What's better? The book or the movie?
Fortunately, for fans of certain favorite children and teen books, the next 14 months will offer 10 opportunities to compare and contrast between books and the movies based on them.
From nursery classics such as Peter Rabbit and The Story of Ferdinand to 'tween and teen-targeted thrillers including Maze Runner and Ready Player One, children's books and young adult novels are getting the Hollywood treatment. And now that movie trailers, sneak peeks and behind-the-scenes footage hit the internet months in advance of the films' releases, children's excitement for big-screen adaptations of their favorite books starts early.
Check out the film adaptations hitting the big screen in 2017 and 2018 to see if you'd like to read up before you step up to the box office. Then, after viewing, you'll be ready to answer the question.
Wonderstruck, book by Brian Selznick
In select theaters Friday
Who's in it? Oakes Fegley, Julianne Moore, Michelle Williams
This engrossing novel tells the stories of two children -- Ben in 1977 Minnesota and Rose in 1927 New Jersey -- at once. Half the story is in words, and the other is in pictures. Both children are deaf, and they both flee to New York, where their stories converge in the Natural History Museum.
Why we're excited: Caldecott Medal-winning author-illustrator Brian Selznick (The Invention of Hugo Cabret) wrote the screenplay, so his creative vision should be true to the book. Director Todd Haynes, who was nominated for a Best Original Screenplay Oscar for Far From Heaven, also is known for his artistic storytelling. As the movie's trailer reveals, the older time period is depicted in black and white to signify a contrast between the two stories.
Wonder, book by R.J. Palacio
In theaters Nov. 17
Who's in it? Julia Roberts, Owen Wilson, Mandy Patinkin, Daveed Diggs, Jacob Tremblay
This beloved middle-school novel follows Auggie Pulman's year in fifth grade. Homeschooled and facially deformed, Auggie enters a private school where he experiences bullies, true friendship and an inspiring, compassionate teacher.
Why we're excited: Wonder has clung to the best-seller list practically nonstop since it came out in 2012. As fans of Auggie's coming-of-age adventure, we're eager to see whether the screen version does him and the book justice. As with the book, the film appears to be going for matter-of-fact acceptance rather than sentimental cliches.
Ferdinand the Bull, book by Munro Leaf
In theaters as Ferdinand on Dec. 15
Who's in it? Voice talents of John Cena, Kate McKinnon, David Tennant, Bobby Cannavale, Gina Rodriguez, Daveed Diggs
Based on the classic of children's literature, this film is a warmhearted, charming story of a bull who prefers smelling flowers to fighting. (It started out as a Disney cartoon in 1938, winning an Oscar for Best Short Subject.) Munro Leaf's unforgettable words and Robert Lawson's simple pen-and-ink illustrations show readers that they must choose their own path, despite what others may say or think.
Why we're excited: This 3-D computer-animated comedy wildly expands the simple story children have loved for generations into a quest adventure after Ferdinand is mistaken for a dangerous beast. Captured and forced to compete in the bullfighting ring, he must get home to his loving human family with the help of a misfit team of animals. Even with the modern interpretation, the movie still looks to have the same core message that it's OK to be who you are.
Maze Runner: The Death Cure, book by James Dashner
In theaters Jan. 26
Who's in it? Nathalie Emmanuel, Dylan O'Brien, Walton Goggins, Katharine McNamara
After young hero Thomas declines to have an operation to get his memory back, he and his friends plan an escape from WCKD (the government agency) headquarters and go to Denver, where they'll be protected from a terrible disease. It's not long before lawlessness reigns, and Thomas has to choose allegiance among three powerful forces.
Why we're excited: The third and final installment in this grim dystopian series has the potential to answer lingering questions. The book left a few holes, so we'll see if the movie does any better. In any case, there will be nail-biting suspense, exciting action, a high body count and special effects that will be sure to impress.
The Tale of Peter Rabbit, book by Beatrix Potter
In theaters as Peter Rabbit on Feb. 9
Who's in it? Voice talents of James Corden, Margot Robbie, Daisy Ridley; on-screen actors include Rose Byrne, Domhnall Gleeson
Who doesn't love rebellious Peter Rabbit, who, despite his mother's warning, explores the garden of Mr. McGregor and gets chased out with a rake? Frightened and out of breath, Peter finally sees the gate and slips back home. He's put to bed with a dose of chamomile tea while his three well-behaved sisters enjoy blackberries and milk.
Why we're excited: Only a few weeks after Ferdinand, we get yet another movie adaptation of one of the most popular animals in children's literature, and this one looks sweeter than blackberries. Potter's classic book is being re-imagined as an adventure comedy using a combo of live action and CGI animation. Corden brings his signature charm and humor as the voice of Peter.
A Wrinkle in Time, book by Madeleine L'Engle
In theaters March 9
Who's in it? Chris Pine, Reese Witherspoon, Oprah Winfrey, Mindy Kaling, Zach Galifianakis
This classic book from 1962 has been many middle-school readers' introduction to science fiction. But the story of a scientifically minded girl's quest through time and space to find and rescue her physicist father has lots of heart, too.
Why we're excited: Even though it was originally made as a very long TV movie in 2001, the new feature film promises to be a full-blown fantasy whirlwind. We expect great things from director Ava DuVernay, who was the first black woman to get a Golden Globe nomination for Best Director for Selma in 2014. Plus, it has Oprah -- need we say more?
Ready Player One, book by Ernest Cline
In theaters March 30
Who's in it? Hannah John-Kamen, Vin Diesel, Mark Rylance, T.J. Miller
This smart, funny science-fiction thriller deals with a high-stakes online contest that mixes puzzles with video game violence. Set in a depressed future United States, where most people escape into virtual reality, it features a bunch of tough-talking teens fighting to keep their online playground out of the hands of an evil corporation.
Why we're excited: The provocative book celebrates and critiques online culture. It'll be interesting to see whether the movie, directed by Steven Spielberg, strikes that same balance. There's plenty of action on the page, and we know Spielberg's skill at climactic face-offs and special-effects wizardry.
The Jungle Book, book by Rudyard Kipling
In theaters Oct. 19, 2018 (tentatively)
Who's in it? Live-action actors Matthew Rhys, Freida Pinto; motion-capture performances of animals by Andy Serkis, Christian Bale, Benedict Cumberbatch, Cate Blanchett
There are loads of action and adventure in this century-old collection of short stories. From Mowgli's battle of wits with Shere Khan the tiger to Rikki-Tikki-Tavi's duel with cobras, the colorful characters never fail to inspire. The Jungle Book also includes positive messages about respecting the laws of nature and how compassion triumphs over brute strength.
Why we're excited: Even though we liked the 2016 live-action/computer-generated Disney version, that film was based on Disney's own animated feature. This new Warner Bros. version is based on Kipling's classic text, so it could be darker -- but it has more genuine live action. First-time director Andy Serkis, known for his performance-capture acting and voice work for computer-generated characters such as Gollum in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, has his work cut out for him. But if his madcap Twitter feed is any indication, we're in for a wild ride.
How the Grinch Stole Christmas, book by Dr. Seuss
In theaters Nov. 9, 2018 (tentatively)
Who's in it? Voice talents of Benedict Cumberbatch
This classic Christmas read-aloud features one of the funniest scoundrels in children's literature: the mean, green Grinch, who aims to stop Christmas by impersonating Santa and stealing every last possession from the Whos of Whoville. Seuss subtly exposes greed and commercialism, while promoting the values of love and community with wit, humor, and flawlessly constructed rhymes.
Why we're excited: Fans disagree on which screen version of the Grinch is best: the animated 1966 TV special or the 2000 live-action version with Jim Carrey. This new version should make the debate even more interesting. This adaptation stretches the story to feature-film length but uses cutting-edge CGI. Could it be the best of both worlds?
Mary Poppins, book by P.L. Travers
In theaters as Mary Poppins Returns on Dec. 25, 2018 (tentatively)
Who's in it? Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep, Colin Firth, Lin-Manuel Miranda
P.L. Travers' classic children's novel about a quirky nanny who transforms the Banks family of London is charming and magical -- if a bit old-fashioned. It offers timeless lessons about good manners and understanding other points of view.
Why we're excited: Set in Depression-era London, with Jane and Michael Banks all grown up, Mary Poppins Returns is a sequel to the original Mary Poppins starring Julie Andrews. Plus, it'll be fun to see Hamilton star and creator Lin-Manuel Miranda as Mary's lamplighter friend Jack in a venue we can afford. Rob Marshall (Into the Woods, Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides) directs. And Marc Shaiman and Scott Wittman, the team behind Hairspray, wrote the songs, so you know they'll be catchy.
Family on 10/18/2017