From Print to Picture

Successful franchises also provide a return to the source content. When adaptations release, they often reinvigorate interest in the books, leading to significant spikes in book sales. These spikes are seen throughout the adaptation process, from when the movie and casting is announced, teasers and trailers released, all the way till the release of the movie. According to data from BookNet Canada studying 60 adapted film titles released between 2020 to 2021, there was a 307% increase in sales for books between 12 weeks prior to a movie release to 1 week post release (Must-Watch, Must-Read, 2022a).

Books are also often adapted to television shows. Since 2016, according to 3Vision, more than 70% of Netflix's SVOD original titles have been adapted works (Book Adaptations on the Rise as Studios Consider Them a Safer Bet | 3Vision, n.d.). These shows have similar results on book sales. According to data from BookNet Canada studying 30 adapted film titles released between 2020 to 2021, there was a 979% increase in sales for books between 12 weeks prior to a movie release to 1 week post release (Must-Watch, Must-Read, 2022a).

This effect is particularly pronounced in fiction (42%) and young adult fiction (32%), particularly for book series, where readers often seek to experience the original story before or after watching the adaptation (Must-Watch, Must-Read, 2022a). For example, following the release of the Dune film, book sales for the first book of the series surged by 153%, according to the same data set by BookNet Canada, demonstrating the direct impact of adaptations on the publishing industry (Must-Watch, Must-Read, 2022b). These trends are also apparent in library circulation. Similarly, the Harry Potter series saw renewed book sales after each movie release, and topped the New York Times Bestselling charts, solidifying its place as one of the best-selling book series of all time (The Book That Started It All: Celebrating 25 Years of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” n.d.).

Hunger Games and Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone particularly saw massive surges in book sales particularly from one year prior to the release of the movie to immediately after. This trend can be seen for most YA titles (Lewis, 2012) (The Book That Started It All: Celebrating 25 Years of “Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone,” n.d.).
There is considerable data that supports this concept, with regard to the creation of "buzz" during the time of a book adaptation being released. Twilight and Harry Potter, both mega YA franchises saw surges in online interest and engagement, with conversation, defined by the percent of messages at an all time high. Further data from Google Trends also supports this phenomenon. There was a huge spike in searches according to Google Trends data for "Hunger Games" post the release of the film in 2008, once again illustrating the interest and audience engagement.

For publishers, these adaptations present a golden opportunity to repackage and remarket books to new audiences. Common strategies include special edition covers featuring movie branding, re-releases with additional content, and bundled book sets that capitalize on an adaptation’s success. Additionally, book sales can see extended longevity in the market, as fans continue engaging with the literary source long after the film’s release.

Hunger Games and Harry Potter & The Philosopher's Stone particularly saw massive surges in book sales particularly from one year prior to the release of the movie to immediately after. This trend can be seen for most YA titles.

There is considerable data that supports this concept, with regard to the creation of "buzz" during the time of a book adaptation being released. Twilight and Harry Potter, both mega YA franchises saw surges in online interest and engagement, with conversation, defined by the percent of messages at an all time high. Further data from Google Trends also supports this phenomenon. There was a huge spike in searches according to Google Trends data for "Hunger Games" post the release of the film in 2008, once again illustrating the interest and audience engagement.

Long Term Impact

Beyond the immediate sales surge, adaptations also contribute to the longevity of a book’s influence. Successful adaptations often lead to increased readership for an author’s entire body of work, benefiting both established and lesser-known writers. For instance, J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings saw a renewed global readership decades after its publication after Peter Jackson’s acclaimed film trilogy (Book Adaptations on the Rise as Studios Consider Them a Safer Bet | 3Vision, n.d.). Similarly, the popularity of The Handmaid’s Tale television adaptation reignited interest in Margaret Atwood’s work, leading to the release of a long-awaited sequel (Press, 2019).

However, despite their work serving as the foundation for successful adaptations, the financial rewards for authors tend to be minimal in comparison to the substantial revenue generated by the films. This raises concerns about fairness in the distribution of profits and underscores the need for more equitable compensation models that better reflect the value authors bring to the table. Authors typically receive payments between $500 and $5,000 for option agreements, which grant production companies the right to adapt their work within a specific timeframe regardless of whether the adaptation is made or not (Shannon, 2021). After this, if the adaptation moves forward, authors generally receive 2-3% of the production budget as a purchase price (Shannon, 2021). While publishers try to negotiate residuals, they often receive nothing once the film is released (Shannon, 2021). This creates a significant imbalance, as authors contribute the original content that serves as the foundation for the adaptation, yet their financial reward does not reflect the long-term profits generated by the film. This discrepancy highlights the need for more equitable agreements that better compensate authors for the value their work adds to successful adaptations.