Movies Adapted from Novels That Ended up Being Better Than the Book

Terms of Endearment (1983)

Larry McMurty’s 1975 novel was whimsical, clever, and bigger than Texas—but first-time director James L. Brooks’ adaptation took cleaned up house at the Oscars. Terms of Endearment saw some career-defining performances from Shirley MacLaine and Jack Nicholson, who played a character that wasn’t even featured in the book. Best of all, the cancer plotline never declines into mawkish sentimentality. 

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The More You Know

  • The unicorn is the national animal of Scotland.
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  • Maine is the only state that has a one-syllable name.
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