story is almost as popular as the parent show, which beautifully blends both fact and fiction together to provide the story of the early years of Queen Charlotte and King George’s marriage.
‘The Lost Daughter’ (2021)
The Lost Daughter is a great adaptation of Elena Ferrante’s 2006 novel of the same name, which follows Leda, a translator and professor who meets young mother Nina on vacation in Greece. Director Maggie Gyllenhaal does a fantastic job in her directorial debut, bringing the psychologically complicated tale of Leda’s past struggles and memories of the early days of motherhood to life beautifully. While there are a few small changes, The Lost Daughter mostly sticks to its source material, which is something readers were vocal about upon its release.
Regardless of the fact that The Lost Daughter is a brilliant book-to-film adaptation, it stands on its own, and even those who haven’t read the book will be able to enjoy it. With three Oscar nominations under its belt, including Best Adapted Screenplay for Gyllenhaal, The Lost Daughter is a thrilling watch, and the way it delves into themes like generational trauma and parenthood will leave audiences thinking about this movie long after the credits roll.
‘The Haunting of Hill House’ (2018)
Based on the iconic gothic 1959 novel by Shirley Jackson, The Haunting of Hill House is one of the greatest supernatural horror titles in the last 10 years. The Haunting of Hill House is considered Netflix’s best original series ever for many reasons, but mainly because of its storyline, which is also frequently labeled as a masterclass in the horror genre. Told across two distinct timelines, this show centers on the five Crain siblings and their eerie experiences while residing at the titular house.
8 years after its release, The Haunting of Hill House still keeps audiences up at night. While Shirley Jackson’s original work will forever be a notable piece of literature and a genre-defining title in the world of horror, Mike Flanagan manages to expand upon this amazing concept even more so in Netflix’s adaptation. From The Haunting of Hill House’s astounding visuals to its shocking plot twists (one of which is considered one of the best in TV history), this show is a must-watch for all.
‘The Queen’s Gambit’ (2020)
The Queen’s Gambit had a huge impact on the world, and the show’s soaring popularity directly resulted in an uptick in chessboard sales across the world after its release in 2020. The 7-part series introduces Anya Taylor-Joy as Beth Harmon, a young woman who learns chess as a child and becomes a prodigy after competing against the world’s very best players. However, there’s more to The Queen’s Gambit than just chess; Beth’s battle against her own inner demons and her attempts at dealing with addiction make the show just as intriguing, too.
The Queen’s Gambit differs slightly from most book-to-screen adaptations, though. The miniseries is based on Walter Tevis’ 1983 novel of the same name, and while the story and characters are fictional, several details are inspired by real-life chess prodigies from history, which is why many initially think The Queen’s Gambit is a true story. However, this doesn’t impact the overall enjoyment of The Queen’s Gambit, which is an addictive watch from start to finish.
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