Is reading a book or watching a movie better?

Question

Lliam · Accepted Answer

I think I like watching moves better because they don't require much of an investment of time. You just relax and watch for a couple hours. Plus, they are like multi-media art with story, visuals, sound and sound track, and acting. All of the talent that goes into making a good movie is incredible. Granted, though, some movies are garbage and not even worth the time spent watching them.

At the same time, I am always working on a book. I tend to read a lot of non-fiction but great works of fiction are absolutely mind blowing and some are simply delightful. Books can impart big ideas and not only make you think, but also invite you imagine. A movie can almost never come close to satisfactorily translating a good book into film. A movie is more like a synopsis, someone else's interpretation. Sometimes they bear little resemblance to the book at all.

Another medium I enjoy is books on CD. They are the entire book, word for word, but some narrators absolutely bring the characters to life. There are two that I highly recommend: the Number 1 Ladies' Detective Agency series, and the Janet Evanovich books about Stephanie Plum. I listened to them years ago and it was better than watching a movie.

MrOracle · Accepted Answer

Usually the book. Movies can be great, but run time and budget constraints, and sometimes parental ratings and things, can prevent a direct translation of a book to a movie. Game Of Thrones is a good example: they toned down a lot of the sex and violence, and still got complaints about it, even though no one promised a PG-rated show. And they had to cut out characters and combine others to keep the cast size manageable - and it was STILL incredibly expensive.

So, as much as I enjoy movies, books are usually better.

GaGirls · Accepted Answer

Any book is a 1000 times more beneficial than watching its movie equivalent. Certainly some books are more beneficial than all movies. A movie is just a further manifestation of the word but the word is often lost and lessened through the movie. At the end of the day, they are the same but books can provide brain exercise; and the biggest thing books have over movies and film is that books hold more knowledge and the knowledge I've found in books is rather shocking. I can understand now why most people live meaningless lives. When you never read how would you ever get the knowledge you need to be success at your common and uncommon endeavors. A culture that rejects reading will never be a successful one.

CasstheLass · Accepted Answer

I like reading a book most of the time because your imagination of how you fill in the details can be a lot of fun when you’re visualizing stuff. Sometimes a movie takes away that feeling or doesn’t fill in details as much. Still love them both anyways lol.

Diodoro · Answer

Movie is a better experience. If we're going one to one at least. Well done movie vs Well done book. Movie with good acting, good visuals, good music to enhance the mood, landscape views to give breathers from the intense moments. Maybe some humor.

Far better and all encompassing.

Tho I appreciate good reading at times. I'm just much more clinical when it comes to reading. 90% of the time if I'm reading it's learning material. I don't read for entertainment.

DJB72 · Answer

I struggle with reading these days. I used to consume books. It took me four days to read Lord of the Rings for example in my 20s

As I've got older my ADD has become more severe so reading has become more difficult. I did my degree over 8 years instead of 3. I only got diagnosed aged 40, a year after I graduated.

These days I prefer movies, on Netflix so I can pause them when my mind starts to slip.

I use ritalin so I can work

AndyOh · Answer

I like a book because you get the authors whole perception of each scene.
A move is limited by time and the directors vision of how the movie (usually from a book) is supposed to be.
Many great books have been made into movies and it is few and far that the movie does justice and is as good or better than the book.

libsaretards · Answer

Books. Authors can write very creative stories that are difficult to put on screen. Take Eragon for example. The Inheritance Cycle (Eragon, Eldest, Brisingr and Inheritance) is one of the most successful book series in existence, yet the Eragon movie was absolute trash because they had to leave so much great content out of the movie for the sake of time and budget. Books have a way of capturing the imagination in a way movies cannot.

bolverk · Answer

Reading the book, no matter how good the screen writer is they can never catch the nuances of the book and they are unable to match the imagination of the reader,
and sometimes the only things the book and the film have in common is the title and character names, a for instance, Tom Clancy's 'Without Remorse' that was released last year the film bared no relation to the book, only the title and the character names and title were the same everything else bore lintel to no similarity.

snowgirl123 · Answer

obviously a book, a good book, will make you develop your mind, your imagination, your ability to create, think, and communicate, so yes it is obviously better. however television illustrates our dreams, and is a good distraction when necessary.

Rachel794 · Answer

In the case of comparing a book or movie, the book is always better. Hate when a movie gets a character or scene wrong.

JosyJosy · Answer

I think a book is better. As you read it you see it happen before you, how you see it, how you Want to see it. And in a book there are way more details.

bigslab · Answer

Depends on the movie and book, If I had to choose between watching Disaster movie and reading Animal farm I'd pick animal farm, but if I had to choose between watching Ghost in the shell and reading the wind and the willows I'd pick Ghost in the shell

Anon621 · Answer

In my opinion reading is almost always better. I can tell you from experience I read a book specifically about the U. S. involvement in Colombia from a journalist I got much more detailed and better information than any movie in my opinion

Apulu_3 · Answer

It is personal choice but I prefer books because I think it more interesting to create a movie in my mind than having it ready-made. But I prefer movies over books in horror theme. And sci-fi movie over a science fiction book. I will rate 50/50.

Nightroads · Answer

Books, most assuredly. I also prefer text books to documentaries, the lesson review help me retain the material better.

Adam1978 · Answer

I enjoy movies because I am into science fiction and fantasy, seeing their imagination of something can be inspiring. But when it comes to drama, emotions and mind puzzles, books beat movies.

wankiam · Answer

i dont think it matters really. its just down to what one prefers. the only point i might make is movies tend to lose a bit of content that the writer might have seen as important

Makeushiver · Answer

Its a different experience. Films can't use some of the intricacies of characters. A well done screen adaptation, I think, can be great but different. I prefer reading but a film that's done well can be just as satisfying in a different way.

suisuiola · Answer

Movie for me. But if it's a book that's been adapted into a movie, I like watching the movie first and then read the book just because I like imagining the characters from the movies into the book.

Dragonpurple · Answer

Book is better, movies based off books have to cut a ton of stuff out. Books allow for a lot more to fit in, plus my own imagination is far better than Hollywood.

LinaDaGoddess · Answer

It depends on what I am watching or reading, but I prefer reading books as it allows me to use my imagination and It’s super relaxing for me.

Citizenkirk · Answer

Reading a book about someone watching a movie or watching a movie about someone reading a book it's all the same 🤣

TheorionMage · Answer

Too many undefined variables to opinine... Always loved pop-up books ESPECIALLY ones that make mine 'pop-up'! LOL!

snackthatsmilesback · Answer

Whichever one engages you better and serves your purposes better (do you want to be entertained, learn, observe film or writing techniques, etc). It depends.

anon1903 · Answer

Reading for me Insanely accurate

NopeWhatTime · Answer

Depends. I stare at a screen all day at school, so I like reading paper books to give my eyes a break, but I also love movies

Shortman70 · Answer

I don't do a lot of either. I like to be outside, I'm not much for being couped up in the house, even if it's just sitting on the deck.

nonratracereality · Answer

If you are real then you understand and love both its automatic you appreciate that which is made and finalized.

electromagnetic · Answer

Watching. I don’t have the patience to read anymore like I did when I was younger.

okdigimon07 · Answer

First reading a book then watching a movie. You would probably judge on comparison of these book and movie better.

MrKinktastic · Answer

A book if I’m alone, tv or a movie if I have someone with me so we can both enjoy it.

VDrago14 · Answer

Depends on the story, most times the books will be better but on some occasions a movie adaptation would be better

Sualina · Answer

I like Harry Potter!! And the book and the movie is both great!!

Razp_Sorbet · Answer

Watching a movie. I less you've read the book first. Then it sucks

slatyb · Answer

Depends? Why are doing it? For entertainment? Do whatever you like.

Dinosaursandanime65 · Answer

I think it depends on what kind of book the movie is based on. Some people such as myself aren’t to interested in just scripts and like either pictures to go with them or comics/manga/conga

Dargil · Answer

Depends what. Reading a war novel which is more intricate than the movie. I prefer it.

FunkyMonkee · Answer

The only reason I'd rather watch a movie is because it takes so long to read a book.

Pete671 · Answer

Book, it provokes the imagination, and books can be much more explicit than films, if stuff is portrayed as fiction,,,

bulletbob555 · Answer

There are good books and there good movies. Often the book is better than the movies they make based on the book

Mark987 · Answer

in my opinion.. reading a book is better, because your imagination is depicting a picture in your head. can't beat your imagination

DWornock · Answer

It depends. Movies are better for entertainment, and books are better if you are seeking detailed knowledge.

FinalFantasyBro · Answer

I prefer to watch a movie but reading a book would be fun to

Guardian45 · Answer

It depends. Both are GREAT and would be circumstance-appropriate. For example, sharing a movie with someone is easier than sharing a book.

LegendaryIcon · Answer

Usually the book is better than the movie, if there's a movie version of the book but I always find myself watching t. v. and movies anyway

Archerer · Answer

No doubt reading is better for you over all... But movies are fun too

lorenzomichael · Answer

Reading of course unless you have a hard time reading.

kellytheman · Answer

I like watching a movie better has better special affects

crazy8000 · Answer

Movie. I get mentally tired and crash of reading that much that is usually done in books.

ChiPaPa · Answer

Depends. I usually prefer a book unless I don't have the time.

Morgador · Answer

I have ADHD and it's almost impossible for me to read a book. Movies are better for me

Kareem_z21 · Answer

I prefer reading book. You can imagine the story in your mind as you like not as the director like

Anonymous · Answer

Books contain scenes that movies don’t have. Maybe watching a movie or living a movie through a dream by some invention would be better.

Retiever · Answer

Reading is still better for stimulating the brain and expanding the vocabulary.

2ndTryatThis · Answer

Sometimes reading is more satisfying. Especially erotica 😅

thestinkyy · Answer

A book! With books you get to know the characters better, like why they make the choices they do, etc.

Gary03 · Answer

Reading is better because it improves your vocabulary. However if you're doing that just for entertainment, movie is better.

zeeri · Answer

For me i would choose to watch a movie than reading a book😉

EaterPeter · Answer

Reading a book and listening the audio at the same time.

Anonymous · Answer

according to me reading a book as not all books are recreated as movies and also by books there are lots more we can know

Anonymous · Answer

watching is better. in the old days , it was the books since there were no televisions around.

serious · Answer

Watching a movie is better.

Kaci_xx · Answer

watch the movie then read the book

Is reading a book or watching a movie better?

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Is reading a book or watching a movie better?

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