From Page to Screen: Picture Books Go to the Movies
Hollywood has adapted some of the most beloved picture books of all time into full-length movies.
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The Ant Bully
After Lucas Nickle floods an ant colony with his watergun, he's magically shrunken down to insect size and sentenced to hard labor in the ruins. Starring: Julia Roberts, Nicolas Cage, Meryl Streep, Paul Giamatti, Regina King, Lily Tomlin, Cheri Oteri, Larry MillerDirected by: John A. Davis Release date: July 28, 2006 Running time: 1:28 MPAA Rating: Rated PG for some mild rude humor and action. Tagline: The battle for the lawn in on. Production: IMDb Details Based on: The Ant Bully (2004) by John Nickle Watch the trailer |
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The Cat in the Hat
Conrad and Sally Walden are home alone with their pet fish. It is raining, and they are bored with nothing to do. That is, until The Cat in the Hat walks in the front door. Starring: Mike Myers, Dakota Fanning, Spencer Breslin, Alec Baldwin, Sean HayesDirected by: Bo Welch Release date: November 21, 2003 Running time: 1:22 MPAA Rating: PG for mild crude humor and some double-entendres. Tagline: Don't mess with the hat. Production: IMDb Details Based on: The Cat in The Hat (1957) by Dr. Seuss Watch the trailer |
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Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs
The most delicious event since macaroni met cheese. Inspired by the beloved children's book, the film focuses on a town where food falls from the sky like rain. Starring: Bill Hader, Anna Faris, James Caan, Andy SambergDirected by: Phil Lord and Christopher Miller Release date: September 18, 2009 Running time: 1:30 MPAA Rating: PG for brief mild language. Tagline: Prepare to get served. Production: IMDb details Based on: Cloudy With a Chance of Meatballs (1978) by Judi Barrett. Illus. by Ron Barrett Watch the trailer |
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Curious George
Will Ferrell stars as The Man in the Yellow Hat, a gentleman who looks after his pet monkey - an inquisitive and wonderful creature whose enthusiasm often gets the best of him. Starring: Will Ferrell, Drew Barrymore, Dick Van DykeDirected by: Matthew O'Callaghan Release date: February 10, 2006 Running time: 1:26 MPAA Rating: G Tagline: Welcome to the world of Curious George! Production: IMDb Details Based on: Curious George (1941) by H. A. Rey Watch the trailer |
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Horton Hears a Who Horton the Elephant struggles to protect a microscopic community from his neighbors who refuse to believe it exists. Starring: Jim Carrey, Steve Carell, Carol Burnett, WIll Arnett Directed by: Jimmy Hayward and Jimmy Martino Release date: March 14, 2008 Running time: 1:26 MPAA Rating: G Tagline: One Elephant. One World. One Story. Production: IMDb Details Based on: Horton Hears a Who (1954) by Dr. Seuss Watch the trailer |
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How the Grinch Stole Christmas
The Grinch hates the citizens of Whoville. And that is even more true at Christmas. When little Cindy Lou Who attempts tries to rise above the commercialism of the holiday, she invites the Grinch to celebrates, which ends with his public humiliation. Starring: Jim Carrey, Molly Shannon, Christine BaranskiDirected by: Ron Howard Release date: November 17, 2000 Running time: 1:44 MPAA Rating: PG for some crude humor. Tagline: Inside a snowflake, like the one on your sleeve, there happened a story you must see to believe. Production: IMDb Details Based on: How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1957) by Dr. Seuss Watch the trailer |
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The Invention of Hugo Cabret
Set in 1930s Paris, an orphan who lives in the walls of a train station is wrapped up in a mystery involving his late father and a robot. Starring: Ben Kingsley, Sacha Baron Cohen, Chloe MoretzDirected by: Martin Scorsese Release date: Currently filming Running time: MPAA Rating: Tagline: Production: IMDb Details Based on: The Invention of Hugo Cabret (2008) by Brian Selznick Watch the trailer |
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Jumanji
When two kids play an old magic board-game they found, they release a man trapped for decades in it and a host of dangers that can only be stopped by finishing the game. Starring: Robin Williams, Bonnie Hunt, Kirsten Dunst, Bradley Pierce, Jonathan Hyde.Directed by: Joe Johnston. Release date: December 11, 1995 Running time: 1:40.. MPAA Rating: Rated PG for menacing fantasy action and some mild language. Tagline: Roll the dice and unleash the excitement! Production: IMDb Details Based on: Jumanji (1981) by Chris Van Allsburg Watch the trailer |
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Madeline
Redheaded young girl Madeline is very good at getting into trouble, but she's also fantastic in solving problems as well, and her school-mistress Miss Clavel is not too approving of her. The biggest problem comes up when Lord Covington decides to sell the Madeline's school. Starring: Frances McDormand, Hatty Jones, Nigel HawthorneDirected by: Daisy von Scherler Mayer Release date: July 10, 1998 Running time: 1:28 MPAA Rating: PG for some momentary language Tagline: In an old house in Paris, that was covered with vines... Production: IMDb Details Based on: Madeline (1939) by Ludwig Bemelmens Watch the trailer |
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Meet the Robinsons
When Lewis's science fair project is ruined, he joins forces with a strange boy from the future in order to steal his invention back. Unless he finds and fixes it, the world faces a bleak future. Starring: Angela Bassett, Daniel Hansen, Jordan Fry, Laurie Metcalf.Directed by: Stephen J. Anderson. Release date: March 30, 2007. Running time: 1:34. MPAA Rating: G. Tagline: If you think your family's different, wait 'til you meet the family of the future. Production: IMDb Details Based on: A Day With Wilbur Robinson (1990) by William Joyce Watch the trailer |
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Polar Express
On Christmas Eve, a doubting boy boards a magical train that's headed to the North Pole and Santa Claus's home. Starring: Tom Hanks, Eddie Deezen,Directed by: Robert Zemeckis Release date: November 4, 2004 Running time: 1:40 MPAA Rating: G Tagline: Journey Beyond Your Imagination Production: IMDb Details Based on: The Polar Express (1985) by Chris Van Allsburg Watch the trailer |
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Shrek
An ogre, in order to regain his swamp, travels along with an annoying donkey in order to bring a princess to a scheming lord, wishing himself King. Starring: Mike Myers, Eddie Murphy, Cameron Diaz, John LithgowDirected by: Andrew Adamson Release date: May 18, 2001 Running time: 1:40 MPAA Rating: G Tagline: The greatest fairy tale never told. Production: IMDb Details Based on: Shrek (1990) by William Steig Watch the trailer |
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The Stupids
An incredibly dull-witted family unknowingly stumble upon an illegal weapons deal while on the trail of their "stolen" garbage. Starring: Tom Arnold, Jessica Lundy, Bug Hall, Alex McKennaDirected by: John Landis Release date: August 30, 1996 Running time: 1:33 MPAA Rating: PG for some violence. Tagline: Tom Arnold is Stupid ... Stanley Stupid Production: IMDb Details Based on: The Stupids series by Harry allrd. Illustrated by James Marshall Watch the trailer |
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Where the Wild Things Are
Max, a disobedient little boy sent to bed without his supper, creates his own world--a forest inhabited by ferocious wild creatures that crown Max as their ruler. Starring: Catherine Keener, Max Records, Mark Ruffalo, Forest Whitaker and Catherine O'HaraDirected by: Spike Jonze. Release date: Otober 16, 2009 Running time: 1:41 MPAA Rating: PG for mild thematic elements, some adventure action and brief language. Tagline: There's one in all of us. Production: IMDb details Based on: Where the Wild Things Are (1963) by Maurice Sendak. Watch the trailer |
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Zathura
Two young brothers are drawn into an intergalactic adventure when their house is magically hurtled through space because of the board game they are playing. Starring: Jonah Bobo, Josh Hutcherson, Dax Shepard, Kristen Stewart, Tim Robbins.Directed by: Jon Favreau. Release date: November 11, 2005 Running time: 1:43. MPAA Rating: Rated PG for fantasy action and peril, and some language. Tagline: A New Adventure From the World of Jumanji. Production: IMDb Details Based on: Zathura (2002) by Chris Van Allsburg Watch the trailer |























