The 10 Best Netflix Film Book Adaptations in 2025

From Millie Bobby Brown in Enola Holmes to Charlize Theron in The School for Good and Evil, these are our favorite book movie adaptations.

Ashley Hurst What's on Netflix Avatar
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Best Movie Book Adaptations On Netflix

All Quiet on the Western Front, Enola Holmes, The School for Good and Evil (Picture Credits: Netflix)

From Millie Bobby Brown’s portrayal of Enola Holmes, to Benedict Cumberbatch’s Best Picture-nominated Western movie— here’s 10 of the best book adaptations streaming on Netflix. 

Book-to-screen adaptations can be divisive; look no further than Netflix’s adaptation of Jane Austen’s seminal novel Persuasion. But they can also be superb, bringing beloved stories into a new medium, while being faithful to their source material — and in some cases, even adding more depth and new elements to the original tales. Let’s dive into our list of the ten best book adaptations on Netflix!


10

Our Souls at Night

Our Souls At Night Poster
  • Genre: Drama, Romance
  • Rating: TV-14
  • Release Date: September 29, 2017
  • Director: Ritesh Batra
  • Cast: Robert Redford, Jane Fonda, Matthias Schoenaerts
  • Language: English
  • Runtime: 103 min
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Despite being over a decade since it was released, Our Souls a Night remains among Netflix’s best romance films. A vehement adaptation of the bestselling novel by Kent Haruf, the film is an atmospheric, romantic drama about two lonely neighbors, Addie and Louis, who strike up a deep connection, sleeping together platonically. The film is a beautiful deep dive into emotional states, grief, loss, and true love. 

Obviously, it’s rare that the movie is better than the book, and this is no exception. However, it does a particularly commendable job. 


9

Passing

Passing  Poster
  • Genre: Drama
  • Rating: PG-13
  • Release Date: November 10, 2021
  • Director: Rebecca Hall
  • Cast: Tessa Thompson, Ruth Negga, André Holland
  • Language: English
  • Runtime: 98 min
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It’s hard to believe that actress-turned-director Rebecca Hall made her directorial debut with Netflix’s Passing. The movie is expertly crafted, told in black-and-white. The 2021 BAFTA-nominated film adapts Nella Larsen’s classic 1929 novel. Set in New York in the 1920s, the movie follows two Black women — Irene Redfield (Tessa Thompson) and Clare Kendry (Ruth Negga). Both women rekindle their friendship after knowing each other from childhood. Redfield is married to a black man, while Negga, who passes for white, is married to a racist white man. It’s an intelligent retelling of the novel if a little slow at times. 


8

The School for Good and Evil

The School For Good And Evil  Poster
  • Genre: Action, Drama, Fantasy
  • Rating: PG-13
  • Release Date: October 19, 2022
  • Director: Paul Feig
  • Cast: Rachel Bloom, Charlize Theron, Cate Blanchett
  • Language: English
  • Runtime: 147 min
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An epic fantasy world! An enchanted school! A battle between good and evil! What’s not to love? Netflix’s adaptation of Soman Chainani’s popular fairytale fantasy novels is a whole lot of family fun. 

The story follows best friends Agatha and Sophie, who hail from a small village that’s perfectly normal; nothing out-of-the-ordinary goes on. However, upon discovering a magical book, they’re swept away to the fateful School for Good and Evil, where all sorts of fantastical beings dwell. The problem? Agatha is enrolled in the School of Good, while Sophie finds herself in the School of Evil.

The movie had the potential to grow into a much bigger franchise, but we’ve yet to see sequels. Director Paul Feig and writer Soman Chainani are still fighting for another installment, though!


7

Beasts of No Nation

Beasts Of No Nation Poster
  • Genre: Drama, War
  • Rating: TV-MA
  • Release Date: October 16, 2015
  • Director: Cary Joji Fukunaga
  • Cast: Abraham Attah, Emmanuel Affadzi, Ricky Adelayitar
  • Language: English
  • Runtime: 137 min
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Releasing way back in 2015. Beasts of No Nation was the first-ever feature film distributed by Netflix. It’s based on the 2005 novel by Uzodinma Iweala and is headlined by Idris Elba. The movie follows a young African boy, Agu (Abraham Attah), who’s forced to join a military unit following a civil war that tears his family apart. The film set a high standard for Netflix movies. In fact. Elba took home a SAG-award for his outstanding performance. 


6

I'm Thinking of Ending Things

I\'M Thinking Of Ending Things  Poster
  • Genre: Drama, Horror, Thriller
  • Rating: R
  • Release Date: September 4, 2020
  • Director: Charlie Kaufman
  • Cast: Jessie Buckley, Toni Collette, Jesse Plemons, David Thewlis
  • Language: English
  • Runtime: 134 min
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Based on the novel by Iain Reid, I’m Thinking of Ending Things boasts a pretty stellar cast, including Jessie Buckley, Jesse Plemons, David Thewlis, and Colby Minifie. The atmospheric, thought-provoking story follows a young woman joins her boyfriend on a road trip to meet him parents on their remote farm. The movie seamlessly blends together psychological horror with mystery and intrigue. It’s abstract and slow-burning, leaving you clutching onto every scene. It’s definitely niche, but it’s worth the strange journey. 


5

The Power of the Dog

The Power Of The Dog Poster
  • Genre: Drama, Romance, Western
  • Rating: R
  • Release Date: December 1, 2021
  • Director: Jane Campion
  • Cast: Benedict Cumberbatch, Kirsten Dunst, Jesse Plemons
  • Language: English
  • Runtime: 126 min
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The Power of the Dog is based on Thomas Savage’s 1967 novel. In his first Western movie, British icon Benedict Cumberbatch shines as cruel rancher Phil Burbank. Directed by Jane Campion, the movie got nominated for myriad awards, including Best Picture at the Oscars

It follows Phil Burbank, whose life is turned upside down when his brother George (Jesse Plemons) introduces his new wife Rose (Kirsten Dunst), as well as her son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee). The film weaves together classic Western vibes with romantic and psychological beats. 


4

Bird Box

Bird Box  Poster
  • Genre: Drama, Horror, Sci-Fi, Thriller
  • Rating: R
  • Release Date: December 21, 2018
  • Director: Susanne Bier
  • Cast: Sandra Bullock, Trevante Rhodes, John Malkovich, Sarah Paulson
  • Language: English
  • Runtime: 124 min
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Bird Box was an instant hit when it dropped on Netflix in 2018. The movie sets a simple premise. After a mysterious, hidden monster sets the world to turmoil, compelling people to commit suicide, a mum, Malorie (Sandra Bullock) must take her children on a perilous journey for safety. But there’s one problem: if you look at the monster, no matter what you do, death awaits. Therefore, their journey must be completed while blindfolded. 

The movie is based on Josh Malerman’s bestselling novel of the same name. Bird Box did see a sequel spinoff, Bird Box Barcelona, in 2023. However, the follow-up garnered middling reviews compared to the original. 


3

Enola Holmes

Enola Holmes Poster
  • Genre: Adventure, Crime, Drama, Mystery
  • Rating: PG-13
  • Release Date: September 23, 2020
  • Director: Harry Bradbeer
  • Cast: Millie Bobby Brown, Henry Cavill, Sam Claflin, Helena Bonham Carter
  • Language: English
  • Runtime: 123 min
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Millie Bobby Brown is one of has one of the most esteemed filmographies on Netflix. From Stranger Things to her solo fairytale movie Damsel — at just 21-years-old, it feels like she’s been around forever. Another one of her most popular projects is Enola Holmes, where she plays Sherlock Holmes’ curious and rebellious little sister. 

The movie is based on The Enola Holmes Mysteries by Nancy Springer. It follows the spoils of Sherlock’s 14-year-old sister Enola, who continually outwits her world-famous brother (played by Henry Cavill in this version). The movie is just a ton of family fun, filled with mystery and thrills. 

Moreover, the movie has spawned a larger franchise, with a sequel already on streaming and a third instalment set to arrive in 2026. With nine books in the series, it seems like Enola Holmes could be here to stay for a long time!


2

The Irishman

The Irishman Poster
  • Genre: Biography, Crime, Drama
  • Rating: R
  • Release Date: November 27, 2019
  • Director: Martin Scorsese
  • Cast: Robert De Niro, Al Pacino, Anna Paquin, Jesse Plemons
  • Language: English
  • Runtime: 209 min
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Martin Scorsese is widely regarded as one of the world’s finest filmmakers, and The Irishman merely emphasises the point. His 3-and-a-half hour epic boasts an absolutely star-studded cast, with such names as Robert De Niro, Joe Pesci, Al Pacino, and Stephen Graham. 

The Irishman adapts I Heard You Paint Houses by Charles Brandt. Set in the United States in the 1950s, the movie follows Frank Sheeran (De Niro), who unwittingly gets involved with Russell Bufalino (Pesci) and his crime family. As time passes, he becomes a renowned hit man. The movie is so good that the extreme runtime passes by in a flash. 


1

All Quiet on the Western Front

All Quiet On The Western Front  Poster
  • Genre: Action, Drama, War
  • Rating: R
  • Release Date: October 28, 2022
  • Director: Edward Berger
  • Cast: Daniel Brühl, Albrecht Schuch, Sebastian Hülk
  • Language: English
  • Runtime: 147 min
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All Quiet on the Western Front is undoubtedly one of Netflix’s most celebrated movies. Look no further than the nine Oscar nominations it received. The movie ultimately took home a staggering four: Best International Feature Film, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, and Best Production Design. 

The adaptation of Erich Maria Remarque’s 1929 novel takes place during World War I, following an idealistic young German soldier on the frontline. His dreams and aspirations, and hopes of heroism, wither and fade as he deals with the intensity and distress of war. The film is a stunningly-filmed and striking piece of art, one that’s an absolute must-watch for any Netflix subscriber. 


Those are our picks – what are your picks for the best book adaptations on Netflix? Let us know in the comments. 

Written by

An expert in all things geek with a particular emphasis on DC, Marvel, Star Wars, and Game of Thrones. On Netflix, Ashley is an expert on The Sandman, Dead Boy Detectives and Avatar: The Last Airbender. Bylines at Winter is Coming and Comic Book Resources and notably runs a fan page social account for Netflix's The Sandman. Ashley is also the editor of ComicsBulletin.com

 PosterRating: R
Language: English
Genre: Action, Drama, War
Director: Edward Berger
Cast: Daniel Brühl, Albrecht Schuch, Sebastian Hülk
Added to Netflix: October 28th, 2022

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