Read the Book -- See the Movie

The following films based on books are in theaters now:

The Tale of Despereaux is based on the popular 2003 children's novel by Kate DiCamillo about "a mouse, a princess, some soup and a spool of thread." Directed by Sam Fell and Robert Stevenhagen, this animated film features the voices of Matthew Broderick, Dustin Hoffman, and Emma Watson.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button is inspired by F. Scott Fitzgerald's 1922 short story -- collected in Tales of the Jazz Age -- about a man born elderly who ages backwards, with bizarre consequences. Directed by David Fincher, the film stars Brad Pitt, Cate Blanchett, and Julia Ormond.

Marley & Me is based on John Grogan's 2005 New York Times bestselling memoir about a family's adventures with their mischievous dog. Directed by David Frankel, the film stars Owen Wilson, Jennifer Aniston, and Alan Arkin.

Not Easily Broken is based on New York Times bestselling author and Texas megachurch pastor T.D. Jakes' 2006 novel. Directed by Bill Duke, this religious drama stars Morris Chestnut, Taraji P. Henson, and Maeve Quinlan.

The Reader is based on the award-winning 1995 novel by German judge and author Bernhard Schlink. Directed by Stephen Daldry, this post-WWII-era drama -- revolving around reading, romance, and secrets -- stars Ralph Fiennes, Kate Winslett, and Jeanette Hain.

Defiance, directed by Edward Zwick, is based on Nechama Tec's 1993 non-fiction Defiance: The Bielski Partisans. Chronicling the efforts of three Jewish brothers who fight back against the Nazis, this WWII drama stars Daniel Craig, Liev Schreiber, and Jamie Bell.

Hotel for Dogs is adapted from YA author Lois Duncan's 1971 novel about kids transforming an abandoned hotel into a shelter for stray dogs. Directed by Thor Freudenthal, the film stars Emma Roberts, Don Cheadle, Lisa Kudrow, Kevin Dillon, and Kyla Pratt.

And coming out this week:

Inkheart is based on Cornelia Funke's 2003 first book in the young adult fantasy trilogy in which book characters are brought to life. Directed by Ian Softley, the film stars Brendan Fraser, Paul Bettany, Helen Mirren, and Eliza Bennett.

Killshot is based on the 1989 thriller by Elmore Leonard about a couple in the Witness Protection Program who are targeted by a hitman. Directed by John Madden, the film -- already postponed several times -- stars Diane Lane, Mickey Rourke, Thomas Jane, Rosario Dawson, and Joseph Gordon-Leavitt.