Top 11 Horror Movie Adaptations From Books on Netflix

Did you catch that July 30th is Paperback Book Day? As we raise a toast to the first Penguin Books paperbacks in 1935, it’s a splendid reason to savor the pure delight of a good book. But let’s be real, with our hectic lives, diving into a whole book isn’t always on the cards. This July, let’s shake things up – join us in basking in the finest horror movies on Netflix inspired by novels, short stories, manga, and more. Picture this: gripping tales that fit snugly between paperback covers. Are you in?

Best Horror Movies on Netflix Based on Novels

1. Malevolent (2018)

• Director: Olaf de Fleur | Runtime: 88 minutes
• Florence Pugh takes charge in “Malevolent,” a tale of sibling scammers turned paranormal investigators. Based on Eva Konstantopoulos’ “Hush” (2011), get ready for 88 minutes of suspense.

2. The Ritual (2017)

• Director: David Bruckner | Runtime: 94 minutes
• David Bruckner’s “The Ritual” crafts a wicked folk horror story based on Adam Nevill’s 2011 novel. Fractured friendships and Swedish wilderness await in this 94-minute spine-chiller.

3. Homunculus (2021)

• Director: Takashi Shimizu | Runtime: 116 minutes
• Dive into the psychological thriller, “Homunculus,” where experimental surgery unveils distorted visions. Based on Hideo Yamamoto’s manga (2003-2011), Takashi Shimizu adds horror to the psychological mix.

4. Bird Box Barcelona (2023)

• Directors: Álex Pastor, David Pastor | Available starting July 14
• Not a sequel but a spinoff, “Bird Box Barcelona” promises apocalyptic horror. Set in Spain and crafted by Spanish filmmakers, this fresh take premieres on July 14.

5. The Fear Street Trilogy (2021)

• Director: Leigh Janiak | Runtime: 331 minutes total
• Leigh Janiak’s “Fear Street” trilogy, based on R.L. Stine’s books, brings R-rated horror with a nostalgic slasher vibe. From the 1970s to the 1600s, this series keeps the slasher feel alive.

6. Gerald’s Game (2017)

• Director: Mike Flanagan | Runtime: 103 minutes
• Mike Flanagan takes on Stephen King’s supposedly unfilmable novel (1992) in “Gerald’s Game.” Carla Gugino navigates a terrifying situation in this gripping 103-minute adaptation.

7. The Pale Blue Eye (2022)

• Director: Scott Cooper | Runtime: 130 minutes
• More detective than horror, “The Pale Blue Eye” dives into horror territory occasionally. Christian Bale and Harry Melling lead the cast in this atmospheric mystery.

8. No One Gets Out Alive (2021)

• Director: Santiago Menghini | Runtime: 87 minutes
• Santiago Menghini’s debut, “No One Gets Out Alive,” draws from Adam Nevill’s 2014 novel. Cristina Rodlo’s Ambar discovers that escaping a haunted boarding house involves facing both supernatural and unsettlingly human horrors.

9. The Influence (2019)

• Director: Denis Rovira van Boekholt | Runtime: 102 minutes
• Derived from Ramsey Campbell’s 1988 novel, “The Influence” weaves Alicia’s struggles with family history and witchcraft. Denis Rovira van Boekholt crafts a gripping tale as Alicia confronts her past while caring for her dying mother.

10. The Thing (2011)

• Director: Matthijs van Heijningen Jr. | Runtime: 102 minutes
• A prequel to John Carpenter’s classic, “The Thing (2011)” draws inspiration from John W. Campbell Jr.’s novella “Who Goes There?” (1938). Despite CGI reliance, this creature feature offers a fun and suspenseful experience.

11. The Ring (2002)

• Director: Gore Verbinski | Runtime: 115 minutes
• Closing our list, “The Ring (2002)” serves as a compelling example of a book-to-movie success. A remake of the 1998 Japanese film and based on Koji Suzuki’s 1991 novel, it remains a must-watch for horror enthusiasts.

More Netflix Horror Movies Based on Novels

Expand your horror watchlist with these additional recommendations:

• Secret Window (2004): A gripping adaptation of Stephen King’s “Secret Window, Secret Garden,” starring Johnny Depp in a cat-and-mouse game with a disgruntled writer.
• Death Note (2017): Derived from the Japanese manga, this Netflix adaptation follows a teenager’s discovery of a deadly notebook.
• The Silence (2019): Stanley Tucci and Kiernan Shipka navigate a world hunted by sound in this adaptation of Tim Lebbon’s novel.
• Don’t Kill Me (2021): Based on Chiara Palazzolo’s novel, this romance-horror revolves around a young woman’s resurrection after a drug overdose.
• Kingdom: Ashin of the North (2021): While technically a spinoff, this gripping zombie tale adds a refreshing twist to the South Korean graphic novel, “The Kingdom of the Gods.”
• Things Heard & Seen (2021): Amanda Seyfried stars in this haunting film based on Elizabeth Brundage’s novel, “All Things Cease to Appear.”
• There’s Someone Inside Your House (2021): A teen slasher with a vintage feel, adapted from Stephanie Perkins’ novel, delivers suspenseful horror.

In this July, let your nightmares unfold on the screen as literature meets cinema. From psychological thrillers to supernatural horrors, these Netflix adaptations promise to keep you on the edge of your seat. Happy Paperback Book Day, and remember, sometimes the pages are just as haunting as the screen.

Final Thoughts

July’s Paperback Book Day offers more than just reading pleasures; it brings spine-tingling horror stories to life on Netflix. Grab your popcorn, dim the lights, and immerse yourself in these thrilling adaptations for a chilling escape.

Unleash your fears on Netflix this July!