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The Godfather adaptations: books & films
Every version of The Godfather — the books & films, compared across media.
The Corleones are a fictional Italian-American Mafia family whose story has been told across a novel and three films. Mario Puzo's 1969 novel introduced Vito Corleone and the New York crime family he heads; the films follow that world from the mid-1940s through Michael's succession and beyond. Each version is a distinct telling of the same story, moving from the page to the screen and spanning several decades.
The Godfather films
Film
The Godfather
A 1945–1955 chronicle of the Corleone family, following Michael as he steps in after an attempt on his father's life.
Film
The Godfather Part II
Parallel stories trace Vito's early rise in 1910s New York alongside Michael's 1950s expansion into Las Vegas and Cuba.
Film
The Godfather Part III
An aging Michael Corleone seeks to legitimize his dealings in 1979, while taking a young protege under his wing.
The Godfather books
Frequently asked
Is The Godfather based on a book?
Yes. The Godfather originated as a crime novel by Mario Puzo, centred on the fictional Corleone Mafia family in New York City. The films adapt that same story and characters.
How many versions of The Godfather are there?
There are four versions in this collection: Puzo's novel and three films — The Godfather (1972), The Godfather Part II (1974), and The Godfather Part III (1990).
Which Godfather adaptation should I start with?
Most audiences start with the 1972 film The Godfather, which follows the Corleone family across the years 1945 to 1955. Puzo's novel covers the same core story if you prefer reading.