Great Movie Adaptations of Books for Your Homeschool Comparative Lit Classes

You don’t have to choose between the book and the movie in these terrific adaptations — enjoy them both. We’ve rounded up some book-and-a-movie combos perfect for cold weather marathon sessions.

great movies for homeschooling
  • Tales of the Night (2001) + Andrew Lang’s Fairy Books

    Though not a literal adaptation of the classic fairy tales, this inventive film about the enchantments of imagination, set in an abandoned theater, channels the same storytelling spirit — and may inspire some living room reenactments.

  • The Iron Giant (2005) + The Iron Man by Ted Hughes

    Really, this animated film — about a boy who teaches a warmongering robot how to love — should get more respect than it does — and Hughes’ lyrical storytelling in the source story is as memorable as his poetry.

  • The Great Mouse Detective (1986) + Basil of Baker Street by Eve Titus

    Sherlock Homes sometimes used the alias Basil, so it’s no surprise that’s the name of the Sherlock Holmes of the mouse world, who — accompanied by his biographer/assistant Dawson — solves baffling crimes.

  • A Little Princess (1995) + A Little Princess by Frances Hodgson Burnett

    The action moves to New York and there are a few other changes in this lavish adaptation, but it slow-paced, dreamy film-making and a terrific Sara Carew make this movie a must-view.

  • My Fair Lady (1964) + Pygmalion by George Bernard Shaw

    Shaw’s play may feel like heavy going to readers new to his style, so take advantage of the delightful musical adaptation to appreciate its nuances — and to kick off the never-ending argument of what a happy ending to this story would actually be.

  • The Secret of Moonacre (2010) + The Little White Horse by Elizabeth Goudge

    Maria’s quest to save her family from an unfortunate curse is the crux of this fantasy book and movie combo. (The book was J.K. Rowling’s favorite as a child.)

  • National Velvet (1944) + National Velvet by Enid Bagnold

    The film version gets the full Hollywood treatment (star Elizabeth Taylor definitely doesn’t have book-Velvet’s cottony hair and buck teeth), but it manages to hang onto the story of one stubborn girl’s determination to win a horse race.


  • The Secret World of Arietty (2012) + The Borrowers by Mary Norton

    Though it wanders from the book’s storyline, Studio Ghibli’s adaptation captures the sheer visual magic of the Borrowers’ tiny world with gorgeous animation.


Amy Sharony

Amy Sharony is the founder and editor-in-chief of home | school | life magazine. She's a pretty nice person until someone starts pluralizing things with apostrophes, but then all bets are off.

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