12 perfect movies to convey a love for books 2026

The love of reading is a habit that children normally adopt through the insistence of parents, who spend hours reading stories to them so that they understand that reading is fun, and that it hides many benefits. When they are little, their stories are easy and with many drawings, and we normally take advantage of calm moments like a little while before bed to read a few pages to them. In the end, they end up having their own favorite story, which they make us reread every night.

When reading to them is not enough and they are lazy with books, the easy solution is to let it go and let them themselves take up this habit as adults. This is a mistake, because if they do not pick up the habit as children, it will be difficult for them to develop a taste for reading when they grow up, and even less so with all the electronic devices they have today and against which we have to fight. In the end, it is difficult to forcibly get a child used to picking up a book and not the tablet to play when they have free time.

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For this reason, a good option are movies based on books. If we are not able to get them hooked on written literature, we can show them a movie that is about a book, better if the story is children's, and let them enjoy it. When we see that he liked it, we can show him where it comes from and encourage him to read the book about the movie. All of us who have seen adapted films agree that the version on the screen never does justice to what is read on paper, and therefore showing it to them can be a good option for them to start reading.

We can even help them read a book that they have covered in the cinema by reading it together, and then watch the movie. So, even if you liked the book more and prefer the story told in it, seeing the characters come true will excite you. And if you prefer the written version, it will be more than enough reason to encourage you to continue reading and discovering beautiful stories. Here we show you 12 wonderful adaptations that have made anyone who has read them a fan of reading.

Charlie and the chocolate factory

The story was written by Roald Dahl in 1964, and two films have been made of it. The first in 1971 directed by Mel Stuart and starring Gene Wilder, and the second in 2005, directed by Tim Burton and starring Johnny Depp in the role of Willy Wonka. A wonderful film, which was considered a success after its release on the big screen.

The Wizard of Oz

This film was made from the book called The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum, a musical version that is today considered cult in which a young woman is swept away by a tornado to a fantastic land, where extraordinary beings live.

The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe

Written by C. S. Lewis, it belongs to a literary saga of youth books, being the first installment of these. The film is directed by Andrew Adamson and was considered a resounding success. It is a fantastic story, which usually hooks children to continue reading the 7 books in one go.

Cinderella (2015)

For those who like love stories, this is perfect. It is the original story of Cinderella, written by Charles Perrault, but with a new twist that makes it a less saccharine story, and more of an adventure, perfect for all audiences.

Maleficent

It is also a story popularized by Disney, but whose origins date back to oral tradition. We all know the story of Sleeping Beauty, and this film tells the story from the point of view of its antagonist, who becomes the protagonist of the story.

The princess bride

A beautiful story that dazzled the public in 1987, originally written by William Goldman in 1973. It is the typical romantic story in which the princess is saved by her lover when she was about to marry an evil prince.

Into the Woods

A musical that brings to life the stories written by the Brothers Grimm. It stars renowned actors Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, Anna Kendrick and Johnny Depp, and is an adaptation of the Broadway musical of the same name.

Peter Pan (2003)

Although we love the cartoon classic, the same story in the flesh has taken us back to our childhood with Wendy and Peter. The story tells the adventure of Wendy and her brothers, who travel to Neverland.

Mary Poppins

Many people do not know it, but this story is a series of novels written by P. L. Travers. On the screen it has been given a musical format, in which humans are mixed with drawings, and tells advice to improve family life.

The never ending story

Written by the German Michael Ende, this story has been translated into more than 30 languages, becoming a classic of literature. The film does justice as much as possible to the fantasy told in the book, but there is no comparison with the magic that emerges in the written pages.

The Jungle Book (2016)

A film based on the book by Rudyard Kipling, and the 1967 Disney adaptation. It finally puts a real body to the characters, both animals and humans, an interaction that has always enchanted the little ones.

A Series of Unfortunate Events

It is the adaptation of the first three novels in the series A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket: A Bad Beginning, The Reptile Room and The Window. In it, three orphans are adopted by the protagonist, and the rest are adventures that they will live together.

Es la adaptación las tres primeras novelas de la saga Una serie de catastróficas desdichas de Lemony Snicket: Un mal principio, La habitación de los reptiles y El ventanal. En ella, tres huérfanos son adoptados por el protagonista, y el resto son aventuras que vivirán juntos.