James Pattersonis one of the most successful authors of his generation, with an enormous catalog of intense thrillers and gripping mysteries that are all different but equally exciting. His stories are the perfect material to be transformed into movies and TV shows: usually standalone adventures, with a central mystery that drives the story forward with fun characters and interesting locations. The writer is best known for his characterAlex Cross, who’s been adapted several timeson the small screen.
Patterson has been writing novels since the late 1970s, since when his output has only gotten more impressive. He has one of the largest bibliographies of any living author, with huge amounts of stories that cater to wildly different audiences. As such, many of his best works have been picked up for TV shows and blockbuster movies throughout the years. While most haven’t been able to capture the magic of the original story, there have been some great examples that understand why Patterson’s narratives are so fundamentally compelling.
10Sundays At Tiffany’s (2010)
Starring Eric Winter & Alyssa Milano
Sundays at Tiffany’sis one of James Patterson’s less conventional stories, not falling into the action or thriller genres that he’s more widely known for. Instead, the narrative centers around a woman who can’t decide on her wedding preparations despite her lifelong dream to get married, causing her to summon an imaginary friend to help guide her through the big decisions.
James Patterson Rejected Seven-Figure Alex Cross Deal To Avoid Changing 1 Key Detail About The Character
Author James Patterson rejected a seven-figure offer for the first Alex Cross book to avoid changing one key detail about the character.
What’s so great aboutSundays at Tiffany’sis how original and creative it is: It’s a typical romance on the surface, butPatterson and Gabrielle Charbonet’s writing is so different from anything else that exists in the genre, translating to the screen.The story takes many twists and turns that audiences likely won’t see coming, but the familiarly romantic sheen of the movie helps lull the audience into a false sense of security.
While it’s fair to say that Patterson made his name with high-octane thrillers and mystery novels, the author has made a real effort in the back half of his career to break free of these conventions and experiment with new forms and styles. HisMaximum Rideseries is a perfect example of this, as it leans unapologetically into the sci-fi genre with some of his sharpest ideas to date.
Following the exploits of Maximum “Max” Ride and her Flock, a family of avian-human hybrids created in a lab, the series provided ample source material. AlthoughMaximum Rideultimately flopped as a young adult franchise, there are still some redeeming qualities to this movie adaptation. It’s filled with interesting concepts and complex sci-fi ideas, such as genetic evolution and social oppression, butthe movie doesn’t fully understand Patterson’s vision forMaximum Rideenough to flourish.
8Miracle On The 17th Green (1999)
Starring Robert Ulrich & Ernie Hudson
Miracle on the 17th Greenis probably one of Patterson’s least-known books, but that certainly doesn’t make it his worst. The novel follows a middle-aged man who’s let go from his job and decides to take up golf instead, finding a huge level of success that quickly takes him all the way to the PGA Seniors Open. This story doesn’t have the typical crimes and detectives that Patterson became known for, but it’s a brilliant exercise in standalone dramas that gives the author a chance to try something new.
The 1999 TV dramaMiracle on the 17th Greenis closely based on Patterson’s noveland works so well because it captures the inherent comedy of this protagonist’s situation while balancing that with the dramatic, more fascinating aspect of the “miracle” that happens at the Seniors Open. There aren’t many authors who are willing to blend genres and styles as frequently as James Patterson, and this always makes his books' adaptations fascinating to watch.
The Zoo Gang
Cast
The Zoo Gang follows a former boxer known as Old Leather Face, who opens a nightclub called the Zoo. Facing poor business prospects, he partners with a group of homeless teenagers aiming to turn it into a profitable venture while contending with threats from a local gang.
Zoowas a popular show that ran on CBS between 2015 and 2017, loosely adapted from Patterson’s novel of the same name.The story is a typical thriller about a young scientist examining a trend of dangerous behavior in zoo animals, but it quickly takes a sci-fi-inspired turn that quickly helped the show find its target audience. The show, and the original book, bear all the trademarks of Patterson’s style but it still represents an attempt from the author to bleed into a new subgenre.
Where shows likeCrosshave changed much about the original books,Zooattempted to stick much more closely to Patterson’s original vision, which was both its biggest strength and ultimate undoing. While it made the show more respectable in the eyes of Patterson’s fans,Zooadmittedly isn’t one of the author’s stronger works, and many of the narrative problems of that story still exist in the show. The characters aren’t as interesting as the majority of Patterson’s protagonists, and the story really takes a while to get going.
The Postcard Killings
The Postcard Killings is a crime thriller directed by Danis Tanović, based on the James Patterson and Liza Marklund novel. The film follows New York detective Jacob Kanon, played by Jeffrey Dean Morgan, as he investigates a string of murders across Europe. Each crime is preceded by the killer sending a postcard to a journalist. The narrative delves into themes of grief, obsession, and the quest for justice.
2020’sThe Postcard Killingsis based on the novelThe Postcard Killers,co-written by James Patterson and Liza Marklund. The narrative centers around a New York Police Officer whose daughter is murdered while vacationing in Europe, leading him down a dark web of conspiracy and intrigue that takes him across the whole continent in search of the man who took his child from him.
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There are many other films like The Postcard Killings that fans of this suspenseful, crime thriller about serial killings would likely also enjoy.
The Postcard Killingsis another movie that perfectly understands how simplicity is the keyto any of Patterson’s novels. Despite the sweeping narrative and extensive cast of characters, the film takes a very linear and digestible approach to storytelling that keeps the audience invested without demanding too much of them. This may be deterring to audiences looking for a more highbrow mystery, but it’s a great adaptation of the spirit of Patterson’s and Marklund’s story.
Instinct
Instinct is a crime drama series starring Alan Cumming as Dr. Dylan Reinhart, a former CIA operative turned author and university professor. Recruited by NYPD detective Elizabeth Needham (Bojana Novakovic), Reinhart uses his unique skills to help solve complex cases in New York City. The series combines psychological insights with police procedural elements.
Instinctis based on Patterson’s novelMurder Games, and it’s a much more typical story from the author’s catalog. The original book tells the story of a criminal psychologist named Dylan whose works are found at a brutal crime scene that New York police later connect with a dangerous serial killer — and Dylan is the only person with the knowledge to get inside their head and help law enforcement catch the criminal.Instinctis a thrilling game of cat-and-mousewith all the twists and turns one could expect from such a veteran author in the genre.
Instinctwas a fairly close adaptation of the book that succeeded thanks to its unwavering dedication to drawing as much tension and intrigue out of this story as possible. Every single episode takes itself seriously and keeps the audience on the edge of their seats, which is something that Patterson’s stories are renowned for. It also boasts an excellent lead performance from Alan Cumming, who brings a whole new dimension to Dylan’s character. WhileAlan Cumming has some very famous movies,Instinctmay be his most underrated work.
Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life
Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life is a coming-of-age comedy film released in 2016, focusing on Rafe Katchadorian, a creative teenager who decides to rebel against his strict middle school rules with the help of his best friend, Leo, by strategically breaking every rule in the school’s handbook.
Patterson’sMiddle Schoolseries is another of his most successful works, primarily because it’s directed towards a much younger audience. The books were written in collaboration with Chris Tebbetts, and quickly became some of Patterson;s most renowned stories. They center around a young boy named Rafe, who struggles to integrate into his new school and quickly takes up the challenge of breaking as many rules as possible. The book is noteworthy for its sharp humor and creative illustrations that contrast with Patterson’s more serious works.
James Patterson confirmed that a sequel toMiddle Schoolwas in production in 2020.
TheMiddle Schoolmovie might not have all the flair and style of the book, but it’s a faithful adaptation that sticks closely to the original story and does a great job of bringing Rafe’s protagonist to life. Griffin Gluck delivers an excellent lead performance that’s both funny and relatable, whiledirector Steve Carr captures the playful spirit of the novel through bright colors and slapstick humor.Itscoming-of-age narrative isn’t a perfect depiction of teenage life, but it’s still a fun one that’s worth watching.
Kiss the Girls
Kiss the Girls is a crime thriller directed by Gary Fleder and based on James Patterson’s novel. It stars Morgan Freeman as forensic psychologist Alex Cross, who teams up with Dr. Kate McTiernan, played by Ashley Judd, to track down a serial kidnapper. The film delves into suspenseful investigations and dramatic rescues, offering a gripping narrative on the hunt for a cunning criminal.
Gary Fleder’sKiss the Girlsopened to a fairly mixed reception in 1997, with many criticizing the storytelling and focusing on the film’s flaws — but there’s actually much to be appreciated in this melodramatic, stylized retelling of Patterson’s popular novel.The story centers around Detective Alex Crossas he searches for his niece after she is abducted by a dangerous killer,employing the help of his previous victims to track him down.
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WhileKiss the Girlscertainly isn’t as gripping and captivating as the novel that it’s adapted from, it’s still an excellent movie that doesn’t get the credit it deserves as a simple, traditional thriller that adheres to the contemporary formula but does it well. Morgan Freeman delivers an excellent performance with his turn as Alex Cross, capturing all the charisma and stoicism that made Patterson’s protagonist so popular in the first place.
Along Came a Spider
Along Came a Spider follows detective and author Alex Cross, who is drawn out of retirement to investigate the kidnapping of a senator’s daughter. Partnered with a Secret Service agent, Cross unravels a complex web of clues revealing the kidnapper’s motives extend beyond ransom.
Along Came a Spideris Morgan Freeman’s second outing as Cross, and while it’s hard to beat the excitement of the original, there’s something great about this sequel that’s impossible to deny. It’s an adaptation of Patterson’s book, which actually came beforeKiss the Girlsand marked Cross' literary introduction. The story follows Cross as he’s dragged into a dark case concerning a serial kidnapper whose methodical actions catch the attention of the Washington D.C. police.
Once again,the best part ofAlong Came a Spideris Freeman’s fierce lead performance. He takes everything that worked about the original movie and doubles down on it, allowing the character to step fully into the spotlight and placing the grim details of the case somewhat to the side. This was a controversial decision, but it certainly helped make this character such an iconic figure over time.
Cross
Cross follows the life of Alex Cross, a skilled yet troubled homicide detective balancing his role as a devoted father and relentless crime investigator. Haunted by his wife’s murder, he navigates personal turmoil while persistently pursuing justice in the face of dangerous adversaries.
Amazon’sCrossseries has debuted excellently with critics, instantly making it one of the most successful adaptations of James Patterson’s works. The show is a much looser adaptation of the character than either of the Morgan Freeman movies, taking various aspects from throughout the series and applying them to a new, somewhat original story that’s been updated for a more modern audience.
The most impressive aspect ofCrossis its ability to adhere to the dark, melodramatic style ofJames Patterson’s novels whilst integrating some sharp humor and lighthearted subplots at the same time, which helps give the character even further dimensions and make him more relatable.Aldis Hodge’s portrayal of Alex Cross is near-perfect,as he captures all the strength and intelligence of the character while giving him a more human, flawed side as well.
