10 book-to-screen adaptations for kids

Whether you have a six-bedtime stories and a kiss kid, one who reads the same story over and over, or a bookworm who smuggles stories to devour in the dark, there’s something magical about seeing your child’s most beloved friends and daring adventures come to life on screen.

These stories are all kid-tested and parent-approved, with something that’ll work for all ages. So whether it’s something for the family to watch together, or a quiet little downtime treat you’re looking for, check out our favourite book-to-screen stories.

1. Wonka | Age 8+

Live action musical comedy inspired by Roald Dahl’s classic children’s novel Charlie and the Chocolate Factory. A young Willy Wonka (Timothée Chalamet) is chock-full of crazy ideas and sets out to shake up London’s stuffy sweet making establishment with the help of a plucky foster kid named Noodle (Calah Lane). With Hugh Grant as an Oompa Loompa, Keegan-Michael Key as the chocolate-addicted Chief of Police, and Olivia Colman as a greedy laundress.

Stream Wonka first on Showmax from Friday, 6 December.

2. Tabby McTat | Age 4+

Animation adapted from the bestselling Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler picture book of the same name, Tabby McTat won South African directors Sarah Scrimgeour and Jac Hamman the 2024 iEmmy for Kids: Animation, along the Audience Award at the New York International Children’s Film Festival.

A musical cat named Tabby McTat (Ṣọpẹ́ Dìrísú) and a talented busker named Fred (Rob Brydon) are best friends. But what will become of the busker’s cat, left alone on the streets of London, after Fred falls and breaks his leg and is whisked away in an ambulance?

Stream Tabby McTat now.

Also watch: More Magic Light Pictures’ Donaldson-Scheffler adaptations: 

The Gruffalo; The Gruffalo’s Child; Room on the Broom; The Highway Rat; Zog; The Snail and the Whale; Zog and the Flying Doctors; Superworm; The Smeds and the Smoos

3. His Dark Materials S1-3 | Age 12+

This HBO and BBC One fantasy epic series is based on Philip Pullman’s Carnegie-winning book trilogy of the same name. 

Lyra (Dafne Keen) and her best friend Will (Amir Wilson), along with their shape-shifting daemons (animals that embody part of their soul or inner-self), search for answers when a friend of theirs disappears. As they uncover the cruel scientific experiments conducted by The Authority’s Oblation Board, which is headed by Lyra’s mother, Mrs Coulter (Ruth Wilson), they join a secret war. With James McAvoy as Lyra’s father Lord Asriel, and Lin-Manuel Miranda as Lee Scoresby.

Binge His Dark Materials Season 1-3 now.

4. Shrek | Age 6+

These animated family comedy films are based on William Steig 1990 children’s book, Shrek!

Parodying every fairytale story and stereotype they can lay their hands on, the citizens of Far Far Away go on bold quests, battle vile noblemen and princes, and find true love. Kicking off the story, Shrek the Ogre (Mike Myers) and his friend Donkey (Eddie Murphy) set about rescuing Princess Fiona (Cameron Diaz) on behalf of ruler Lord Farquaad (John Lithgow) so that Shrek can regain control of his muddy swamp from its fairytale invaders.

Also watch: Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, Shrek Forever After, Puss in Boots.

5. Pip and Posy | Age 3+

Cosy British animated series based on the children’s book series of the same name written by Camilla Reid, and illustrated by Axel Scheffler.

Pip the mouse and Posy the rabbit are best friends. Together they give each other gifts, have sleepovers, go on treasure hunts, jump in puddles, paint pictures, and more, in this sweet celebration of childhood and learning.

Binge Pip and Posy now.

6. How to Train Your Dragon | Age 6+

This animated series of fantasy adventure films is loosely based on the book series of the same name by Cressida Cowell. Cressida was inspired by her childhood growing up on the wild Scottish Inner Hebrides islands, and hearing local legends of dragons. 

After Hiccup (Jay Baruchel), the 15-year-old son of the Viking chieftain of the village of Berk, Stoick the Vast (Gerard Butler), accidentally befriends a Night Fury dragon instead of killing it like he was supposed to, he sets about trying to prove that Viking and dragons can be allies instead of enemies.

Also watch: How to Train Your Dragon 2, How to Train Your Dragon: The Hidden World, and Dragons: The Nine Realms Season 2, which is a sequel with a modern-day setting.

Stream How to Train Your Dragon now.

PS: The animated movie Dragon Rider looks similar, but is based on the 1997 novel of the same name by Cornelia Funke (author of Inkheart). 

7. Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs | Age 6+

This outrageously fun and inventive animated comedy is based on the children’s book of the same name written by Judi Barrett and illustrated by Ron Barrett.

Young wanna-be inventor Flint Lockwood’s (Bill Hader) craziest machine ever, a supercomputer that can convert water molecules into food, turns his island town of Swallow Falls into an international tourist attraction when everything from ice cream to jelly and waffles begins to fall from the sky – depending on what Flint programmes for the day. 

Stream Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs now.

Also watch: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2

8. Revolting Rhymes | Age 6+

These two half-hour animated comedy films are based on Roald Dahl’s (Charlie and the Chocolate Factory) book of the same name, which parodies children’s fairy tales in gleeful, irreverently funny rhymes. 

Worlds, wolves and evil queens collide when Snow White and Red Riding Hood become best friends. And Jack is courting the girl next door, Cindy (Cinderella), but she becomes distracted by a prince at a ball, and Jack wanders off up a giant beanstalk to seek his fortune. 

Binge Revolting Rhymes now.

9. Babe | Age 6+

This charming live-action film is based on the novel The Sheep-Pig by Dick King-Smith, which centres on a plucky pig named Babe who leans to herd sheep.

Kind farmer Arthur Hoggett (James Cromwell) wins Babe the piglet (voiced by Christine Cavanaugh) and takes them home to his farm, where Babe quickly realises that they’ll have to make themselves useful if they don’t want to wind up becoming Christmas lunch. Fortunately Babe is a very good pig.

NB! The sequel is much darker and will probably truly upset children under the age of 10. 

Also watch: Babe: Pig in the City

Stream Babe now.

10. Jacqueline Wilson’s Little Darlings | Age 10+

This four-episode live-action British comedy series is based on Jacqueline Wilson’s book of the same name, in which a teenager meets her rock star dad and her half-sister for the first time.

Eleven-year-old Destiny (Janae Vito) is thrilled when her mom, Kate (Jamelia), finally agrees to let her go meet her dad, ageing rock star Danny Kilman (Lemar Obika). Aside from meeting her dad, though, she’ll also meet her soulmate and best friend – her glamorous half-sister, Sunset (Diaana Babnicova). 

Stream Jacqueline Wilson’s Little Darlings now.

More kids’ book-to-screen adaptations on Showmax

1. The Tiger’s Apprentice: Animation based on Laurence Yep’s fantasy novel of the same name, about a Chinese-American teenager who works for a tiger. 
2. The Amazing Maurice: Animation based on Terry Pratchett’s Carnegie Medal-winning novel The Amazing Maurice and His Educated Rodents, in which a cat named Maurice swindles villagers by offering to rid their homes of his rat friends. 
3. Big Nate: Animated series about a group of 11-year-old friends, based on the comic strip and book series of the same name by Lincoln Peirce.
4. Goosebumps and Goosebumps 2: Horror films based on the novel franchise by RL Stine. Goosebumps introduces Jack Black as writer RL Stine, who must save his home town after his books’ monsters are unleashed, while Goosebumps 2 centres on an evil ventriloquist’s dummy.
5. Mean Girls 2 and Mean Girls: 2011 film Mean Girls 2 and the 2024 musical revival Mean Girls are both based on the 2002 self-help book Queen Bees and Wannabes by Rosalind Wiseman, which tackles the topic of schoolgirl bullying and cliques. 
6. Little Women: This 2019 version of Louisa May Alcott’s tale of four sisters growing up during America’s Civil War and Reconstruction era stars Saoirse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Meryl Streep and Timothée Chalamet. 
7. The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants and The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants 2: These coming of age comedy dramas, starring America Ferrera, Blake Lively, Alexis Bledel and Amber Tamblyn as four close friends, are based on the novel series of the same name by Ann Brashares.
8. Four Kids and It: Live-action fantasy film about a magical wish-granting being, based on Jacqueline WIlson’s 2012 novel Four Children and It, which modernised E Nesbit’s 1902 novel, Five Children and It.
9. Nanny McPhee and Nanny McPhee and the Big Bang: Emma Thompson stars as the hideous, no-nonsense magical nanny in these live action films based on Christianna Brand’s three Nurse Matilda books.
10. Alex Rider Season 1-3: Live-action teen spy adventure series based on the Alex Rider novels by Anthony Horowitz.
11. Captain Underpants: The First Epic Movie: Animated superhero comedy movie based on  Dav Pilkey’s Captain Underpants children’s novel series.
12. The Lorax: Animated comedy adventure about saving the trees, based on the classic Dr Seuss children’s book of the same name, with the voices of Taylor Swift, Zac Efron and Danny DeVito.
13. The Wishmas Tree and Combat Wombat: Animated animal adventures based on the Australian children’s book franchise, Tales from Sanctuary City. 
14. Dogtanian and the Three Muskehounds: Animated canine adventure based on French author Alexandre Dumas’ 1844 novel, The Three Musketeers. 
15. Around the World in 80 Days: Animated adventure comedy about a marmoset who accepts a bet to travel around the world in 80 days, based on French author Jules Verne’s 1872 novel of the same name. 
16. Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle and Jumanji: The Next Level: Live action fantasy adventure films starring The Rock and based on Chris Van Allsburg’s children’s book Jumanji, about a magical board game that “kidnaps” players into its world.
17. The Monkey King: Live action adventure inspired by the epic, anonymous 16th-Century Chinese novel Journey to the West, which was based on Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang’s voyage to India in 7CE.
18. Monkey King Reborn: Animated adventure inspired by the epic, anonymous 16th-Century Chinese novel Journey to the West, which was based on Chinese Buddhist monk Xuanzang’s voyage to India in 7CE.
19. Maya the Bee 3: The Golden Orb: Animation based on the characters of German author Waldemar Bonsels’ 1912 children’s book, The Adventures of Maya the Bee.
20. Pinocchio A True Story: Animation based on The Adventures of Pinocchio, Italian author Carlo Collodi’s 1883 fantasy novel about a wooden doll who comes to life.
21. Pinocchio: Roberto Benigni’s live action fantasy-adventure based on The Adventures of Pinocchio, Italian author Carlo Collodi’s 1883 fantasy novel about a wooden doll who comes to life.
22. Home: Animated science fiction comedy loosely based on Adam Rex’s children’s book, The True Meaning of Smekday.
23. Noddy in Toyland: British animated children’s series based on the characters from Enid Blyton’s Noddy books.
24. The War with Grandpa: Live action family comedy based on Robert Kimmel Smith’s 1984 book of the same name, about a resentful boy who pranks his grandfather (Robert De Niro) so that he can get back his room.
25. Rabbit Academy: Mission Eggpossible: Animated adventure movie based on the Die Häschenschule children’s books, first published by German author Albert Sixtus in 1924.
26. Best Birthday Ever: Animated animal adventure based on the Karlchen children’s book series by German author Rotraut Susanne Berner.
27. Archibald’s Next Big Thing Is Here!: Animated sitcom series based on the children’s book Archibald’s Next Big Thing, voiced by Tony Hale, Tony Biaggne, and Victor Huckabee.
28. Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald: Live action film for the much older fans of the Fantastic Beasts offshoot from author JK Rowling’s Harry Potter book universe.
29. Chaos Walking: Live action sci-fi adventure based on the first book in Patrick Ness’s young adult Chaos Walking trilogy, The Knife of Never Letting Go.
30. Dear Zoe: Live action coming-of-age drama centred on grief, based on Philip Beard’s award-winning 2005 young adult novel of the same name, with Sadie Sink as Zoe.
31. Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin and Pretty Little Liars: Summer School: Live action series based on Sara Shepard’s young adult murder mystery conspiracy novel series of the same name.
32. The Secret Garden: British fantasy film with Colin Firth and Julie Walters based on the children’s novel of the same name by Frances Hodgson Burnett.