10 Wickedly Good Movies Based on Banned Books

Banned Books Week 2018 runs from Sept. 23 – 29 and celebrates our freedom to read (and write!) without interference. Some of the books that have been banned most frequently (and vehemently) are also the ones that have been made into the best – often award-winning – movies. In this blog post, we take a look at some of the best movies based on banned books.

	1. Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone Based on: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone by J.K. Rowling Banned for: promoting witchcraft Why to watch: Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone is just plain magic. It’s fun, has spectacular effects, and creates a cinematic world powerful enough to rival Star Wars.
	2. Easy A Based on: The Scarlet Letter by Nathaniel Hawthorne Banned for: pornography and obscenity Why to Watch: Easy A is a classic coming-of-age story that gives new life to an old tale. It’s funny, sweet, and packs a punch.
	3. Gone with the Wind Based on: Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell Banned for: racist language and depiction of slavery Why to Watch: Well, Clark Gable as Rhett Butler mostly – amiright? Seriously, though, this one’s intense. It’s a roller coaster ride you’ve gotta take at least once.
	4. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring Based on: Lord of the Rings by J.R.R Tolkien Banned for: being anti-Christian Why to Watch: This is one seriously epic series. If you’ve got the time, watch the entire uncut version of the trilogy. The world-building is on a whole other level.
	5. The Hunger Games Based on: The Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins Banned for: anti-family, violence, and just about everything else Why to Watch: Who doesn’t love a dystopia? Add a kick-ass female protagonist, a rebellion, and the tiniest dash of teen angst and you’ve got a massive winner.
	6. One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Based on: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Ken Kesey Banned for: pornography, glorifying criminal activity, and a whole bunch more Why to Watch: One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest is one hell of an emotional ride. It takes a hard look at the reality of mental illness but is so funny at the same time it will leave your sides aching.
	7. The Golden Compass Based on: Northern Lights by Philip Pullman Banned for: anti-Christian Why to Watch: The Golden Compass is pure fantastical genius. It’s a mini-epic that never got the full series it deserved.
	8. The Witches Based on: The Witches by Roald Dahl Banned for: its negative portrayal of women Why to Watch: This is one insanely fun movie. As the hubs says, “It’s scarily entertaining.”
	9. The Da Vinci Code Based on: The Da Vinci Code by Dan Brown Banned for: anti-Christian (of course) Why to Watch: Mystery, puzzles, lies, and deceit. This is one of those flicks that’ll keep you on the edge of your seat the whole time.
	10.The Great Gatsby Based on: The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald Banned for: language and sexual references Why to Watch: All the glam and glitz of the Roaring Twenties – plus a little Leo on the side. Oh, yeah… there might be a heartbreaking love story in there, too.