10 Movies That Are Based On Magazine Articles

Behind every great movie is a great story, and sometimes, that story begins on the pages of a magazine. These 10 films are prime examples of how magazine articles have inspired some of Hollywood’s most memorable movies.

Bigger Than Life (1956)

“Ten Feet Tall,” published in the New Yorker in 1995, is the basis of Bigger Than Life, a Michael Ray frame film starring James Mason, who produced it, Barbara Rush, and Walter Matthau. The plot is about an ailing schoolteacher who misuses cortisone and has his life get out of control.

Coyote Ugly (2000)

Elizabeth Gilbert’s “The Muse of Coyote Ugly” is behind this film. It’s a comedy-drama about the Coyote Ugly Saloon, directed by David McNally and set in New York. Adam Garcia, John Goodman, Maria Nellie, and Melanie Lynskey are featured in the movie, which gave Piper Perabo her breakthrough role.

The Fast and the Furious (2001)

Among the stars of this movie are Vin Diesel and the late Paul Walker. An undercover cop aiming to investigate hijackings infiltrates a racing crew and starts developing a friendship with the leader. Vibe’s “Racer X” is the article the movie is based on.

Into the Wild (2007)

Into the Wild is based on the 1996 book Into the Wild. Before it became a book, it was a 9,000-word article in Outside magazine by the author, Jon Krakauer. This film tells the story of adventurer Christopher McCandless, who hiked across North America and into the Alaskan wilderness.

The Killing Fields (1984)

Set against the backdrop of the Khmer Rouge regime in Cambodia, this movie chronicles the experiences of journalist Dith Pran. The storyline is adapted from Sydney Schanberg’s article, “The Life and Death of Dith Pran,” featured in The New York Times Magazine. Hiang S. Ngor and Sam Waterson bring the roles of Pran and Schanberg to life on screen.

Ladybug Ladybug (1963)

“Ladybug Ladybug” is a commentary on the Cold War’s psychological effects. It introduced Estelle Parsons, Jane Connell, and William Daniels to the film world. The movie was based on Lois Dickert’s article “They Thought The War Was On!” published in the now-discontinued McCall’s magazine in the same year.

Only the Brave (2017)

This American biographical film, directed by Joseph Kosinski, tells the Granite Mountain Hotshots story. They were an elite firefighters’ crew who lost all but one of their 20 members while fighting the Yarnell Hill Fire. Notably, the film is based on “No Exit,” a GQ article by Sean Flynn.

Proof of Life (2000)

It draws inspiration from two materials. One is the book “Long March to Freedom” by Thomas Hargrove, and the other is the article “Adventures in the Ransom Trade” by William Prochnau. The movie suffered at the box office, grossing over two million dollars less than its budget.

Saturday Night Fever (1977)

John Badham directed this American dance drama, and Robert Dogwood produced it. Nik Cohn’s article, Tribal Rites of the New Saturday Night, is the basis for this movie. The article is mostly fictional and appeared in New York magazine in 1976. John Travolta plays the role of an Italian-American, dancing and drinking man.