I ask this question now and wonder: can anyone even proudly say they would watch the movie before they read the book?
This #POLL is as straightforwards as they come. Are you someone who HAS to read the book before you see the movie, or do you have to see the movie before the book?
OR is it okay to change things up from time to time and see how things play out?
(I’ll say this, when it comes to The Hobbit, I’ll watch the movies but I haven’t been able to finish the book. And I’m on my third try. Oops?)
I have almost zero interest in reading a book after seeing the adaptation. I understand that the movie will have some differences from the book, however, I would be hard pressed to think the writers didn’t include the major plot points from the book in the movie, and then, there is no element of surprise. For some reason, I am ok with watching an adaptation after reading a book, because I like seeing how they made certain things come to life, or what they didn’t include.
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Now that’s a strong opinion! It’s true for me too that after seeing a movie where I haven’t read the book, I find it hard to go out right away and read the book. But I do find that the majority of the time, the book is executed waaaayy better, so I’ll wait a bit and then check out the book. And then I’ll see depth in the characters the movie missed, or side plots that add to the adventure. But for sure, when it comes to the major plot points, there is no surprise. Reading the book is more to learn additional details about the world that the movie skipped. As for your book-to-movie comment, agreement 1005!
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I have done both. With Harry Potter, I’d actually seen the first two movies before reading the books. I wanted to see what all the hype was about. After the second film, I bought the first four novels and read them in two weeks, which was a record for me at the time. Then I would always read the book first. I think I tend to read the book first, though.
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I think I was so young when Harry Potter (the movies) first came out, I didn’t even realize it was a book at first? Hahahaha. I saw most of the film series before I came to realize there were even books. But otherwise, for me, definitely books first!
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Read the book first!
Then it is okay to be a snob and say ‘The movie was okay, but the book was better’.
Good luck with Tolkien. I have been reading those things my whole life. and yes, the movies were okay, but, well, yeah, you know the rest. 😉
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Who doesn’t love being a snob and saying, “But the book was better”? Haha.
Ohhh yes, Tolkien is just a whole other realm.
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Books first, after seeing the movie I can’t make myself imagine the scenes and characters and it all feels weird and fixed.
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Agreed! I especially don’t like when I go to buy a book *after* it becomes popularized by a movie, and the book has pictures inside “from the movie” or a new cover with the movie actors on it. Like, noooo, I need to picture everything myself!
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Yeah! It is ao annoying, I usually try to read a book asap when I get to know that it is going to be made into a movie.
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Agreed!! I need to know the book details waay before the movie taints anything.
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Although i’m currently reading a book (Brooklyn) after watching its film adaptation, I definitely prefer reading the book first then seeing it on film!
As for the Hobbit, i’m not a big fan of either book or film adaptation(s).
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I’ll admit to sometimes being too late and only picking up a book after catching the film, but yes, book first!
Oh no! Not a Hobbit fan? What about Lord of the Rings? Is it the genre or the film/book itself?
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I just didn’t take to the Hobbit films, so I decided to read the book – I was in shock at how much they added to the movies. I was expecting to read about Legolas and co but he didn’t appear in the book at all.
I do however LOVE The Lord of the Rings movies, I re-watch them whenever I can!
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I could *not* get through the Hobbit (book). But just by looking at the book, it’s clear how much has been added (like, 8 hours worth of movie time and the book is what, 100 pages?). Haha, yeah, Legolas was completely fan service.
Okay, at least! I adore LoTR. I feel like I see something different every time I watch the movies.
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I read the books first before watching the movie. If I watch the movie first, there may be some spoilers included and the thrill while reading the book will fade because I know the next scenes already.
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Yes, we must never lose the thrill!! I find that even if the you read the book first, you can still experience the thrill when you see the movie, because then the movie adds sound effects, and music, etc. So it ramps up the drama. But the book, you want to imagine it yourself. Just me?
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Yes that’s it but sometimes after wstching the movie disappointment comes especially when high expectations were’nt met. “The book was better,” as the old saying goes
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Ah, yes. Very true. Wouldn’t want to totally ruin a highly expected movie
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I have done both, but I prefer seeing the movie before reading the book. I find it’s easier to see the differences between the two and the book always has more then the movie, so if I’m a little confused while watching the movie I know I can read the book after to see the in-between scenes that have been cut from the movie.
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Oooh, I think you’re the first I’ve seen who enjoys the movie first. Interesting how you find it easier to spot differences when reading the book after; that does make sense, since you can go through the book at your own pace. I know for me, it would only drive me insane, because I would just be going “and THIS is what the movie messed up” and “THIS too!!” But of course, I’m a book purist in that regard, so perhaps I’m causing my own frustrations there, haha.
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I guess I’d say I’m somewhere in the middle because sometimes I enjoy watching the movie before I read the book or vice versa.
Sometimes I’ll watch the movie and want to read the book like when I watched Princess Diaries. It all depends on what I’m feeling about each franchise I guess lol 😃
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The Princess Diaries, ahhhh. I can’t even remember if I read the book first or not for that movie.(Please tell me: you agree, books are better for this series, yes?) But actually, that is a good approach. You don’t have to stress so much about fitting in a book before a movie release.
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I don’t remember, either! It’s been forever since I read them but my library has them all so maybe I’ll do a #TBT post or something about them?
Thanks! So far, it’s worked well for me 😛
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Ooh, you definitely should. (I’ll tell you right now, I’m forever a bigger fan of the books. They include sooo many hilarious details that the movies missed on. And the love interest, Michael, is a THOUSAND times better in the books.)
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Book before movie.
Unless I really am not interested in reading and just want to spend 2 hours watching something, no effort needed.
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Haha, yup, agreed! Sometimes you just don’t really want to read the book, and now you have the movie. But shhhhh, don’t tell anyone, we may be expelled from the book community for this?? :O
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Our secret is safe with me 😉
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Haha, perfect! 😀
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You used an Xfile gif and I’m forever done, Sha! Also it depends. If I’m never going to read the book, movie first and then maybe I’ll think about it. But otherwise book first!
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I did it for you! Yup yup, agreement on this one
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I guess It depends if I’ve already watched the movie I won’t read the book but if I read the book and it becomes a movie then I have to see it! Fun post 🙂
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Ahh, sometimes I think reading the book after will enrich my movie experience so I will still read it. But if the movie wasn’t that good, or I know the reviews for the book weren’t that good, yeah, I’ll skip it too. Glad you liked the post! We do a bunch of polls here at BPR to get the convo started 😉
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I have to read the book before the movie. Otherwise, if I see the movie first, I will never read the book because it’s no longer interesting to me!
Krystianna @ Downright Dystopian
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Same here! The movie will ruin all the great plot points, but a book will only add greater detail. ❤
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I think it’s okay to sometimes watch the movie before reading the book. For the most part, if I know there’s a book, I will try to read it before seeing the movie, but there are also cases like with Simon vs the Homosapien Agenda/Love, Simon where I’m not interested in the book, but I want to see the movie.
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Agreed that book vs movie cases need to be judged individually. Any reason you want to see the Love, Simon movie more than read the book it was based on>
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I just tend not to like contemporary books without a mental health aspect. I have nothing against the book. It’s just my type of thing. I do tend to like more contemporary movies, though.
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Heeey, I’m pretty in agreement with this! I prefer my contemps with a social justice(IDK how to categorize it) kind of aspect to them. So either LGTBQ+, mental health, environmental justice etc. Makes them way more interesting and thought provoking.
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If I know that I’m not interested in the book, then I’ll watch the movie first to see if I might be compelled to reading the book! Tbh, I watched Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone first, and that was what got me into reading Harry Potter. 😉
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Watching a movie to see if a book is worth the while? I’ll agree a movie is quite faster then the book, haha. I can usually tell from a book blurb if I’ll enjoy or not. But if a movie is really good, even if I hate the book blurb, I *maaaaaayyy* change my mind. So maybe you’re on to something. Maybe. Hahaha. 😉
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Haha it’s a default option! Like, if I know for sure that I won’t have any motivation to read a great book, then I need the extra kick to make it easier 😉
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Books before movies. I always find it interesting how they manage to fit a 20 hour read into a two and a half hour movie.
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By cutting out the best parts. *cries* But yes, books first so you can enjoy everything you know the movie will miss.
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I normally read the books before the movies. In most cases the books tend to be a more satisfying experience for me. I also do watch the movies but if I had to pick one I’d pick the book.
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Huh. So in some cases you would never even watch the movie? Reminds me of how Rick Riordan refuses to see the film adaptations of his books (it’s a wise choice, they butchered his books).
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I don’t actively chose not to watch the movie but it’s not a big deal for me basically. The book is the original material at the end of the day and that works for me.
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Got it. 🙂 I’m always for that OC content, I get what you mean.
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You should try reading light novels. Here’s one from my translations: http://ancientheartloss.com/i-am-my-wife-chapters/chapter-1-turbulent-hours/
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I’d rather watch the movie first if its good may read the book..
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A cautious approach! The movie is certainly faster to get through than a book, so I see your thinking!
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Book before movie usually, though some films have made me want to read the book, as in the case of Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. Something like Gone girl works better as a book, however, as massive plot twists come as more of a suprise when turning a page.
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Gone Girl was deefinitellyy better as a book. Although some of the movies scenes were creepy, the movie just lacked so much of the suspense.
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Oh without a doubt. Most people I’ve spoken to who’ve only seen the film weren’t phased by THAT twist, yet its pure narrative genius in the book
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And now they won’t have a chance to go read the book and enjoy the original 😦 Yup, a lot of movies can’t capture the feelings and plot turns that books do, so it’s always a safer bet (if you love reading, at least) to get the book first.
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Nice post!
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Thank you!
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It depends for me. Sometimes I get a chance to watch the movie or show before I have the book. Other times I will read the book and not care to watch the movie because the book was so good. I read Mrs. Peregrine’s School for Particular Children I loved the books! When I saw the movie I was heartbroken. I don’t chose to not watch a movie before I’ve read the books. It’s all about what I get a chance to do first.
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Was Mrs. Peregrine’s (the movie) not a good representation of the book? I’ll admit to not reading the books, but seeing the movie. And thinking the movie was maybe three stars? Like the plot concept was good but a lot of characters just didn’t get to shine and it felt a bit rushed in bits.
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Everything about the movie was not okay! They changed the characters! Emma was to be a fire peticular. She had this firey attitude that worked well with Jacobs timidness. Olive was the child who levitated. And the storyline doesn’t match with the books. I get they squeezed all the books in to one movie so it had to be rushed but they could have at least kept the characters the same.
I was left devistated… That movie should have been amazing. It had all the right elements right there in the book.
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Ooohh nooo that sounds terrible! Now I feel ashamed for supporting the movie. (THEY SQUEEZED ALL THE BOOKS IN ONE??? No WONDER the plot felt clunky and rushed!! What a terrible idea.) At least make a Netflix TV show with it, like a series of Unfortunate Events. Seems to me they would have a solid cast of characters to do that with. Now I really want to read the books though, because you’re answering all the frustrations I had with the movie.
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The Stieg Larsen book, ‘The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo’ was made into movies. The first adaptation, in 2009, is made for the viewing public and varies greatly from the book, but the 2011 version is made for the reading community and is amazingly true to the novel. I did not notice anything different.
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Oh, I didn’t know that they did that! I looooove that kind of concept. If someone (who didn’t read the book) just went to see the 2011 version … would they have reason to dislike it? (Less action, loud noises, idk). Or can we maybe just hope more “closer to the book versions” start to come out?
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I don’t think that a person having not read the book would dislike the 2011 version, but I bet they would like the 2009 version better. I think the reading audience would prefer the 2011. It would be nice if movies were true to the book more often. I can see how a film-maker would want to purposely change a few things, but it is refreshing to see a novel so lovingly recreated. I can think of two other cases where the movie is a faithful rendition of the novel. One is The 1941 film, ‘The Maltese Falcon’. I am a big fan of the author Dashell Hammett, and the novel. The second film that is a true recreation of the novel is the 1934 version of ‘Treasure Island’.
I do not know what made Film World go ahead and remake that film, {Girl With the Dragon Tattoo} so closely upon the heels of the first, nor what possessed them to do such an homage to the book. I think they intended to produce a trilogy, but the first {2011} film did not make enough $$$,
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I can understand a film-maker wanting to have their own stamp on a piece. And who hasn’t read a book and thought “I think this could be changed and maybe this, and it would be perfect.” Not to mention some things might need to be edited due to time constraints and budget. I suppose it makes sense to model movies first to a filmmakers vision… but with some input from the writer if possible. Like a “to the screen” version, instead of a completely new movie.
But very interesting to compare the movies intended for book audiences to movie goers alone! I’ll have to see about the Maltese Falcone, it’s been on a movie tbr for me for a while.
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I always try to read the book first, but sometimes I don’t hear about the book until after I have already watched the movie. So it could go either way but I personally love to read the book first!
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I agree with this! I try to get the book in first, but seeing a movie in cinemas is so much fun… so if I haven’t read the book yet, and don’t have time or didn’t know, I’ll see the movie first. But preference = book first. Thanks for commenting!
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Movie first. I’m usually disappointed if I read the book first because they edit so much for movies.
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Interesting point of view. Movies do go through a lot of editing. No way could a 400 page book be turned into a 2 hour movie in its entirety!
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Well, movies first, because you can sit back and criticise how bad the movie was.
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I mean, you can certainly sit back and critique a book too! Although it’s easy to find a bunch of people to talk about after seeing a movie — they’re all there with you!
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Haha. That’s true.
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I prefer following blogs that post similar content but thank you for the invite.
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You’re very much welcome. ☺️
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Eh. I don’t know it goes back and forth for me. Harry Potter, definitely books. LOTR,
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We mainly focus on Demo Reels, but we are looking to make movies ourselves
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Its always books before movies for me. Movies somewhat confine my thoughts and do not let them bloom on the contrary books allow me to channelize a draw a better connect to the plot and the characters.
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You said it perfectly! Films act like they have to spell everything out for you, but books leave just enough to the imagination
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indeed!
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Haha for me it surely about book before movies
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Always the book first! A good choice 😀
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Books before movies should be the best!
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They always are though!! 😀
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In my humble opinion, books relay tales better than movies A movie is the interpretation of someone else’s story as seen by a director, editor, and or film studio. In some cases, though, I’ve enjoyed the movie version more than the book.
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I can agree with this! Books don’t have the pressure of fitting everything into 2 hours or less, and having a budget to stick to. But there are certainly some movie versions I have enjoyed more. Thanks for commenting!
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books!!
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Yay! Always books!
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It’s got to be the book first for me. If not, I run the risk of not liking the actor or actress playing the lead in the movie. Then, when I read the book after, they’re all I can see in my head as I try to visualize this character.
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Oh, I could go oooonnn about the times movies didn’t cast actors/actresses that did my book loves justice. Sometimes a book doesn’t even give me a clear picture of a character, but then I see someone in a movie and I just know it’s *not that*
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Always books before movies
but the strange fact is you can neither read book after watching movie nor watch movie after reading book
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A strange but kinda true fact! Neither is the same after… Thanks for commenting!
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BOOKS BEFORE MOVIES!!!!
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YEEEESSSS ❤
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Books before movies! I definitely like to keep it that way but I’ve done the reverse a couple of times already.
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Hey, no problem with shaking things up! I prefer books first too, unless I have no real interest in the book. Then I’ll skip to the movie.
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I always read the book before the movie! Because I am not a huge movie buff, I would rather have the movie spoiled for me than the book. Books always have so much detail and depth to the story that a movie never portrays correctly. In books I can connect to the characters far easier. I know their deep inner thoughts. Books can also describe the sense of touch, smell, sound, and taste, which allows the reader to imagine themselves as the main character/narrator. Reading a book, I feel like I am a part of the story taking place, whereas in a movie, I am just watching the events.
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I agree, much better to have the movie spoiled than the book! I can’t think of a movie than has been able to explore a character more deeply than a book…? Of course my book love definitely biases me aha. I always connect more to books, we are 100% the same on this point.
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Books! Books are the original version, movies often skip over or modify things that make them not as exciting as the books.
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And yet nowadays more often movies are turning out “book versions” after the fact. Hmm. Perhaps a new question should be, “Would you read a book version of a movie?”
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Great Idea!
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You are absolutely right!
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Thankyou! (:
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I usually read the book before I see the movie if I can because I tend to like books more. But I also kind of see how it wouldn’t matter as much anymore. Some movies have their own interpretation of the book rather than just having a movie over the book if that makes sense.
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Hey Robin, thanks for commenting! I also tend to like the books more, so I make the same move as you. But movies do have their own interpretations — and some really go out of their way to create an original world separate from the book, so it is also worth it to see what plans a director has in store for a movie before heading to see it.
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I agree!
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Book before movie, if I can help it.
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Agreed! It’s a good way to live life 😉
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Book first!
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Great choice! Thanks for commenting :F
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Book then movie. There’s so much that cAm happen in a book but not movie
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Agreed! A book has none of the limits a movie does
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My point too!
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Read the book first… If one watches a movie then it would be pointless to read the book…..
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Agreed! The movie ruins the book but I can’t say the same vice versa.
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Book before movie. When you read the book first, as you read you can imagine how people and places look. If you watch the movie and then read the book you’ll just be mentally replaying the movie.
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So true! You can pretty much create your own movie in your head when you read the book first!
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I would rather prefer to read a book, but let me add a third option to a poll. Once I was in a theater watching an adaptation of “The Master and Margarita”. Haven’t read the book before I was so impressed of this play and then read the book. Finally, to repeat my experience, I’ve seen that play one more time and got an unique experience of summarizing my feelings both from the book and the theater. That’s why I also think that you should get as reading as watching experience, comparing not with an aim to say “that was better”, but with a possibility to be involved into the story from several points of view.
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That’s a really full experience! For sure mixing together live viewings and a reading can enhance your comprehension… thanks for sharing!
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You’re welcome!
That’s the reason I like reading books which have some kind of adaptation to watch. You often stand yourself just after finishing a book without any ways of expand the the author’s vision.
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So true. You’ve given me something to think about!
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Thats a hard one. books are usually always better than the movie… but thats probably because i read first… what if i watch the movie first??
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Now you have a challenge to try out! Next book-to-movie adaptation, check the film out first and see how you feel! 😉
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For me it’s book before movie. I always feel that the movie won’t capture the whole story as it is in the book. So I read before watching.
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Same here! I don’t want to miss out on book details, and the movie will never capture the whole essence 😀 Thanks for commenting
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You are welcome hun!
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