While Peter Jackson’s films are masterpieces, Tolkien’s books offer richer lore, deeper character development (especially for Frodo and Faramir), and more intricate world-building.

Stanley Kubrick’s film is a horror classic, but King’s novel is far more psychological and nuanced, with Jack Torrance’s descent into madness being more tragic than outright villainous. King himself disliked the adaptation for straying from the book’s themes.

The book’s wit, absurdity, and philosophical musings are hard to fully capture on screen. The 2005 film adaptation, while fun, lacked the book’s clever narrative depth.

The Inheritance Cycle books are beloved fantasy epics, but the 2006 film was widely panned for its poor adaptation, weak script, and deviations from the source material.

The 2007 film watered down the book’s anti-religious themes and complex narrative. The His Dark Materials TV series did a better job, but the book remains superior.

The novel’s emotional depth and non-linear storytelling were lost in the 2009 film, which simplified the relationship dynamics and missed much of the book’s poignancy.

The 2014 film adaptation stripped away the book’s dystopian bleakness and philosophical weight, opting for a more conventional YA approach.

The film adaptations (2010 & 2013) were widely criticized for aging up the characters, changing key plot points, and losing the humor and heart of Riordan’s books. The Disney+ series is a much better adaptation.

While the Swedish film (2009) and David Fincher’s version (2011) were well-made, the book’s intricate plotting, social commentary, and Lisbeth Salander’s full backstory are more compelling.