The connection between the world of books and the screen has never been closer in France. According to a study published this Friday, March 28, by the French National Book Center (CNL), nearly one in six fictional works broadcast in cinemas or on television between 2015 and 2023 is based on a literary work. This figure rises to 17%, compared to only 8% in the United States, where screenwriters are far more numerous and better paid. Entitled The Marriage Between Books, Cinema, and the Audiovisual Sector, this survey conducted by BearingPoint highlights a growing phenomenon, which the CNL describes as a “safe bet with virtuous effects”: greater visibility for authors, new sources of income, and a positive impact on sales of adapted books.
Recent novels popular, publishers increasingly involved
While some classics like The Count of Monte Cristo (9 million admissions in 2024) continue to attract audiences, 65% of works adapted over the past eight years have been based on books published after 2001. And the rebound effect is real: in 61% of cases, the release of a film or series boosts print sales of the original title. The most popular genres are children's and animation (27%), biography (17%), and fantasy literature such as science fiction or fantasy (16%). Conversely, comedies (7%), horror films (5%), and documentaries (1%) remain relatively unaffected.
Faced with this demand, publishers are taking action. Many have set up divisions dedicated to adaptations and now offer options well in advance of publication. But despite these developments, the success of an adaptation remains difficult to predict. Because while a good book can make a good film, nothing guarantees it, the professionals interviewed point out.
