It seems like just about everything is getting a live action makeover these days. Books that used to be resigned to Tumblr fan castings, now play all over the world on big and little screens. Even animated movies are getting reimagined in the flesh, whether they need it or not. Disney, in particular, has been riding this wave recently by taking many of its classic animated films and giving them a revamp.
But while there are some great examples of books turned live action movies and TV out there, the potential for animated adaptations seems a bit overlooked in comparison. Look at movies like “Coraline” and “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” for example. Both of those adaptations are so well done, the movies quickly became classics in their own right. Plenty of other books lend themselves to the same whimsical and inspired storytelling. Sometimes those qualities are something only animation can truly capture.
Percy Jackson and the Olympians by Rick Riordan
The Percy Jackson series is no stranger to adaptations. First, you have the two movies from the 2010s, which despite the director behind movies like “Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone” and “Home Alone” at the forefront, failed to please fans. Then, there’s the more recent TV series from Disney+ that seems to be fairing better. Oh, and don’t forget the Broadway musical. But what hasn’t been done — an animated film — could offer what these other adaptations were missing. The youthfulness of the characters, humor of the narration, and all the intense battle scenes would mesh well in an animated format.
Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
While the Percy Jackson series would work well with a brighter tone, not all animated adaptations need that. Even some more adult novels with darker themes would benefit from animation as a medium. The first of these would be “Neverwhere” by Neil Gaiman, which follows a disillusioned businessman whose life turns upside down when he discovers an alternate underground London. The book is dark and fantastical with a wit that Gaiman carries throughout most of his writing. I think the world itself and the characters would come to life in styles similar to “Le Magasin des Suicides.”
The Witches by Roald Dahl
Another well-adapted author is Roald Dahl. Some of the most popular have been “Matilda” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory,” but those featuring animation have notably been “Fantastic Mr. Fox,” “James and the Giant Peach,” and more recently, “The Twits.” Dahl’s novel, “The Witches,” already has a live action adaptation, released in 2020. However, to me, this movie doesn’t capture Dahl’s style the way others have. The original story has humor but also leans into darker elements and a bittersweet ending, whereas the film leans heavier into the humor. I think stop motion could work well for this story with something like “Fantastic Mr. Fox” or Laika Studio’s style of animation.
The Stormlight Archive by Brandon Sanderson
Brandon Sanderson’s work has been in many conversations surrounding film and TV adaptations. One of his most popular series, The Stormlight Archive, is one of those brought up time and time again. However, a common concern that I agree with is how well the unique world, creatures, and magic systems in the series would translate to screen. Frankly, the various types of spren that feature throughout the books coupled with the powers of surgebinding and lashing, in particular, are enough to make me believe a live action with CGI elements would look silly at best. On the other hand, an anime-style adaptation à la “Attack on Titan” would have a lot more freedom with what could be portrayed on screen.
Where the Wild Things Are by Maurice Sendak
Yes, “Where the Wild Things Are” technically already has an animated adaptation. The live action film made every child sitting in the theater back in 2009 wonder if it really was meant for kids. But I still would love to see an animated take on this story. It’s a classic from my childhood and many others that is whimsical and imaginative while maintaining a heart-warming message at its core. This is another book I think would lend itself to stop-motion animation in particular. I always thought the monsters were just the right mix of sweet and unsettling, and if any animation style works with unsettling characters it’s stop motion. I want to see them realized with all the little textures and quirks that make them unique. That way, they feel tangible even through the screen.
A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
I really did enjoy the adaptations for this Lemony Snicket series, both the 2004 movie and the 2017 TV series. But if you’ve seen the title sequence for the movie adaptation, you’ll know why I’m still craving an animated version. The whole sequence is a beautifully macabre animation that, in my opinion, perfectly captures the essence of the novels. If a whole movie followed in exactly the same fashion, I would be more than happy.
The City of Ember by Jeanne DuPrau
One of my favorite books as a kid was “The City of Ember,” first in the Books of Ember series by Jeanne DuPrau. The books are set in a post-apocalyptic underground city called Ember where humanity once intended to survive for centuries. But as supplies start to run out and the city comes closer to eternal darkness, two kids must team up to find a way out. We have the movie adaptation featuring Saoirse Ronan, which was alright. The set design was one of the highlights of that movie and seeing that made me think an animated take on the underground city could look even cooler.
Gregor the Overlander by Suzanne Collins
While Suzanne Collins may be known for The Hunger Games universe, “Gregor the Overlander” is where many of us met her first. This is the first book in The Underland Chronicles and it follows a young boy caught up in a prophecy. That prophecy sends him on a dangerous journey through the Underland, a hidden world beneath NYC’s streets. The book features all the great middle-grade fantasy elements from exploring new lands to big battle scenes. Plus, there’s giant spiders. What’s not to love? I think this would make a really fun fantasy movie and animation would work well with the number of fantastical non-human characters featured in the books.
The Girl Who Circumnavigated Fairyland in a Ship of Her Own Making by Catherynne M. Valente
This title is quite the mouthful, but don’t let it deter you from checking out this whimsical middle-grade novel. The story centers on a young girl named September who finds herself on a quest to save the world of Fairyland. She encounters all sorts of people and creatures, some better than others, along her journey. This book has a similar feel to “Alice in Wonderland.” Given that, it could work in a similar 2-D style to the original “Alice in Wonderland” movie from 1951. On the other hand, I would also like to see this one in a stop-motion style, especially the dragons and other whimsical friends September runs into.
Chain-Gang All-Stars by Nana Kwame Adjei-Brenyah
Last but not least, is “Chain-Gang All-Stars” by Nana Kwame Adje-Brenyah. This is the newest book on this list. It only released in 2023, but I think it would make a stunning animated film. The novel is a dystopian, afro-futuristic story. In it, the prison system puts inmates in front of an audience to fight for their freedom. The prisoners fight in arenas as gladiators in front of live audiences, as well as live stream viewers. The book is bold, futuristic, and gritty with sharp social commentary spread throughout. I would love to see an animated take on this story lean into a cyberpunk feel with bold colors and sleek lines. I would also love to see something like “Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse” where multiple animation styles mix to create something wholly unique. Bonus points for comic book-like transitions and sound effect balloons.
