Short on Time but Want to Dive Deep: 6 Books Under 300 Pages That Became Great Movies

Perfect for travel.

Sometimes you just want to grab a book and... dive in headfirst. But time is — as usual — tight. For moments like these, you need short but substantial stories. The kind you can read in an evening but leave you feeling like you've taken a grand journey.

And if they've also been turned into great films — consider it the perfect weekend pairing. Here are six short novels under 300 pages, each adapted for the screen — and for good reason.

"The Old Man and the Sea," Ernest Hemingway

The legendary story of an old fisherman who heads out to sea for his most important catch. Deceptively simple, almost austere prose — but what power and philosophy it contains. About dignity, struggle, and acceptance — all in less than two hours of reading.

A man in a white shirt with white hair stands by a boat looking off to the side — Scene from "The Old Man and the Sea" (1958)

The film adaptation came out in 1958. Spencer Tracy, Felipe Pazos, and Harry Bellaver starred in the leading roles.

"Oldboy," Garon Tsuchiya (manga)

Yes, it's manga, and yes — the Korean film is based on a Japanese comic. The story of a man who's kidnapped and imprisoned for 10 years without explanation, then suddenly released. Once free, he begins searching for answers about who orchestrated his captivity. Both the book and film keep you on edge until the very last page and final frame.

Two men in black clothing stand next to each other against a red background — "Oldboy" movie posters

The film adaptation was released in 2003. Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, and Kang Hye-jung played the main roles.

"Fahrenheit 451," Ray Bradbury

In a world where books are banned, firemen don't put out fires — they burn literature. One of them starts questioning whether this system is right. A quick read — but the thoughts linger long after. There's both a classic and a recent adaptation to choose from.

Actor Michael B. Jordan sits on a bed with a match in his hands — Scene from "Fahrenheit 451" (2018)

There are two adaptations: the first by François Truffaut came out in 1966, starring Oskar Werner and Julie Christie. The second (directed by Ramin Bahrani) hit screens in 2018, featuring Michael B. Jordan and Michael Shannon.

"Animal Farm," George Orwell

A timeless allegory: farm animals overthrow their human owner and build their own society. But things quickly become even more terrifying. It's amazing how such sharp satire fits into such a compact text. Adaptations exist in both animated and live-action forms.

Pigs, a dog and a horse are standing on the grass with a house on the hill — "Animal Farm" movie posters (1999)

The adaptation was released in 1999. John Stephenson adapted the novel. The main cast included Kelsey Grammer, Ian Holm, Julia Louis-Dreyfus, and Patrick Stewart.

"Let Me In", John Ajvide Lindqvist

A story about loneliness, friendship, and vampires. Dark, meditative, with the cold air of Swedish winter between the lines. The film adaptation carefully captures the book's atmosphere — it's a rare case where both reading and watching are equally compelling.

Actress Chloë Grace Moretz looks at her reflection in the window — Frame from the film "Let Me In" (2010)

Matt Reeves' adaptation came out in 2010. The main roles in the film were played by Chloë Moretz and Kodi Smit-McPhee. And in 2022, a series with the same name was released.

"Klara and the Sun", Kazuo Ishiguro

While the film adaptation is still in development, the book is already worth it. The story is told from the perspective of an AI companion who observes human emotions and learns to love. A sincere, quiet, and deeply human novel — one that reads almost in a single breath.

Sony Pictures is handling the novel's adaptation. Taika Waititi has been appointed as director. And for the main roles — Jenna Ortega and Amy Adams.

These books are short — but they hit deep. And if you particularly love one of them, you can immediately put on the film and watch how words transform into frames. Earlier, we at zoomboola.com told you about the book "The Road" — a novel that makes you want to hug your loved ones and never let go.