If you’re shopping for movie lovers this holiday season, then we have the list for you! Whether they’re a fan of specific movies or stars, or just film in general, there’s a book for every cinephile on this extensive list.
A General Movie Lovers Gift Guide
The Screen Traveler’s Guide: Real-life Locations Behind Your Favorite Movies and TV Shows
The Screen Traveler’s Guide is the ultimate travel companion for film and TV fans. Packed with detailed maps and insider tips, this book reveals the real-world locations behind iconic scenes from beloved shows and movies. The Screen Traveler’s Guide takes readers through the battle sites of the Avengers in New York, Game of Thrones‘ Croatian King’s Landing and New Zealand’s transformation into Middle Earth. Alongside travel inspiration, the guide also shares quirky trivia – like how Liverpool stood in for Brooklyn in Captain America – making it a must-have for movie lovers and pop culture enthusiasts.
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The Feminist Film Guide by Mallory Andrews
The Feminist Film Guide challenges traditional “greatest films” lists dominated by male perspectives, offering a diverse selection that highlights the contributions of women across cinema history. From pioneering silent-era filmmakers and classic Hollywood icons to ’80s rebels and today’s comedic powerhouses, this guide celebrates female creators and characters who’ve shaped the art form. It’s a refreshing, inclusive look at what truly defines great cinema, broadening the definition of cultural significance in film.
Colors of Film: The Story of Cinema in 50 Palettes Hardcover by Charles Bramesco
The role of color in film is often overlooked. With Colors of Film, Charles Bramesco showcases its power to evoke emotion, symbolize themes and drive narratives. With examples from Wes Anderson’s pastels to the striking red of Schindler’s List, Bramesco highlights the ways filmmakers use color to deepen storytelling. He also examines how technological advances like digital editing have influenced filmmakers’ palettes, making this guide essential for any movie lover or and color enthusiast.
Horror for Weenies by Emily Hughes
Are you terrified of horror movies but still need to understand every cultural reference? Horror for Weenies provides an engaging overview of 25 iconic horror movies, from classics like Psycho to modern hits like Hereditary and everything in between.
This book offers a comprehensive look at the history, significance and common tropes of horror cinema. It also keeps readers safe from actually seeing the frightening elements. As a result, it’s accessible and enjoyable for readers who prefer to avoid gore and jump scares. With detailed entries on 60 years of film, this volume will transform even the most fearful viewers into knowledgeable horror aficionados.
RELATED: Read our full review of Horror For Weenies
But Have You Read the Book?: 52 Literary Gems That Inspired Our Favorite Films by Kristen Lopez
When a book gets an on-screen adaptation, it’s almost always controversial. How could the movie ever be as good as the book? In her guide from Turner Classic Movies, author Kristen Lopez delves into 52 iconic films and the literary works that inspired them, examining how each adaptation balances faithfulness to the original with cinematic creativity.
From Clueless, a fresh take on Austen’s Emma, to One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, which shifts perspectives to reshape the story, Lopez explores why these adaptations became classics on both page and screen. But Have You Read the Book? is an engaging exploration of the art of adaptation, celebrating how great stories transcend mediums.
Box Office Poison: Hollywood’s Story in a Century of Flops by Tim Robey
Box Office Poison delves into Hollywood’s most infamous film flops, from the silent film era’s ambitious failures to the meme-filled spectacle of Cats. Through these cinematic disasters, the book examines how monumental creative risks can lead to memorable missteps, and what these films reveal about shifting tastes, cultural trends and the ever-evolving movie industry. Tim Robey explores the thin line between forgettable bad movies and those destined to be remembered forever with interviews, behind-the-scenes stories and wry humor.
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The Queer Film Guide by Kyle Turner
If you know someone who ever looked at a list of the “100 Greatest Movies Ever Made” and thought it was way too straight, The Queen Film Guide is the perfect gift. Spanning from early trailblazers like Making a Man of Her to modern classics like Moonlight, Kyle Turner’s highlights both overlooked gems and celebrated films, illustrating the diversity and impact of queer storytelling. This guide redefines cinematic greatness by celebrating the voices and perspectives often left out of mainstream lists, showcasing the richness of queer cinema across the decades.
Specific Movies and Stars
Kind of a Big Deal: How Anchorman Stayed Classy and Became the Most Iconic Comedy of the Twenty-First Century by Saul Austerlitz
Kind of a Big Deal by Saul Austerlitz offers a hilarious and insightful deep dive into the making and legacy of Anchorman, a film that redefined comedy. Featuring new interviews with stars Will Ferrell, director Adam McKay and more, it reveals behind-the-scenes stories, from its wild original concept to its influence on modern comedy classics. More than a celebration, the book examines Anchorman’s cultural impact, exploring its commentary on feminism, media, and masculinity while reflecting on what has- and hasn’t- changed since the 1970s and 2004.
Blood, Sweat & Chrome: The Wild and True Story of Mad Max: Fury Road by Kyle Buchanan
Journalist Kyle Buchanan’s Blood, Sweat & Chrome delivers a gripping oral history of the nearly two-decade journey to bring Mad Max: Fury Road to life. Featuring over 130 interviews with key figures like Charlize Theron, Tom Hardy, and director George Miller, the book recounts the chaotic production, from constant delays and on-set clashes to the engineering of jaw-dropping, death-defying stunts in the brutal Namib Desert. With vivid detail, Buchanan captures the sheer madness and perseverance behind this Oscar-winning action masterpiece.
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No Crying in Baseball: The Inside Story of A League of Their Own by Erin Carlson
No Crying in Baseball delves into the captivating journey of how A League of Their Own evolved from a little-known piece of history into a beloved cinematic masterpiece. Through exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes insights from the original cast and creators, the book reveals how this movie not only entertained but became a pivotal moment in challenging gender stereotypes. It’s a must-read for anyone interested in the intersection of sports, entertainment and cultural transformation.
Nora Ephron at the Movies: A Visual Celebration of the Writer and Director Behind When Harry Met Sally, You’ve Got Mail, Sleepless in Seattle, and More by Ilana Kaplan
With a career spanning more than 40 years, Nora Ephron was an icon among movie lovers. Nora Ephron at the Movies celebrates her groundbreaking legacy as a feminist trailblazer and rom-com champion. Through detailed analysis and interviews with Ephron’s long-time collaborators, the book delves into her sharp wit, semi-autobiographical storytelling, and unforgettable characters who faced life’s messiness with humor and resilience.
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Look Out for the Little Guy! by Scott Lang
From ex-con to superhero. This is Scott Lang’s journey from a struggling divorced dad to becoming a full-fledged Avenger. Here, Ant-Man himself shares his battles, experiences and the challenges of being both a hero and a father. Look Out for The Little Guy! is Scott Lang’s memoir made real. This book is a fantastic movie tie-in and the perfect addition to any Marvel lover’s collection.
Age of Cage: Four Decades of Hollywood Through One Singular Career by Keith Phipps
Whether you think Nicolas Cage is a madman or a genius, you need to check out this book. Age of Cage by Keith Phipps explores Cage’s enigmatic career spanning 40 years and over 100 films. Through a deep dive into Cage’s eclectic filmography – ranging from 1980s classics like Moonstruck to ’90s blockbusters like Face/Off and today’s unpredictable video-on-demand hits – Phipps examines how the actor’s unique choices mirror the evolution of Hollywood itself.
Both a celebration of a singular artist and a sharp-eyed chronicle of cinematic history, this witty and insightful book reveals why Cage remains a national treasure and a pop culture phenomenon.
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Bring It On: The Complete Story of the Cheerleading Movie That Changed, Like, Everything (No, Seriously) by Kase Wickman
Bring It On is iconic now, but did you know it was almost never greenlit? Kase Wickman’s Bring It On: The Complete Story dives into the untold story that went on to become a cultural phenomenon. Featuring insights from the Universal archives and new interviews with cast and crew – including Gabrielle Union, Kirsten Dunst, and director Peyton Reed – this book unpacks the movie’s journey from a box office hit to a $90 million global success, inspiring six sequels, a Tony-nominated musical, and a wave of female-led films. A must-read for fans, Bring It On celebrates the legacy of a film that brought spirit back to Hollywood.
These great books for movie lovers are all available from your local independent bookstore or Bookshop.org. If you somehow didn’t find what you’re looking for, check out all of our 2024 Gift Guides for even more suggestions!
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