2023’s Best Film and TV Adaptations of Books… So Far

For many avid readers, the book-to-movie (or in this case, also the book-to-TV series) pipeline phenomenon can be a sore subject. Doing justice to a beloved work of literature is no small task, as a director is responsible for attempting to simultaneously satisfy the perfect plot execution and each individual reader’s visual interpretation.

2023 has seen a novel amount of announcements around upcoming adaptations just over the last couple of weeks alone. The new Red, White & Royal Blue is bringing in a lot of buzz. The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo Netflix film news has fans expressing mixed reactions. Lessons in Chemistry, the 2022 Barnes and Noble Book of the Year, will be making its way to Apple TV+ in a TV adaptation on October 13.

However, this task involved assessing the best film and TV adaptations released so far. Thus, we at Team Decider put on our reading glasses to determine 2023’s best film and TV adaptations of books — at least in the first half of the year.

• ‘The Consultant‘

  Prime Video’s The Consultant is an eerie adaption of Bentley Little’s cutting and gruesome (in more ways than one) supernatural satirical novel of the same name. Created by Servant’s Tony Basgallop, the TV show takes many, many liberties with its source material (honestly too many to list here), but the book’s overall spirit remains intact, especially when it comes to its titular antagonist, Regus Patoff (played by Oscar winner Christoph Waltz). In both versions, Patoff assumes full control of the company and engages in psychological warfare with his staff, and ruthlessly pits them against each other to turn a profit and increase productivity. Oh, and he also may be an actual monster? Basgallop does justice to the original material, utilizing riveting storytelling, expert craftsmanship and masterful performances to make The Consultant a must-watch. — Karen Kemmerle

  WHERE TO WATCH THE CONSULTANT

• ‘Daisy Jones and the Six‘

  Based on Taylor Jenkins Reid’s novel of the same name, Daisy Jones & the Six follows the rise and fall of the fictional 1970s rock band. Released on Prime Video back in March, the show expertly casts Riley Keough as the beautiful mess that is Daisy Jones — a strung-out singer/songwriter who joins the budding band, The Six. Meanwhile, The Six’s lead singer, Billy Dunne — a married father — grapples with recovery from addiction all while fighting his hot-and-cold feelings for Daisy. 

  I rarely say this, but when it comes to Daisy Jones & the Six, the 10-episode miniseries delivers just as much — if not more — than the book on which it is based. Aside from putting spot-on faces to the beloved characters, it allows us to listen to the music that could only once be read about within the book’s pages. If you can’t get enough of Fleetwood Mac or movies like Almost Famous, this is the show for you. — Samantha Nungesser

  WHERE TO WATCH daisy jones & the six

• ‘Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret‘

  The transformative Judy Blume film-turned-novel touched the hearts of all women, speaking to the universal experiences of adolescence. While Blume’s book hit stores in 1970, the movie still hit on the intimate insecurities and typical triumphs of enduring the sixth grade, such as embarking on the embarrassing but retrospectively hilarious first trip to the mall to go bra shopping, or becoming a woman after having your first period. Abby Ryder Fortson knocks the film’s titular role out of the park, reminding us all what it’s like to be a pre-teen. And Rachel MacAdams’ heartfelt performance alongside her rounds out a magical mother-daughter dynamic. For those who value family, perspective, and finding yourself, this film is the perfect slice of nostalgia.

  WHERE TO WATCH are you there god? It’s me, Margaret.

• ‘Sanditon‘, Season 3

  The thing that’s so magical about Masterpiece on PBS’s hit show Sanditon is that it has been the most audacious of Jane Austen adaptations. Instead of updating the great novelist’s work or adding in zombies, Sanditon sought to finish Austen’s last unfinished novel. The show is a delightful ode to the Regency romance genre, full of nods to Austen tropes and more modern interpretations of the world her characters inhabited. But more than anything else, Sanditon Season 3 was a literal miracle. After the show was canceled after Season 1 in the UK, fans clamored to have it renewed. When the series returned, there was a new leading man and showrunner at the helm. Nevertheless, Sanditon succeeded in giving Charlotte and Jane Austen fans what they both wanted: a happily ever after fit for a classic literary heroine. — Meghan O’Keefe

  WHERE TO WATCH sanditon

• ‘Nimona‘

  Netflix’s animated Nimona movie changed quite a bit from the original graphic novel, published by artist N.D. Stevenson in 2015, and yet it completely captured the totally metal, totally queer tone of this fantasy story. Chloë Grace Moretz stars as the voice of Nimona, a shapeshifter who teams up with a disgraced knight (voiced by Riz Ahmed), because she’s determined to exact revenge on the rigged society that deemed her a “monster.” The movie is an undeniable treat for the gays, from the blatant trans allegory to the adorable romance between Sir Ballister Boldheart and Sir Ambrosius Goldenloin. Between the dope soundtrack, gorgeous animation, and empowering message, you’ll come away from Nimona ready to burn it all down, in the best way. – Anna Menta

  WHERE TO WATCH sanditon

• ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty‘, Season 2

  The Prime Video series based on Jenny Han’s It’s Not Summer Without You has released the first four episodes of its second installment. Han’s YA literary work has taken over the streaming scene, with her To All The Boys I Loved Before film trilogy that preceded the creation of this adaptation, and the trilogy’s recent spin-off XO, Kitty on Netflix. After the show’s first season, Belly (Lola Tung) has placed herself in quite a sticky situation, as she fought against her feelings for Conrad (Christopher Briney) while navigating the advances from his brother Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno). This current season takes viewers on a more emotional ride, as the Conklin and Fisher families deal with loss, heartbreak, and moving on.

  WHERE TO WATCH the summer i turned pretty

• ‘Survival of the Thickest‘

  Based on her compilation of personal essays of the same name, Michelle Buteau delivers a stellar performance as struggling stylist Mavis in this hilarious and heartwarming series that promotes embracing individuality and body positivity. Her energy in this Netflix series is infectious and speaks volumes about her own personal experiences and her leadership in the production. After she breaks up with her boyfriend of five years, she finds herself on a journey of self-discovery alongside her best friends Marley (Tasha Smith) and Khalil (Tone Bell), both of whom she has incredible on-screen chemistry. As the three of them navigate life and love in New York, viewers join them on their adventures, and are reminded that “dreaming big makes life worth living.”

  WHERE TO WATCH survival of the thickest