Book adaptations have grown significantly in popularity since the 1990s, which represented roughly 8% of major studio releases at the time. Today, they account for 70% of top-grossing films in theaters, according to 2024 data.
Using data from Box Office Mojo, Business Insider compiled the 25 highest-grossing book adaptations, including children’s novels, biographies, and other literary works, at the worldwide box office.
We did not include comic-book or stage adaptations, and the figures are not adjusted for inflation.
Here are the 25 highest-grossing book adaptations at the box office.
25. The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe (2005)
Andrew Adamson (Director), Daichi Mao, Tilda Swinton (White Witch), Skander Keynes, Georgie Henley, Anna Popplewel, William Moseley and Mark Johnson (producer) (Photo by JIL Studio/FilmMagic)
JIL Studio/FilmMagic
Worldwide gross: $745,013,115
C.S. Lewis’s children’s novel made its way to the screen after decades of interest in adaptation.
The movie won the Academy Award for Best Makeup and Hairstyling.
24. The Hunger Games: Mockingjay – Part 1 (2014)
CANNES, FRANCE – MAY 17: Actress Jennifer Lawrence attends “The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part 1” party at the 67th Annual Cannes Film Festival on May 17, 2014 in Cannes, France.
Ian Gavan/Getty Images
Worldwide gross: $758,846,335
Suzanne Collins’ third “Hunger Games” book was split into two films, with Part 1 ending when Katniss sees Peeta after his Capitol appearances.
Tom Hanks, Audrey Tautou and Jean Reno during 2006 Cannes Film Festival – Opening Night Gala and World Premiere of “The Da Vinci Code” – Arrivals at Palais de Festival in Cannes, France, France. (Photo by J. Vespa/WireImage)
J. Vespa/WireImage
Worldwide gross: $801,349,858
The adaptation of Dan Brown’s novel premiered at Cannes and arrived amid controversy over its religious-conspiracy storyline.
The film sent its audience through real art, symbols, and European landmarks, though much of the historical premise is fictional.
22. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004)
LONDON – MAY 30: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME) Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and J.K. Rowling attend the UK Premiere of “Harry Potter And The Prisoner Of Azkaban” at the Odeon Leicester Square on May 30, 2004 in London. The film
Dave Benett/Getty Images
Worldwide gross: $810,573,261
Alfonso Cuarón took over as director of the Harry Potter franchise for the third movie and gave the series a darker visual and thematic style.
The film opened to nearly $94 million in domestic box office sales.
21. The Hunger Games: Catching Fire (2013)
OS ANGELES, CA – NOVEMBER 18: Actors Liam Hemsworth, Elizabeth Banks, Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson attend the premiere of Lionsgate’s ‘The Hunger Games: Cathching Fire’ at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live on November 18, 2013 in Los Angeles, California. (
Frazer Harrison/Getty Images
Worldwide gross: $865,864,687
“Catching Fire” opened to $158.1 million in North America, then the biggest November opening weekend ever.
20. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002)
Co-stars Emma Watson, Daniel Radcliffe and Rupert Grint attending the N.Y. Premiere of Warner Bros. “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets” at the Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City. November 10, 2002. Photo by Evan Agostini/ImageDirect.
Evan Agostini/Getty Images
Worldwide gross: $883,459,548
“The Chamber of Secrets” was the last “Harry Potter” film directed by Chris Columbus.
19. The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 (2012)
MADRID, SPAIN – NOVEMBER 15: (L-R) Actors Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson attend the “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2” (La Saga Crepusculo: Amanecer Parte 2) photocall at the Villamagna Hotel on November 15, 2012 in Madrid, Spain.
Carlos Alvarez/Getty Images
Worldwide gross: $888,875,751
The final chapter delivered the saga’s most talked-about moment: a fight scene that did not happen in Stephenie Meyer’s novel.
It became the highest-grossing Twilight movie worldwide.
18. The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
Actors (left-right) Billy Boyd, Elijah Wood and Dominic Monaghan arrive at the Odeon Leicester Square in London, for the world premiere of their latest film Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. lotrgal (Photo by William Conran – PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images)
William Conran – PA Images/PA Images via Getty Images
Worldwide gross: $897,540,492
Peter Jackson’s first Middle-earth film, based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s three-volume book, began a trilogy largely shot in New Zealand.
It earned 13 Oscar nominations and won four, including Best Cinematography and Best Visual Effects.
17. Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (2005)
KAM_4799.jpg during Warner Bros.’ “Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire” New York City Premiere – Inside Arrivals at Ziegfeld Theatre in New York City, New York, United States. (Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage)
Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage
Worldwide gross: $900,463,002
“The Goblet of Fire” was the first and only “Harry Potter” movie directed by Mike Newell.
16. Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
HOLLYWOOD – JULY 08: Daniel Radcliffe at the “Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix” premiere at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre on July 8, 2007 in Hollywood, California.
Eric Charbonneau/WireImage
Worldwide gross: $939,165,729
“The Order of the Phoenix” is the second-shortest “Harry Potter” film, despite it being the longest novel J.K. Rowling wrote in the series.
David Yates made his franchise-directing debut here and went on to direct the final four films.
15. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (2009)
NEW YORK CITY, NY – JULY 9: (L-R) Freddie Stroma, Warwick Davis, Michael Gambon, Bonnie Wright, Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint, Tom Felton and Alan Rickman attend WARNER BROTHERS PICTURES Presents the North American Premiere of HARRY POTTER and the HALF-BLOOD PRINCE at Ziegfeld Theatre on
Photo of the cast from “Lords of the Rings 2”: The Two Towers. (Photo by Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty Images)
Stephane Cardinale/Corbis via Getty Images
Worldwide gross: $945,185,917
“The Two Towers,” the second installment in the trilogy, opened to $62 million in North America.
13. The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
BERLIN, GERMANY – DECEMBER 09: Evangeline Lilly attends the German premiere of the film ‘The Hobbit: The Desolation Of Smaug’ (Der Hobbit: Smaugs Einoede) at Sony Centre on December 9, 2013 in Berlin, Germany. (Photo by Target Presse Agentur Gmbh/WireImage)
12. The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies (2014)
HOLLYWOOD, CA – DECEMBER 09: (L-R) Actors Billy Boyd, Orlando Bloom, Andy Serkis and Elijah Wood attend the premiere of New Line Cinema, MGM Pictures and Warner Bros. Pictures’ “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” at the Dolby Theatre on December 9, 2014 in Hollywood, California.
David Livingston/Getty Images
Worldwide gross: $962,749,443
The conclusion to Peter Jackson’s “Hobbit” trilogy opened to $56.2 million domestically over its first weekend.
The finale closed Jackson’s six-film Middle-earth saga with its sprawling titular battle, bringing together dwarves, elves, men, orcs, and eagles.
11. The Jungle Book (2016)
ONDON, ENGLAND – APRIL 13: Neel Sethi and Sir Ben Kingsley arrive for the European premiere of “The Jungle Book” at BFI IMAX on April 13, 2016 in London, England.
Mike Marsland/WireImage
Worldwide gross: $967,724,775
Director Jon Favreau’s remake of author Rudyard Kipling’s collection of short stories won the Oscar for Best Visual Effects.
It became one of Disney’s biggest live-action remake successes.
10. Oppenheimer (2023)
Samir Hussein/WireImage
Worldwide gross: $975,811,333
Christopher Nolan’s three-hour historical drama, based on the biography by Kai Bird and Martin J. Sherwin, “American Prometheus: The Triumph and Tragedy of J. Robert Oppenheimer,” became a global event alongside “Barbie” in the “Barbenheimer” phenomenon.
It became the highest-grossing biographical film ever and one of the rare R-rated movies to near $1 billion worldwide. It won seven Oscars, including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor for Cillian Murphy, and Best Supporting Actor for Robert Downey Jr.
9. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 1 (2010)
NEW YORK – NOVEMBER 15: (L-R) Daniel Radcliffe, Emma Watson, Rupert Grint and Tom Felton attend the premiere of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 1” at Alice Tully Hall on November 15, 2010 in New York City. (Photo by Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images)
Stephen Lovekin/Getty Images
Worldwide gross: $991,222,542
The first movie of the two-part finale opened to $125 million in North America and about $330 million worldwide, giving the franchise one of its biggest launches to that point.
It ultimately finished just shy of $1 billion globally, despite shifting the action away from Hogwarts and into a darker Horcrux hunt.
8. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012)
ONDON, ENGLAND – DECEMBER 12: (EMBARGOED FOR PUBLICATION IN UK TABLOID NEWSPAPERS UNTIL 48 HOURS AFTER CREATE DATE AND TIME. MANDATORY CREDIT PHOTO BY DAVE M. BENETT/WIREIMAGE REQUIRED) (L-R) Andy Serkis, Peter Jackson, James Nesbitt, Martin Freeman, Cate Blanchett, Richard Armitage
Dave M. Benett/WireImage
Worldwide gross: $1,017,453,991
Peter Jackson’s return to Middle-earth opened to $84.6 million domestically and more than $222 million worldwide.
It went on to become the first “Hobbit” film to cross $1 billion globally, proving that audiences were eager to return to the franchise nearly one decade after “The Return of the King.”
7. Alice in Wonderland (2010)
LONDON, ENGLAND – FEBRUARY 25: Director Tim Burton, actresses Helena Bonham Carter, Anne Hathaway, Mia Wasikowska and actor Johnny Depp onstage ahead of the Royal World Premiere of Tim Burton’s ‘Alice In Wonderland’ at the Odeon Leicester Square on February 25, 2010 in London, England.
Jon Furniss/WireImage
Worldwide gross: $1,025,468,216
Tim Burton’s 3D reimagining of Lewis Carroll’s children’s novel opened to a $116.1 million opening weekend in North America.
6. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone (2001)
ONDON – NOVEMBER 4: (L to R) Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley), author J.K. Rowling, Daniel Radcliffe (Harry Potter) and Emma Watson (Hermione Granger) attend the world film premiere of “Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone” at the Odeon Leicester Square cinema in London on November 4, 2001.
Gareth Davies/Getty Images
Worldwide gross: $1,045,057,555
Released in the US as “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone,” it launched one of cinema’s most durable and popular film franchises.
Actors Jeff Goldblum (L) and Laura Dern (R) arrive for the world premiere of the movie “Jurassic Park” in Washington 09 June 1993. The new Steven Spielberg movie is a fantasy about dinosaurs being genetically recreated.
J. DAVID AKE/AFP via Getty Images
Worldwide gross: $1,103,136,084
Michael Crichton’s 1990 science fiction novel about genetically recreated dinosaurs was a major hit for moviegoers.
The film’s opening weekend in June 1993 grossed $50 million in the US, and showed audiences a new kind of summer blockbuster — one that would pave the way for future science-fiction book adaptations.
4. The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND – DECEMBER 1: Lord of the Rings stars and crew gather with New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark (5th-R, grey shawl) and Mayor of Wellington City Kerry Prendergast (4th-R, red shawl) during the world premiere of the film, “Lord of the Rings – Return of the King” at the Embassy Theatre December 1, 2003 i
Dean Treml/Getty Images
Worldwide gross: $1,149,453,674
The trilogy finale became the first fantasy film to win Best Picture at the Oscars. Its 11 Oscar wins tied the all-time record set by “Ben-Hur” and later matched by “Titanic.”
OS ANGELES, CA – MARCH 02: (L-R top) Actors Luke Evans, Josh Gad and Gugu Mbatha-Raw (L-R bottom) Director Bill Condon, Actors Dan Stevens, Emma Watson, Audra McDonald and Composer Alan Menken arrive for the world premiere of Disney’s live-action “Beauty and the Beast” at the El Capitan Theatre in Hollywood as the
Jesse Grant/Getty Images for Disney
Worldwide gross: $1,266,115,964
Disney’s live-action Beauty and the Beast starred Emma Watson as Belle and Dan Stevens as the Beast. It’s a remake of the original cartoon, which was based on the 1740 tale by French author Gabrielle-Suzanne Barbot de Villeneuve.
2. Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part 2 (2011)
Daniel Radcliffe (C), star of “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows — Part 2” arrives on the red carpet for the North American premiere July 11, 2011 at Lincoln Center in New York. AFP PHOTO/Stan HONDA (Photo credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP via Getty Images)
credit should read STAN HONDA/AFP via Getty Images
Worldwide gross: $1,380,707,407
The finale delivered the Battle of Hogwarts and concluded a film franchise that had run for a decade. It became the highest-grossing “Harry Potter” film.
Its $483.2 million global opening was a record at the time.
1. The Odyssey (2026)
NEW YORK, NEW YORK – JULY 14: (L-R) Charlize Theron, Samantha Morton, John Leguizamo, Tom Holland, Matt Damon, Anne Hathaway, Lupita Nyong’o, and Zendaya attend the premiere of “The Odyssey” presented by Universal Pictures on July 14, 2026 in New York City. (Photo by Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Universal Pictures)
Mike Coppola/Getty Images for Universal Pictures
Worldwide gross: $1,686,587,560
“The Odyssey” stands as the highest-grossing book adaptation on the list and one of 2026’s defining box office hits.
The film brings Homer’s ancient Greek epic poem, which follows Odysseus’ long journey home after the Trojan War, to a modern audience.
