The Best Book To Screen Adaptations Of 2023
From the return of a dystopian favorite in The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes to childhood classics come to life in Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret to haunting fairytales like The Changeling, the book adaptation reigns supreme! As the year comes to a close, the writers of Pop Culture Planet are sharing the Best Of 2023.
Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret
Since 1970, Judy Blume's classic and inventive novel Are You There God? It's Me, Margaret has impacted generations of women with its timeless coming of age story, insightful humor, and candid exploration of life's biggest questions.
The movie adaptation perfectly encapsulated the awkwardness and honest portrayal of growing up and navigating life in the suburbs that Blume’s classic only had written in words. Rachel McAdams plays the doting, protective mom of Margaret, who is portrayed by the spectacular Abby Ryder Fortson. If you had forgotten how uncomfortable it is being in middle school, this movie will bring you right back, in all of the right ways!
Streaming on Hulu, Starz, and The Roku Channel.
- Danielle Forte
Daisy Jones and the Six
Based on Taylor Jenkins Reid’s book Daisy Jones and the Six, this limited series follows a fictional 70s rock band’s rise to fame. Though the band is fictional, their music is 100% real and it slaps. From the incredible ensemble cast to their top tier soundtrack and live performances, this adaptation, while a bit different from the book, beautifully brings Reid’s Fleetwood Mac-inspired story to life.
Streaming on Prime Video.
- Jordan Bohan
Fellow Travelers
Political staffers Hawkins Fuller (Matt Bomer) and Tim Laughlin (Jonathan Bailey) weave in and out of each other’s lives after meeting during the height of the Lavender Scare of the 1950s in Fellow Travelers. Despite the impending threat of getting caught, their undeniable love for each other only intensifies in the tumultuous years that follow.
Rooted in real events and based off the book by Thomas Mallon, the show hones in on the emotional lives of those who were once forced to hide not only themselves, but their love for others. Best said by Bailey’s character Tim: “It’s not who we sleep with, it’s who we love.” Fellow Travelers is soulful, provocative, emotionally devastating, and intensely human.
Streaming on Paramount+.
- Jordan Bohan
Heartstopper Season 2
This year, Heartstopper returned with another heartfelt and feel good season. Nick (Kit Connor) and Charlie’s (Joe Locke) relationship continues to take over our screens, but the heartwarming cast becomes a true ensemble this season. Nick continues to struggle to come out to family and friends while Charlie is battling with the stress of a public relationship and the history of his bullying. Elle (Yasmin Finney) and Tao’s (William Gao) romance takes flight on a trip to Paris as Isaac (Tobie Donovan) comes to terms with his own sexuality. At the same time, Darcy (Kizzy Edgell) and Tara (Corinna Brown) struggle to be honest with each other and share their true selves. This all takes place in the same positive and optimistic world we know and love of Heartstopper.
The story is incredibly loyal to the source material by Alice Oseman, especially since she is so involved in the production. The show is wholesome and optimistic, but doesn’t shy away from realism. With a soundtrack full of stars, direct adaptations from the comics, and plenty of Easter eggs for fans to spot, this season was a standout.
Watch the first two seasons on Netflix.
- Jordan Bohan
Lessons in Chemistry
Elizabeth Zott’s (Brie Larson) dream to be a scientist is put on hold in the 1950s patriarchal society of Lessons in Chemistry. When she finds herself fired from her lab and out of work, she accepts a position hosting a TV cooking show. Elizabeth sets out to teach the nation of overlooked housewives, and the men who are suddenly tuning in, a lot more than just recipes.
Based on the New York Times best-selling novel by Bonnie Garmus, the series is a heartwarming feminist tale of defying authority and paving your own path. Women should never belittle themselves just for a man’s approval and the world becomes a better place because of that. The limited series is a true adaptation of Bonnie Garmus’ novel and Brie Larson gives a compelling performance with a cold and rigid character, making the series that much more interesting.
Lessons in Chemistry is streaming on Apple TV+.
- Jordan Bohan
The Changeling
LaKeith Stanfield and Clark Backo play first time parents who find themselves in a dark fairytale odyssey through a New York City they never knew existed in The Changeling, based on the book by Victor LaValle.
Stanfield anchors this project with a rich and layered take on fatherhood. The adaptation is extremely faithful to the book and introduces dark magical realism and disorienting truths that are as intriguing as they are frustrating. A stunning and complicated take on parenthood, postpartum, and generational trauma through the eyes of Black parents, The Changeling will leave you captivated.
The Changeling is streaming on Apple TV+.
- Kristen Maldonado
The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes
Set 64 years before The Hunger Games we all know, a young Coriolanus Snow (Tom Blyth) is struggling to upkeep his family lineage in The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes. When he’s assigned to mentor Lucy Gray Baird (Rachel Zegler) from District 12 in the 10th annual Hunger Games, their fateful meeting sets him on his path to becoming the tyrannical president of Panem.
Based on the 2020 novel by Suzanne Collins and with Francis Lawrence in the director’s seat again, we are swept back into a more brutal and poorer version of Panem than we’ve seen before. The film is a fantastic adaptation, while reading the book adds even more depth to what’s going through young Coriolanus’ mind. Tom Blyth is a revelation as the complex young Coriolanus Snow, delivering one of the best performances of the year. The film really shines in its the connections back to the original franchise that make certain moments have even deeper meaning. One of the biggest surprises of the year, The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes brings us back into the enthralling world of The Hunger Games, while elevating important pieces of lore to new heights.
- Kristen Maldonado
Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story
Stemming from the world of hit series Bridgerton, Queen Charlotte is a stand alone origin story. Though this show has impact in the context of the original series, its storyline is independent and can be enjoyed without prior knowledge. It dives into the background of Queen Charlotte and how she came to power through her marriage to King George. It’s a heartfelt story about unconditional love, mental health, and the struggles of adjusting to newfound fame and power.
While Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story wasn’t intially based on a specific book, but rather comes from the world the Bridgerton series is based on, it has since been turned into one co-written by Julia Quinn and Shonda Rhimes. There is a great aspect of longing in this season that makes the relationship and romance feel earned. India Ria Amarteifio and Corey Mylchreest’s chemistry is palpable and integral in telling such a heartfelt, dark, and emotional story. This series has modernized not only the Regency Era, but Julia Quinn’s written world. This show has everything including queer relations, characters of diverse backgrounds, and modern popular music with an orchestral twist. With only six episodes, this series took the Internet by storm and left fans only wanting more.
Explore the world of Bridgerton on Netflix.
- Jordan Bohan
Red, White & Royal Blue
Based on the book by Casey McQuiston, Red, White & Royal Blue follows the enemies to lovers story of between the first son of the United States, Alex Claremont-Diaz (Taylor Zakhar Perez), and Prince Henry (Nicholas Galitzine). Though this movie isn’t a perfect adaptation, they certainly chose the more important elements to include in the story.
The two hour runtime flies by as the movie packs in a lot including royal duty, fan-focused Easter eggs, political drama, and the characters’ queer identities — plus a funny, tender, and truly romantic love story. Galitzine and Perez are the perfect pair and truly bring the characters to life right off the page, warranting fans to demand the alleged 3 hour long directors cut. The film delivered an Internet frenzy of fans. A heartwarming romantic story that is one of the best this year.
Now streaming on Prime Video.
- Jordan Bohan
