From 1828 to 1905, French novelist and poet Jules Verne lived a fulfilled life as he wrote several sci-fi novels that considered him next to Mary Shelley as a pioneer of the science fiction genre. His work has inspired not only the science fiction genre in books but also sci-fi movies, including works adapted from his books. His most famous work is his Voyages Extraordinaires series, which contains 54 novels. Several of the novels from this series have been adapted into movies that have spread across time and countries. Let’s take a look through the years at a few of the most remarkable adaptations of Jules Verne’s novels.
“Anything one man can imagine, other men can make real.”
― Jules Verne, Around the World in Eighty Days.
A Trip to the Moon (1902)
Based on Vernes’s novels From the Earth to the Moon and Around the Moon, along with H.G. Wells’ The First Men in the Moon, A Trip to the Moon is a French film directed by Georges Méliès that follows Professor Barbenfouillis and the five men he brings on his flight to the moon. This 13-minute short film explores the early ideas of space travel as the men get propelled to the moon upon a rocket that hits what they believe to be the moon’s eye. This film is widely known to be the first sci-fi film.
Around the World in 80 Days (1919/1956/1988/2004/2021)
Around the World in 80 Days has been the interest of several adaptations, from a 1919 German comedy film to an eight-part mini-series TV show in 2021. Always on a quest to prove it is possible to travel the globe in 80 days, Phileas Fogg makes a bet and goes on a quest to prove his theory. Phileas has been portrayed in live actions and animations in his adventures throughout the years to prove the impossible is possible with his servant, Jean Passepartout.
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (1916/1954)
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea has been made into a few adaptations, including Captain Nemo and the Underwater City (1969), The Black Hole (1979), Atlantis: The Lost Empire (2001), and The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen (2003). The similarly named adaptations in 1916 and 1954 follow the novel’s plot of men led by Captain Nemo on the first submarine, the Nautilus, as they travel through the sea and encounter sea monsters of dangerous proportions. In some adaptations, the men are prisoners, while in others, they go in to save the day.
Journey to the Center of the Earth (1959/1999/2008)
Journey to the Center of the Earth was made into movie adaptations in 1959 and 2008, along with the TV series in 1999. The story follows a professor, his nephew, and their guide as they go on a journey to – you guessed it – travel to the center of the earth. Their journey encounters many dangers, including ones lost in history, as they venture to the center, hoping to discover the great unknown and make it out alive to tell the tale.
The Mysterious Island (1951/1961/2005/2010)
To finish off strong, The Mysterious Island has seen a few adaptations in its time, including its sequel Journey 2: The Mysterious Island (2012) and the 2008 adaptation of Journey to the Center of the Earth. Set during the American Civil War, a group of Union soldiers escape a Confederate prison camp in a hot air balloon. Landing on an uncharted island, the group finds it to hold more dangers than they could ever realize. The 1951, 1961, 2005, and 2010 adaptations follow the novel’s plot, while the 2012 version is more loosely based on the novel.
Jules Verne’s contribution to the science fiction genre will forever be remembered, not only through his imaginative works, but also through the countless adaptations that continue to appreciate his work even to this day. His revolutionary work has been appreciated by many audiences and will continue to do so as the science fiction genre continues to thrive even after his passing.
Want to learn about Jules Verne? Click here.
Find these books and more on our Dystopian Worlds, Technology, and the Universe in Science Fiction bookshelf on Bookshop.org.
