Remember that time of coming from school and scrolling through Wattpad for your best next pick? What a time to live in a fantasy! This generation of book-tok would never know the joy of getting engrossed in a story that feels like it was written just for you (and then you find out it’s written by someone your age which is 13). Wattpad was filled with swoon-worthy moments, heart-racing drama, and characters that make you wish they were your BFFs.
Now, we’re riding the wheel where scrolling took an entirely different meaning and those poorly written stories with to-die-for plots came to life on the big screens. And that too with casts as apt as those given by our teen authors. Not to mention the quality fanfictions of the time with all the 1D falling in love with them.
It’s 2024 groupies and most of those stories have already bagged their adaptations but I have a list for you. These 10 stories started as humble Wattpad uploads before skyrocketing to Hollywood fame. So stop your scavenging grab your cozy blanket and get ready to swoon, laugh, and maybe shed a tear or two as we explore the magic of Wattpad on the silver screen!
Related: Top 5 Perfect Book To Film Adaptations
1. After – Netflix
Well, all the 1D groupies hold onto your heartstrings, because ‘After’ is the ultimate bad-boy-meets-good-girl romance that took Wattpad by storm. Based on Anna Todd’s addictive Harry Styles fan fiction starring Josephine Langford as Tessa Young and our little Voldemort Hero Fiennes Tiffin as the hot-as-fire Hardin Scott.
This seemed like a made-for-each-other-from-the-same-soul kind of romance back when it was on Wattpad listing. The last few seasons have seasoned the readers enough to see those blazing red flags but hey, what’s a boy without some red flags? It’s a tale of heartbreak and all the drama that comes with it, trust me you’ll be hooked from the first kiss.
As the heroine, we have our book-obsessed Tessa Young, a college freshman who falls for the ever-so-mysterious Hardin Scott. The chemistry between Langford and Fiennes Tiffin is electric so electric that even after all the adaptations of the series released, fans can’t get enough of these two.
2. ‘To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before’ – Netflix
Finally, a moment to talk about Lara Jean Covey’s iconic love letters that were sent to her crushes from different grades. I always daydreamed of something like that happening and look at me now, I’m still writing. Jenny Han’s charming high school romance was an instant classic on Wattpad and when the wave of Netflix came in to swoop, it didn’t miss our Lara Jean.
We have all had one Peter Kavinsky we wish we’d bump into while walking the hallways, lucky for us we can live it vicariously through this movie. It’s a delightful dose of romance, sisterhood, and plenty of baking disasters that will leave you craving more.
Lana Condor captures the quirky charm of our leading lady Covey and Noah Centineo as Peter Kavinsky, Lara Jean’s fake boyfriend turned real love interest, a marvelous mix. Together, these two love icons of Hollywood deliver a rom-com that celebrates the awkwardness and sweetness of young love.
3. ‘The Kissing Booth’ – Netflix
Who could forget Elle Evans and her hot-as-hellfire summer fling with bad boy Noah Flynn? Beth Reekles’ Wattpad hit ‘The Kissing Booth’ first turned heads with its irresistible unrealistic forbidden high school romance.
The rest is a steamy history packed with high-level chemistry taking the stage in the Nerflix trilogy. What can be better than a swoon-worthy rom-com that took its first breath of life on Wattpad?
The story follows our LA gal Elle Evans played by Joey King, a high school student who has a secret crush on her best friend’s older brother. Now crush and all that is fine but the shit really hit the fan when Elle starts to have a full-on secret romance with Noah Flynn played by Jacob Elordi. ‘The Kissing Booth’ is one of those feel-good movies just like it was a feel-good book.
4. ‘Through My Window’ – Netflix
It’s a whirlwind of emotions with this adaptation of Ariana Godoy’s ‘Through My Window.’ This Spanish status tale follows Raquel, a passionate artist separated from her greatest muse just by a fence. Ares Hidalgo, the bad one almost none of us can resist, how could Raquel? So Ares is the crush of the decade that our girl literally stalks but good on her, she bags him in the end.
There’s lots of love, heartache, family drama, and status war going on in here. Be assured to be hooked.
Ariana Godoy’s ‘Through My Window’ first graced the screens in 2022 and the positive response of fans turned it into a trilogy. With the second movie released in 2023 and the third in February earlier this year, you’ve got yourself a ready-to-play set.
5. ‘The Girl He Never Noticed’ – Prime Video
Sweet, romantic, and full of surprises, ‘The Girl He Never Noticed’ was first the Wattpad classic by sweetdreamer33 and then your drama series. This one captured hearts with more than just dashing characters, it’s the captivating storyline the magic lies in. The love story of Eros, the shipping tycoon, and Jade, the barista is one of the pages of powerhouse of rom-com classics.
‘The Girl He Never Noticed’, what an apt title for a story where the single mother working at a coffee shop gets swept into playing a fake fiance to the friendly neighborhood billionaire. That’s what was going on in the Wattpad culture back in 2014 when the book originally came out. This drama is a delightful romance bidding on the power of fate, in my opinion, it was the great storyweaving but whatever floats the boat.
In case you missed it: Is ‘The Idea of You’ About Harry Styles? Here’s What Anne Hathaway Has To Say
6. ‘Culpa Mia’ – Prime Video
It is a dark and thrilling world where ‘Culpa Mia’ stems from, based on Mercedes Ron’s gripping Wattpad tale it’s a forbidden romance we can’t help but take a juicy bite out of. We follow our leading lady Noah, who has to leave everything she’s ever loved to go live in a crumbling castle aka the mansion of her mom’s new husband. Now a new step daddy isn’t all that Noah finds waiting at that mansion, it’s the stepbrother.
This 2015 Wattpad series made its way to a three-part Penguin published and then into an Amazon Prime adaptation in 2023. It’s a spicy Spanish cat-and-mouse romance that keeps your breath heavy and eyes sharp. We suggest you put this one on your must-watch list before the annoying habit of the internet spoiling it in under 90 seconds gets to you.
7. ‘Light As A Feather’ – Hulu
If you’re a fan of supernatural thrills, I’ve got you covered. ‘Light as a Feather’ based on Zoe Aarsen’s Wattpad sensation is a must-watch if you’re a fan of all things shady. Let me get you settled into the settings, so we have a group of teenagers who decide to play a new game. Sounds innocent right?
But it’s the night of Halloween and that changes up the dynamics. So the game is called ‘Light as a Feather, Stiff as a Board’ creepy name and the activities follow soon enough.
The kids start dying in an eerie manner, eerie being the fact that they’re dying in the same way predicted in the game. The high schoolers accidentally got a deadly curse on their hands that turned their lives upside down. With twists, turns, and spine-tingling suspense, this series based on a 2013 Wattpad horror story will satisfy that paranormal craving of yours.
8. ‘Perfect Addiction’ – Prime Video and Apple TV
2023’s ‘Perfect Addiction,’ based on Claudia Tan’s gripping Wattpad story is just as the name suggests, a perfect addiction. Kiana Madeira plays our leading lady Sienna, an 18-year-old whose world comes crumbling down when she finds out about her boyfriend’s betrayal.
The boyfriend is Ross Butler’s Kayden, the brooding boxer who turns Sienna’s life upside down. With drama, action, and romance, this film packs a punch that’s impossible to resist.
Castille Landon’s direction brings the intense rivalry between Ross Butler and Matthew Noszka to life, earning praise for its high production values. Whether you’re a fan of sports dramas or swoon-worthy romances, ‘Perfect Addiction’ delivers an electrifying experience you won’t forget.
9. ‘Cupid’s Match’ – The CW
Love gets a supernatural twist in ‘Cupid’s Match.’ This screenplay is inspired by Lauren Palphreyman’s 2019 Wattpad sensation. Our main character Lila played by Michel Janse is vacationing in the world of myth and magic after being matched with Cupid himself. Though the pilot didn’t receive a full season, it remains a cult favorite for fans of fantasy romance.
10. ‘Turn On’- Vidio
Tech meets heart in the tale of ‘Turn On,’ adapted from Tiara Wales’ 2016 Wattpad series. In this heart-to-heart, we meet Andreas and Maria on their adventure of unlikely connection and heartwarming moments.
This Indonesian series has a way of capturing palpitating hearts, if not me then believe the millions of viewers it has drawn in. Tiara Wales’ original story continues to charm viewers as it did the readers making ‘Turn On’ a must-watch for anyone craving a heartfelt story with a modern twist.
With these additional gems, our list of Wattpad-to-screen adaptations is complete! Now you have a full guide of the market’s best, well-seasoned picks, I hope you pick wisely.
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