20 Best Action Movies Based on a Book
Perfect action-packed stories that made it from the page to the big screen that any reader will enjoy.
“The Spy Who Loved Me”
Roger Moore stars as one of our favorite British spies in “The Spy Who Loved Me.” This movie adaptation is full of action as British intelligence takes on submarine hijackers.
James Bond: The Spy Who Loved Me -by Ian Fleming
The legend continues! Stand by for more adventures with the world's greatest secret agent, as some of his most thrilling missions are collected for the first time ever!
“Rambo” & “Rambo: First Blood Part II”
Both of the Sylvester Stallone starting films are based on the book First Blood.
First Blood by David Morrell
Millions saw the Rambo movies, but those who haven't read the book that started it all are in for a surprise -- a critically acclaimed story of character, action, and compassion.
“The Day of the Jackal”
The movie based on the #1 book of 1973, “The Day of the Jackal” revolves around a paid assassin at the top of his game.
The Day of the Jackal by Frederick Forsyth
"The Day of the Jackal makes such comparable books such as The Manchurian Candidate and The Spy Who Came in from the Cold seem like Hardy Boy mysteries."--The New York Times
“The Bourne Identity”
Matt Damon stars as Jason Bourne - a man who can't remember his own name. This thrilling story leads us on a race to discover - who is Jason Bourne?
The Bourne Identity by Robert Ludlum
"[Robert] Ludlum stuffs more surprises into his novels than any other six-pack of thriller writers combined."--The New York Times
“The Warriors”
If you ever plan a trip to NYC, you should watch this exhilarating movie that centers around New York City teenagers, left behind by society, who band together in street gangs.
The Warriors by Sol Yurick
The basis for the cult-classic film The Warriors chronicles one New York City gang's nocturnal journey through the seedy, dangerous subways and city streets of the 1960s.
“Duel”
Duel, Stephen Spielberg's terrifying first film, was adapted by Richard Matheson from his nail-biting short story of the same name.
Duel: Terror Stories by Richard Matheson
Over a dozen unforgettable tales of horror and suspense, including several stunning shockers that inspired timeless episodes of The Twilight Zone.
“Casino royale”
James Bond, played by Daniel Craig, plays a deadly game of chance in Ian Fleming's legendary first 007 novel.
Casino Royale: A James Bond Novel by Ian Fleming
The British Secret Service sends their best card sharp, James Bond, to bankrupt La ruthless operative and Soviet accountant for good.
“The Dirty Dozen”
A thrilling movie about a general who trains twelve doomed prisoners and leads them on an assassination mission during WWII. No longer in print, you can find used copies on Amazon or the eBook at Barnes & Noble.
The Dirty Dozen by E.M. Nathanson
The orders to Captain John Reisman were to select twelve prisoners convicted and doomed to be executed or serve lengthy prison terms and to train and qualify them in as much of the clever and dirty business of behind-the-lines operations as they could absorb in a brief time. Then, deliver them secretly onto the European mainland just prior to D-day, to wreak havoc upon segments and personnel of the Nazi war machine. What Reisman makes of these twelve human beings, their histories and capabilities...what they make of him...is the epic story of The Dirty Dozen.
“The Wages of Fear”
This movie adaptation is part of The Criterion Collection. The film's director was nicknamed “French Hitchcock” because of his ability to build nail-biting suspense. The book is extremely hard to come by, but if you have the money you can grab a used copy on Amazon.
The Wages of Fear is a suspenseful novel from 1953 about European and American expatriates trapped in a small town in Central America. The Southern Oil Company hires four men to transport nitroglycerine to contain a fire in an oilfield, viewing them as expendable.
“Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”
This movie won over 100 awards across the globe including four Oscars. You'll have to learn Chinese to read the book, but the movie is great alternative.
Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon by Dulu Wang - Hong Wang
王度廬是中國著名的武俠言情小說作家，在上個世紀三四十年代曾發表过大量小說、雜文、詩詞等作品。《鶴驚昆侖》、《寶劍金釵》、《劍氣珠光》、《臥虎藏龍》、《鐵騎銀瓶》是王度廬創作的武俠悲情小說，通常被合稱為"鶴-鐵五部"。2000年李安導演根據該系列改編的電影《臥虎藏龍》，曾獲得40多個國際電影獎，並榮獲了第73屆奧斯卡最佳外語片等四項大獎。
“Ben-Hur”
“Ben Hur” is considered a must-watch movie with a slew of awards including 11 Oscar wins. Charlton Heston stars as a Jewish prince who is sent into slavery, but manages to regain his freedom and seek revenge.
Ben-Hur: A Tale of the Christ -- The Unabridged Original 1880 Edition by Lew Wallace
Ben-Hur surpassed the fabulously popular Uncle Tom in the 19th century and was beloved for its attempt to faithfully represent the life and times of Jesus, and the person of Jesus himself.
“The Adventures of Robin Hood”
Errol Flynn and Olivia de Havilland star in the Oscar-winning adaptation. The story of Robin Hood comes from William Langland's book Piers Plowman.
Piers Plowman: A New Translation of the B-Text by William Langland
One of the greatest poems of the English Middle Ages, Piers Plowman remains of enduring interest for its vivid picture of the whole life of medieval society, its deeply imaginative religious vision, and its passionate concern to see justice and truth prevail in our world.
A couple of other retellings of Robin Hood's story include:
Young Robin Hood by George Manville Fenn
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and
The Merry Adventures of Robin Hood by Howard Pyle
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“Goldfinger”
Sean Connery takes on the role of martini-loving James Bond in another Ian Fleming adaptation from 1964.
Goldfinger: A James Bond Novel by Ian Fleming
Bond uncovers an ingenious gold-smuggling scheme, as well as Goldfinger's most daring caper yet: Operation Grand Slam, a heist so audacious it could bring down the world economy.
“Bullitt”
Car chases so cool that they named a car “Bullitt.” Check out Mr. Cool himself - Steve McQueen - in this action-adventure classic!
Mute Witness by Robert L Fish - Kevin T Collins narrates
To protect a witness, a loose cannon of a cop takes on the whole mob. He will bring fiery justice to those responsible, whether the rats are in the mafia or in City Hall.
“The French Connection”
Gene Hackman plays a NYPD detective. He, along with a fellow detective, discover a heroin-smuggling ring. The action is tense as the detective attempt to capture the drug leaders in this book to screen classic.
French Connection: A True Account of Cops, Narcotics, and International Conspiracy by Robin Moore
The gripping account of an extraordinary international narcotics case, as it unfolds on the streets of New York City.
“Die Hard”
The much-adored Christmas movie, “Die Hard,” is based on this action-packed thriller by Roderick Thorp.
Nothing Lasts Forever (Basis for the Film Die Hard) by Roderick Thorp
Every action fan knows it could only be the explosive big-screen blockbuster "Die Hard". But before Bruce Willis blew away audiences as unstoppable hero John McClane, author Roderick Thorp knocked out thriller readers with the bestseller that started it all.
“Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World”
Oscar-winner, Russell Crowe, alongside Paul Bettany stars in this award-winning adaptation based on the book by Patrick O'Brian.
Master and Commander by Patrick O'Brian
Jack Aubrey and Stephen Maturin form a legendary friendship on the HMS Sophie during the Napoleonic Wars in this thrilling voyage.
“Edge of Tomorrow”
This major motion picture stars Tom Cruise, Emily Blunt, and Bill Paxton. The award-winning film features a soldier fighting against aliens again and again…think “Alien” meets “Groundhog Day."
All You Need Is Kill by Hiroshi Sakurazaka - Lee Ferguson - Nick Mamatas
Author Nick Mamatas (Bullettime, Love Is the Law) and artist Lee Ferguson (Miranda Mercury, Green Arrow/Black Canary) give Hiroshi Sakurazaka's mind-bending alien invasion tale a bold new look in the official comic adaption of the original novel.
“The Running Man”
Talk about a reality game show getting a little out-of-hand. The Running Man stars Arnold Schwarzenegger in a dystopian world battling for his freedom.
The Running Man by Stephen King
A desperate man attempts to win a reality TV game where the only objective is to stay alive in this #1 national bestseller from Stephen King, writing as Richard Bachman. "Under any name King mesmerizes the reader" (Chicago Sun-Times).
“Battle ROyale”
If you thought your freshman year was bad…watch this survival action movie based on the novel of the same name.
Battle Royale: Remastered by Koushun Takami
In a dystopian future Japan, forty-two junior high school students are outfitted with weapons and bid to kill one another until there is only one left standing.