Nicholas Sparksis one of the most well-known authors to date, and is easily one of the kings of romance. His books have sold millions of copies, and 11 of his novels have beenadapted into blockbuster films. A trait that follows his stories is something very tragic happening during the couple’s relationship, either a death, a threat, or a major accident. Sparks always keeps you on the edge of your seat as you watch the couple fall in love, and then that love turns sour or gets ripped apart.
It’s neverjusta romance movie with him, and if you’re a fan of the author, then you know that your emotions are going to be all over the place when you pop into one of his films. Although they’re usuallypraised by the audiences,critics take a harsh look at most of Sparks' films, andnoneare certified fresh on their roster. However, that doesn’t make them bad movies, and they should still be celebrated for the love stories that they highlight. That being said, let’s take a look at how Rotten Tomatoes perceived these adaptations.
11The Choice (2016) - 11%
An interesting trope that followsThe Choice, is the act of infidelity. Travis Shaw (Benjamin Walker) and Gabby Holland (Teresa Palmer) quickly fall for each other after they become neighbors. However, they’re both seeing other people, but does that stop them from acting on their feelings for each other? No, it certainly doesn’t. As the two fall more in love, Gabby’s boyfriend, Ryan (Tom Welling), proposes to her, and in a panic, she says yes.
Travis is distraught, and he eventually gets dumped by his girlfriend, causing him to finally wake up and fight for the girl he really loves. Things go great after that, they get married, and have kids, but then tragedy strikes, and Gabby ends up in a coma. The Choiceis jam-packed with twists and turns, but one can’t deny the effect Travis had when he told Gabby, “I’m breathing for you.”
10The Best of Me (2014) - 12%
This romance takes a hard turn into devastation and criminal activity, highlighting young love, but also feeling a bit different from Sparks' other adaptations.The Best of Mefocuses on a couple who have become estranged after Dawson (James Marsden) was sent to prison after fatally shooting his cousin by accident.
Once Dawson returns to his home after the man who raised him dies, Dawson and Amanda (Michelle Monaghan) reunite and are able to discuss the relationship they had when they were kids, and their relationship now. The movie ends in tragedy, as many of Sparks' movies do, as Dawson is shot by his father after being jumped by his brothers and almost pushed into an oncoming train. The two don’t get a happy ending, but Amanda gets to live knowing that Dawson truly loved her.
Nicholas Sparks: Every Movie Adaptation, Ranked
Nicholas Sparks is famous for tugging on the heartstrings of readers and audiences across the world, with many of his novels being adapted to movies.
9Safe Haven (2013) - 13%
Something great about Sparks' films is how much involvement North Carolina gets as a setting, and if you’re a fan ofSafe Haven, you can actually take a tour in Southport of the areas where they filmed this drama. Julianne Hough and Josh Duhamel star in this high-intensity romance that’s content will have you shocked and on the edge of your seat. Erin (Hough) escapes an abusive relationship and flees her state, hopping on a bus that takes her to the quaint town of Southport, North Carolina, where she meets Alex (Duhamel) upon arrival.
The two hit it off, but under false pretenses, as Erin introduces herself as Katie for safety reasons, but that doesn’t stop the two from falling for each other. Even though it received a low score from critics, there are plenty of competent things that go into this film that you’ll appreciate if you’re a fan of Sparks' films and his usual tropes that he manages to slip in.
8The Lucky One (2012) - 20%
It might seem impossible, butThe Lucky Oneends in one death, and it’s not either of the main characters! Logan (Zac Efron) is a marine, and while serving overseas, he finds a picture of a woman who ends up being his lucky charm through the rest of his tour. Upon returning home, Logan suffers from PTSD and sets out to find the woman in the photo, Beth (Taylor Schilling).
Upon meeting, Logan starts to work for Beth’s grandmother before the two start to become naturally close, Logan bonding with Beth’s son and working through what happened while he was in the military. There’s plenty of drama in this film, but thankfully, it doesn’t end in tragedy, and Beth and Logan are able to find their happily ever after.
7The Last Song (2010) - 21%
The movie that brought together Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth is more than just a teen romance, as it delves deep into grief, divorce and sickness. Ronnie (Cyrus) and her younger brother are shipped to their father’s place on a quaint little island for the summer after Ronnie’s rebelliousness is too much for her mother to handle.
Things start off rocky as Ronnie clashes with her dad, meets the handsome Will, and befriends a rather unsavory character named Blaze. As the film progresses and Ronnie and Will become close, Ronnie’s father, Steve (Greg Kinnear) becomes progressively sick with terminal cancer. The romance in this film is very sweet, but the grief and forgiveness that are shown are more important and beautiful.
6A Walk to Remember (2002) - 28%
One of the most popular Nicholas Sparks adaptations, thatends in absolute devastation, isA Walk to Remember. It was filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina and used several sets fromDawson’s Creek, so if you’re a fan of that series, you’ll be curious to see what’s familiar with both backgrounds. This drama-romance focuses on Landon Carter and Jaime Sullivan, two individuals who couldn’t be more different but end up falling for each other.
After Landon gets into some trouble, Jaime is assigned to help tutor him and get him back on track, and at first, Landon is resistant since Jaime is known as the school’s nerd and prude. However, as they get to know each other, Landon falls first and falls hard for Jaime, but she’s resistant since she has a terminal illness. As Jaime gets sicker, the two fall more in love, and be ready with tissues on standby for the wedding scene. It’s a doozy.
5Dear John (2010) - 29%
Dear Johnis another Sparks film that revolves around a couple dealing with the effects of the military, as John (Channing Tatum) is a Staff Sergeant in the Army and Savannah (Amanda Seyfried) falls for him. Savannah meets John as he’s on leave from a tour, and in two weeks, the two quickly become romantically involved as they learn more about each other and get closer.
When John ships back out to fight overseas, Savannah starts to write letters to him, always starting with ‘Dear John’, hence the title of the film. This film also delves into autism, which was new for the writer, and brings to light all the amenities that individuals with autism need and deserve.
Why Nicholas Sparks Movie Adaptations Always Get It Wrong
The king of romantic novels may also be the king of critically panned movie adaptations.
4Nights in Rodanthe (2008) - 30%
It’s refreshing when a romance movie focuses on an older couple, giving hope to the older generation if they’re looking for love. Richard Gere and Diane Lane star in this film that links a divorcee and a surgeon, who both have enough baggage that weigh them down. While they’re on the same retreat, the two become connected and fall in love as they work through their pasts and prepare for a wild storm that’s on its way.
Nights in Rodanthewas praised for how much chemistry appeared between Gere and Lane, the two seem so natural as they fell in love. It’s something to note as they were both established in their careers and could easily slip into these roles.
3The Longest Ride (2015) - 31%
It’s been eight years sinceThe Longest Ridecame out, and it’s painfully obvious that we need Scott Eastwood in another romance movie, pronto. If you’re a fan of cowboys and romances that take place at rodeos, then this film is certainly for you, asLuke and Sophia (Britt Robinson)meet during a bull riding competition.
The Longest Rideis split into two timelines, the present, and the past, as the audience gets to become attached to another couple; Ira and Ruth. Both couples go through several problems, but also massive amounts of love as they navigate life, adulthood, health issues, and more.
2Message in a Bottle (1999) - 32%
Not all of Sparks' stories revolve around a young couple getting used to adulthood, andMessage in a Bottleproves that older people are just as deserving of finding their forever person. Garrett Blake (Kevin Costner) is a widower who is still deeply in love with his wife, but when Theresa (Robin Wright) shows up out of the blue, he starts to work through his feelings.
Message in a Bottleis a romance that honestly doesn’t have much romance in it, as Garrett and Theresa toe the line of becoming more, but Garrett has a hard time accepting that his wife is really gone. By the end of the film, you’ll be hoping that the two can finally be together, but it ends in tragedy as Garrett is swept away in a storm.
