James Patterson's 10 Best Movies and TV Shows, Ranked

James Patterson

is one of the most successful authors of his generation, with a huge catalog of intense thrillers and gripping mysteries that are all different but equally gripping. Their stories are the perfect material to be turned into films and TV shows: often self-contained adventures, with a central mystery that drives the story forward with fun characters and interesting locations. The writer is best known for his character Alex Cross, which has been adapted several times for the small screen.

Patterson has been writing novels since the late 1970ssince when his production has only become more impressive. He has one of the largest bibliographies of any living author, with a huge number of stories that cater to completely different audiences. As such, many of his best works have been optioned for blockbuster TV shows and films over the years. While most failed to capture the magic of the original story, there were some great examples that understand why Patterson's narratives are so fundamentally compelling.

10

Sundays at Tiffany's (2010)

Starring Eric Winter and Alyssa Milano

Sundays at Tiffany's is one of James Patterson's most unconventional stories, not falling into the action or thriller genres for which he is best known. Instead, the narrative revolves around a woman who can't decide on her wedding preparations despite her lifelong dream of getting married, causing her to enlist an imaginary friend to help guide her. in big decisions.

What's so good about that Sundays at Tiffany's is how original and creative it is: it's a typical romance on the surface, but Patterson and Gabrielle Charbonet's writing is very different from anything else in the genre translated to the screen. The story takes many twists and turns that audiences are unlikely to see, but the film's familiarly romantic glow helps lull audiences into a false sense of security.

9

Maximum Ride (2016)

Starring Lyliana Wray and Allie Marie Evans

While it's fair to say that Patterson made his name with high-octane thrillers and mystery novels, the author made a real effort in the second half of his career to break free from these conventions and experiment with new forms and styles. From him Maximum Ride The series is a perfect example of this, as it unapologetically leans into the science fiction genre with some of its sharpest ideas to date.

Following the exploits of Maximum “Max” Ride and his flock, a family of laboratory-created avian-human hybrids, the series provided ample source material. Although Maximum Ride ultimately failed as a young adult franchise, there are still some redeeming qualities to this film adaptation. It's full of interesting concepts and complex science fiction ideas like genetic evolution and social oppression, but the film doesn't fully understand Patterson's vision for Maximum Ride enough to flourish.

8

Miracle on the 17th green (1999)

Starring Robert Ulrich and Ernie Hudson

Miracle on the 17th Green is probably one of Patterson's least known books, but that certainly doesn't make it the worst. The novel follows a middle-aged man who quits his job and decides to take up golf, finding a huge level of success that quickly leads him to the PGA Seniors Open. This story doesn't have the typical crimes and detectives that Patterson has become known for, but it's a brilliant exercise in independent drama that gives the author a chance to try something new.

The 1999 TV drama Miracle on the 17th Green is closely based on Patterson's novel and it works so well because it captures the comedy inherent in the protagonist's situation, while balancing this with the dramatic and more fascinating aspect of the “miracle” this happens at the Seniors Open. There aren't many authors who are willing to mix genres and styles as often as James Patterson, and that always makes adaptations of his books fascinating to watch.

7

Zoo (2015-2017)

Starring James Wolk and Billy Burke

Zoo was a popular show that aired 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 who examines 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 hallmarks of Patterson's style, but still represent the author's attempt to enter a new subgenre.

Where programs like Cross changed a lot in relation to the original books, Zoo tried to stick much closer to Patterson's original vision, which was both his greatest strength and his ultimate undoing. Although it made the show more respectable in the eyes of Patterson's fans, Zoo admittedly it is not one of the author's strongest works, and many of the narrative problems of that story still exist in the series. The characters aren't as interesting as most of Patterson's protagonists, and the story actually takes a while to get going.

6

The Postcard Murders (2020)

Starring Jeffrey Dean Morgan and Naomi Battrick

2020 The Postcard Murders is based on the novel The postcard killers, co-written by James Patterson and Liza Marklund. The narrative revolves around a New York police officer whose daughter is murdered while on vacation in Europe, drawing him into a dark web of conspiracy and intrigue that takes him across the continent in search of the man who took his son from him.

The Postcard Murders is another film that perfectly understands how simplicity is key for any of Patterson's novels. Despite the overarching narrative and extensive cast of characters, the film takes a very linear and digestible approach to storytelling that keeps the audience engaged without asking too much of them. This may be a deterrent to audiences looking for a more intellectual mystery, but it's a great adaptation of the spirit of Patterson and Marklund's story.

5

Instinct (2018-2019)

Starring Alan Cumming and Bojana Novakovic

Instinct is based on the novel by Patterson Assassination Gamesand it is a much more typical story from the author's catalogue. The original book tells the story of a criminal psychologist named Dylan, whose works are found at a brutal crime scene that the NYPD later connects to a dangerous serial killer – and Dylan is the only person with the knowledge to get into his head and help the law. inspection catches the criminal. Instinct It's an exciting game of cat and mouse with all the twists and turns one could expect from such a veteran author in the genre.

Instinct it was a fairly close adaptation of the book, which succeeded thanks to its unwavering dedication to extracting as much tension and intrigue from this story as possible. Each episode takes itself seriously and keeps the audience on edge, something Patterson's stories are known for. It also features an excellent lead performance from Alan Cumming, who brings a whole new dimension to the character of Dylan. Although Alan Cumming has some very famous films, Instinct may be his most underrated work.

4

High school: the worst years of my life (2016)

Starring Griffin Gluck and Lauren Graham

paterson Secondary school The series is another of his most successful works, mainly because it is aimed at a much younger audience. The books were written in collaboration with Chris Tebbetts and quickly became some of Patterson's most famous stories. They revolve around a boy named Rafe, who struggles to integrate into his new school and quickly takes on the challenge of breaking as many rules as possible. The book stands out for its sharp humor and creative illustrations that contrast with Patterson's more serious works.

THE Secondary school The film may not have all the flair and style of the book, but it's a faithful adaptation that stays true to the original story and does a great job of bringing Rafe's protagonist to life. Griffin Gluck delivers an excellent lead performance that is funny and relatable, while director Steve Carr captures the playful spirit of the novel through bright colors and slapstick humor. Its coming-of-age narrative isn't a perfect representation of teenage life, but it's still fun and worth watching.

3

Kiss the Girls (1997)

Starring Morgan Freeman and Ashley Judd

Gary Fleder Kiss the girls received a rather mixed reception in 1997, with many criticizing the narrative and focusing on the film's flaws – but there's actually a lot to be appreciated in this melodramatic, stylized retelling of Patterson's popular novel. The story revolves around detective Alex Cross as he searches for his niece after she is kidnapped by a dangerous killer, employing the help of his previous victims to locate him.

While Kiss the girls It's certainly not as exciting and captivating as the novel it was adapted from, it's still an excellent film that doesn't get the credit it deserves as a simple, traditional thriller that follows the contemporary formula, but it does it well. Morgan Freeman gives an excellent performance in his turn as Alex Cross, capturing all the charisma and stoicism that made Patterson's protagonist so popular in the first place.

2

Along Came a Spider (2001)

Starring Morgan Freeman and Monica Potter

Along came a spider is Morgan Freeman's second appearance as Cross, and while it's hard to top the thrill of the original, there's something incredible about this sequel that's impossible to deny. It's an adaptation of Patterson's book, which actually came before Kiss the girls and marked Cross's literary introduction. The story follows Cross as he is drawn into a dark case related to a serial kidnapper whose methodical actions draw the attention of Washington DC police.

Again, the best part of Along came a spider is Freeman's fierce leadership performance. It takes everything that worked in the original film and unfolds it, allowing the character to step fully into the spotlight and putting the dark details of the case to the side a bit. This was a controversial decision, but it certainly helped make this character such an iconic figure over time.

1

Cruz (2024)

Starring Aldis Hodge and Ryan Eggold

Amazon Cross the series debuted excellently with critics, instantly becoming one of the most successful adaptations of James Patterson's works. The series is a much looser adaptation of the character than any of Morgan Freeman's films, taking several aspects of the series and applying them to a new and somewhat original story that has been updated for a more modern audience.

The most impressive aspect Cross is his ability to adhere to the dark and melodramatic style of James Pattersonwhile also integrating some sharp humor and light-hearted subplots at the same time, which helps give the character even more dimensions and make him more relatable. Aldis Hodge's portrayal of Alex Cross is almost perfect, as he captures all the strength and intelligence of the character, while at the same time giving him a more human and imperfect side.