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The Oscar-nominated American Sniper (starring Bradley Cooper and directed by Clint Eastwood) and Still Alice (starring Julianne Moore) both hit theaters in wide-release today, marking the last of the book-to-film adaptations of the 2014. Looking back, there were a slew of page-to-screen projects, but which were the cream of the crop? Here’s a definitive ranking of the films that stayed true to their inspiration (and a few that didn’t).

'This Is Where I Leave You'

This dramedy adaptation of Jonathan Tropper’s novel of the same name was this year’s biggest waste of an ensemble cast. [Where to stream This Is Where I Leave You]

'The Giver'

Though it took over twenty years to adapt Lois Lowry’s dystopian young adult novel, The Giver failed to do the middle-school staple justice and was snubbed by Gen Y, the only target market who not only loved the book growing up, but also Taylor Swift. [Where to stream The Giver]

'The Hunger Games: Mockingjay Part I'

mockingjay-list — Photo: Everett Collection

Audiences were less than enthralled with the third installment of the J-Law franchise, which was a slower burn in comparison to The Hunger Games and Catching Fire. Guess that’s what happens when you try to stretch two feature-length films from a 200-page book.

'The Imitation Game'

Loosely based on the biography Alan Turing: The Enigma by Andrew Hodges, The Imitation Game was a beautiful, albeit boring, movie about an socially inept mathematic genius (played by Benedict Cumberbatch) who helped end World War II by hacking the Nazi enigma code.

'Unbroken'

Jack O’Connell has been praised for his harrowing performance, as has Angelina Jolie’s direction, but audiences and critics alike couldn’t understand the filmmaker’s creative choice to leave out the most crucial part of Louis Zamperini’s story: when he did break. A chronic case of PTSD plagued the vet for years after he made it home, but was only mentioned in a sentence or two at the end of the film before the credits rolled.

'The Maze Runner'

The epic reimagining of James Dashner’s post-apocalyptic young adult novel saw some incredible performances from up-and-coming actors like Dylan O’Brien, Thomas Brodie-Sangster, Will Poulter, and more. [Where to stream The Maze Runner]

'Still Alice'

Based on the novel my Lisa Genova, Julianne Moore’s performance as Dr. Alice Howland, an accomplished linguist diagnosed with early onset Alzheimer’s, is helping bring much needed awareness to the lack of research on the disease.

'Divergent'

Shailene Woodley was the queen of novel adaptations this year, starting with the first installment of the dystopian Divergent series, which is set to stretch late into 2017. The adaptation made a cool $288 mill at the box office and got fans pumped for three more sequels. [Where to stream Divergent]

'The Theory of Everything'

Based on Jane Hawking’s memoir, Traveling to Infinity: My Life with Stephen, The Theory of Everything has been praised for its powerful performances from the now Oscar-nominated, Eddie Redmayne and Felicity Jones.

'The Fault in Our Stars'

John Green’s heartbreaking novel became the tearjerker of the summer starring Shailene Woodley as terminally ill Hazel and Ansel Elgort as her adoring suitor, Gus. Apparently audiences were pumped for a good cry, as the film broke Fandango’s pre-sale record as soon as tickets were made available. [Where to stream The Fault in Our Stars]

'American Sniper'

Clint Eastwood and Bradley Cooper worked with Chris Kyle’s widow to make sure the adaptation of his autobiography of the same name for as accurate as possible. The result was a Best Picture-nominated film about the most lethal sniper in U.S. history.

'Inherent Vice'

It polarized audiences and had Paul Thomas Anderson fans up in arms, but the director did right by Thomas Pynchon’s potent detective tale that’s more of a warped love letter to Southern California and the Free Love generation plagued by incessant paranoia about where the country was headed.

'Wild'

Jean-Marc Valleé’s stunning reimagining of Cheryl Strayed’s memoir Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail, was one of this year’s most poignant adaptations. The film was edited to reflect Strayed’s (played by Reese Witherspoon) startling memories of the loss of her mother and set to a soundtrack of carefully mixed voiceover and Simon and Garfunkel.

'Gone Girl'

Though she was wrongfully snubbed from the Best Adapted Screenplay race, Gillian Flynn worked with David Fincher to make Nick’s and Amy’s story of love, resentment, murder, and marriage the most spot-on adaptation of the year. [Where to stream Gone Girl]

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