Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl. Poster of the 2003 movie and cover of the book novelization
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Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl
Irene Trimble, 2003
movie vs book   [NOVELIZATION]
Gore Verbinski, 2003

In the year 1720, while sailing to Port Royal Jamaica aboard the HMS Dauntless, Governor Weatherby Swann, his daughter Elizabeth, Joshamee Gibbs, and Lieutenant James Norrington encounter a shipwreck and recover a boy, Will Turner. They duel, and Jack is captured and imprisoned. Barbossa takes her prisoner, believing her to be the daughter of William ‘Bootstrap Bill’ Turner, whose blood is needed to lift the curse.


What's Eating Gilbert Grape. Poster of the 1993 movie and cover of the 1991 book
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What's Eating Gilbert Grape
Peter Hedges, 1991
movie vs book
Lasse Hallström, 1993

In the small town of Endora, Iowa, Gilbert Grape is busy caring for Arnie, his mentally impaired brother who is turning 18, as they wait for the many tourists’ trailers to pass through town during an annual Airstreamers’ Club gathering at a nearby recreational area. With Bonnie’s morbid obesity leaving her unable to care for her children on her own, Gilbert has taken responsibility for repairing the old house and being protective to Arnie, who has a habit of climbing the town water tower, while his sisters Amy and Ellen do the rest.


Ed Wood. Poster of the 1994 movie and cover of the 1992 book, Nightmare of Ecstasy: The Life and Art of Edward D. Wood
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Nightmare of Ecstasy: The Life and Art of Edward D. Wood
Rudolph Grey, 1992
movie vs book
Tim Burton, 1994

In 1952, Ed Wood is struggling to enter the film industry. Upon hearing of an announcement in Variety magazine that producer George Weiss is trying to purchase Christine Jorgensen’s life story, Ed meets with Weiss to direct a now fictionalized film titled I Changed My Sex! Ed then meets his longtime idol, horror film actor Bela Lugosi, with whom he becomes friends. Ed takes to film production with an unusual approach.


Minamata. Poster of the 2020 movie and cover of the 1975 book
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Minamata
W. Eugene Smith, Aileen M. Smith, 1975
movie vs book
Andrew Levitas, 2020

War photographer W. Eugene Smith travels back to Japan where he documents the devastating effect of mercury poisoning in coastal communities. The story is set in motion when Aileen Mioko, Eugene’s wife encourages hime to take photos in Minamata, saying: ‘There’s a company in Japan that’s been dumping the toxic waste into the sea. We need you.’


Donnie Brasco. Poster of the 1997 movie and cover of the 1988 book, Donnie Brasco: my undercover life in the Mafia
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Donnie Brasco: my undercover life in the Mafia
Joseph D. Pistone, Richard Woodley, 1988
movie vs book
Mike Newell, 1997

In 1970s New York City, Lefty Ruggiero, an aging gangster in the Bonanno crime family, is introduced to a jewel thief named Donnie Brasco, who impresses Lefty by threatening a diamond dealer whom Donnie suspects of having sold Lefty a zirconia set ring, priced as a real diamond one. Donnie is revealed to be Joseph D. Pistone, an undercover FBI agent, whose wife, Maggie, is not fond of his undercover position.


Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Poster of the 1998 movie and cover of the 1971 book
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Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas
Hunter S. Thompson, 1971
movie vs book
Terry Gilliam, 1998

In 1971, Raoul Duke and Dr. Gonzo speed across the Nevada desert. They pick up a young hitchhiker and explain their mission: Duke has been assigned by a magazine to cover the Mint 400 motorcycle race in Las Vegas. When Duke returns he finds that Gonzo, high on LSD, has trashed the room, and is in the bathtub clothed, attempting to pull the tape player in with him as he wants to hear the song better.


Blow. Poster of the 2001 movie and cover of the 1993 book
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Blow
Bruce Porter, 1993
movie vs book
Ted Demme, 2001

A young George Jung and his parents Fred and Ermine live in Weymouth, Massachusetts. As an adult, George moves to Los Angeles with his friend Tuna; they meet Barbara, an airline stewardess, who introduces them to Derek Foreal, a marijuana dealer.


A Nightmare on Elm Street. Poster of the 1984 movie and cover of the book novelization
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The Nightmares on Elm Street: The Continuing Story
Jeffrey Cooper, 1987
movie vs book   [NOVELIZATION]
Wes Craven, 1984

In March 1981, Tina Gray awakens from a nightmare where she is attacked by a disfigured man wearing a blade-fixed glove in a boiler room. The following morning, Tina is consoled by her best friend Nancy Thompson and Nancy’s boyfriend Glen Lantz. When Tina falls asleep, she dreams of being chased by the disfigured man.


Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest. Poster of the 2006 movie and cover of the book novelization
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Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
Irene Trimble, 2006
movie vs book   [NOVELIZATION]
Gore Verbinski, 2006

The wedding of Will Turner and Elizabeth Swann is halted when Lord Cutler Beckett, chairman of the East India Trading Company, arrives with arrest warrants for them, and also for Commodore James Norrington, who allowed Captain Jack Sparrow to escape. Meanwhile, Jack is visited by Will’s father, Bootstrap Bill Turner, aboard the Black Pearl.


Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Poster of the 2007 movie and cover of the 1974 book
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Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street
Hugh Wheeler, 1974
movie vs book
Tim Burton, 2007

In 1846, Benjamin Barker, a barber, arrives in London, accompanied by sailor Anthony Hope. Barker adopts the alias “Sweeney Todd” and returns to his old Fleet Street shop, situated above Mrs. Nellie Lovett’s meat pie shop, where she sells the “worst pies in London”.


Sleepy Hollow. Poster of the 1999 movie and cover of the 1820 book, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
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The Legend of Sleepy Hollow
Washington Irving, 1820
movie vs book
Tim Burton, 1999

In 1799, New York City police constable Ichabod Crane is dispatched to the upstate Dutch hamlet of Sleepy Hollow, which has been plagued by a series of brutal decapitations: a wealthy father and son, and a widow. He, Young Masbath and Katrina, venture into the Western Woods, where a crone living in a cave reveals the location of the Horseman’s grave at the Tree of the Dead.


Sleepy Hollow. Poster of the 1999 movie and cover of the book novelization
VS3
Sleepy Hollow
Peter Lerangis, 1999
movie vs book   [NOVELIZATION]
Tim Burton, 1999

In 1799, New York City police constable Ichabod Crane is dispatched to the upstate Dutch hamlet of Sleepy Hollow, which has been plagued by a series of brutal decapitations: a wealthy father and son, and a widow. He, Young Masbath and Katrina, venture into the Western Woods, where a crone living in a cave reveals the location of the Horseman’s grave at the Tree of the Dead.