5 Fantasy Book Adaptations That Need a Modern Remake Immediately

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Adapting fantasy stories for the screen is famously difficult. Many attempts don’t live up to expectations, frustrating fans – and sometimes sparking outrage online. Directors often misinterpret the core themes, stray too far from the source material while trying to add their own creative touch, or end up telling a completely different story altogether – or a messy combination of all these issues.

Here are five fantasy books that were adapted for the screen and could really benefit from a remake—and quickly! While some of the original adaptations weren’t bad, there’s room for fresh and creative approaches. Others, though, were poorly done and fans deserve to see these beloved stories done justice.

1) Howl’s Moving Castle

Studio Ghibli’s Howl’s Moving Castle is widely considered a masterpiece of animation, excelling in every aspect from its visuals and voice acting to its music. While the film is fantastic, it takes some liberties with Diana Wynne Jones’s original novel, which also deserves its own cinematic treatment. The book focuses on Sophie, a young woman cursed by a witch to appear elderly. She finds shelter in the magical, moving castle of the wizard Howl – a character who’s even more flamboyant in the book than in the film – and strikes a bargain with the fire demon Calcifer to break the spell. Unlike the film, the book doesn’t involve a war, but it’s still a thrilling story. A live-action version of Howl’s, made with today’s special effects technology, could be truly spectacular and would be a dream come true for fans of the novel.

2) Earthsea

Ursula K. LeGuin’s Earthsea novels have seen a couple of adaptations, but neither has fully captured the spirit of the books. Ghibli’s animated version, while good, took some liberties with the original story, disappointing many fans. A live-action adaptation starring Shawn Ashmore and Kristin Kreuk was even more poorly received, with critics and fans alike agreeing it missed the core themes of the novels – a surprising failure given how closely it followed the plot. LeGuin herself criticized the SyFy network for “wrecking” her books, accusing them of whitewashing the story for ratings. The Earthsea series follows Ged (Sparrowhawk), a young wizard, as he learns to control his power and overcome his pride, becoming a wise and respected figure. The books explore complex themes of power, race, and maintaining balance, all within a unique magical world. This beloved series deserves a faithful adaptation that truly honors the source material.

3) Artemis Fowl

The book series Artemis Fowl captivated a generation of readers, but Disney’s movie adaptation was a huge disappointment, earning a dismal 8% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The books follow Artemis Fowl, a young criminal mastermind who discovers a secret, technologically advanced fairy world. He tries to restore his family’s wealth by kidnapping a fairy officer, Holly Short, hoping to ransom her for gold, which naturally leads to conflict between humans and fairies. The series spanned eleven books and built a dedicated fanbase. It’s baffling how Disney missed the mark so badly. Given the right creative team—someone who understands and loves the books—a six-season television show with twelve episodes each, and a reasonable budget, could finally deliver the Artemis Fowl adaptation fans have been waiting for.

4) Eragon

The Eragon novels, also known as The Inheritance Cycle, are incredibly popular fantasy books for young adults. They tell a classic hero’s story about a farm boy named Eragon who finds a dragon egg. This discovery sends him on a dangerous adventure to become a dragon rider and fight against the evil king who threatens the land of Alagaësia. The author started writing the series as a teenager, and the books are genuinely fun, offering a unique magic system and exploring themes of fate and personal power. However, the movie adaptation starring Ed Speelers and Jeremy Irons disappointed many fans. It didn’t capture the spirit or creativity of the books and felt tonally inconsistent. While the novels remain beloved, fans are hoping for a more faithful film or television series that truly does justice to this incredible story.

5) The Princess and the Goblin

I recently watched the movie The Princess and the Goblin, and honestly, it felt like stepping into a strange, colorful dream! It’s an older animated film, very much in that trippy style from the early 90s, and it’s based on a book from way back in 1872. The story follows Princess Irene, who gets lost and is pursued by some really scary monsters. Luckily, a boy named Curdie comes to her rescue and reveals that the goblins everyone thinks are just made-up stories are actually real and a serious threat. It turns into a huge adventure where they have to save the kingdom from something people refused to believe in. While the movie is definitely cheesy and enjoyable, the original story is surprisingly dark, and I think it deserves a remake that really leans into that. Something like a live-action film, or even a new animated style like Blue Eye Samurai could really unlock its potential. I honestly think a reimagining of The Princess and the Goblin would be perfect for fantasy lovers.

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2026-02-09 23:18