A Wrinkle in Time, adaptation of the Madeleine L’engle kids fantasy novel and Ava DuVernay’s sojourn into $100 million filmmaking, isn’t getting the best reviews. As the score settles in the lower-40s, Wrinkle would place somewhere in the middle of this week’s gallery: the 24 worst children’s book adaptations, each rated PG and ranked by Tomatometer.
Because of Winn-Dixie (2005, 54%)
An old-fashioned, if bland, adaptation of Kate DiCamillo’s novel.
City of Ember (2008, 53%) City of Ember is visually arresting, and boasts a superb cast, but is sadly lacking in both action and adventure.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid (2010, 53%)
Unlike its bestselling source material, Diary of a Wimpy Kid fails to place a likable protagonist at the center of its middle-school humor — and its underlying message is drowned out as a result.
Alice in Wonderland (2010, 52%)
Tim Burton’s Alice sacrifices the book’s minimal narrative coherence — and much of its heart — but it’s an undeniable visual treat.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: Dog Days (2012, 51%)
Overly familiar and a bit too reliant on slapstick, the sitcom-like Dog Days fails to improve upon previous installments and will likely appeal to few outside its target audience.
Nim’s Island (2008, 51%)
Despite good intentions, Nim’s Island flounders under an implausible storyline, simplistic stock characters, and distracting product placement.
The Chronicles of Narnia: Voyage of the Dawn Treader (2010, 50%)
Its leisurely, businesslike pace won’t win the franchise many new fans, but Voyage of the Dawn Treader restores some of the Narnia franchise’s lost luster with strong performances and impressive special effects.
Ella Enchanted (2004, 50%)
Hathaway is a charming heroine, but the simple storyline gets overwhelmed by silly gimmickry.
Nancy Drew (2007, 49%)
Emma Roberts is bubbly and charming as Nancy Drew, the junior detective. But despite her best efforts, Nancy Drew still lacks excitement, surprise, and compelling secondary characters.
Harriet the Spy (1996, 48%) Harriet the Spy is a rapid-fire mystery movie that doesn’t have much to offer beyond the two decent lead performances.
Percy Jackson & The Olympians: The Lightning Thief (2010, 47%)
Though it may seem like just another Harry Potter knockoff, Percy Jackson benefits from a strong supporting cast, a speedy plot, and plenty of fun with Greek mythology.
The Princess Diaries (2001, 47%)
A charming, if familiar, makeover movie for young teenage girls.
Mr. Popper’s Penguins (2011, 47%) Blandly inoffensive and thoroughly predictable, Mr. Popper’s Penguins could have been worse — but it should have been better.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2: Rodrick Rules (2011, 46%)
Moderately witty and acceptably acted, Diary of a Wimpy Kid 2 isn’t much worse than the first installment.
Night at the Museum (2006, 43%)
Parents might call this either a spectacle-filled adventure or a shallow and vapid CG-fest, depending on whether they choose to embrace this on the same level as their kids.
Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters (2013, 43%)
It’s pretty and packed with action; unfortunately, Percy Jackson: Sea of Monsters is also waterlogged with characters and plots that can’t help but feel derivative.
Race to Witch Mountain (2009, 42%)
Despite the best efforts of a talented cast, Race to Witch Mountain is a tepid reboot that lacks the magic of the original.
Inkheart (2008, 38%)
Heavy on cliches and light on charm, this kid-lit fantasy-adventure doesn’t quite get off the ground.
101 Dalmatians (1996, 37%)
Neat performance from Glenn Close aside, 101 Dalmatians is a bland, pointless remake.
Around the World in 80 Days (2004, 31%)
Hit-and-miss family fare that bares only the slightest resemblance to Verne’s novel.
Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (2017, 20%)
With an all-new cast but the same juvenile humor, Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul finds the franchise still stuck in arrested — and largely unfunny — development.
Eragon (2006, 16%)
Written by a teenager (and it shows), Eragon presents nothing new to the “hero’s journey” story archetype.
The Seeker: The Dark Is Rising (2007, 14%)
The magic of the book is lost in translation with The Seeker, due to its clumsy plot and lack of heart.
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen (2004, 13%)
Sloppily assembled fluff that won’t have much of interest for anyone who isn’t a preteen girl.
