10 Movie Adaptations That Have Nothing to Do With the Books They're Based On

1. The Lawnmower Man (1992)

Stephen King 's short story about a satyr-like lawnmower man who devours grass turned into a cybernetic thriller about virtual reality? Say what? Yes, indeed, that's what happened in The Lawnmower Man. The movie features Pierce Brosnan as a scientist who uses a simple-minded gardener (Jeff Fahey) for his virtual reality experiments, leading to terrifying results. King was so unhappy with the adaptation that he sued to have his name removed from the film's title. Despite this divergence from the original tale, the film managed a rather neat 37% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The audience wasn't exactly blown away, but hey, at least it gave us a fascinating piece of trivia!

2. World War Z (2013)

Adapting Max Brooks' anthology-style novel was always going to be a challenge, but the film version of World War Z practically created an entirely new story. Sure, there are zombies and Brad Pitt, but the movie forgoes the book's collection of post-zombie war interviews in favor of a more traditional, action-packed narrative. Interestingly, production was plagued by script rewrites and reshoots, adding to the film's departure from the original plot. Still, the film's high-energy undead escapades earned it a 66% Rotten Tomatoes rating and an Academy Award nomination for Best Visual Effects.

3. Ella Enchanted (2004)

Gail Carson Levine's novel is a delightful spin on the Cinderella tale, imbuing its protagonist with a compelling curse: she must obey any order given to her. The movie, however, turned the nuanced, fairy-tale deconstruction into a teenage romantic comedy, complete with pop songs and a nefarious uncle who wasn't in the book. Critics weren't entirely enchanted, giving the movie a modest 51% on Rotten Tomatoes. Yet, Anne Hathaway 's performance and the film's light-hearted approach did resonate with a younger audience, creating a cult following that persists to this day.

4. I, Robot (2004)

Isaac Asimov's thoughtful and philosophical exploration of robots and their interaction with humans was transformed into an action-packed Will Smith vehicle. While the movie does tip its hat to Asimov's three laws of robotics, it diverges significantly from the book's introspective and episodic narratives. Instead, we get a conspiracy theory and a rogue robot to contend with. Still, despite the narrative departure, audiences enjoyed Smith's charisma and the special effects, netting the film a 56% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes and a nomination for Best Visual Effects at the Academy Awards.

5. The Scorpion King (2002)

Inspired by a character mentioned in passing in H.P. Lovecraft's short story, The Nameless City, The Scorpion King turned this barely-there character into an action hero played by Dwayne 'The Rock' Johnson. The film, a prequel to The Mummy Returns, replaced Lovecraft's typical cosmic horror with action-adventure elements, comedic relief, and a killer rock soundtrack. The film earned a 41% Rotten Tomatoes rating, but Johnson's charismatic performance catapulted him to action movie stardom, proving that not all adaptations need to stick to the source to find their sting.

6. Starship Troopers (1997)

If you've read Robert A. Heinlein's militaristic and politically charged novel, the satirical nature of Paul Verhoeven's movie adaptation might surprise you. Rather than a serious exploration of military life and morality, Verhoeven took a sardonic look at warfare, creating a movie filled with gore, bugs, and soapy drama. Notably, Verhoeven admitted to never finishing the book, calling it 'boring.' Despite a lukewarm response from critics, the film's campy tone garnered a cult following, with fans appreciating its satirical take on the military-industrial complex.

7. The Running Man (1987)

Another Stephen King adaptation, The Running Man, shares little with its source material other than its title and the game show concept. King's dystopian novel explores deep societal issues, whereas the film is more interested in showcasing Arnold Schwarzenegger's action chops. The movie's ending, the nature of the game, and even the characters vastly diverge from the book. Yet, the audience couldn't resist Schwarzenegger's charisma, and his one-liners became the stuff of movie legend. Even though it only has a 66% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, the film continues to entertain with its over-the-top action sequences.

8. The Shining (1980)

While Stanley Kubrick's The Shining is a horror classic, it strays considerably from Stephen King's original novel. The film emphasizes psychological horror and visual symbolism over King's exploration of alcoholism and personal demons. In fact, King was famously dissatisfied with Kubrick's adaptation, criticizing the director's interpretation of his characters. Despite the author's misgivings, the film earned iconic status, with Jack Nicholson's chilling performance and Kubrick's signature cinematography leaving an indelible mark on cinema.

9. Blade Runner ( 1982)

Inspired by Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep? Ridley Scott 's Blade Runner trades the book's post-apocalyptic setting and its protagonist's existential crisis for a visually stunning cyberpunk future and a noir detective story. Much of the book's subtler themes, like empathy and animal symbolism, are absent in the film. However, the movie's unique atmosphere, complex characters, and thought-provoking themes gifted it an iconic status after all, despite an initial lukewarm box-office response. It's a classic case of a movie taking the seed of an idea from a book and growing a completely different tree, just as brilliant.

10. Mary Poppins (1964)

The iconic Julie Andrews-starring musical strays considerably from P.L. Travers' series of books. The character of Mary Poppins in the movie is much softer, with the film opting for a more whimsical and musical approach compared to the books. Travers famously loathed the adaptation, particularly the animated sequences, and she wept at the premiere. Despite this, the film was a huge success, garnering 13 Oscar nominations and winning five, including Best Actress for Julie Andrews.