If you’ve ever finished a great TV episode and thought, “Wait, this was a book first?”welcome, you’re absolutely in the right place. From dragons and detectives to gossiping teens and haunted mansions, some of the most beloved TV shows of all time started life as ink on paper. In fan-driven rankings, series like Sherlock, Game of Thrones, and Good Omens consistently land at the top when people vote on the best TV shows adapted from books, and they’re just the tip of a very bingeable iceberg.
This guide dives into why fans are obsessed with book-to-TV adaptations, highlights standout series across genres, and explores what makes certain shows rise to the top of “best of” lists. Think of it as your spoiler-free (mostly), judgment-free roadmap to the 45+ best TV shows adapted from booksranked in spirit by fans, and lovingly overanalyzed by your friendly neighborhood TV nerd.
Why TV Shows Adapted From Books Hit So Hard
Book-based TV shows come with a huge built-in advantage: the story world already exists. Writers have rich character arcs, layered backstories, and fully developed lore to draw from. That gives these shows a depth that’s hard to create from scratch in a writers’ room, especially on a tight production schedule.
For fans, that means:
- Stronger worldbuilding: Fantasy shows like Game of Thrones and The Witcher don’t just look big; they feel like worlds that have been lived in for decades.
- Complex characters: From June in The Handmaid’s Tale to Claire in Outlander, many leads arrive on-screen with robust interior lives thanks to their literary origins.
- Built-in fandoms: When a popular book series gets adapted, you don’t just get viewersyou get evangelists, fan theories, subreddit debates, and extremely passionate arguments about whether the show “did the book dirty.”
Of course, this also raises the stakes. Adaptations are judged not just as TV shows, but as interpretations. The most-loved series on fan-ranked lists usually land in that sweet spot between faithfulness and creativity: close enough to honor the source, bold enough to surprise even readers.
Fan-Favorite Heavyweights From the Top of the Rankings
Different polls shuffle the order a bit, but when fans rank the best TV series based on books, a familiar group of heavyweights keeps showing up. Here are some of the biggest names that dominate “best of” lists and fan votes.
Sherlock
Based on: The Sherlock Holmes stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
Sherlock is a masterclass in how to modernize a classic without losing its soul. Benedict Cumberbatch’s version of Holmes is a texting, Google-age genius who still relies on razor-sharp deduction rather than flashy tech. The series respects Doyle’s original cases while remixing them with contemporary pacing, visual flair, and character work. For many fans, it’s not just one of the best book-to-TV adaptationsit’s one of the best detective shows ever made.
Game of Thrones
Based on: A Song of Ice and Fire by George R. R. Martin
Yes, we all have opinions about the final seasons. But for a long stretch, Game of Thrones was the gold standard of book-to-TV fantasy. The early seasons wove together Martin’s massively complex narrative, political intrigue, and terrifying plot twists (RIP to everyone we loved) with cinematic production values usually reserved for blockbuster films. Even with controversies, the show’s impact on fantasy TVand on how studios think about long-form adaptationsis enormous.
Good Omens
Based on: Good Omens by Neil Gaiman & Terry Pratchett
If you like your apocalypses with a side of sarcasm, Good Omens is essential viewing. The odd-couple rapport between Aziraphale (a fussy angel) and Crowley (a delightfully dramatic demon) is the heart of the show. Fans love how the series preserves the book’s quirky tone and British humor, while expanding side characters and adding visual gags that feel right at home in this offbeat, end-of-the-world romp.
The Handmaid’s Tale
Based on: The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood
As adaptations go, The Handmaid’s Tale is about as subtle as an emotional freight train. The first season closely tracks Atwood’s novel, then extends beyond it with new arcs and characters. Visually striking and emotionally intense, the show critiqued power, patriarchy, and authoritarianism in a way that felt painfully relevant, making it one of the most-discussed book-based shows of the modern era.
Outlander
Based on: The Outlander series by Diana Gabaldon
Time travel, historical drama, romance, and a very high tolerance for emotional damageOutlander has it all. Fans adore the way the show translates Gabaldon’s sweeping, doorstop-sized novels into lush locations, slow-burn character development, and unforgettable chemistry between Claire and Jamie. It’s a prime example of how a long book series can become an equally long-running, fan-obsessed TV saga.
Bridgerton
Based on: The Bridgerton novels by Julia Quinn
Bridgerton arrives at the intersection of Regency drama and glossy romance novel fantasy. The adaptation leans into color-conscious casting, a sumptuous soundtrack, and heightened emotion to create something that feels modern while still playing with historical tropes. Fans of the books thrill to see their favorite couples come to life, while new viewers get a swoony, bingeable entry point into romance-driven period drama.
The Witcher
Based on: The Witcher saga by Andrzej Sapkowski
No, the timeline isn’t always easy to follow, and yes, the internet has strong feelings about every casting and plot change. But there’s a reason The Witcher consistently pops up on lists of beloved adaptations. Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri are complex characters with deeply developed book backstories, and the show taps into that depth while delivering monsters, magic, and the grumpiest bath scenes ever filmed.
The Expanse
Based on: The Expanse series by James S. A. Corey
For sci-fi fans, The Expanse is often held up as a near-perfect adaptation. It preserves the books’ grounded, politically messy futurewhere Earth, Mars, and the Belt all have competing agendasand balances character-driven storytelling with big, existential mysteries. Many viewers discovered the novels because of the show, which is a pretty good sign that the TV version is doing something right.
Big Little Lies
Based on: Big Little Lies by Liane Moriarty
On the surface, Big Little Lies is about wealthy parents in a coastal town. Underneath, it’s a story about trauma, friendship, and the lies people tell to survive. The series expands on Moriarty’s book with razor-sharp performances and a strong visual style, turning an already popular novel into a cultural moment and a frequent fixture on “best adaptation” lists.
The Haunting of Hill House
Loosely based on: The Haunting of Hill House by Shirley Jackson
Unlike many straightforward adaptations, this series uses Jackson’s novel as a thematic backbone rather than a strict blueprint. The result is a show that feels like a modern gothic novel in its own right, blending family drama with genuinely unsettling horror. It’s proof that “loosely based on” can still produce something deeply respectful of the original author’s vibe.
His Dark Materials
Based on: The His Dark Materials trilogy by Philip Pullman
For fans who felt the earlier movie adaptation didn’t quite capture the books’ nuance, the TV version is a welcome do-over. The show takes time to explore Pullman’s complex world of daemons, parallel universes, and moral philosophy, while still delivering armored bears and epic adventure. It’s a favorite among viewers who want their fantasy to come with big ideas.
You
Based on: The You series by Caroline Kepnes
Sometimes the best book-to-TV adaptations are the ones that make you deeply uncomfortable. You pulls viewers into the mind of Joe Goldberg, a charming, obsessive stalker whose narration blurs the line between romance and horror. The show captures the novel’s unsettling intimacy while cleverly updating its social media-era commentary.
13 Reasons Why
Based on: Thirteen Reasons Why by Jay Asher
While often controversial, 13 Reasons Why mirrors the impact of its source material by sparking intense conversations about mental health, bullying, and accountability. Fans of the book appreciated seeing its characters and emotional beats translated to screen, even as critics debated the show’s handling of sensitive topics.
Beyond the Big Names: Deep Cuts and Genre Gems
The beauty of a “45+ best TV shows adapted from books” list is that it doesn’t stop at the obvious giants. Once you get past the heavy-hitters, you’ll find plenty of quieter or niche series that readers and viewers cherish just as fiercely.
- Station Eleven – A post-apocalyptic drama that feels strangely hopeful, adapted from Emily St. John Mandel’s novel. It’s less about the end of the world and more about art, memory, and community.
- Sharp Objects – Based on Gillian Flynn’s novel, this limited series is slow, unsettling, and meticulously acted, turning a psychological thriller into an unforgettable character study.
- Pride and Prejudice (1995) – Yes, it’s older, but for many fans, this BBC miniseries remains the definitive adaptation of Austen’s classic, and it still shows up in discussions of all-time best literary TV.
- Stephen King adaptations – From Salem’s Lot to modern series like The Outsider and The Institute, King’s stories have a long history on TV, with fans continuously debating which series got the tone “right.”
- Dept. Q and Rebus – Recent crime series based on popular European novels, showing that book-to-TV adaptations aren’t slowing down anytime soon, especially in the crime and mystery lane.
Across rankings and fan polls, you’ll see patterns: fantasy and crime adaptations tend to dominate, YA and romance bring passionate fandoms, and well-made limited series often punch far above their weight in critical and fan reception. Together, they easily fill (and overflow) that 45+ slot count.
What Makes a “Best” Book-to-TV Show, Anyway?
When fans vote on the best TV shows adapted from books, they’re usually responding to a few key factors, whether they realize it or not:
1. Respect for the Source Material
This doesn’t always mean word-for-word fidelity. Some of the most beloved adaptations expand or remix the original story. But the spirit of the bookits themes, emotional core, and character arcsneeds to feel intact. When a show drifts too far, fans can tell.
2. Smart Changes That Fit the Medium
Books and TV shows are different beasts. Great adaptations trim side plots, combine characters, or restructure timelines in ways that make the story more watchable without flattening it. The Expanse and Good Omens are strong examples of how to adapt with intention, not just copy.
3. Casting That Feels “Right”
Ask any fan of a beloved series, and they can probably tell you the exact moment they decided a casting choice was perfect (or unforgivable). Whether it’s Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, Sam Heughan as Jamie Fraser, or Regé-Jean Page as the Duke in Bridgerton, some performances instantly lock in as “canon” in people’s minds.
4. Rewatch (and Reread) Value
The adaptations that make it to the top of fan rankings tend to invite repeat visits. They’re the shows you rewatch with friends, use as comfort TV, or binge again before a new season. Often, they also send you back to the books to catch details you missed the first time around.
How to Build Your Own Watchlist of the Best TV Shows Adapted From Books
If you want to dive deeper into the 45+ best TV shows adapted from booksnot just the headlinersyou can build a varied watchlist by mixing:
- Big fantasy epics: Game of Thrones, The Witcher, His Dark Materials
- Romance and drama: Outlander, Bridgerton, Pride and Prejudice (1995)
- Dark thrillers: You, Sharp Objects, 13 Reasons Why
- Horror and supernatural: The Haunting of Hill House, various Stephen King series
- Grounded literary adaptations: Big Little Lies, Station Eleven
Start with whatever genre you already love, then branch out. One of the perks of these adaptations is that they’re often designed to stand aloneeven if you haven’t read a single page of the original book, you can still enjoy the story. If you fall for a particular show, then you can go back and experience the novel version with all its extra details and inner monologues.
Fan Experiences: What It’s Like to Love Both the Book and the Show
Beyond rankings and critic scores, the real magic of book-to-TV adaptations lives in personal experiencesthe late-night binges, heated group chats, and slightly chaotic reading goals they inspire.
Maybe you’ve been here: you start a show “just to see what the hype is about,” and suddenly it’s 3 a.m. and you’re six episodes deep, Googling whether the character who just died actually stays dead in the books. By the next afternoon you’ve ordered an entire box set, because knowing what happens before the show covers it feels like a superpower.
For some viewers, the TV show comes first. The Expanse or Outlander might hook them with strong performances and cliffhangers, and only later do they discover that an even richer version of the story exists in print. Reading then becomes a kind of extended director’s cut experiencesame core story, but with more inner thoughts, side quests, and worldbuilding. The show gives you faces and voices; the book fills in the spaces between scenes.
For lifelong readers, the emotional roller coaster is different. There’s anticipation (“Will they keep my favorite scene?”), anxiety (“Please don’t cut that character”), and cautious excitement when trailers drop. When an adaptation nails the tonelike Good Omens capturing the book’s offbeat humor, or His Dark Materials leaning into Pullman’s philosophical stakesit can feel like a very specific kind of wish fulfillment. You’re not just seeing characters you imagined; you’re seeing them interpreted through another creative lens.
Of course, not every change lands. A beloved subplot might vanish. A character could be aged up, toned down, or rewritten entirely. That’s when fandom really kicks into gear. Online discussions break down differences between book and show, debate which version handled things better, and sometimes even influence how future seasons are approached. Adaptations become living conversations between authors, showrunners, and audiences.
What keeps people coming back to these series, though, is the feeling that they’re part of something bigger than one medium. When you watch a great TV show adapted from a book, you’re stepping into a story that’s already been loved, argued about, and analyzedsometimes for years. You’re adding your voice to that ongoing ranking of “best of” lists, even if you never click an official vote button.
So whether your personal number one is a moody gothic haunt, a space opera, a steamy Regency romance, or a twisty thriller, you’re participating in that collective fan ranking every time you hit “next episode” or pick up the book that started it all.
Conclusion: Your Next Great Binge Probably Started on a Bookshelf
The 45+ best TV shows adapted from books aren’t just a random pile of popular seriesthey’re proof that some stories are strong enough to thrive in multiple forms. When a novel becomes a beloved show, it gets a second life and a bigger audience. Viewers who never considered themselves “readers” suddenly find themselves hunting down paperbacks. Longtime book fans get the thrill (and occasional heartbreak) of seeing their favorites reimagined for a new era.
In the end, the “best” book-to-TV adaptation is the one that stays with you: the show you won’t stop recommending, the characters you still think about, the story that nudged you either toward the screen or back to the page. And with more and more novels being optioned and adapted every year, your next all-time favorite might already be sitting quietly on a shelfjust waiting for its turn to be ranked by fans and devoured by you.
