Almost everyone knows that movies such as Misery or The Shining are based on the legendary horror novels of Stephen King. However, many talented authors of horror fiction do not hold the same fame as the so-called King of Horror. As a result, when their books come alive on the big screen, they often slip under the radar, leaving the public unaware that some of the most terrifying stories have deeper and lesser-known literary origins.
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Although reading remains a beloved activity, cinema and television are still the dominant mediums, with more people choosing to watch movies or shows than to pick up a book. It is also easier to market a film, especially when fronted by lead actors or directors who are already established celebrities. However, as frightening as a movie might be, its book counterpart usually has subtler, more intimate ways to toy with our fears. For that reason, it’s only fair to give the original works the recognition they deserve.
You are watching: 10 Horror Movies You Forgot Were Based On Books
10
The Ritual (2017)
Based On The Ritual By Adam Nevill
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The Ritual
r
Horror
Thriller
4/10
8/10
Release Date
October 13, 2017
Runtime
94minutes
Director
David Bruckner
Writers
David Bruckner
Cast
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-
Sam Troughton
-
Rafe Spall
After traveling to Sweden, Luke reunites with his old college friends for a fun trip. But things quickly turn south when they realize something in the forest is stalking them. The Ritual was a Netflix original movie released in 2017 and was directed by David Bruckner, who would go on to direct Hulu’s Hellraiser film.
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When it premiered in 2017, The Ritual left the public shivering all the way through the movie. The cold and remote Scandinavian background heavily shaped the eerie atmosphere of the film, creating a folk horror spectacle in the unforgiving woods of Northern Europe. But beyond its visual magnetism, the movie is ultimately a story about friendship and grief, using supernatural mythology to confront deeper emotions like guilt and trauma. Despite the relative success it obtained, it’s not often remembered today—and even fewer viewers are aware that it was based on a novel.
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The book was published in 2011 by Adam Nevill, a British author well-known in the horror literary scene. The Ritual is, in fact, not the only one of his novels that came alive on the screen. The story earned him critical acclaim as well as a literary award for the disturbing setting and emotionally resonant narrative.
9
Psycho (1960)
Based On Psycho By Robert Bloch
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Psycho
R
Horror
Mystery
Thriller
10/10
14
9/10
Release Date
September 8, 1960
Runtime
109 minutes
Director
Alfred Hitchcock
Writers
Joseph Stefano, Robert Bloch
Sequel(s)
Psycho 2
Cast
See All
-
Janet Leigh
-
Martin Balsam
In this now-iconic Alfred Hitchcock thriller, a secretary embezzles forty thousand dollars from her employer’s client, goes on the run, and checks into a remote motel. The place is run by a young man under the domination of his mother — and he soon turns out to be far more threatening than he appeared at first.
Main Genre
Horror
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With a name like that of Alfred Hitchcock in charge of the movie, it is no surprise that not many people remember the literary origins of Psycho. The film is one of the most gripping and devastating horrors in the history of cinema, complemented by the blood-curdling performance of Anthony Perkins as well as the legendary, slaughtering scene in the shower. Because of its cult-like status, it is easy to forget about the book that served as an inspiration.
The book reveals some additional details about Norman Bates’s backstory; after all, it would have been hard for the film to report all the information shared in the novel.
Robert Bloch’s Psycho is considered one of the most timeless horror fiction of the 20th century, and Hitchcock’s adaptation attempted to remain as faithful as possible to it. However, the book reveals some additional details about Norman Bates’s backstory; after all, it would have been hard for the film to report all the information shared in the novel.
8
Candyman (1992)
Based On The Forbidden By Clive Barker (From Books Of Blood)
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Candyman
R
Horror
Drama
Thriller
4.5/10
Release Date
October 16, 1992
Runtime
100 Minutes
Director
Bernard Rose
Writers
Bernard Rose
Cast
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Virginia Madsen
Helen Lyle
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Tony Todd
Candyman
Candyman, directed by Bernard Rose, is a 1992 horror film based on Clive Barker’s short story “The Forbidden.” The plot follows graduate student Helen Lyle, played by Virginia Madsen, as she explores the urban legend of the Candyman, a vengeful spirit with a hook for a hand. Tony Todd stars as the titular character, whose presence is summoned by those who dare to speak his name five times in a mirror.
Main Genre
Horror
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Candyman is nowadays considered a hit of the horror genre, with a chilling premise and clever social commentary. However, you might have forgotten that the movie’s enduring villain originated from a book. It is easy to forget or ignore the origins of the film considering that the horror tale had a different title, The Forbidden, and was a short story from the collection Books of Blood by Clive Barker.
Bernard Rose brought other significant changes to the source material. He expanded the narrative and delved deeper into the characterization of the antagonist, changing his backstory entirely. Candyman became the avenging spirit of a Black man who had been unjustly killed for falling in love with a white woman in the 19th century. This new angle gave the character more complex motivations for his actions. The result was a sympathetic villain with a tragic origin story in a movie that delved into the theme of racial inequality.
7
The Silence Of The Lambs (1991)
Based On The Silence Of The Lambs By Thomas Harris
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The Silence of the Lambs
R
Crime
Drama
Thriller
9/10
21
9.6/10
Release Date
February 14, 1991
Runtime
118 Minutes
Director
Jonathan Demme
Writers
Thomas Harris, Ted Tally
Cast
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Jodie Foster
Clarice Sterling
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Anthony Hopkins
Dr. Hannibal Lecter
The Silence of the Lambs follows FBI trainee Clarice Starling, portrayed by Jodie Foster, as she seeks the help of imprisoned Dr. Hannibal Lecter, played by Anthony Hopkins, to solve a series of gruesome murders. Directed by Jonathan Demme, this 1991 psychological thriller delves into the dark world of criminal profiling and the complex relationship between a young investigator and a brilliant, but dangerous, psychopath.
Main Genre
Thriller
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The Silence of the Lambs is one of the most critically acclaimed thrillers ever. The bleak atmosphere, the menacing performance of Anthony Hopkins, and the emotional magnetism of Jodie Foster cemented its status as a psychologically disturbing horror masterpiece. It was the only horror, and still is to this day, to win an Academy Award for Best Picture.
Because of the movie’s exceptional reception and outstanding achievements, the public might forget that the character of Hannibal Lecter had already cemented himself as a legendary villain in Thomas Harris’s literary series, especially the 1988 book that inspired the film.
Looking back, it is not a surprise that Harris’ book was adapted into a film. The novel earned widespread success when it came out and sold a total of over 10 million copies. The disturbingly creative premise, along with the intense and astute characterizations, contributed to making the tale one of the most captivating and suspense-filled thrillers ever written.
6
Jaws (1975)
Based On Jaws By Peter Benchley
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Jaws
PG-13
Adventure
Horror
Thriller
10/10
36
9.1/10
Release Date
June 18, 1975
Runtime
124 minutes
Director
Steven Spielberg
Writers
Peter Benchley, Carl Gottlieb, John Milius, Howard Sackler, Robert Shaw
Cast
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-
Roy Scheider
-
Robert Shaw
Steven Spielberg’s legendary tale of one man’s desperate battle with a killer Great White shark on his small seaside community. Faced with a mounting list of victims and a local authority dead-set against causing panic or destroying the tourist economy, he assembles a team to tackle the shark head-on.
Main Genre
Adventure
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The most famous shark in cinema was not born out of the ingenious mind of Steven Spielberg, as many believe. Jaws was based on the novel of the same name by Peter Benchley. Today, the film is a cultural touchstone, credited with instilling a lasting fear of what lurks underwater in audiences worldwide. When it premiered in 1975, the movie immediately became the highest-grossing film ever. This overwhelming popularity might have led most people to overlook its origins.
Benchley’s novel came out in 1974 and was an immediate success, praised for its suspense and gripping story. Even before its publication, producers Richard D. Zanuck and David Brown predicted its cinematic potential and secured the rights for the film. However, the adaptation left a significant part of the original plot out, choosing to focus solely on the shark and the three protagonists. The result was a terrifying thriller that changed the landscape of horror blockbusters forever.
5
The Ring (2002)
Based On Ring By Koji Suzuki
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The Ring
PG-13
Mystery
Horror
8/10
8.3/10
Release Date
October 18, 2002
Runtime
115 minutes
Director
Gore Verbinski
Writers
Ehren Kruger
Sequel(s)
Rings, The Ring Two
Cast
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-
Martin Henderson
-
Naomi Watts
An American remake of the original Japanese supernatural horror film, Ring, The Ring follows a journalist who discovers she has seven days to live after watching a cursed videotape. Attending the funeral of a girl who dies under mysterious circumstances, the victim’s mother asks Seattle journalist Rachel to investigate the death. After learning about the urban legend behind the video tape the girl watched, Rachel views the tape in the hopes of finding a lead – only to find herself succumbing to the same curse.
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While most fans of the franchise know that the early 2000s scary hit The Ring is a remake of the terrifying Japanese horror Ring, fewer realize that both productions drew inspiration from a novel. The source material about a cursed videotape and a presumably dead girl who vows to slaughter anyone who watches it was already disturbing enough, but Bojan Bazelli’s eerie cinematography heavily contributed to the terrifying allure of the myth of Samara.
At the same time, the novel leans more heavily into supernatural themes, making it more nuanced compared to the 2002 American adaptation.
The original book, Ring, was written by Japanese author Koji Suzuki, and is the first of a trilogy. Although the premise of the novel is roughly the same-the curse, the deadline, the child coming out of a well—there are key differences. For instance, the lead character in the book is male, and the plot unfolds in Japan, which is important to understand the cultural references in the story. At the same time, the novel leans more heavily into supernatural themes, making it more nuanced compared to the 2002 American adaptation.
4
Bird Box (2018)
Based On Bird Box By Josh Malerman
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Bird Box
R
Sci-Fi
Drama
Horror
6/10
See more : Who Plays Cherie Blair In The Crown? Plot, Cast and More
7/10
Release Date
December 13, 2018
Runtime
124 minutes
Director
Susanne Bier
Writers
Eric Heisserer, Josh Malerman
Cast
See All
-
Machine Gun Kelly
-
Pruitt Taylor Vince
Bird Box shows the apocalypse through the ears of Malorie Hayes (Sandra Bullock), a mother of two who tries to get her children to safety after realizing that the demonic entities who are ravaging the world only affect their victims through their eyes. The 2018 Netflix hit is based on Josh Malerman’s 2014 novel of the same name.
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When Bird Box came out on Netflix in 2018, it immediately garnered widespread attention due to the intriguing, albeit macabre, premise. The intense performances of Sandra Bullock and the rest of the cast also helped materialize the true horror of the story on the big screen. With an unexplainable threat that forces people to kill themselves when seen, the film almost seemed like it came out of Stephen King’s twisted writing.
The King of Horror might not have penned the story, but writer and singer Josh Malerman did in his 2014 literary debut. The novel has been praised for the originality of the plot and the eerie atmosphere captured. It was also nominated for a Bram Stoker Award. Although the tone and the themes touched upon are similar, the book has a slightly darker, more intimate edge.
3
The Birds (1963)
Based On The Birds By Daphne Du Maurier
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The Birds
PG-13
Horror
Romance
Mystery
Drama
9/10
Release Date
March 29, 1963
Runtime
119 minutes
Director
Alfred Hitchcock
Writers
Evan Hunter
Cast
See All
-
Tippi Hedren
-
Suzanne Pleshette
The Birds is a 1963 horror film from director Alfred Hitchcock, telling the tale of a small town in Northern California that is plagued by hundreds of violent birds. Rod Taylor, Tippi Hedren, and Jessica Tandy star in the film, which has since become one of Alfred Hitchcock’s most iconic movies.
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If Psycho is one of the most psychologically unsettling movies by Alfred Hitchcock, The Birds finds a way to be as disturbing in a different, more visceral manner. The movie is a nightmare rooted in humanity’s most primal, raw fear of nature turning hostile against us. The film became so famous for its vicious narrative and physically unsettling scenery that it is easy to forget that it was based on a short story of the same name.
The impact of the movie was so significant that the title of the book collection the story was taken from was changed from The Apple Tree to The Birds and Other Stories. Hitchcock’s adaptation expanded the narrative, adopting a different setting and introducing new characters to Daphne du Maurier’s original story. However, the core concept, the idea of birds gathering together and turning against humans, remains.
2
The Exorcist (1973)
Based On The Exorcist By William Peter Blatty
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The Exorcist
R
Horror
Supernatural
9/10
9.4/10
Release Date
December 26, 1973
Runtime
122 minutes
Director
William Friedkin
Writers
William Peter Blatty
Prequel(s)
Exorcist: The Beginning, Dominion: Prequel to The Exorcist
Cast
See All
-
Max Von Sydow
-
Linda Blair
The Exorcist is a supernatural horror film based on the novel released in 1971 and was directed by William Friedkin. When a young girl is passed by a powerful demon, two Catholic priests are brought to her home to attempt an exorcism to expunge the demon.
Main Genre
Horror
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When fans think about The Exorcist, they picture one of the most startling and debated horrors ever shown on the big screen. The public remembers the strong visceral reactions it elicited in them when it premiered, the massive attention it received, and the controversy it stirred. Because of its divisive yet iconic reputation, many people tend to forget that it was all born out of a book by William Peter Blatty, who also wrote the script for the movie and earned an Academy Award.
Blatty’s novel came out in 1971 and took inspiration from the Exorcism of Roland Doe, a real-life case of the 1940s related to the demonic possession of a 14-year-old. Compared to the movie adaptation, the book has more of a slow-burn pacing, with additional scenes that offer deeper insights into the story. Although the film might be more visually scarring, the book is likely to haunt the mind of the reader for a longer period.
1
I Know What You Did Last Summer (1997)
Based On I Know What You Did Last Summer By Lois Duncan
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I Know What You Did Last Summer
R
Horror
Mystery
6/10
8/10
Release Date
October 17, 1997
Runtime
101 minutes
Director
Jim Gillespie
Writers
Kevin Williamson
Sequel(s)
I’ll Always Know What You Did Last Summer, I Still Know What You Did Last Summer
Cast
See All
-
Ryan Phillippe
-
Freddie Prinze Jr.
Loosely based on Lois Duncan’s 1973 novel I Know What You Did Last Summer, this 1997 slasher follows a group of friends who, after covering up a car accident, are stalked by a killer wielding a hook. Jennifer Love Hewitt, Sarah Michelle Gellar, Ryan Phillippe, Freddie Prinze Jr., Johnny Galecki, and Bridgette Wilson star with a script from Scream writer Kevin Williamson.
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I Know What You Did Last Summer is a classic with a magnetic cast and thrilling premise. The movie is remembered as a divisive 1990s horror slasher, but there is more to its origins than most know. The film was largely influenced by other horrors of the same genre, as well as the urban legend of The Hook. Furthermore, it loosely drew inspiration from the 1973 suspense novel of the same name written by Lois Duncan.
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Although the cinema adaptation follows a parallel formula- a hit-and-run accident and the ominous notes that threaten to reveal the crime- and features similar characters, its tone shifts drastically. The result is a slasher reinterpretation of Duncan’s story. The novel is not a horror tale leaning into blood and dramatic chases, but a suspense-driven psychological thriller that explores themes of morality and guilt.
Source: https://dinhtienhoang.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment