The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Poster of the 2003 movie and cover of the 1955 book, The Return of the King
VS3
The Return of the King
J.R.R. Tolkien, 1955
movie vs book
Peter Jackson, 2003

Two Hobbits, Sméagol and Déagol, are fishing when Déagol discovers the One Ring in the river. Gollum leads Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee to Minas Morgul, where they watch the Witch-king of Angmar, leader of the nine Nazgûl, lead an army of Orcs towards Gondor.


The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. Poster of the 2001 movie and cover of the 1954 book, The Fellowship of the Ring
VS3
The Fellowship of the Ring
J.R.R. Tolkien, 1954
movie vs book
Peter Jackson, 2001

In the Second Age of Middle-earth, the lords of Elves, Dwarves, and Men are given Rings of Power. Bilbo reveals that he intends to leave the Shire for one last adventure, and he leaves his inheritance, including the Ring, to his nephew Frodo. As Frodo departs with his friend, gardener Samwise Gamgee, Gandalf rides to Isengard to meet with the wizard Saruman, but learns that he has joined forces with Sauron, who has dispatched his nine undead Nazgûl servants to find Frodo.


The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Poster of the 2002 movie and cover of the 1954 book, The Two Towers
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The Two Towers
J.R.R. Tolkien, 1954
movie vs book
Peter Jackson, 2002

Awakening from a dream of Gandalf fighting the Balrog in Moria, Frodo Baggins and Samwise Gamgee find themselves lost in the Emyn Muil near Mordor and discover they are being tracked by Gollum, a former bearer of the One Ring. Capturing Gollum, Frodo takes pity and allows him to guide them, reminding Sam that they will need Gollum’s help to infiltrate Mordor.


Thor: Ragnarok. Poster of the 2017 movie and cover of the 1965 comic book, The Mighty Thor
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The Mighty Thor
Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, 1965
movie vs comic book
Taika Waititi, 2017

Two years after the battle of Sokovia, Thor is imprisoned by the fire demon Surtur, who reveals that Thor’s father Odin is no longer on Asgard. He explains that the realm will soon be destroyed during the prophesied Ragnarök, once Surtur unites his crown with the Eternal Flame that burns in Odin’s vault. Thor frees himself, defeats Surtur and takes his crown, believing he has prevented Ragnarök.


Thor: Ragnarok. Poster of the 2017 movie and cover of the book novelization
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Thor Ragnarok: The Junior Novel
Jim McCann, 2017
movie vs book   [NOVELIZATION]
Taika Waititi, 2017

Two years after the battle of Sokovia, Thor is imprisoned by the fire demon Surtur, who reveals that Thor’s father Odin is no longer on Asgard. He explains that the realm will soon be destroyed during the prophesied Ragnarök, once Surtur unites his crown with the Eternal Flame that burns in Odin’s vault. Thor frees himself, defeats Surtur and takes his crown, believing he has prevented Ragnarök.


The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Poster of the 2008 movie and cover of the 1922 book
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The Curious Case of Benjamin Button
F. Scott Fitzgerald, 1922
movie vs book
David Fincher, 2008

On the day that Hurricane Katrina hits New Orleans, elderly Daisy Williams is on her deathbed in a New Orleans hospital. At her side is her adult daughter, Caroline. Daisy asks Caroline to read to her aloud the diary of Daisy’s lifelong friend, Benjamin Button. Benjamin’s diary recounts his entire extraordinary life, the primary unusual aspect of which was his aging backwards.


How to Train Your Dragon 2. Poster of the 2014 movie and cover of the 2003 book, How to Train Your Dragon
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How to Train Your Dragon
Cressida Cowell, 2003
movie vs book
Dean DeBlois, 2014

Five years after the Viking villagers of Berk and the dragons made peace, they live together in harmony. One of the trappers, Eret, blames the two for his fort’s destruction and attempts to capture their dragons for the trappers’ leader, Drago Bludvist, who plots to capture and brainwash all of the dragons and make them his soldiers.


Nightmare Alley. Poster of the 2021 movie and cover of the 1946 book
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Nightmare Alley
William Lindsay Gresham, 1946
movie vs book
Guillermo del Toro, 2021

Bradley Cooper is Stanton ‘Stan’ Carlisle, an ambitious carny with a talent for manipulating people with a few well-chosen words hooks up with Dr. Lilith Ritter, a female psychiatrist who is even more dangerous than he is. Remake of the 1947 film.


Guillermo del Toro's Pinocchio. Poster of the 2022 movie and cover of the 1883 book, Pinocchio
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Pinocchio
Carlo Collodi, 1883
movie vs book
Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson, 2022

A retelling of the famous Carlo Collodi fairytale about a wooden puppet who comes to life and dreams of becoming a real boy takes place in 1930s Fascist Italy. When Pinocchio comes to life, however, he turns out not to be a nice boy but instead the opposite, causing mischief and playing mean tricks.


The Aviator. Poster of the 2004 movie and cover of the 1993 book, Howard Hughes: The Secret Life
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Howard Hughes: The Secret Life
Charles Higham, 1993
movie vs book
Martin Scorsese, 2004

A biopic depicting the life of filmmaker and aviation pioneer Howard Hughes from 1927 to 1947, during which time he became a successful film producer and an aviation magnate, while simultaneously growing more unstable due to severe obsessive-compulsive disorder.


How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World. Poster of the 2019 movie and cover of the 2003 book, How to Train Your Dragon
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How to Train Your Dragon
Cressida Cowell, 2003
movie vs book
Dean DeBlois, 2019

One year after the events of the previous film, Hiccup, Toothless and their fellow dragon-riders continue to rescue captured dragons in order to bring them to Berk and its bustling dragon and human utopia. Their efforts have resulted in the island becoming overpopulated with dragons.


The Talented Mr. Ripley. Poster of the 1999 movie and cover of the 1955 book
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The Talented Mr. Ripley
Patricia Highsmith, 1955
movie vs book
Anthony Minghella, 1999

While working at a fancy party as a pianist, Tom Ripley is approached by shipping magnate Herbert Greenleaf, who believes that Ripley attended Princeton with his son, Dickie, because Ripley is wearing a borrowed Princeton jacket. Eventually, Dickie tires of him and starts spending time with his patrician, socialite friend Freddie Miles, who treats Ripley with contempt. They argue on a small boat, and Dickie says he has had enough of Ripley and is going to marry Marge.