Need a good cry? Just in the mood for some good-old-fashioned YA? I’ve got you. Whether you’re in the mood for a book, or a movie, or both, all of these YA watches were adapted from books, so there’s a whole lot of wallowing in these stories available for you! In all honesty though, these are great books and movies that I feel like also get passed off as simply “YA” when they’re raw, powerful works that explore super intense emotions. These books and movies will pray on your feels, but you definitely won’t regret watching or reading any of them! Enjoy!

Looking for Alaska

Let’s get John Green out of the way on this list. While I have nothing against the writer, he can get the reputation for writing for an overly-emotional hopeless romantic audience who romanticises trauma… All I have to say about that is, and what about Shakespeare? Anyway, Looking for Alaska does the same thing Green tends to do in his other works in Looking for Alaska, spoiler alert: he builds up a relationship, makes you feel connected to the characters, then ripped someone away and leaves the characters (and you the reader/viewer) to linger in those emotions and deal with that loss for a bit. It’s incredibly gut-wrenching, but also a great structure for an emotional read and YA series. The book and the Hulu series both have the same name: Looking For Alaska.

All The Bright Places

Written by Jennifer Niven, the book, All the Bright Places, had been adapted to be a movie on Netflix. I was obsessed with this book in high school. Both protagonists struggle with depression and suicidal thoughts, Theodore because he’s different compared to most, and Violet because she lost her sister. Throughout their unlikely friendship, they couple up for a group project that shows them adventure and light all around them, even somewhere as boring as Indiana. Though, like a lot of these romances go, you’ll want to reach for tissues toward the end of this book.

Beautiful Boy

This YA movie has been developed from not one, but two books, Beautiful Boy by David Sheff and Tweak by Nic Sheff. Through the books, we get two sides of the same real story: Nic Sheff’s struggle with drug addiction. The movie, which is available on Amazon Prime, doesn’t shy away from any of the harsh, gruesome, and heart-wrenching moments throughout Sheff’s road to recovery. Not to mention, the two main protagonists in this movie are played by Timothée Chalamet and Steve Carell. If you’re looking for an emotional father-son movie, this is one that will surely hit you in your feels.

The Perks Of Being A Wallflower

The book, The Perks Of Being A Wallflower was written by Stephen Chbosky, who also was the director of the film on Amazon Prime. Because of this, the movie and book are almost identical and it’s an ultimate YA read/ watch. Following Charlie, a shy and awkward protagonist, we see him open up and start to become more adventurous after meeting step siblings, Sam and Patrick. Throughout their friendship, Charlie learns to let loose, have fun, and make the most of living, though things take a dark turn once his group heads away for college. Aren’t the movies that make you feel on top of the world, then hit you in the feels the best YA books and movies anyway?

Whip It

If you know me, you know that Whip It, on Prime Video, is one of my favorite movies of all time. The movie is directed by Drew Barrymore, and adapted from Shauna Cross’s book, Derby Girl. This story is truly a great one for empowerment, sisterhood, and coming-of age, all elements that make a fantastic YA read and watch. We follow Bliss, a pageant teen simply going along with what her mother wants for her. However, after discovering roller derby, Bliss steps out of her role as the perfect daughter and finds her inner badassery. If Rebel Girl by Bikini Kill was a book/ movie, it would be Derby Girl/Whip it!

Which YA book adaptations are your favorite? Let us know in the comments!

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