29 TV shows based on books that you should watch in your lifetime

Allie Lembo,Fiona ClairAug 18, 2020, 02:57 IST

Some pretty impressive shows are actually based on books.BBC America/Netflix/Freeform

Several high-rated TV shows are based on books.
Numerous young-adult book series like "Pretty Little Liars," "A Series of Unfortunate Events" and "Gossip Girl" have been reimagined for television.
Many book-to-TV adaptations, like "You," "Mindhunter," and "Bones," are rather dark.

Many fans are wary when their favorite books are adapted for the small screen, but sometimes television shows get it right.

Here's a ranking of the best TV series inspired by books that everyone should watch.

Note: All scores were current on the date of publication and are subject to change.

"Pretty Little Liars" built suspense by straying from the book series it was based on.

Shay Mitchell, Troian Bellisario, Lucy Hale, and Ashley Benson on "Pretty Little Liars." ABC/Freeform

"Westworld" is one of the more popular adaptations on the list.

Jeffrey Wright and Evan Rachel Wood on "Westworld." John P. Johnson/HBO

The prequel series "The Carrie Diaries" scored higher marks than the original show it's based on.

AnnaSophia Robb starred as a young Carrie Bradshaw on "The Carries Diaries." The CW

We got to live vicariously through NYC’s richest teens on "Gossip Girl."

Leighton Meester and Blake Lively starred on "Gossip Girl." CW

The science of human sexuality is reborn on "Masters of Sex."

Lizzy Caplan and Michael Sheen starred on "Masters of Sex." "Masters of Sex" on Showtime

"Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency" turned a tricky plot into delightful fun.

Samuel Barnett and Elijah Wood starred on "Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency." BBC America

"Poldark" was reimagined for a new audience.

Aidan Turner as Ross Poldark on "Poldark." PBS

"Shrill" approaches weight-centric stereotypes and prejudices in America.

Aidy Bryant stars on "Shrill." Hulu

The writers of "The Handmaid’s Tale" made a decision that will keep the show going long past the narrative of the novel.

Elizabeth Moss stars on "The Handmaid's Tale." Elly Dassas/Hulu

"Game of Thrones" kept viewers on their toes with its twists and deaths.

Emilia Clark and Kit Harington on HBO's "Game of Thrones." HBO

"Big Little Lies" is a surprising study of female relationships.

Nicole Kidman, Shailene Woodley, and Reese Witherspoon on "Big Little Lies." HBO

"Call the Midwife" is a depiction of the lives of nurses in London's East End.

Charlotte Ritchie plays Barbara Gilbert on "Call the Midwife." PBS

"Killing Eve" is inspired by a quartet of online novellas.

Jodie Comer and Sandra Oh star on "Killing Eve." BBC America

"Orange Is the New Black" turned the book's characters into multi-dimensional people.

Taylor Schilling starred on Netflix's "Orange Is the New Black." JoJo Whilden/Netflix

Set in Ireland, the drama "Normal People" focuses on a complicated relationship.

"Normal People" is based on a Sally Rooney book. Hulu

The main character on "Bones" is said to be based on the book series' author, not the protagonist.

Emily Deschanel starred on "Bones." Fox

"You" brings the thriller series to life with in-depth characters.

Penn Badgley as Joe Goldberg on "You." Netflix

Claire Randall is torn between times on "Outlander."

Caitriona Balfe and Sam Heughan star on "Outlander." Starz

A new generation of teens can relate to "Looking for Alaska."

Charlie Plummer as Miles and Kristine Froseth as Alaska on "Looking for Alaska." Hulu

The dark, female-led "Sharp Objects" was a big hit.

Amy Adams and Chris Messina on "Sharp Objects." Anne Marie Fox/HBO

"Boardwalk Empire" highlights the corruption in 1920s Atlantic City.

Steve Buscemi on HBO's "Boardwalk Empire." Macall B. Polay / HBO

Dr. Hannibal Lecter is a perfect gentleman with a murderous streak on "Hannibal."

Mads Mikkelsen as Dr. Hannibal Lecter on "Hannibal." NBC

"Fresh Off the Boat" gives culture shock a comedic twist.

Constance Wu and Randall Park play Jessica and Louis Huang on "Fresh Off the Boat." ABC/Eric McCandless

"Elementary" brings Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's famed stories to modern-day America.

Jonny Lee Miller as Sherlock Holmes and Lucy Liu as Joan Watson on "Elementary." CBS

"A Series of Unfortunate Events" got Count Olaf's creepiness right.

Lucy Punch and Neil Patrick Harris were villains on Netflix's "A Series of Unfortunate Events." Netflix

"Friday Night Lights" brought the franchise into the TV world.

Zach Gilford and Kyle Chandler on "Friday Night Lights." NBC

"Queen Sugar" explores America's history of systemic racism.

Clyde Risley Jones, Dawn-Lyen Gardner, and Rutina Wesley on "Queen Sugar." OWN

Viewers get a peek into the inner workings of the FBI's Elite Serial Crime Unit on "Mindhunter."

Holt McCallany and Jonathan Groff play FBI agents on "Mindhunter." Netflix

Netflix's "The Baby-Sitters Club" gives the beloved tween novels a modern twist.

"The Baby-Sitters Club" TV show premiered on Netflix on July 3. Netflix

All of Steve Carell's movies, ranked

Cookies on the Business Insider India website