The Academy Awards are right around the corner, and, once again, films adapted from books have snagged multiple nominations! From a larger than life musical to a thrilling tale of papal election, these adaptations caught the eye and the hearts of the critics this year. You still have time to read their literary inspirations before the big show on Sunday, March 2, 2025.
Oscar Nominated Books to Films
A Complete Unknown
Based on Elijah Wald’s book Dylan Goes Electric!, this biopic follows the singer Bob Dylan through his early career, from his success as a folk singer to his infamous use of electric guitar at the 1965 Newport Folk Festival and his trials and tribulations along the way. Starring Timothee Chalamet, Edward Norton, and Elle Fanning, the film premiered in theaters on December 25, 2024.
- Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Supporting Actor, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Costume Design, Best Sound
Conclave
Robert Harris’ thrilling novel Conclave takes readers into the secretive halls of the Vatican, where 118 cardinals will meet to cast their votes in a papal election. Though holy men, none is without controversy, and Cardinal Jacopo Lomeli must oversee the tumultuous election. Through scandal, in-fighting, and conspiracies, Lomeli must guide the conclave to choose their next powerful spiritual leader. Starring Ralph Fiennes, Isabella Rosselini, Stanley Tucci, and John Lithgow, the star-studded film adaptation of this novel premiered in theaters on October 25, 2024.
- Nominated for: Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Actor in a Leading Role, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Original Score, Best Production Design
Dune: Part Two
Frank Herbert’s classic science fiction novel follows the Atreides family and their relocation to the dangerous but politically vital planet of Dune. Dune is the only known source of the Spice, the chemical that allows pilots to fold space and guide ships across the vast reaches of the universe. After the assassination of his father, young Paul Atreides and his mother must learn to navigate the new and treacherous society of the Fremen. The much anticipated second half of the film adaptation of Dune features a star-studded cast including Timothee Chalamet, Oscar Isaac, Zendaya, and Javier Bardem.
- Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Cinematography, Best Production Design, Best Sound, Best Visual Effects
Emilia Perez
Inspired by one chapter in Boris Razon’s French novel Ecouté in which a drug lord undergoes male to female surgical transition and changes his identity to escape prosecution, the film Emilia Perez stars Zoe Saldana, Selena Gomez, and Karla Sofía Gascón.
- Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Supporting Actress, Best Adapted Screenplay, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Makeup & Hairstyling, Best Original Score, Best Original Song, Best International Feature, Best Sound
I’m Still Here
Based on Marcelo Rubens Paiva’s 2015 memoir, which discusses the forced disappearance of his father, Brazilian politician Rubens Paiva, during Brazil’s military dictatorship in the 1970s, this film features mother-daughter actress duo Fernanda Torres and Fernanda Montenegro.
- Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best International Feature Film
The Nickel Boys
Set between the 1960s and 2010s, Whitehead’s Pulitzer Prize-winning novel The Nickel Boys follows the lives of two men both during and after their time at the highly abusive Nickel Academy reform school. Whitehead’s powerful narrative is a story of childhood abuse, systemic racism, and the power of friendship. Starring Ethan Herisse and Brandon Wilson, the film adaptation was released in theaters on December 13, 2024.
- Best Picture, Best Adapted Screenplay
Wicked
Gregory Maguire explores the origin of the Wicked Witch of the West in his bestselling novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West. Originally, the villain in L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Maguire’s Wicked Witch is a misunderstood girl who finds herself embroiled in the politics of Oz. The film adaptation is adapted from the musical Wicked, which was itself adapted from Maguire’s book. A film adapted from a musical adapted from a book which was inspired by a different book. Whew! Starring Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo, the film premiered in theaters on November 22, 2024.
- Nominated for: Best Picture, Best Actress in a Leading Role, Best Supporting Actress, Best Production Design, Best Costume Design, Best Film Editing, Best Makeup and Hairstyling, Best Original Score, Best Sound, Best Production Design, Best Visual Effects
The Wild Robot
Roz the robot wakes up alone on a wild island, with no memory of who she is or how she got there. Will she be able to earn the trust of the animals who live there and adapt to the island’s harsh environment? The film adaptation of Peter Brown’s bestselling children’s book The Wild Robot premiered in theaters on September 27, 2024.
- Best Animated Film, Best Original Score, Best Sound