It’s a list for everyone.
1. The Shawshank Redemption
Adapted from a Stephen King novella titled Rita Hayworth and Shawshank Redemption, the movie was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won none of them. But still, what a film.
2. Girl, Interrupted
Based off Susanna Keysen’s memoir about her stay in a mental ward, the movie earned Angelina Jolie an Oscar for her disturbingly brilliant performance.
3. Forrest Gump
Yes, Tom Hanks’ breakthrough role was an interpretation of the Winston Groom novel, Forrest Gump.
4. Goodfellas
The story of a small time gangster gone big, the movie is based on the novel Wiseguy by Nicholas Pileggi.
5. Stand By Me
Another Stephen King original. I also wanted to put Misery on here, but I think 20% of the list is enough. This coming-of-age story was the original Sandlot, with an extra layer of disturbing.
6. Schindler’s List
Another Steven Spielberg film based off the novel Schindler’s Ark by Thomas Keneally.
7. Precious
Precious Jones actually started out in the 1996 novel Push, by Sapphire. The winner of two Oscars and nominated for another four, both Mo’Nique and Gabourey Sidibe brought a new dimension to the story in their incredible performances.
8. The Color Purple
Oh, Oprah. Your first role in a movie and you earn an Oscar. You can do no wrong, girl. The Steven Spielberg film was based off Alice Walker’s 1982 novel.
9. A Beautiful Mind
Russell Crowe nails it as John Nash in the biographical drama based off the unauthorized biography of Mr. Nash himself.
10. The Godfather
Yeah, you knew this one would be in here. Based on Mario Puzo’s 1969 novel of the same name, Francis Ford Coppola brings the story of the Corleone family to life in the movie that won three Oscars and deserved even more.