Hollywood directors just can't leave great books alone, always striving for the next big movie adaptation of classic works of literature or modern bestsellers. While some tomes scream out for the silver screen - such as runaway successes Gone With Wind and American Psycho, other great works of literature should stay firmly on the shelf.

From Brian de Palma's movie massacre of Tom Wolfe's Bonfire of the Vanities to the cinematic slaying of Dr. Seuss' classic How the Grinch Stole Christmas! take a look at 35 books that had their contents sullied by an awful movie remake.

Click an image below to open the gallery, then let us know if you agree with our choices on Twitter.

Words: Anna Pollitt

Picture credit: Rex Features

Good book, bad film