Some of the Best Ever Family Friendly Books that have been Made into Movies

Looking for some of the best ever family friendly books that have been made into movies?!  Today we will dive into some fantastic family friendly books that have been made into movies, so you will have tons of ideas!

Recently I wrote about how to make family time at home more fun.  One of the ideas I talked about was reading books as a family and then watching the movie version. Today, I’m going to share all of my favorite ideas that will help you get started on this fun, family time tradition!

One of my favorite family actives is to read aloud.  Couple that with watching the movie that has been made out of the book and you have the making’s of a fabulous and memorable family time!  Why is it so great?  It is a fabulous conversation starter.  It is almost impossible to read a book and then watch the movie version and not say “that’s not in the book!” with outrage.  It get event the quietest person talking and contributing to conversations.

So start today!  Read a chapter aloud to your family every day and when the book is finished have a fun movie night to get the conversations going!

DISCLOSURE:  This post may contain affiliate links…meaning, if you click on them, I may receive a commission if you make a purchase through my links. If you’d like more info about our policies and disclosure please click here. Thank you for supporting this community and blog!

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

Though I am sure there are endless options for books that have been turned into movies, below I’ll share some of the best ever family friendly ones to help you get started.

Here are some best ever family friendly books that have been made into movies –

Mary Poppins

Have you read the book?  I grew up watching the Mary Poppins movie, but I was absolutely shocked when our family read these books as a read aloud and they were so, so different than the movie!  This is a great book to start with because the differences are so drastic.  But don’t just take my word for it;).

Because of Winn Dixie

Next on my list of suggestions is possibly one of my all time favorite movies.  I’m not sure how many times we’ve watched it!  The book is a pretty quick read.  I can’t imagine anyone not loving this story!  Seriously, go get the book and dvd today and just in with your family :).

My Side of the Mountain

Now, this book has created quite a bit of conversation in our home.  My daughter absolutely loves this book and claims that boys would love it too!  On the flip side she thought the movie was a horrible representation of the book. She claimed there is almost nothing in common between the book and the film.  When my son is a bit older we will read this as a family and find out for ourselves.

But, whatever your opinion, it makes for fabulous conversation.  As of the time of writing this the dvd is pretty expensive, so give the library a try! 

From the Mixed-Up Files of Mrs. Basil E. Frankweiler

This was my dream as a child.  You know the books that  you read and then you hope with all your might that it could somehow come to life?  Well, that’s how the movie was for me. Now, the down side.  There are two versions of this story that have been made into a movie.  As a child I watched the newer one. It was so good!  But as of the writing of this, I can only find it used and is crazy expensive.  Someday I hope to find a copy somewhere – it would be so much fun!

There is 70’s version of the movie, but it has a different name.  It is called the The Hideaways.   The older version is not anywhere near as good, BUT it offers lots of conversation starter because of the age of the film (it’s just different than what kids are used to seeing nowadays), the style of the film, etc..  Heads up, the kids are very snotty in the movie!  But once again, it’s made for some great conversations in our home.  

Swiss Family Robinson

This is such a classic. Good on so many levels.  When I was a kid, I got to go to Disney World and walk through the Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse.  It was so cool, it felt like you could really live just like they did.  It all felt so real.  It obviously left an impression and ensured that I’ll always enjoy sharing this story with my children.  I  really  enjoy  the   movie  too.  It’s  such  a  good,  old  classic.

Holes

This is next our family list to read and watch together.  I saw the movie years ago and remember it being fantastic.  I have also heard that the movie is one of the best book to film transitions ever done, so I am super excited to read the book too.  I think this is one the whole family will get into.

Anne of Green Gables

Anne of Green Gables was one of my childhood all time favorites.  I have to admit though, it was the movie that I loved, not the book.  Now there are more versions of the movie.  I’ve seen the newer PBS version, but the older Sullivan Entertainment version of Anne of Green Gables is still hands down my favorite.

The Secret Garden

This was another favorite movie when I was a child.  I never read the book as a child, but this edition is especially beautiful because the illustrations are from Tasha Tudor!  This is such an inspiring story.  I think it is perfect for late winter to help get the whole family dreaming about gardens!  There are many versions of the movie but the 1980’s version is the best (in my opinion!).

Winnie the Pooh

This set of  includes the two poetry books but I wanted to include the whole Pooh set because it is what we have and what our kids love. You can order the books separate without the poetry books.  Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner (both by A. A. Milne) were booth used in the story line of the Disney movie, so I would at least read those two before watching the movie together. 

Narnia

This one is full of endless fun.  Really.  Some of these books have been made into a movie twice.  I know some people don’t like the old BBC version of the movies but they are so sweet and good!  If you are going to watch both movie versions, start with the old version first.  The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe, Prince Caspian, and The Voyage of the Dawn Treader all have two movies made out of them.  BBC also did a movie version of The Silver Chair.  The new versions are good too.  They have updated special effects etc. which make them much more believable and dramatic.

BBC Set

New Version Set

Charlotte’s Web

This is an all time classic!  We haven’t done this one in our home because one of my kids is very sensitive and I don’t think the ending would go over very well;.  But, in the coming years, I hope to read this together and watch the movie.

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory

Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is another classic that absolutely captures everyone’s imaginations and lets it go free in the land of “anything is possible.”  The perk of this book is that it’s been made into two movies and the are both really good in their own way.  I almost always enjoy the older version of any movie more, but the newer movie version is pretty neat this time around!

Where the Wild Things Are

Finally, I’m sharing an idea that comes with a slight disclaimer.  I read the book all the time to my kids, but I haven’t watched the movie for years…  To be honest, I don’t remember loving the movie.  Is it family friendly?  My kids really want to watch it, so we will be giving it a try soon.  Do you like this one?  Let me know!

We are always reading and discovering new family friendly books for our family time.  I’ll add and expand this list as time goes on…  But for now, what are your families favorites?  I’d love to hear!

 A Great Used Book Option

Also, if you would like to purchase some of these books used Better World Books is my favorite go-to used book resource.  It is worth a shot to see if they carry what you are looking for.  They often times surprise me by what they have in stock.  You can check them out here at Better World Books.  Be sure to check if they have any great deals going on – they usually do!

The Enduring Home is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com.