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    Home » Blog » Family Fun Night

    8 Modern Movie Versions of Classic Books

    Published: Feb 28, 2022 by Tiffany Dahle · This post may contain affiliate links.

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    A photo collage shows the classic and modern versions of Emma and Romeo and Juliet.

    These modern movie adaptations of classic novels tell the original story from both the classic perspective and a fun new modern retelling of the original narrative.

    A photo collage shows the classic and modern versions of Emma and Romeo and Juliet.

    I believe that movies are a phenomenal way to bring a challenging classic text to life for modern readers.

    My very favorite college professor insisted we watch both the classic movie Emma right alongside the modern retelling of Clueless. Comparing the two for my final paper was my favorite writing assignment of all time.

    I couldn't resist picking Recipe for Persuasion as our book club pick because I just love modern retellings of classic novels.

    If you want to have a little extra fun with your book club, choosing one of these classic novels and then planning a fun movie night for your book club party would be a great way to get the conversation flowing.

    Pop the popcorn and chat about who told the story better!

    Modern Movies Based on Classic Books

    Emma

    This is the movie + book combo that started it all. Jane Austen's Emma is wonderful whether you watch it as a movie or read the book.

    SUMMARY:

    Beautiful, clever, and rich, Emma Woodhouse is perfectly content with her single life and sees no need for neither love or nor marriage. However, nothing delights her more than interfering in the romantic lives of others.

    But when she ignores the warnings of her good friend, Mr. Knightley and attempts to arrange a suitable match for her protégée, Harriet Smith, her carefully laid plans soon unravel and have consequences that she never expected.

    Modern Movie Option 2:
    My favorite Emma starring Gwyneth Paltrow

    COMPARE IT TO:

    Clueless starring Alicia Silverstone, Stacey Dash, Brittany Murphy, and Paul Rudd

    READ THE BOOK:

    The most gorgeous edition of Emma by Jane Austen.

    Pride & Prejudice

    I can never decide which is my favorite Jane Austen book: Pride & Prejudice or Sense and Sensibility!

    P&P is better suited to a movie night with countless options and adaptations available!

    SUMMARY:

    Excitement fizzes through the Bennet household at Longbourn in Hertfordshire when young, eligible Mr. Charles Bingley rents the fine house nearby. He may have sisters, but he also has male friends, and one of these—the haughty, and even wealthier, Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy—irks the vivacious Elizabeth Bennet, the second of the Bennet girls. She annoys him. Which is how we know they must one day marry.

    The romantic clash between the opinionated Elizabeth and Darcy is a splendid rendition of civilized sparring. As the characters dance a delicate quadrille of flirtation and intrigue, Jane Austen's radiantly caustic wit and keen observation sparkle.

    COMPARE IT TO:

    Bridget Jone's Diary starring Renee Zellweger, Colin Firth, and Hugh Grant

    READ THE BOOK:

    A gorgeous edition of Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen.

    Romeo and Juliet

    I am SO excited about the newest version of West Side Story coming out this month. My kids and husband were surprised to hear it is based on Romeo and Juliet and I think this will be our next classic to modern movie comparison for family night!

    Modern Movie Option 2: Romeo + Juliet starring Leonardo Dicaprio and Claire Daines

    COMPARE IT TO:

    West Side Story (2022), the new Steven Spielberg movie

    The classic West Side Story featuring Natalie Wood

    READ THE BOOK:

    Romeo and Juliet by William Shakespeare

    A Midsummer Night's Dream

    Shakespeare is definitely meant to be performed to be appreciated and I remember just loving the 90's version of Midsummer Night's Dream when I saw it in high school.

    COMPARE IT TO:

    Get Over It starring Kirsten Dunst

    READ THE BOOK:

    This edition of A Midsummer Night's Dream by William Shakespeare also includes a modern translation.

    My Fair Lady

    My Fair Lady is one of my very favorite musicals of all time, it's hard to beat Audrey Hepburn. Unless of course, you're talking Pretty Woman with Julia Roberts!

    Did you know those two stories are both based on the classic novel Pygmalion?

    COMPARE IT TO:

    Pretty Woman starring Julia Roberts and Richard Gere

    READ THE BOOK:

    Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw

    The Scarlet Letter

    I had to read The Scarlet Letter for school and wasn't a fan at the time. I had no idea that Easy A was based on it! Excited to revisit this story with a modern twist.

    COMPARE IT TO:

    Easy A starring Emma Stone

    READ THE BOOK:

    The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne

    The Taming Of The Shrew

    As much as I loved the modern version of this movie, I had no idea there was a classic movie staring Elizabeth Taylor to compare it to!

    COMPARE IT TO:

    10 Things I Hate About You starring Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt

    READ THE BOOK:

    Taming of the Shrew by William Shakespeare

    Twelfth Night

    Another case where I'm more familiar with the modern movie than the original! I am excited to go back and see the original Twelfth Night starring Helena Bonham Carter.

    COMPARE IT TO:

    She's the Man starring Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum

    READ THE BOOK:

    Twelfth Night by William Shakespeare

    More Movies Based on Books

    Looking for more movies based on books for movie night? Or maybe you want to dig a little further into beloved classic novels. In either case, you'll love these:

    • A collage of book covers that have been turned into action movies.
      Book Club Books Turned Into Action Movies
    • A photo collage shows several books turned into movies.
      18 Books to Movies to Enjoy with Your Daughter
    • Collage of four book covers: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, 1984, The Lion The Witch and the Wardrobe, and Little Women.
      15 Classic Novels to Read Again
    A photo collage shows the classic and modern versions of Emma and Romeo and Juliet.

    More Family Fun Night

    • Hands reaching in to take slices of pizza on a family table.
      53 Family Dinner Questions that Make ANY Meal Special
    • A photo collage shows the movie posters for 4 movies set in Paris that are ok for kids.
      10 Family-Friendly Movies Set in Paris
    • A photo collage shows several easy Mardi Gras recipes for a busy night.
      20 Easy Mardi Gras Recipes for Family Dinner
    • A photo collage shows several easy Valentine's Day dinner recipes for kids.
      30 Valentine's Day Dinner Recipes for Kids

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    Hi, I'm Tiffany!
    I believe a great family recipe is one that makes everyone at the table happy, not just the kids. I'm the author of two bestselling cookbooks for kids that are chock full of recipes everyone in your family will love. I'm also the hostess of the best online book club for moms.

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