Some of the best television series are based on successful novels. It's normal, a visual medium that develops its stories in episodes fits perfectly with another writing that does so in chapters or, better yet, in several volumes that make up a saga. That's why we bring you the 20 best series based on books. As you will see, there are some clear favorites and others that, perhaps, you did not think were inspired by novels, but they are.
That books and television have always gone hand in hand is common. The way of telling the story is similar and they complement each other very well. The richness and depth of a novel can be too watered down in a single movie, but well developed in a series.
That's why so many great series are based on books, and we bring you the top 20. As we usually do, we have classified them into two sections. On the one hand, we bring you The 10 best series based on science fiction, fantasy or horror books, that's what The Output is for.
For another, The 10 best series based on the most realistic stories, contemporary or historical, but without dragons or spaceships.
And, in addition, we are going to get wet, choosing which is the best series based on a book of each type.
We start with our favorite genres.
Best Fantasy and Sci-Fi Series Based on Books
Fantasy and science fiction, especially, tend to be organized into book sagas, ideal for adapting over multiple seasons. That is why some of the best series in these genres are based on novels.
And we start with one that, if we are too careless, can go from science fiction to reality.
The Handmaid's Tale
Based on the novel of the same name by Margaret Atwood, the series tells us a dystopian future where women are nothing more than nurturing elements and a property like any other.
The enormous success of the series has seen it unfold over several seasons, expanding the world of the story far beyond Atwood's book. raw and disturbingIt deserves a place on the list.
Where to see it: HBO Max.
True Blood
It is not the best, but it is one of the most entertaining, at least until, in the final seasons, everything gets out of hand and there is no longer a single character that is human. They are all vampires, fairies, werewolves, witches and so on. Until then, though, you'll be hooked on vampire intrigues based on the Charlaine Harris novels.
pure fun, that it doesn't all have to be brainy dramas.
Where to see it: HBO Max.
Westworld
You either love it or you can't stand it. I'm one of the latter, I find the series unwatchable and incongruous. But as I don't live alone in this world, nor in the editorial office of El Output, there are those who hold it in very high esteem and, therefore, it should also be here.
Based on a book by Michael Crichton, robots at a theme park rebel because the characters keep making stupid decisions and their creators have no idea how computers work.
Ok stop now.
Where to see it: HBO Max.
Good omens
Based on a four-handed novel by Neil Gaiman and the legendary Terry Pratchett, it tells us the adventures of an angel and a demon who team up to try to prevent the end of the world.
An excellent adaptation that is worth taking a look at.
Where to see it: Amazon Prime.
The Witcher
What can we say? Out comes Henry Cavill, who is a geek like us, only much stronger, handsomer and richer. The adaptation of Andrzej Sapkowski's novels is made with love and care, so you already know: quality sword and sorcery.
Where to see it: In Netflix.
The curse of Hill House
Undoubtedly, the best horror series of all this classification. In the end, the important thing is human relationships and all that, leaving the horror in the background and being a context to deal with the really important issues.
That, and that you get a couple of scares of care. Excellent and highly recommended.
Where to see it: In Netflix.
The Expanse
Based on the series of books by Daniel Abraham and Ty Franck, under the joint pen name of James SA Corey, it's a series with fans who would follow it to hell.
For now, they have to follow it through the platforms that are canceling and collecting them, to witness the adventures of Earth, Mars and the asteroid mining colonies in the future. Space Opera and good science fiction.
Where to see it: Netflix and Prime Video.
Outlander
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hK8zdD3lUg
Make no mistake, it is a series based on the romantic novels of the same name by the writer Diana Gabaldón. And yes, it seems, and is, the typical love novel of the period, but it is also much more.
I thought I wouldn't like anything, but It hooks like few others, it has a surprising tone and twists and it does not save on crudeness or sex.
Seriously, it's a lot better than you think, and it's produced by Ronald D. Moore, who's responsible for the reboot de Galactica and some of the best episodes of Star Trek.
Where to see it: Netflix.
The leftovers
Excellent and based on the book by Tom Perrotta. narrates the story of the survivors of an unexplained event who made some people disappear from the face of the earth and left others.
Damon Lindelof does very well what he destroyed in Lost. For gourmets who want to notice their feelings and their well twisted guts.
Where to see it: HBO Max.
Best Fantasy, Sci-Fi, or Horror Series Based on Books
We are going to get wet and the position, although controversial, it could not be for another series.
Game of Thrones
The seasons based on material from George RR Martin's books are simply excellent. Some of the best hours of television are in this series. Once the producers got ahead of the books, it all went downhill fast.
A case not to forget, but the series is SO good up to the point where it overtakes the novels, that just that part, and even considering the ending, still makes it the best series based on a fantasy book.
Where to see it: HBO Max.
Best series based on "realistic" books
Given the series that are inspired by novels that take us to other worlds, we are going to focus on this one.
so behold the 10 best series based on books, which recreate stories framed in a real contexteither current or historical.
House of cards
Based on the thriller Michael Dobbs's politician, the series is very good until it was revealed that Kevin Spacey does not seem to differ much from his character, Francis Underwood.
If you like political intrigue, it's a good choice until the final closure, precipitated by the real events with the main actor.
Where to see it: Netflix.
The Bridgertons
One of the most successful series on Netflix and that is based on the book series by Julia Quinn. Romance, intrigue and adventures at the beginning of the XNUMXth century with a lot of style and a lot of sex.
Where to see it: Netflix.
Orange is the new black
Yes, one of the revelation series in its day is also based on a novel by Piper Kerman. Interestingly, it is inspired by his real experience with drug trafficking and money laundering, which led her to serve a sentence in a women's federal prison.
Where to see it: Netflix.
Boardwalk Empire
Nelson Johnson signs the book on which this series of gangsters, gambling and greed set in an Atlantic City during the period of prohibition.
Excellent performances, led by Steve Buscemi, as well as impeccable recreation and style. For exquisite palates.
Where to see it: HBO Max.
big little lies
Another contemporary phenomenon based on the Liane Moriarty novel of the same name.
With a pilot plant luxury cast, led by Nicole Kidman and Reese Witherspoon, tells us the secrets that are hidden in a rich community and that begin to come to light after a terrible murder.
Where to see it: HBO Max.
Mindhunter
I'm still smarting from its cancellation. Based on a series of books by John E. Douglas, it tells us the story of the creation and first steps of the FBI and its special unit against serial killers.
Fascinating and based on real events and cases, the series has two excellent seasons and it didn't deserve that fate, but it did appear here.
Where to see it: Netflix.
Dexter
Another one of those series that started off well and went downhill. They just brought her back to life, but it's not a big deal either. In any case, the new season will be very popular with its fans (I'm not one of them, they are forcing me at gunpoint to put it here).
Adaptation of the books by Jeff Lindsay, ideal for those who like psycho killer stories. That for that, and also based on a book, you better get Hannibal, but okay, yes, Dexter has to be here and all that.
Where to see it: Movistar Plus.
Lady's gambit
The series that made huge numbers of women take up chess all of a sudden. A adaptation with a lot of style and an excellent interpretation by Anya Taylor-Joy, based on the novel by Walter Tevis.
Brief, but very good.
Where to see it: Netflix.
Sherlock
What can we say? The Holmes character from Arthur Conan Doyle's novels has been adapted in one way or another in many series. the british who made Benedict Cumberbatch famous is undoubtedly the best.
Few episodes, but long and good, for those who like mystery and deduction.
Where to see it: RTVE Play.
The best series based on a book
And we come to the winner of this category in my opinion, which in the end is the one that will count. It's not like she has many rivals up to her either, really.
Band of Brothers
La outstanding WWII series which, in reality, is a movie blockbuster in 10 episodes legendary. Spiritual continuation of the phenomenal Save Private Ryan, the production of Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg is noted.
An masterpiece.
Where to see it: HBO Max.
As you can see, when it comes to the best series based on books, there is a lot to choose from. These are the jewels in the crown and if you haven't seen any of them, you know, you won't fail.