Index of Movies Adapted from Books That Are
Frequently Assigned Reading in English Language Arts Clases

Teachers: If you are aware of a movie that should be on this list but isn't, email us. We'll consider including it on this list.

For a set of discussion questions and assignments that are applicable to most adaptations, see TWM's guide to Lesson Plans Using Film Adaptations of Novels, Short Stories or Plays.

  

Snippets and Short Subjects are 40 minutes or less. Unless otherwise indicated, each entry relates to a TWM Learning Guide.

The suggested ages for the movie are shown in brackets. The term "SEL" refers to topics relating to Social and Emotional Learning. "Moral-Ethical Emphasis" refers to Character Counts'
Six Pillars of Character.

A,    B,   C,   D,   E,   F,   G,   H,    I,    J,   K,  L,  M,  
N,   O,   P,   Q,   R,   S,   T,   U,   V,  W,   X,  Y,   Z   

12 Angry Men (U.S./1945 - 1991 & The Law; SEL: Justice; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Fairness; Respect; Citizenship) [11+]

 

A

The Adventures of Huck Finn (U.S./1812 - 1860, Diversity & Missouri; Literature/U.S.; SEL: Breaking Out; Running Away; Friendship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [6+]

All My Sons (U.S./1941 - 1991; Drama/U.S.; SEL: Crime; Marriage; Father/Son; Suicide; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Responsibility) [13+]

All Quiet on the Western Front (World/Germany & WW I; SEL: Courage in War; Peace/Peacemakers; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Respect; Citizenship; Caring) [12+]

 

Animal Farm (Literature/England & Literary Devices; World/Russia; SEL: Rebellion; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness) [6+; Literary genre: Allegory]

Anne Frank -- Four Films About Anne Frank (World/WW II & Holland; Biography; SEL: Coming of Age; Families in Crisis; Human Rights; Courage; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Responsiblity; Citizenship) [12+]

Anne of Green Gables (World/Canada; SEL: Coming of Age; Female Role Model) [8+]

The Autobiography of Miss Jane Pittman (U.S./1865 - 1991 & Diversity; SEL: Female Role Model; Diversity) [10+]


B

Billy Budd (Literature/U.S. & Literary Devices: theme, characterization & irony; World/Britain; Seafaring; SEL: Justice; Leadership; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Fairness) [14+]

 

Brian's Song (Sports/Football; U.S./1945 - 1991 & Diversity; SEL: Friendship, Grieving, Sportsmanship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Caring) [10+]


C

Charlotte's Web (Science -- Biology; SEL: Caring for Animals; Friendship; Grieving; Justice; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Caring) [5 - 10]

Charly (Science Fiction; SEL: Disabilities; Courage; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring; Responsibility) [10+]

 

The Crucible (U.S./1629 - 1750, 1945-1991 & Massachusetts; Drama/U.S.; SEL: Justice; Marriage; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Fairness) (Two versions, one in French with English Subtitles) [12+]

Cyrano de Bergerac (Drama/France; World/France; SEL: Romantic Relationships; Self-esteem; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+] (In French with English Subtitles)


D

No Titles


E

Emma (Literature/England; World/England; SEL: Romantic Relationships; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Caring) [12+]

 

F

Fahrenheit 451 (Science Fiction; SEL: Alcohol and Drug Abuse; Rebellion; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+]

Fail-Safe (U.S./1945 - 1991; World/Cold War; SEL: Leadership; Ethical Emphasis --- Responsibility, Caring) [14+]

 

For Whom the Bell Tolls (Literature/U.S.; World/Between World Wars & Spain; SEL: Courage in War; Romantic Relationships; Rebellion; Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Citizenship) [12+]


G

A Gentleman's Agreement (U.S./1945 - 1991 & Diversity; SEL: Male Role Model; Female Role Model; Parenting; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Respect) [12+]

The Glass Menagerie (Drama/U.S.; U.S./Missouri; SEL: Mother/Son; Mother/Daughter; Families in Crisis; Disabilities; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility)[12+]

Gone With the Wind (U.S./1860 - 1865 & Georgia; SEL: Female Role Models (Melanie and Mammy, not Scarlet); Moral-Ethical Emphasis: General) [12+]

 

The Grapes of Wrath (U.S./1929 - 1941; Oklahoma & California; Literature/U.S.; SEL: Families in Crisis; Female Role Model; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Fairness) [12+]

Great Expectations (Literature/England; World/England; SEL: Romantic Relationships; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness) [10+]

Gulliver's Travels (World/Enlightenment; Literature/Ireland; SEL: Peace/Peacemakers; Courage in War; Humility) [7+]


H

Hamlet (Drama/England; SEL: Revenge, Fighting, Grieving; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Caring) [12+]

 

I

The Importance of Being Earnest (World/England; Drama/England; SEL: Romantic Relationships; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness) [12+]

 

Inherit the Wind (Cinema; U.S./1913 - 1929 & Tennessee; Cinema; SEL: None; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness) [12+]


J

The Joy Luck Club (U.S./1945 - 1991, Diversity and California; World/China; SEL: Mother/Daughter/ Surviving; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [14+]

Judgment at Nuremberg (U.S./1941 - 1945, The Law; World/WW II; SEL: Justice; Human Rights, Male Role Model; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect, Responsibility Fairness) [10+]

 

Julius Caesar (Drama/England; World/Ancient Rome; SEL: Ambition; Rebellion; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+]


K

No Titles


L

Les Misérables (Literature/France; World/France; SEL: Redemption; Suicide; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Fairness, Caring) [8+]

Little Women (U.S./1860 - 1865 & Massachusetts; Literature/U.S.; SEL: Female Role Model; Families in Crisis; Parenting; Sisters; Coming of Age; Talent; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Caring) [6+]

 

Lord of the Flies (ELA; U.S./1945 -1991; SEL: Peer Pressure; Surviving; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Caring) [13+; Literary devices analyzed: symbol, character development, theme, irony.]


M

Macbeth (Drama; Literature/Literary/Devices: Characterization; SEL: Ambition; Work/Career; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Citizenship) [14+]

A Man for All Seasons (Biography/Thomas More; World/England & the Renaissance; Religions/Christianity; Drama/England; SEL: Courage; Male Role Model; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness) [12+]

The Miracle Worker (Biography/Keller; U.S./1865 - 1913; SEL: Disabilities; Female Role Model; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Caring) [10+]

 

Moby Dick (Literature/U.S.; Seafaring; U.S./1812 - 1860 & Massachusetts; SEL: Revenge, Humility; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [10+]

Much Ado About Nothing (Drama/Enlgand; SEL: Romantic Relationships; Brothers; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Fairness) [10+]


N

Native Son (U.S./1945 - 1991, Diversity & Illinois; Literature/U.S.; Literature/U.S.; SEL: Justice; Friendship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Responsibility; Fairness) [15+]

 

O

The Odyssey (World/Ancient Greece; Mythology; Literature & Literary Devices; Seafaring; SEL: Humility; Surviving; Marriage; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Responsibility) [14+ for the movie; 11+ for the book. Literary devices analyzed: simile, metaphor, flashback; symbol]

The Old Man and the Sea (Literataure/U.S.; SEL:Friendship; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Caring) [12+]

Old Yeller (U.S./1865 - 1913; SEL: Courage; Grieving (for a beloved animal); Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [7-12]

Oliver Twist (Literature/England; World/England; SEL: Spousal Abuse; Crime; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [10+]

 

The Outsiders (Literature/U.S. & Literary Devices; U.S./1945 - 1991; SEL: Brothers; Coming of Age; Courage; Fighting; Friendship; Peer Pressure; Redemption; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness, Respect, Responsibility, Caring) [11+; Literary devices analyzed: expository phase; flashback; symbol; foreshadowing; Bildungsroman; irony; protagonist/antagionist confusion and theme]

The Ox-Bow Incident (U.S./The Frontier and the West; 1865 - 1913; The Law; & Nevada; SEL: Justice; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Fairness) [12+]


P

A Passage To India (World/India & England; Literature/England; SEL: Friendship; Romantic Relationships; Justice; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Respect) [12+]

Pride and Prejudice (Literature/England; World/England; SEL: Romantic Relationships; Sisters; Humility; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+; Literary devices analyzed: theme; foils, contrasting characters; character development; subplot; irony; and use of letters read by a character]

 

Pygmalion (Drama/England; World/England; SEL: Breaking Out; Romantic Relationships; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [12+]


Q

No Titles


R

A Raisin in the Sun (U.S./1945 - 1991, Diversity & Illinois; Drama/U.S; SEL: Alcohol and Drug Abuse, Marriage, Families in Crisis; Female Role Model; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Fairness) [12+]

The Red Badge of Courage (U.S./1860 - 1865; Literature/U.S.; SEL: Redemption, Coming of Age; Courage in War; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [10+]

Richard III (Drama/England; World/England SEL: Brothers; Ambition; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: General) [12+ ]

Romeo and Juliet (Drama/England; SEL: Fighting; Romantic Relationships; Suicide; Revenge; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Caring) [12+]

Roots Vol. I (U.S./1629 - 1750 & Diversity; World/Africa; SEL: Coming of Age; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility) [12+]

 

Roots Vol. II (U.S./1629 - 1750 & Diversity; SEL: Surviving; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+]

Roots Vol. III (U.S. 1750 - 1812 & Diversity; SEL: Surviving; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+]

Roots Vol. IV (U.S./1812 - 1860 & Diversity; SEL: Rebellion; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+]

Roots Vol. V (U.S./1812 - 1860 & Diversity; SEL: Father/Son; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+]

Roots Vol. VI (U.S./1865 - 1913 & Diversity; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect) [12+]


S

The Scarlet Letter (U.S./1629 - 1750 & Massachusetts; Religions/Christianity; Literature/U.S.; SEL: Redemption; Romantic Relationships; Revenge; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Responsibility) [12+ ]

Sense and Sensibility (Literature/England; World/England; SEL: Romantic Relationships; Sisters; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Caring) [12+]

 

Shiloh (U.S./1945 - 1991 & West Virginia; SEL: Caring for Animals; Father/Son; Mother/Son, Parenting; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Caring) [10+]

The Swiss Family Robinson (Literature/England; Science-Technology; World/Indonesia; SEL: Families in Crisis; Brothers; Surviving; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: General) [6 - 12]


T

Tale of Two Cities (Literature/England; World/France & England; SEL: Alcohol and Drug Abuse; Rebellion; Redemption; Romantic Relationships; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [12+]

To Kill A Mockingbird (U.S./1929 - 1941, the Law & Diversity; Literature/U.S. & Literary Devices; SEL: Justice; Male Role Model; Courage; Mental Illness; Parenting; Disabilities; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness; Respect; Responsibilility; Fairness; Caring; Citizenship) [11+; Literary devices analyzed: symbol; flashback; irony; humor]
 

A Tree Grows In Brooklyn (U.S./1913 - 1929, Diversity & New York; SEL: Alcohol and Drug Abuse; Education; Families in Crisis; Father/Daughter; Grieving; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Caring) [9+]

Twelfth Night (Drama/England; SEL: Romantic Relationships; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Caring) [12+]


U

No Titles


V

No Titles


W

War and Peace (Literature/Russia; World/Russia & France) [10+]

West Side Story (Drama/Musicals; U.S./1945 - 1991, Diversity & New York; Dance/Performance; SEL: Fighting; Revenge; Romantic Relationships; Bad Associations; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Respect; Caring; Citizenship) [12+]

 

The Wizard of Oz (Cinema; Drama/Musicals; U.S./1865-1913; SEL: Self-esteem; Friendship; Taking Care of Yourself; Breaking Out; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Trustworthiness, Respect, Caring) [5+]


X

No Titles


Y

The Yearling (U.S./1865 - 1913 & Florida; Literature/U.S.; SEL: Male Role Model; Coming of Age; Running Away; Father/Son; Mother/Son; Moral-Ethical Emphasis: Responsibility; Caring) [8 - 12]

 

Z

No Titles



The suggested age range appears in brackets at the end of each entry. Topics relating to Social and Emotional Learning appear after the term "SEL". "Moral-Ethical Emphasis" is a reference to Character Counts' Six Pillars of Character.