(Image viaTelevision has the unique ability to turn the pages of beloved novels into vivid, immersive experiences. But as many readers know, not all adaptations live up to the magic of their source material. These days, Hollywood often rushes the storytelling process, omits fan-favorite moments, or misrepresents characters, leaving fans frustrated and craving a do-over.
This list highlights 10 book series that deserve better TV adaptations. Whether you're a lifelong fan of these novels or a parent eager to share meaningful stories with your kids, it’s time we demand the rich worlds and unforgettable characters of these books get their due on-screen.
1. Percy Jackson & The Olympians by Rick Riordan
Why It Deserves Better
Rick Riordan’s Percy Jackson & The Olympians series introduced readers to a world where Greek mythology intertwines with modern life. However, the 2010 and 2013 film adaptations missed the mark entirely. Fans criticized the movies for aging up Percy and his friends, disrupting the coming-of-age charm, and eliminating much of the series' humor and emotional depth. Iconic scenes, like Percy learning his demigod identity or his quest to return Zeus’s lightning bolt, were overshadowed by clunky storytelling and weak writing.
What a Better Version Could Offer
A true-to-the-books adaptation as a TV series could successfully capture Percy’s wit, the camaraderie among the characters, and the sprawling mythology the novels are known for. Imagine each book treated as a season, allowing for deep character development and world-building. Thankfully, the upcoming Disney+ series promises to remain faithful to Riordan’s vision. With Riordan directly involved in production, fans are hopeful that this adaptation will finally deliver the magic they’ve been waiting for.
2. A Series of Unfortunate Events by Lemony Snicket
Why It Deserves Better
Netflix’s adaptation of A Series of Unfortunate Events came closer than the 2004 Jim Carrey-led movie in capturing the books’ essence. However, it still failed to hit the high notes that made the series so beloved. While the show leaned into the dark humor and stylized visuals, it often rushed the pacing, leaving emotional moments feeling hollow. The Baudelaire orphans’ resourcefulness, one of the books’ defining traits, was often downplayed in favor of Lemony Snicket's quirky narration.
What a Better Version Could Offer
An ideal adaptation would fully emphasize the gothic undertones of the series while staying true to the cleverness and strength of Violet, Klaus, and Sunny. A slower-paced retelling might allow us to truly feel the tragedy of the Baudelaire orphans' losses while thriving on the intellectual and moral dilemmas they face. This balance of humor, heartbreak, and hope is what made Snicket's work stand out to begin with.
3. The Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare
Why It Deserves Better
Cassandra Clare's The Mortal Instruments is a sprawling urban fantasy series filled with shadowhunters, demons, and epic betrayals. Yet despite its popularity, neither the 2013 film nor Freeform's TV series, Shadowhunters, resonated with fans. The movie tried to cram too much into a single installment, offering confusing pacing and shallow character arcs. On the flip side, the TV series had more room to breathe but suffered from uneven writing and struggled to balance the books’ emotional depth with their adventurous spirit.
What a Better Version Could Offer
A proper adaptation of The Mortal Instruments requires careful writing, strong performances, and a substantial budget. Fans want to see the complex relationships and intricate lore brought to life with care. Imagine a treatment similar to Game of Thrones, with high production value, compelling storytelling, and characters who feel true to the page.
4. Animorphs by K.A. Applegate
Why It Deserves Better
The original Animorphs TV series from the late '90s was ambitious but doomed by its low budget and primitive special effects. Practical limitations meant that many of the alien transformations and battles were left off-screen, robbing the series of its most thrilling elements. More importantly, the show often glossed over the serious ethical dilemmas and emotional anguish the young protagonists faced as they fought an intergalactic war.
What a Better Version Could Offer
New technology could give Animorphs the justice it deserves. CGI can now make the animal transformations and alien species awe-inspiring, while modern storytelling techniques could preserve the books’ darker themes. A reboot could explore the characters’ internal conflicts, from grappling with morality during wartime to risking their humanity in the fight against the Yeerks.
5. The Dark Tower by Stephen King
Why It Deserves Better
Stephen King’s The Dark Tower series is a genre-defying epic blending fantasy, horror, and western influences. The 2017 film adaptation, however, fell flat by condensing seven novels into a single 95-minute movie, stripping the story of its complexity and character depth. Fans were left scratching their heads as Roland, the Gunslinger, raced through a disjointed plot that couldn’t possibly do justice to King’s sprawling world.
What a Better Version Could Offer
A TV series would offer the perfect medium for The Dark Tower. With multiple seasons, the show could faithfully explore the intricate world-building, layered character backstories, and philosophical undertones that make the series extraordinary. All seven books could serve as a blueprint for a tightly woven, cinematic experience. Proper timing and care are essential to translating the saga’s rich story into a show that stands the test of time.
6. Eragon (The Inheritance Cycle) by Christopher Paolini
Why It Deserves Better
Paolini’s four-book series is a fantasy treasure trove brimming with dragons, battles, and friendships. Unfortunately, the 2006 Eragon film adaptation was widely criticized for its rushed pacing, lack of depth, and lackluster performances. Key characters like Brom and Saphira were stripped of their nuance, and the film hardly scratched the surface of Eragon’s hero’s journey.
What a Better Version Could Offer
A high-budget TV series could draw comparisons to fantasy juggernauts like The Witcher or The Lord of the Rings. Fans want to see lush, expansive landscapes, layered plots, and deeper relationships between characters, particularly Eragon and his dragon, Saphira. A longer format could also explore the political intrigue and magical lore that make the series unforgettable.
7. His Dark Materials by Philip Pullman
Why It Deserves Better
HBO and BBC's His Dark Materials series offered a more faithful adaptation compared to the 2007 movie The Golden Compass, but it still left some fans wanting more. The show’s pacing sometimes felt rushed, and the philosophical discussions central to Pullman’s work often got buried beneath the fast-moving plot. While the cast delivered strong performances, the adaptation struggled to capture the emotional gravity of key moments.
What a Better Version Could Offer
A reboot with a focus on letting the characters and themes breathe could hit the sweet spot. Lyra’s growth, her bond with Pan, and her moral dilemmas are too rich to rush. Diving deeper into Pullman’s exploration of religion, science, and free will could make for a truly thought-provoking adaptation.
8. The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
Why It Deserves Better
Although Hollywood offered moderately successful movie adaptations for three Narnia books, the series deserves a better, more cohesive take. The films often simplified Lewis’s themes of sacrifice, redemption, and courage, turning them into straightforward children’s tales. Additionally, the later books, like The Magician’s Nephew and The Silver Chair, were left untouched, depriving fans of a fully realized Narnia cinematic universe.
What a Better Version Could Offer
A TV series could connect all seven books into a cohesive story. Characters like Digory, Puddleglum, and Jill could finally get the detailed arcs they deserve. Furthermore, a new adaptation could strike a balance between appealing to younger viewers and resonating with adults, focusing on the depth of Lewis's moral and philosophical ideas.
9. The Giver Quartet by Lois Lowry
Why It Deserves Better
While the 2014 The Giver film adaptation captured the sterile world of the novel, it fell short of grappling with its emotional nuance and philosophical depth. Fans of the series were disappointed that the film barely hinted at the interconnected world of Lowry's quartet, which includes Gathering Blue, Messenger, and Son.
What a Better Version Could Offer
Imagine a TV series exploring each book in turn, slowly revealing how the stories connect. The show could expand on themes of individuality, societal control, and the search for truth, all while building a visually stunning dystopian world.
10. The Wheel of Time by Robert Jordan
Why It Deserves Better
Amazon's ongoing Wheel of Time adaptation has been met with mixed reviews. Critics have noted its uneven pacing, departures from the source material, and lack of character depth in some key roles. While visually impressive, the show has yet to fully capture the intricate politics, relationships, and magic systems that make Robert Jordan’s work a fantasy masterpiece.
What a Better Version Could Offer
A more patient and faithful adaptation would give time to explore Jordan’s expansive world. Fans want the details of the One Power, the conflicts between nations, and the slow unraveling of prophecy. A big-budget, multi-season approach with consistent storytelling could make The Wheel of Time a definitive fantasy series.
