Enjoying the Amazon Prime Video series Cross? James Patterson is a hugely successful author who writes in many genres – thrillers, true crime, science fiction for young adults, and romance, to name a few. Many of his books have become big-screen movies, and he was even the subject of a Netflix documentary about Jeffrey Epstein. There’s a lot of his work to explore!
‘Kiss the Girls’ (1997)
Paramount Pictures
Before Aldis Hodge became Alex Cross, Morgan Freeman famously played the detective in a well-regarded film adaptation. In the thriller Kiss the Girls, based on James Patterson’s 1995 novel, Cross searches for his missing niece, only to discover she’s not the only young woman who has vanished. The case becomes even more urgent when a body is found in the woods, and Cross teams up with detectives and the FBI to stop the killer before anyone else disappears.
Okay, let’s be honest, this one didn’t exactly win over the critics. But the audience? They seemed to enjoy it a lot more. It stars Ashley Judd, Cary Elwes, and Tony Goldwyn, and while the story itself is pretty familiar territory, the lead performance and supporting cast really shine. It’s the kind of movie you can just put on, relax, and re-watch without needing a groundbreaking plot. In fact, with all the twists and turns, you might want to watch it again just to make sure you didn’t miss anything!
‘Along Came a Spider’ (2001)
Paramount Pictures
Even though Kiss the Girls didn’t receive great reviews, the story continued with the sequel, Along Came a Spider, again starring Morgan Freeman as Alex Cross. This time, he teamed up with Jay O. Sanders, who played FBI agent Kyle Craig. In Cross, Alona Tal plays Kayla Craig, a role similar to a previous character but with a gender swap. The film, based on James Patterson’s 1993 novel, centers on Cross being pulled out of retirement when a U.S. senator’s daughter is kidnapped, suggesting a complex and malicious plan is unfolding.
The movie received mostly negative reviews, scoring just 32% on Rotten Tomatoes and 53% with audiences. While the story is predictable and has some gaps in its plot, many viewers enjoyed Morgan’s performance and found it to be a fun, well-acted thriller.
‘Maximum Ride’ (2016)
Paramount Pictures
The movie Maximum Ride is based on the popular young adult science fiction book series by James Patterson. It follows Max and her genetically engineered siblings, known as the Flock, as they escape the school where they were created. Led by Max, the Flock uses their ability to fly to fight off dangerous, wolf-like creatures called Erasers, who are hunting them down.
Unlike Cross, the movie Maximum Ride received generally negative reviews, similar to other films based on James Patterson’s work. Still, it’s a hidden gem for sci-fi fans. The production faced significant challenges – the original director left, and the screenwriter sadly passed away during its creation. Despite these hurdles, and a plot that feels somewhat familiar, Maximum Ride delivers an exciting and enjoyable experience.
‘The Postcard Killings’ (2020)
RLJE Films
In The Postcard Killings, a detective’s honeymoon is shattered when his daughter is murdered. Realizing his daughter isn’t the only victim, Jacob enlists the help of Swedish journalist Dessie to investigate. Both The Postcard Killings and the series Cross center around the pursuit of a serial killer.
The movie is based on James Patterson’s novel The Postcard Killers, originally published ten years earlier with Liza Marklund. Like the book, critics didn’t love the film, giving it a low 22% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, fans of Patterson’s Alex Cross series will likely enjoy this suspenseful crime thriller. A sequel, The Postcard Killer, is planned, but production has been delayed, leaving its future uncertain.
‘Women’s Murder Club’ (2007–2008)
ABC
The television series Women’s Murder Club is a crime and legal drama inspired by James Patterson’s novels. It follows four women in San Francisco—a homicide detective (Lindsay Boxer, played by Angie Harmon), a deputy district attorney (Jill Bernhardt, played by Laura Harris), a medical examiner (Dr. Claire Washburn, played by Paula Newsome), and a crime reporter (Cindy Thomas, played by Aubrey Dollar)—who team up to solve cases, each bringing her own skills and expertise.
The TV show Women’s Murder Club only lasted one season with 13 episodes and wasn’t picked up for another. Critics had mixed reactions, and most people thought it was just average. It’s disappointing, considering the show was based on a book series with nearly two dozen installments – there was plenty of material to explore. If you’re interested, you can still watch the one season available and enjoy its strong female characters, similar to those in the novel Cross.
‘Child of Darkness, Child of Light’ (1991)
USA Network
James Patterson’s 1991 TV movie, Child of Darkness, Child of Light, was adapted from his 1980 novel Virgin. The story follows Father Rosetti, a priest who falls into a catatonic state while investigating a possible virgin birth. When Father Justin O’Carroll learns disturbing details from the Vatican, he begins his own investigation into two virgin births – one believed to be divine, and the other linked to the devil.
While Child of Darkness, Child of Light probably won’t become a classic, it’s a compelling horror film, especially if you’re intrigued by stories exploring religious themes. It also features some familiar faces in supporting roles, like Brendan Fraser, Sela Ward, and Josh Lucas.
‘Zoo’ (2015–2017)
CBS
I was totally hooked on Zoo! It ran for three seasons with 39 episodes, and it’s based on the book by James Patterson, who actually co-wrote the show with Michael Ledwidge. The premise is wild – animals all over the globe suddenly start attacking people! It follows this awesome team – a zoologist, a safari guide, a vet pathologist, a French intelligence agent, and a reporter – as they try to figure out why it’s happening and, more importantly, how to stop it.
The TV show Zoo did well on CBS and was also available on Netflix for a time. It’s a great choice for animal lovers and features a similar premise to Cross, where people team up to investigate crimes. Although it was canceled due to low viewership, there are still many episodes to enjoy, especially if you’re a fan of Patterson’s work.
‘Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life’ (2016)
Lionsgate
Though his graphic novel Cross isn’t suitable for children, James Patterson also writes for young adults. Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life is one of his more accessible stories for families. It follows Rafe (Griffin Gluck), a typical kid who gets into trouble. When a strict principal, Ken Dwight (Andy Daly), tries to control him with rules, Rafe decides to do the opposite and break every single one.
MovieWeb Report: Subscribe and never miss what matters
Immerse yourself in the cinematic universe with the latest movie news, reviews, and exclusive content from MovieWeb.
I think Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life is a really fun movie! It’s got a great cast – Lauren Graham, Rob Riggle, Adam Pally, and Retta are all hilarious. It didn’t get amazing reviews, but people seemed to enjoy it enough to go see it. It’s perfect for a family movie night – a good, lighthearted choice to watch with the kids before they head to bed, and then you can settle in for something else, like the latest Cross!
‘Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich’ (2020)
Netflix
The documentary series Jeffrey Epstein: Filthy Rich recently gained renewed attention in 2025, but it’s actually based on a 2016 book by Patterson with the same title. The four-part series details the disturbing story of Epstein’s alleged crimes, as told through the experiences of survivors, people who used to work for him, and the lead investigator from the original criminal case against him.
Although difficult to watch, this series offers a disturbing yet compelling look at the key moments in his life, detailing the events that ultimately led to his arrest and death. It’s the most critically acclaimed adaptation of Patterson’s work – aside from Cross – boasting an 81% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Viewers familiar with existing documentaries, books, and news coverage of Epstein won’t find any shocking new information. However, the series stands out due to its unique perspective and sensitive handling of the story, particularly its focus on the experiences of those affected.
Found an error? Send it info@movieweb.com so it can be corrected.
Read More
- My Favorite Coen Brothers Movie Is Probably Their Most Overlooked, And It’s The Only One That Has Won The Palme d’Or!
- Future Assassin’s Creed Games Could Have Multiple Protagonists, Says AC Shadows Dev
- Decoding Cause and Effect: AI Predicts Traffic with Human-Like Reasoning
- Thieves steal $100,000 worth of Pokemon & sports cards from California store
- The Batman 2 Villain Update Backs Up DC Movie Rumor
- Adolescence’s Co-Creator Is Making A Lord Of The Flies Show. Everything We Know About The Book-To-Screen Adaptation
- ‘Veronica’: The True Story, Explained
- Sony State Of Play Japan Livestream Announced For This Week
- REVIEW: “Jay Kelly” (2025)
- Hell Let Loose: Vietnam Gameplay Trailer Released
2026-02-14 21:39