Popular Primary Books Turned Films

CertUnclassified

Age group8+

Duration9 mins

Alice in Wonderland(1903)

Silent and first film adaptation of Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland sees a young girl follow a white rabbit down a burrow into a fantastical world.

Based on the original illustrations in Lewis Carroll's children’s book, this early piece of cinema is an example of how richly imaginative and fantastical worlds born on paper can be re-staged and brought to life through film. Learners may compare this short archival piece with the original text as well as other film adaptations.

Cert

Age group5–12

Duration90 mins

The Wild Robot(2024)

A robot is shipwrecked on an uninhabited island, where learning to adapt to the ways of nature is the key to survival.

Celebrated as a new animated classic, this heartwarming tale is about wildlife, artificial intelligence, survival skills and family. While some details in the screenplay are different from Peter Brown’s novel, the immersive world that the film creates can encourage young readers to discover more adventures in the lesser-known book series.

Cert

Age group8–15

Duration91 mins

Paddington(2014)

Charming family film about an accident prone young bear from Peru arriving in London and searching for a new home.

The Paddington film series is based on the beloved character created by British author Michael Bond. The characterisation of the little bear on screen remains very faithful to how he is described in the original text, proving that well-written characters can capture the imagination of generations of children.

Cert

Age group5–12

Duration89 mins

Dog Man(2024)

A half-dog, half-man police officer must protect his city and dedicate his life to the pursuit of supervillain Petey the Cat.

From the bestselling creator of Captain Underpants (also available on Into Film+), the Dog Man graphic novel series have been hugely popular with young readers. The animation in this film adaptation pays tribute to the superhero comic book aesthetic and reinforces themes of family, empathy, and teamwork.

Cert

Age group5–12

Duration90 mins

The Grinch(2018)

Animated comedy in which the village of Whoville look set to have their Christmas ruined for them by the grumpy Grinch.

Some of the original text from Dr. Seuss's book is incorporated in the narration of this lively adaptation, including the iconic opening line ‘every Who down in Who-ville liked Christmas a lot... But the Grinch, who lived just north of Who-ville, did not’. Watching the film feels like listening to a reading of the story, with extra visual gags and inventive rhymes.

Cert

Age group8–15

Duration84 mins

Kensuke's Kingdom(2023)

While sailing across the world with his family, a boy becomes shipwrecked on a remote island where he meets a mysterious man who lives there alone.

Based on the children’s novel by youth literacy champion Michael Morpurgo, this charming animation follows the book very closely, allowing for a chapter-by-chapter comparison exercise. Additionally, the film introduces the use of flashback to convey Kensuke's backstory, playing with different formats of storytelling.

Cert

Age group8–16

Duration85 mins

Fantastic Mr. Fox(2009)

Stop-motion animation version of Roald Dahl's woodland tale that combines a beautiful old-fashioned aesthetic with Wes Anderson's trademark dialogue.

Roald Dahl’s literary works have inspired a great deal of interpretation, from the many different versions of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory to a musical reimagining of Matilda (also available on Into Film+). This stop-motion animation by Wes Anderson is perhaps among the most striking, and it expands the original story with deeper character development.

Cert

Age group5–15

Duration85 mins

The Muppet Christmas Carol(1993)

Kermit, Gonzo and the rest of the Muppet gang appear in this fun musical take on the classic Charles Dickens story.

Classic prose may not always seem easily accessible for children, but this delightful adaptation of Charles Dickens’s novel proves how enduring the appeal of his stories are. With comedy and puppets, the film introduces younger audiences to the themes of Victorian literature. This may ready them for the slightly darker 2009 version (also available on Into Film+).

Cert

Age group5–12

Duration93 mins

Charlotte's Web(2006)

Adaptation of the popular children's novel, capturing the magic of a wonderful friendship between a pig and a spider.

E.B. White’s children’s classic is a wonderful story of friendship, in this case between a pig and a spider. Full of charm and magic, this film is a worthy adaptation of one of the most popular children’s books of all time, dealing with friendship, community and the environment.

Cert

Age group5–15

Duration86 mins

The Iron Giant(1999)

Superbly animated adaptation following young Hogarth's discovery of a colossal, friendly robot, and his plight to protect him from government agents.

Based on Ted Hughes’ classic story The Iron Man, this animation is regarded as a genuine classic of children’s cinema. With its roots in the space race of the 1960s, the film is full of heart and is guaranteed to ignite the imagination of young people.

Cert

Age group8–15

Duration99 mins

Where The Wild Things Are(2009)

Spike Jonze's live action adaptation of Maurice Sendak's children's classic about a young boy who runs away from home and finds a family of monsters.

Having stood the test of time to become one of the most well-known children’s books of the modern age, Maurice Sendak’s universal tale of the importance of fantasy and storytelling during childhood comes alive on screen. This dazzling adaptation is an experience that connects with all the senses, full of atmospheric sound and engrossing texture.

Cert

Age group8–15

Duration97 mins

Swallows and Amazons(2016)

Adaptation of Arthur Ransome’s timeless novel about four siblings embarking on an extraordinary adventure whilst on holiday in the Lake District.

When school is out, the best thing to do is to go in search of adventure. Arthur Ransome’s timeless classic about young siblings on holiday in the Lake District is winningly adapted here, taking in themes of self-discovery, adventure and exploration, offering a perfect antidote to our increasingly digital lives.

Cert

Age group8–15

Duration92 mins

Diary of a Wimpy Kid(2010)

Funny and painful by turns, Diary of A Wimpy Kid is a clever take on pre-teen angst.

A perennial favourite among young readers, Jeff Kinney’s book series is funny and relatable. This live action adaptation transports the inner thoughts and scribbles of the self-declared wimpy kid to a vivid school setting, allowing audiences to live out some of his most painfully funny journal entries.