Iconic Children's Books Turned Into Buzz-Worthy Shows and Movies

Many of the greatest movies and television shows stem from iconic books — and your child will be excited to connect to the stories they love on and off the screen. A great way to bond with your child is by having a conversation about how a given show or movie differs from the book. Kids will be eager to point out the notable similarities and differences of their favorite stories. From characters to plot, these conversations also always deepen comprehension. 

Haven't read the books yet? It's okay to introduce a show as a way to hook kids into reading a compelling new book series to get to the know the characters further. 

Here are just a few of the iconic books that you and your reader will love seeing on a screen near you. All you need to do is add popcorn!

Explore all the Scholastic series that have become movies & television shows here.

Clifford

Clifford, a character that's been a BIG hit with readers for decades, made the leap to the big screen in 2021 with the film Clifford the Big Red Dog. A great movie for all ages, your family can follow along with the adventures of Emily Elizabeth and Uncle Casey as they try to stop a genetics company from taking Clifford. The movie also launched a fun graphic novel — Clifford the Big Red Dog: The Movie Graphic Novel — with original illustrations and exclusive new scenes based on the hilarious and heartwarming movie.  

Stillwater

Readers of the award-winning Stillwater books, written and illustrated by Jon J. Muth, will adore the Stillwater series streaming on Apple TV+. Read Stillwater and Koo Save the World or Zen Happiness to start and then watch an episode of this beautiful, gentle series that focuses on emotional awareness and mindfulness. A Peabody winner, the TV series follows three siblings and their relationships with a wise panda named Stillwater. Insightful and full of perspective, it's a true treat to watch. 

Plus, use this Stillwater Family Guide and this Stillwater Activity Pack to further explore the concepts explored in each episode. 

Owl Diaries

Fans of the best-selling Owl Diaries series will love seeing the fun and friendly Eva in the animated kids and family show — Eva the Owlet — on Apple TV+ (season 2 coming 1/24!). Follow the countless adventures Eva and her friends go on, like organizing a spring festival, in the woodland world of Treetopington. When the sun goes down, adventure takes flight!

The Bad Guys

Readers who love The Bad Guys can watch the books come to life in the hilarious movie adaptation, The Bad Guys. Catch up on the series and plan a family movie night to join in on the action-packed adventures of the baddest bunch of do-gooders in town — Mr. Wolf, Mr. Piranha, Mr. Snake, and Mr. Shark. The laugh-out-loud series is not only entertaining, but they also help kids build important social-emotional skills, like kindness and friendship.

Dog Man

Part dog, part man, and all hero! Readers' favorite crime-biting superhero, Dog Man, is making it's way to the big screen! Coming to theaters January 31, 2025, kids will be able to connect further with the series that has pawed its way into the hearts of millions of readers in the Dog Man movie by Universal and DreamWorks animation.

Upside-Down Magic

Growing readers will enjoy reading Upside-Down Magic — an upbeat book series about shape-shifting and school mishaps. Nory, a 9-year-old superfan of peanut butter cookies, learns to navigate her oddball experiences in magic school. She and her friends, who are outcasts at school because of their wonky powers, are tasked to save everyone from the forces of evil. Your child will see the magic come to life by reading the books and watching the 2020 movie on Disney+.

Goosebumps

The Goosebumps book series by R.L Stine has been scaring voracious readers since 1992. The books have expanded significantly since then, and now readers can revel in these suspenseful, horror stories in a whole new way. Geared towards teens and families, the Goosebumps series is available to watch on Hulu and Disney+ (season 2 available to stream now!). It's so good, it's scary. 

From Hunger Games to Harry Potter, iconic books have had a huge impact on readers and pop culture. Your child will cherish the memories they make from both reading the books and watching the movies, even more so if those memories are made with you. 

You can find more books and activities at The Scholastic Store. Plus, encourage a love of reading with help from our guide, which includes book recommendations by interest, tips for getting your child to read for fun, and much more.