Storytelling is a versatile art for some authors; with some jumping off the pages and bridging a gap between literature and film. They’ve not only written some literary masterpieces but also sat in the director’s chair, adding a new dimension to their creative journey. Whether you’re looking for spine-tingling horror, thoughtful stories — and some reflections on the complexities of life, these ten authors have lent their talent to the big screen.
10 Stephen King - Maximum Overdrive (1986)
Maximum Overdrive
- Release Date
- July 25, 1986
- Director
- Stephen King
- Cast
- Emilio Estevez, Pat Hingle, Laura Harrington, Yeardley Smith, John Short, Ellen McElduff
- Rating
- R
- Runtime
- 97
- Main Genre
- Action
Known as the “Master of Horror,” Stephen King is a literary staple, having crafted over 60 novels and numerous short stories. With a worldwide following of readers, his influence on the horror genre is limitless, and he’s often credited for redefining horror literature. However, driven by his desire to bring one of his pieces of work to life, King stepped into a director’s role for his 1986 film, Maximum Overdrive. This sci-fi, comedy horror follows a catastrophic chain of events when machines become aware and rebel against humanity when Earth passes through the tail end of a comet. Sadly, the film flopped at the box office, and he hasn’t directed anything else since while remaining a consultant, writer, and even making some acting appearances.
What Makes It Great?
While not doing so great at the box office, only generating $7.4 million, it gets a spot on the list for the innovative take on a classic man-vs-machine theme with a smidgen of dark comedy. There’s also the deep theme of human reliance on technology and what it could look like if technological advancement goes unchecked.
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9 Dalton Trumbo - Johnny Got His Gun
A prolific American novelist, screenwriter, and playwright, Dalton Trumbo, made a lasting mark on film and literature with his many works, including the classic novel, Johnny Got His Gun. Trumbo got to direct the film adaptation of the novel in 1971, driven by the desire to have his anti-war story done justice on the big screen. The novel tells the story of Joe Bonham, a quadruple amputee veteran soldier, and his inner thoughts as he deals with the leftover horrors of war and the loss of his physical senses.
What Makes It Great?
With innovative storytelling and cinematic excellence, Trumbo’s technical excellence creates a claustrophobic and disorienting experience for the audience. It’s an unflinching portrayal of the psychological and physical toll of war. The film also became a cult classic when the metal band, Metallica, bought the movie rights after featuring it in a music video.
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8 William Peter Blatty - The Ninth Configuration
A renowned screenwriter and author known for his contributions to the horror world, William Peter Blatty is best known for his film adaptation of his novel, The Exorcist. The novel was a cultural phenomenon, later being adapted into one of the most known and iconic horror films, and he won numerous awards, including an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
In 1980, Blatty made his directorial debut with, The Ninth Configuration, an adaptation of his 1978 novel of the same name. The story follows Colonel Hudson Kane as he takes over the treatment of the soldiers in the secluded castle insane asylum during the Vietnam War era.
What Makes It Great?
The Ninth Configuration is renowned for being an innovative and surreal story that looks at the complexities of human nature, faith, and the line between madness and sanity. The film has an unconventional narrative structure, visually striking shots, and exploration of deep themes highlight Blatty’s directing skills.
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7 Miranda July - Me and You and Everyone We Know (2005)
Me and You and Everyone We Know
- Release Date
- June 17, 2005
- Director
- Miranda July
- Cast
- John Hawkes, Miranda July, Miles Thompson, Brandon Ratcliff, Carlie Westerman, Hector Elias
- Rating
- R
- Runtime
- 90
- Main Genre
- Comedy
Miranda July is a multi-talented creative who is known for her work as a performer, filmmaker, and performer. She’s written dozens of short stories along with some novels that showcase her distinctive storytelling style that explores the quirks of human nature. In 2005, July directed Me and You and Everyone We Know, an eccentric, indie film that pulls together a diverse group of people in the Los Angeles suburbs.
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What Makes It Great?
Me and You and Everyone We Know crafts unique and interconnected stories with equally heartwarming and offbeat interactions that people have with each other. The cinematography provides an inside look at the characters’ emotions and connections. Themes like the struggle of being a single parent, trying to find intimacy in the age of technology, and the meaning of connections are presented with emotional depth while remaining humorous.
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6 Clive Barker - Hellraiser (1987)
Hellraiser (1987)
- Release Date
- September 11, 1987
- Director
- Clive Barker
- Cast
- Andrew Robinson, Clare Higgins, Ashley Laurence, Sean Chapman, Oliver Smith, Robert Hines
- Rating
- R
- Runtime
- 94
- Main Genre
- Horror
A master of horror and dark fantasy stories, Clive Barker is renowned for his macabre and imaginative storytelling, like in Books of Blood, and has attracted a dedicated fanbase. In 1987, Barker took on the role of director for Hellraiser, based on his novella, The Hellbound Heart. The movie’s about a world of Cenobites, supernatural beings who are summoned with a puzzle box, and what happens when they accidentally get set free.
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What Makes It Great?
Hellraiser stands out for its gruesome but creative storytelling. Barker creates a world where pain and pleasure meet, which explores the themes of desire following the consequences of unchecked obsession. Known for its unapologetic horror, it’s cultivated a mass cult-like following that appreciates the blend of visceral and psychological horror.
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5 Jean Genet - Un Chant d’Amour (A Song of Love) (1950)
A provocative French author, poet, and playwright known for his controversial and transgressive work, Jean Genet often explored themes of social marginalization of outcasts, homosexuality, and criminality. His most famous novel is Our Lady of the Flowers. Directing the 1950 short, silent film, Un Chant d’Amour (A Song of Love), Genet explores the desire and longing for human connection with some emotional and erotic relationships between inmates.
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What Makes It Great?
Un Chant d’Amour is a bold story that pushed the boundaries of what was allowed on film back in the '50s; It challenged the societal norms and conventions surrounding love and sexuality. The 26-minute-long silent film was groundbreaking for LGBTQ+ cinema and shows the themes of longing in a repressive environment.
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4 Stephen Chbosky - The Perks of Being a Wallflower (2012)
The Perks of Being a Wallflower
- Release Date
- September 20, 2012
- Director
- Stephen Chbosky
- Cast
- logan lerman, Dylan McDermott, Kate Walsh, Patrick de Ledebur, Johnny Simmons, Brian Balzerini
- Rating
- PG-13
- Runtime
- 102
A versatile filmmaker, screenwriter, and author, Stephen Chbosky is most known for his 1999 novel The Perks of Being a Wallflower and directed the 2012 film adaptation, which won numerous awards. An iconic coming-of-age story that’s resonated with readers across the world, it covers themes of self-discovery, mental health, friendship, and adolescence. It follows the life of an introverted high school student, Charlie, who befriends two seniors, and they all navigate their youth together.
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What Makes It Great?
The Perks of Being a Wallflower is celebrated for its authentic storytelling, the complexities of growing up and addressing mental health, and trauma. With Chbosky at the director’s helm, he was able to remain true to the heart of the book and left a lasting influence on conversations surrounding teen struggles and growth.
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3 Michael Crichton - Westworld (1973)
Westworld
- Release Date
- August 15, 1973
- Director
- Michael Crichton
- Cast
- Yul Brynner, Richard Benjamin, James Brolin, Norman Bartold, Alan Oppenheimer, Victoria Shaw
- Rating
- PG-13
- Runtime
- 88
A prolific screenwriter and author, Michael Crichton is best known for his sci-fi and techno-thriller books, like Jurassic Park, The Andromeda Strain, and Westworld. Crichton directed Westworld, a science fiction film set in a futuristic theme park that’s littered with human-like robots. The park allows guests to role-play various time periods, but a glitch in programming leads to the robots turning on the guests.
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What Makes It Great?
Michael Crichton wasn’t only the director of Westworld but the writer as well, which allowed him to really bring this dystopian world to life, diving into themes of control, technology, and the effects of human creations. The practical effects and animatronics used were groundbreaking in the 1970s. This technical expertise contributes to the overall and lasting appeal of the film.
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2 Ousmane Sembène - La Noire de... (Black Girl) (1966)
A distinguished Senegalese filmmaker and author, Ousmane Sembène was considered the “father of African cinema.” His short stories, novels, and movies addressed dire political and social issues in Africa and are known for their commitment to social justice and powerful storytelling. In 1966, Ousmane Sembène directed La Noire de…(Black Girl), which follows the story of a young Senegalese woman, Diouana, who moves to work as a nanny for a wealthy French family, but it quickly turns into a harsh reality of servitude and isolation.
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What Makes It Great?
Sembène’s decision to direct La Noire de… was because of his desire to bring attention to colonialism and exploitation that are portrayed in his literature. By bringing them to the big screen, he could reach a larger audience, providing an emotional and visual depth to the stories.
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A remarkable American poet, composer, photographer, filmmaker, and author, Gordon Parks included his experiences growing up poor and dealing with racism in the United States. Parks released his highly-acclaimed 1964 novel The Learning Tree, later adapting it into the 1969 semi-autobiographical movie that follows Newt Winger, a young African American boy growing up in a racially segregated community.
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What Makes It Great?
The Learning Tree is a powerful and authentic movie that addresses deep-seated racial prejudices and how education is a powerful tool. Parks’ direction captures the harsh realities of racism and overcoming adversity. With this directorial debut, it became a landmark in American cinema, representing the innovative and resilient spirit of an African-American artist who broke barriers.
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