Primal Fear. Poster of the 1996 movie and cover of the 1992 book
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Primal Fear
William Diehl, 1992
movie vs book
Gregory Hoblit, 1996

Martin Vail is a Chicago defense attorney who loves the spotlight, and does everything that he can to get his high-profile clients acquitted on legal technicalities. Vail jumps at the chance to represent the young man, pro bono. During his meetings at the County jail with Stampler, Vail comes to believe that his client is innocent, much to the chagrin of Vail’s former lover, prosecutor Janet Venable.


Chicago. Poster of the 2002 movie and cover of the 1981 book
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Chicago
Fred Ebb, Bob Fosse, 1981
movie vs book
Rob Marshall, 2002

In 1924, Roxie Hart watches lead role Velma Kelly perform Overture/All That Jazz at a Chicago theater. Wanting stardom for herself, she begins an affair with Fred Casely, who claims to know the manager. Roxie furiously admits what really happened and is arrested. Ambitious District Attorney Harrison announces he will seek the death penalty.


The Hoax. Poster of the 2006 movie and cover of the 1972 book, Hoax
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Hoax
Stephen Fay, Lewis Chester, Magnus Linklater, 1972
movie vs book
Lasse Hallström, 2006

Early in 1971, the publishing company McGraw-Hill passes on Clifford Irving’s new novel. He’s desperate for money, so, against the backdrop of Nixon’s reelection calculations, Irving claims he has Howard Hughes’s cooperation to write Hughes’s autobiography. With the help of friend Richard Suskind, Irving does research, lucks into a manuscript written by a long-time Hughes associate, and plays on corporate greed.


The Cotton Club. Poster of the 1984 movie and cover of the 1977 book
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The Cotton Club
James Haskins, 1977
movie vs book
Francis Ford Coppola, 1984

A musician named Dixie Dwyer begins working with mobsters to advance his career but falls in love with the girlfriend of gangland kingpin Dutch Schultz. A dancer from Dixie’s neighborhood, Sandman Williams, is hired with his brother by The Cotton Club, a jazz club where most of the performers are black and the customers are white.


The Jackal. Poster of the 1997 movie and cover of the 1971 book, The Day of the Jackal
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The Day of the Jackal
Frederick Forsyth, 1971
movie vs book
Michael Caton-Jones, 1997

A joint operation between the FBI and the MVD leads to the death of the younger brother of an Azerbaijani mobster. This, coupled with documents recovered from his briefcase, leads the FBI and MVD to assume the target for the retaliatory hit is FBI Director Donald Brown.


The Mothman Prophecies. Poster of the 2002 movie and cover of the 1975 book
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The Mothman Prophecies
John A. Keel, 1975
movie vs book
Mark Pellington, 2002

Washington Post columnist John Klein and his wife Mary are involved in an accident when Mary swerves to avoid a black, flying figure. Local police officer Connie Mills defuses the situation while Gordon explains that this is the third consecutive night John has knocked on his door at 2:30 AM asking to use a phone, much to John’s disbelief.


Nights in Rodanthe. Poster of the 2008 movie and cover of the 2002 book
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Nights in Rodanthe
Nicholas Sparks, 2002
movie vs book
George C. Wolfe, 2008

Adrienne Willis is in the process of getting a divorce from her husband Jack after he left her for another woman. Adrienne drives to Rodanthe, North Carolina to look after a friend’s bed-and-breakfast for the weekend. Her life changes when Paul, a doctor who is travelling to reconcile with his estranged son, checks into an inn where she is staying.


Amelia. Poster of the 2009 movie and cover of the 1989 book, The Sound of Wings: The Life of Amelia Earhart
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The Sound of Wings: The Life of Amelia Earhart
Mary S. Lovell, 1989
movie vs book
Mira Nair, 2009

On July 2, 1937, Amelia Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, are on the last leg of an around-the-world flight. Moving in vignettes from her early years, the movie is look at the life of legendary American pilot Amelia Earhart, who disappeared while flying over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 in an attempt to make a flight around the world.


Amelia. Poster of the 2009 movie and cover of the 1997 book, East to the Dawn: The Life of Amelia Earhart
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East to the Dawn: The Life of Amelia Earhart
Susan Butler, 1997
movie vs book
Mira Nair, 2009

On July 2, 1937, Amelia Earhart and her navigator, Fred Noonan, are on the last leg of an around-the-world flight. Moving in vignettes from her early years, the movie is look at the life of legendary American pilot Amelia Earhart, who disappeared while flying over the Pacific Ocean in 1937 in an attempt to make a flight around the world.


Bloodbrothers. Poster of the 1978 movie and cover of the 1976 book
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Bloodbrothers
Richard Price, 1976
movie vs book
Robert Mulligan, 1978

In the bustling streets of The Bronx, the vibrant life of 19-year-old Stony de Coco unfolds. Evenings are filled with the enchantment of girls and dancing, while his days are occupied by a well-paying union job. Yet, amidst the excitement, Stony remains oblivious to the direction his life is destined to take, uncertain of what lies ahead.


Bee Season. Poster of the 2005 movie and cover of the 2000 book
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Bee Season
Myla Goldberg, 2000
movie vs book
Scott McGehee, David Siegel, 2005

Eliza Naumann leads an unassuming life, feeling ordinary among her family. Her father, Saul, showers attention on her accomplished brother Aaron, while her mother, Miriam, is dedicated to her scientific pursuits. Unexpectedly, Eliza’s world changes when she surprises everyone by winning a spelling bee, revealing a hidden talent. Her victory not only earns her a place in the national competition but also opens doors to a realm of words and Jewish mysticism that have long fascinated her father’s imagination.


Maybe I Do. Poster of the 2023 movie and cover of the 1982 book, Cheaters: A comedy in two acts
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Cheaters: A comedy in two acts
Michael Jacobs, 1982
movie vs book
Michael Jacobs, 2023

Michelle and Allen have reached the stage in their relationship where it’s time for their parents to meet each other. However, the meeting quickly takes a turn for the worse as the parents discover that their spouses are cheating on them, leading to a night of comedic pandemonium.