1. The Exorcist by William Peter Blatty

 

Book date: 1971
Movie date: 1973

The Exorcist, written by William Peter Blatty, was a bestselling book before it hit theaters in 1973. The book has sold over 13 million copies since its release in 1971. Blatty wrote The Exorcist after he heard about a possession while he was a student. Are you a fan of The Exoricst book or have you only seen the movie?

2. Coraline by Neil Gaiman

 

Book date: 2002
Movie date: 2009

The Coraline movie is a stop-animated film that came out in 2009. It's a classic for many people around spooky season. Did you know the famous movie was based on a book? Coraline is written by Neil Gaiman and is a dark fantasy children's novella.

3. The Amityville Horror by Jay Anson

 

Book date: 1977
Movie date: 1979

We've almost all watched this movie, or at least know how terrifying it is. There are a few different movies based on the events at the Amityville House. These events weren't just movie magic, many events in these films were depicted in the novel by Jay Anson. His book is based on claims of paranormal experiences by the Lutz Family. Although, there has been a lot of controversy over the book's truthfulness. What do you think? Ghosts or no ghosts?

4. Who Goes There? (The Thing) by John W. Campbell

 

Book date: 1938
Movie date: 1982

The Thing director John Carpenter created an iconic film when he and Kurt Russell teamed up in the '80s. But, it wasn't always just about Kurt Russell.

Who Goes There? was written by John W. Campbell in 1938. The Thing was one of two movie adaptions of the book. Today, there are games, comic books, movies and more, all made around this classic novella. There is one core theme among it all: not all aliens are as nice as E.T. 

5. I Know What You Did Last Summer by Lois Duncan

 

Book date: 1973
Movie date: 1997

We know that you have probably seen this film, but did you know it was a book too? Many people thought I Know What You Did Last Summer was just another slasher film. Those people aren't wrong but that's also not quite right.

I Know What You Did Last Summer was written by Lois Duncan in 1973. The movie loosely follows the book. The film focuses on a group of teens that are being picked off one-by-one by an unknown killer. The only real connection between the book and the movie is the premise, everything else isn't the same. So if you liked the movie, check out the book it's based on (sort of).

6. Rosemary's Baby by Ira Levin

 

Book date: 1967
Movie date: 1968

Rosemary's Baby, written by Ira Levin, was one of the best selling horror novels of the '60s. Did you pick up a copy?

Many people consider the film to be one of the most disturbing films of the 20th century, but that means they must not have read the book!

7. The Forbidden (Candyman) by Clive Barker

 

Book date: 1985
Movie date: 1992 and 2021

The Forbidden, written by Clive Barker, was a short story published in his anthology, Books and Blood. There has been two screen adaptions for the short story, one in 1992 and the other in 2021. Candyman (2021) was written by Jordan Peele. 

8. Frankenstein by Mary Shelley

 

Book date: 1818
Movie date: 1931

The original Frankenstein book came out in 1818 and was written by Mary Shelley. Many people don't realize Frankenstein was a book before it became the famous 1931, Boris Karloff movie.

Frankenstein is iconic for those who love classic horror. The 1931 film plays a significant role in cinema history, but its success isn't typically credited back to the author, Mary Shelley. 

9. Interview with the Vampire by Anne Rice

 

Book date: 1976
Movie date: 1994

Interview with the Vampire is a gothic horror and vampire novel that was released in 1976. Anne Rice wrote the book after the death of her daughter, who served as an inspiration for the child-vampire character, Claudia.

The film adaptation in 1994 starred Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt. Have you ever read the book?

10. The Invasion of the Body Snatchers by Jack Finney

 

Book date: 1955
Movie date: 1978

The Invasion of the Body Snatchers by Jack Finney may not be the most well-known movie and book combo on the list, but it's important to mention. The novel has been adapted for the screen four times. The 1978 film, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, stars Leonard Nimoy. 

Just do us a favor and avoid the 2007 film adapation.

11. Dracula by Bram Stoker

 

Book date: 1897
Movie date: 1931

The 1931 Dracula film is an all-time classic. The book has received the same amount of love, with many people considering it to be one of the most famous pieces of English literature. 

Dracula was originally written by Bram Stoker in the 1800s. Stoker made it an epistolary novel, with no single protagonist, the narrative is related through letters, diary entries and newspaper articles.