The book is always better than the movie, right? It came first. You imagined it all in your head. How can a two-hour cinematic experience possibly live up to the many hours you spent curled up with the original?


But in some rare cases, the movie wins. And here's the proof:


The movie: "Bridget Jones' Diary"

The book: "Bridget Jones' Diary" by Helen Fielding

Why the movie's better: Because words cannot express the magic of Colin Firth and Hugh Grant vying for Renee Zellweger's spinster affection.

bridget jones


The movie: "Something Borrowed"

The book: "Something Borrowed" by Emily Giffin

Why the movie's better: The Kate Hudson, Ginnifer Goodwin and John Krasinksi combination is irresistible.

something borowed


The movie: "The Princess Diaries"

The Book: "The Princess Diaries" by Meg Cabot

Why the movie's better: Because Anne Hathaway's transformation from bushy-haired nerd to pretty princess is priceless.

the princess diaries


The movie: "How To Deal"

The books: "That Summer" and "Someone Like You" by Sarah Dessen

Why the movie's better: Despite Mandy Moore's horrible haircut, "How To Deal" is a near-perfect cinematic portrayal of falling in love when you really don't want to.

how to deal


The movie: "The Notebook"

The book: "The Notebook" by Nicholas Sparks

Why the movie's better: Because after 2004, everyone was like, "Say I'm a bird." (Also, Ryan Gosling.)


the notebook


The movie: "The Devil Wears Prada"

The book: "The Devil Wears Prada" by Lauren Weisberger

Why the movie's better: Meryl. Streep.

devil wears prada


The movie: "Silver Linings Playbook"

The book: "The Silver Linings Playbook" by Matthew Quick

Why the movie's better: Can the written form convey the cosmic chemistry between Jennifer Lawrence and Bradley Cooper? Maybe. But not in this case.

silver linings playbook


The movie: "The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants"

The book: "The Sisterhood Of The Traveling Pants" by Ann Brashares

Why the movie's better: Descriptions of Greece are great, but nothing could compare to watching Alexis Bledel ride around a picturesque island on a donkey.

sisterhood of the traveling pants


The movie: "Legally Blonde"

The book: "Legally Blonde" by Amanda Brown

Why the movie's better: The "bend and snap" in book form? Not as great.

legally blonde


The movie: "A Walk To Remember"

The book: "A Walk To Remember" by Nicholas Sparks

Why the movie's better: Because Mandy Moore wore that blue dress, sang that great song and Shane West fell in love with her. Books can't sing.

a walk to remember


The movie: "Clueless"

The book: "Emma" by Jane Austen

Why the movie's better: Jane Austen has nothing on '90s-era fashion.

clueless


The movie: "The Princess Bride"

The book: "The Princess Bride" by William Goodman

Why the movie's better: Because without it, we never would have heard the beautiful Westley utter the phrase, "as you wish."

the princess bride



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