The Jungle Book adaptations: books & films

Q: Is The Jungle Book based on a book?

Yes. *The Jungle Book* and *The Second Jungle Book* are the original source collections, telling the adventures of Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves, alongside stories featuring Baloo, Bagheera, and Shere Khan.

Q: Which Jungle Book adaptation should I start with?

If you want the source story, *The Jungle Book* collection introduces Mowgli and the key characters. For film, the 1967 animated *The Jungle Book* and the 2016 *The Jungle Book* are both self-contained starting points.

Every version of The Jungle Book — the books & films, compared across media.

Mowgli — a boy raised by wolves deep in the jungle — is one of storytelling's most enduring figures. From The Jungle Book and The Second Jungle Book, the original collections that gave us the wolf pack, Baloo, Bagheera, and Shere Khan, to animated films and live-action adventures, this story has been reimagined across books and film for well over a century. Each version returns to the same wild premise: a child caught between two worlds.

The Jungle Book films

Film The Jungle Book Film · 2016 · ★ 6.9

Threatened by Shere Khan, Mowgli flees the jungle and embarks on a journey of self-discovery with Bagheera and Baloo.

Film The Jungle Book Film · 1967 · ★ 7.3

Mowgli makes his way to the man-village, befriending the bear Baloo and encountering jazzy King Louie along the way.

Film Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle Film · 2018 · ★ 6.5

A wolf-raised boy must face off against the tiger Shere Khan and reckon with questions about his own origins.

Film The Jungle Book Film · 1994 · ★ 6.0

Drawn from the jungle by Kitty, Mowgli must face corrupt Captain Boone, who seeks the treasures of Monkey City.

Film The Jungle Book 2 Film · 2003 · ★ 5.9

Now living in the man-village, Mowgli still misses Baloo and Bagheera and finds himself drawn back to the jungle.

The Jungle Book books

Book The Jungle Book Book · 2000 · ★ 8.2

The original tales of Mowgli, a man-child raised by wolves, that have captivated readers across generations.

Book The Second Jungle Book Book · 1951 · ★ 9.2

A companion collection of short stories, only some featuring Mowgli — including how the tiger got his stripes.

Frequently asked

Is The Jungle Book based on a book?

Yes. The Jungle Book and The Second Jungle Book are the original source collections, telling the adventures of Mowgli, a boy raised by wolves, alongside stories featuring Baloo, Bagheera, and Shere Khan.

How many versions of The Jungle Book are there?

This page covers seven versions across books and film, including the original book collections, the 1967 animated film, the 1994 live-action adventure, the 2016 fantasy film, Mowgli: Legend of the Jungle (2018), and The Jungle Book 2 (2003).

Which Jungle Book adaptation should I start with?

If you want the source story, The Jungle Book collection introduces Mowgli and the key characters. For film, the 1967 animated The Jungle Book and the 2016 The Jungle Book are both self-contained starting points.