Friday, February 4, 2011

Upcoming Movies Based on Books

Upcoming Movies Based on Books Friday February 4, 2011

pooh As many of you know, my favorite thing is a great movie based on a great book. I love to read the books with my kids in anticipation of the movie and then compare the two after the movie comes out. This year, there are a number of upcoming theatrical releases based on books for all ages.Here is a list of a few of the movies based on books we can look forward to this year:

  • Winnie the Pooh (July 15): Geared toward young children and families, Winnie the Pooh is based on 5 of the classic stories by A.A. Milne. Any child who can sit through a movie can enjoy this one, and what child from zero to 100 doesn't love listening to the classic pros of A.A. Milne? If you haven't already, now is a great time to introduce your kids to the enchanting original stories of the Hundred Acre Wood.
  • Mars Needs Moms (March 11): Berkely Breathed wrote the richly illustrated picture book that inspired this movie. The book is appropriate for about ages 4-7, but the movie may or may not fit that age group exactly. More on that to come in March.
  • Mr. Poppers Penguins (August 12): The book Mr. Poppers Penguins is a silly and fun little chapter book written in the 1930s. The book is great to read to kids at night a chapter at a time, or for young readers to read on their own. We should know more about the movie soon.
  • Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules (March 25): Diary of a Wimpy Kid books really need no introduction. They are so unbelievably popular with kids about ages 7-12. The good thing about these books, is that they can inspire kids to start a journal, which is great for kids on many levels.
  • Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (July 15): Again, a series that needs no intro; one of the best of all time; however, the books mature as Harry gets older, so by number 7, they are geared to a whole new age level. The movies follow suit, so some of them are rated PG-13.
  • I Am Number Four (February18): Tweens and Teens will be clamoring to see this exciting sci-fi adventure about nine aliens posing as regular teenagers on earth. The movie is based on the book for young adults by Pittacus Lore.
  • Beastly (March 4): Also based on a book for young adults, Beastly is a modern day version of Beauty and the Beast and stars Vanessa Hudgens.
  • The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 1 (November 18): The Twilight movies, and the book series, have become an obsession for some tweens and teens. Parents should know, though, that the books get a lot heavier and more sensual as they progress, so if you have any concerns about whether the books or the movie are appropriate for your child, I definitely advise previewing these ones first.

More on these and other upcoming movies based on books to come, but at least that gives us a place to start! In the mean time, here are some lists of other great movies based on books:

  • Movies based on books - young children
  • Movies based on books - Ages 8-12
  • Movies based on books - Tweens (about ages 9-14)

(Photo © Disney)


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