Self-Help Blockbusters: Let’s Get Rich, People!

(The following was written by Adam Forrest, SkyPilot on Spout, who works on the Marketing and Publishing team. – CT)

He’s Just Not That Into You may look like just another romantic comedy based on a book, but it’s a different animal altogether. Let’s ride on its coattails and build a list of potential Self-Help Blockbusters.

I feel a little gross saying this, but He’s Just Not That Into You is a groundbreaking adaptation. We’re talking about a romance film based on, of all things, a self-help book. And have you seen this book? It contains wisdom that most women already know on some level: that men behave simply. (One of the book’s chapters is called “He’s Just Not That Into You If He’s Having Sex With Someone Else.”) And this movie stars Drew Barrymore, Justin Long, and the two most-desired Jennifers in the world!

The movie was a big hit at the box-office this past weekend and is likely to spur other studios to look to the Self Help section for the next potential blockbuster. So why don’t we strike while the iron’s hot and lead the new Self-Help Blockbuster trend?

What self-help book should be a movie? Let’s collaborate on a list of potential Self-Help Blockbusters. If we’re lucky, these flicks will be made and we won’t even have to read the books!

Here are my ideas so far:

Rich Dad, Poor Dad. In this comedy-drama a gnarled but lovable judge (played by Burt Reynolds) must decide which of Dakota Fanning’s uncles can adopt her. Will it be fun-loving but irresponsible “Poor Dad” Robin Williams, or well-to-do but heartless “Rich Dad” Pierce Brosnan? (Surprise ending: Burt Reynolds decides both uncles are unsuitable guardians and adopts Dakota Fanning himself.)

You Mean I’m Not Lazy, Stupid or Crazy. Lazy, stupid and crazy Seth Rogen finds out he just has ADD.

How to Win Friends and Influence People. This is just a retitled special edition of Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves.

Chicken Soup for the Soul. An ensemble film written and directed by Paul Haggis. The highlight of the film occurs when Matt Dillon, who’s normally racist, saves Thandie Newton from a burning car.

If we put our heads together, I know we can come up with even better ideas. What self-help book would you most like to see turned into a movie?

3 thoughts on “Self-Help Blockbusters: Let’s Get Rich, People!

  1. It’s not directly marketed as a self-help book, but Doing Nothing: A History of Loafers, Loungers, Slackers, and Bums in America certainly got me motivated and helped me reassess certainly aspects of my life.

    Here’s a NYT article that sums it up:

  2. Who Moved My Cheese? could literally be about the mice in the maze with little running shoes. I love talking animal movies. I’d watch it πŸ™‚

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