David Copperfield was adapted to cinema in 1913. In the years since, Dickens has never ceased to be an inspiration for filmmakers.


A Christmas Carol. Poster of the 2009 movie and cover of the 1843 book
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A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens, 1843
movie vs book
Robert Zemeckis, 2009

In 1843, on Christmas Eve, Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly old businessman, does not share the merriment of Christmas. In his house, Scrooge encounters the ghost of his deceased business partner Jacob Marley, who warns him to repent his wicked ways or he will be condemned in the afterlife like he was, carrying heavy chains forged from his own greediness.


Scrooged. Poster of the 1988 movie and cover of the 1843 book, A Christmas Carol
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A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens, 1843
movie vs book
Richard Donner, 1988

IBC Television president Frank Cross is pushing his company to broadcast an extravagant live production of A Christmas Carol on Christmas Eve, making the staff work throughout the holiday. Frank’s boss Preston Rhinelander, seeing the stress Frank is under with the production, brings in Brice Cummings to provide assistance, though Brice secretly wants Frank’s job.


Great Expectations. Poster of the 1998 movie and cover of the 1861 book
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Great Expectations
Charles Dickens, 1861
movie vs book
Alfonso Cuarón, 1998

Ten-year-old Finnegan Finn Bell, an orphan being raised by his elder sister Maggie and her boyfriend Joe, is playing on a beach in the Gulf Coast when an escaped convict overpowers him. On Finn’s first visit Estella behaves haughtily, but her aunt forces her into sitting for an impromptu portrait by Finn.


The Muppet Christmas Carol. Poster of the 1992 movie and cover of the 1843 book, A Christmas Carol
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A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens, 1843
movie vs book
Brian Henson, 1992

On Christmas Eve, in 19th century London, Charles Dickens and his friend Rizzo act as narrators throughout the film. His loyal employee Bob Cratchit and the other bookkeepers request to have Christmas Day off since there will be no business for Scrooge on the day, to which he reluctantly agrees.


Oliver & Company. Poster of the 1988 movie and cover of the 1838 book, Oliver Twist
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Oliver Twist
Charles Dickens, 1838
movie vs book
George Scribner, 1988

On Fifth Avenue, an orphaned kitten named Oliver is left abandoned after his fellow orphaned kittens are adopted by passersby. The attempt to pillage the limousine fails and Oliver finds himself in the embrace of the Foxworth daughter Jenny, who adopts Oliver to assuage the loneliness brought about by the absence of her vacationing parents.


Oliver!. Poster of the 1968 movie and cover of the 1838 book, Oliver Twist
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Oliver Twist
Charles Dickens, 1838
movie vs book
Carol Reed, 1968

Musical adaptation of Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist. Oliver is a nine-year-old orphan who’s sold to an undertaker by workhouse officials for objecting to his scant rations; he soon manages to escape from bondage and make his way to London. There he’s befriended by the precocious Artful Dodger, a pickpocket who belongs to a gang of youthful thieves run by Fagin, a veteran cutpurse.


Oliver Twist. Poster of the 2005 movie and cover of the 1838 book
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Oliver Twist
Charles Dickens, 1838
movie vs book
Roman Polanski, 2005

In the 1830s, a young orphan (Oliver Twist) is forcibly brought to a workhouse in England on his ninth birthday. However, while out running an errand for Brownlow, Oliver is forcibly returned to the pickpocket gang by Fagin’s associate, the evil Bill Sikes, and the young prostitute Nancy.


A Christmas Carol. Poster of the 1951 movie and cover of the 1843 book
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A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens, 1843
movie vs book
Brian Desmond Hurst, 1951

Ebenezer Scrooge malcontentedly shuffles through life as a cruel miserly businessman until one fateful Christmas Eve when he is visited by three spirits, sent show him how his unhappy childhood and maladaptive adult behavior over has let him a selfish, lonely, bitter old man.


A Christmas Carol. Poster of the 1984 movie and cover of the 1843 book
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A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens, 1843
movie vs book
Clive Donner, 1984

On Christmas Eve of 1843, Ebenezer Scrooge, a miserly London commodities trader, does not share the merriment of Christmas. Scrooge declines his nephew Fred Hollywell’s invitation for Christmas dinner and reluctantly accepts his loyal employee Bob Cratchit’s request to have Christmas off since there will be no business for Scrooge during the day.


Blackadder's Christmas Carol. Poster of the 1988 movie and cover of the 1843 book, A Christmas Carol
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A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens, 1843
movie vs book
Richard Boden, 1988

Ebenezer Blackadder, the Victorian proprietor of a moustache shop, is the nicest man in England. He is everything that Ebenezer Scrooge was by the end of the original story: generous and kind to everybody, and sensitive to the misery of others. As a result, people take advantage of his kindness – Mrs. Scratchit and an orphan take all his money, and a beadle takes his food.


Mickey's Christmas Carol. Poster of the 1983 movie and cover of the 1843 book, A Christmas Carol
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A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens, 1843
movie vs book
Burny Mattinson, 1983

On Christmas Eve in 19th-century London, Ebenezer Scrooge is a surly money-lender who objects to the merriment of Christmas. His loyal employee Bob Cratchit (Mickey) requests to have half of Christmas Day off, to which Scrooge reluctantly accepts, but says Cratchit would be docked half a day’s pay. In his house, Scrooge encounters the ghost of his former business partner Jacob Marley (Goofy).


Scrooge. Poster of the 1970 movie and cover of the 1843 book, A Christmas Carol
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A Christmas Carol
Charles Dickens, 1843
movie vs book
Ronald Neame, 1970

On Christmas Eve, in London, 1860, Ebenezer Scrooge, a surly money-lender, does not share the merriment of Christmas. In his house, Scrooge encounters the ghost of his deceased business partner Jacob Marley, who warns him to repent his wicked ways or he will be condemned in the afterlife as he was, carrying a heavy chain forged by his own selfishness and greed.

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“I'm also a huge cinephile, and I have witnessed that to honor the book literally word-for-word never makes a good movie.”

ANDREW STANTON (Filmmaker)