7 Sci-Fi Masterpiece Books That’ve Been Adapted More Than Once (& What the Best Movie Version Is)

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Science fiction is a consistently popular genre, especially in film, where it has achieved widespread success. Many sci-fi movies have become timeless classics, recognized not just within the genre, but as important films overall. These stories often explore complex ideas and deeper meanings through imaginative plots and can easily combine elements from other types of stories. While sci-fi is now a common sight on the big screen, a lot of the most beloved movies are actually based on books or other written works.

Many classic science fiction books have been made into movies. Some of the most beloved stories have even been adapted multiple times, with different directors offering their own take. While these adaptations are often successful, one version usually becomes the most well-regarded and memorable.

7) Nineteen Eighty-Four by George Orwell

George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four is a classic novel, and its frightening vision of the future has become a well-known part of our culture. It’s been made into a movie three times – in 1956, 1984, and 2023. Many people consider the 1984 film, with John Hurt and Richard Burton, to be the best adaptation, even though the book is still considered superior by some. It remains the most highly regarded live-action movie version of Orwell’s famous story.

6) Who Goes There? by John W. Campbell

Many people know the science fiction story Who Goes There? by its movie title, which shows how successful the film adaptations have been. Originally adapted in 1951 as The Thing from Another World, it was later remade in 1982 as simply The Thing. This second film, directed by John Carpenter, is considered one of his finest works and the definitive adaptation of John W. Campbell’s original story, surpassing both the book and the earlier movie version in popularity.

5) The Invisible Man by H.G. Wells

H.G. Wells’ The Invisible Man, published in 1897, is a classic science fiction story and has been adapted for film several times, with varying degrees of accuracy. While it’s hard to choose the best version, Leigh Whannell’s 2020 adaptation is particularly strong. It expertly captures the story’s suspense and the main character’s distress, offering a fresh and modern take on this iconic tale.

4) The Body Snatchers by Jack Finney

While some might debate whether Jack Finney’s The Body Snatchers is a true masterpiece, its numerous successful adaptations have cemented its place in cinematic history. The novel has been adapted for film four times – in 1956, 1978, 1993, and 2007 – and the 1978 version is widely considered the best. Starring Donald Sutherland, Leonard Nimoy, and a young Jeff Goldblum, this film – Invasion of the Body Snatchers – is remembered as one of the most frightening science fiction movies ever made, and it offers a particularly effective and chilling take on Finney’s original story.

3) Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

As a huge cinema fan, I’ve always been fascinated by adaptations of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein – it’s practically the book that launched science fiction, and a true classic! There have been so many versions, some sticking closely to the story, others taking huge liberties, which makes picking a ‘best’ film really tough. But for me, the 1931 movie with Boris Karloff as the monster still reigns supreme. It’s just had such a lasting impact, stayed relevant for decades, and, crucially, it feels the most true to Shelley’s original novel. It’s the version I always come back to.

2) War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells

Published in 1898, H.G. Wells’ The War of the Worlds was a groundbreaking story, one of the first to depict a fight between humans and aliens. While it’s been adapted for the screen numerous times, the 2005 film directed by Steven Spielberg and starring Tom Cruise and Dakota Fanning is widely considered the best. For many, this version cemented Tom Cruise’s status as a sci-fi movie star, and it’s still a visually impressive take on Wells’ original novel.

1) Dune by Frank Herbert

Frank Herbert’s novel Dune is a landmark achievement in science fiction, bringing the space opera genre to a broader readership. While David Lynch attempted a film adaptation in 1984, Denis Villeneuve’s 2021 version is widely considered one of the greatest sci-fi remakes ever made. Villeneuve’s adaptation is a visually stunning and remarkably faithful recreation of Herbert’s epic novel, making it the definitive movie version of Dune.

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2026-01-30 22:42