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Reading aloud has always been a core value of our family, and what can make it even more fun is if you can watch an adaptation of the book afterward. There are dozens of read aloud books that were made into movies or TV shows, and I’ve rounded up the best!
The Best Read-Aloud Books That Were Made Into Movies or TV Shows
The classic children’s book comes to life in the more recent movie about a brave little mouse.
Rent on Amazon—$3.99
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by J.K. Rowling
Of course, there are actually eight films based on the books. Be aware that around book 4, the books begin to get a bit darker and may be too intense for younger kids.
Rent on Amazon—$4.99
This is a lovely story about a little girl and a piglet who she saves from the destiny of most farm animals. There are some newer screen adaptations, but I’ll always prefer the 1973 animated version.
Rent on Amazon — $3.99
Percy Jackson (The Lightning Thief) by Rick Riordan
This book series has been a hit for years. Middle schoolers could totally read the series on their own, but younger kids will enjoy having it read to them.
The TV show and the movie are both on Disney+
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
This is an absolutely beautiful film, but it’s worth the experience of reading the beautiful book first.
Rent on Amazon — $3.99
Mr. Popper’s Penguins by Florence and Richard Atwater
This book was published decades ago but wasn’t made into a movie until 2011. Jim Carrey as great as Mr. Popper, who finds himself in an unusual situation (of his own making).
A Series of Unfortunate Events series by Lemony Snicket
This is a series of books that are extremely entertaining but are also very dark. If your younger kids are interested, reading aloud to them will let you talk about the more intense sections as you go.
Rent the movie on Amazon — $3.99
Watch the series on Netflix
The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
The classic children’s series was made into several movies. I always loved the 1988 miniseries, but it’s hard to find now. The movie from the early 2000s is also really good!
Rent on Amazon — $3.99
These are fun books for elementary kids to read themselves or have read to them. There are lots of books in the series and the second movie just came out!
Watch the movie on Netflix
How to Train Your Dragon by Cressida Cowell
My kids have loved this series of books. When it comes to the movies, we prefer the original animated film!
Watch the original animated movie and the newer live action version on Netflix
This is a great read aloud because it does have some darker themes that it might be good to talk through. I always love reading books about kids who are readers!
Rent the original movie on Amazon—$3.99
Watch the newer musical on Netflix
The Spiderwick Chronicles by Tony DiTerlizzi and Holly Black
I’ve never read this series, but we know other people who have enjoyed them. It follows the adventures of three siblings and has been made into a movie and a newer TV series!
Rent the movie on Amazon—$3.99
Watch the TV series on the Roku Channel
Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren
If you’ve never been introduced to the adventures of this red-haired heroine, I hope you’ll give the books a shot. There are several animated adaptations but we prefer the live-action version from the 1970s.
Rent the movie on Amazon—$3.99
There are many people who think Paddington 2 is one of the best movies of all time! I don’t have a strong opinion, but my kids and I have enjoyed both the books and the newer films.
Rent the movie on Amazon—$3.99
Another fun book by Roald Dahl, this one was made into a movie in 2016.
Watch the movie on Disney+
James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl
The film adaptation of this book is probably my favorite of all of Dahl’s books that have been made into films. The animation and cinematography is absolutely beautiful and unlike many other films.
Watch the movie on Disney+
I can’t believe this book is more than 20 years old. This is more appropriate for older kids, as it’s pretty intense.
Watch the movie on Disney+
The Secret Garden by Frances Hodgson Burnett
This book is a true classic, and the movie version is almost as magical as the book.
Watch the movie with Amazon Prime
It’s rare that a newer series of books manages to capture the magic of older books like some of the others I’ve listed, but I think this series will have a lot of staying power.
Watch the movie on Netflix
This series from the 1950s is about a small family of people who are miniscule and who live under the floorboards of a house.
Rent the movie on Amazon—$3.99
A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett
I recently reread this book with my kids and found it even more charming than I remembered. The live action version from 1995 is by far the best adaptation, but if you’re really in for a classic film, you can watch the Shirley Temple version for free on Amazon Prime.
Rent the movie on Amazon—$3.79
Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery
This might be the best book-to-screen adaptation of all time.
Buy both parts of the show on Amazon—$14.99 each
Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
It’s always been funny to me that the movie is called Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory. Either way, both the book and movie are great!
Rent the movie on Amazon—$5.99
Fantastic Mr. Fox by Roald Dahl
I’d honestly forgotten how many of these great films were based on books by Roald Dahl! This is another one with amazing stop-motion animation.
Watch the movie on Disney+
Are there any book-to-screen adaptations I forget? Let us know in the comments!
