7 Twilight Movie Franchise Moments That Are Better Than the Books

Pop culture really took off in the 2000s, especially when literary sagas became big franchise IPs. In 2005, the public was introduced to Twilight, which became an instant hit with the first book and renewed mainstream fascination with vampires. But even though Stephanie Meyer’s four sequels (and eventually a fifth from Edward Cullen’s perspective) were a sales success, the Twilight movie big-screen adaptation managed to elevate certain moments, making them even more impactful than in the original source material. While books often offer more depth, the Twilight movies became distinctly unforgettable and brilliant because of these moments.

With over $3.3 billion in worldwide box office receipts, Twilight has gone down in history and become a classic, with a reboot already in development. So what were the defining onscreen moments that helped make that happen?

The Final Battle in Breaking Dawn: Part 2

Possibly the best moment for most fans is the end of the last movie, something that was completely well thought out – especially considering that the final battle against the Volturi didn’t originally happen this way. The confrontation between the Cullen family and their allies, against the powerful vampire leadership of the Volturi, starts when Aro demands the surrender of Edward and Bella’s daughter Renesmee, believing her to be a threat. Alice then shows him a vision to prove otherwise, which is triggered by Carlisle’s severed head. That’s reason enough for the battle to start.

[RELATED: Every Twilight Movie Ranked]

Full of non-stop action scenes, the fight sees several beloved characters dying. However, just as Aro is about to be murdered, the scene cuts in a shocking twist. The whole war turns out to be nothing more than a vision of the future, which makes Aro back down because he knows it won’t end well for him. Taking advantage of Alice’s premonitory power, the script creates one of the best plot twists in movie history, especially for those who had already read the saga and were stunned, thinking that Breaking Dawn: Part 2 was about to kill off almost all of its major characters.

The Baseball Game in Twilight

The scene where Bella is invited to take part in a baseball game with the Cullen family is one that fans always remember. In a clearing surrounded by mountains, the clan takes advantage of a thunderstorm to play, as the sound of thunder masks the impact of their super-powered shots. The sequence is marked by a unique combination of superhuman skill and friendly competition. However, the fun is interrupted by the arrival of vampires James, Laurent, and Victoria, turning the light mood into immediate tension to prevent them from realizing Bella is human.

In the books, the moment isn’t exactly monumental, but its adaptation in the film does justice to what became one of the most highly-praised parts of the first movie. Set to the sound of Muse’s “Supermassive Black Hole” – which became almost as revered and branded as the Twilight song – every little detail is perfectly executed, making the scene one of the most brilliant and interesting, including the performances of the cast. The game acts as the main relief from all the drama starting to build in the story, and it’s been recreated by many fans on the internet.

Bella Showing Her Memories to Edward in Breaking Dawn: Part 2

The ending of the entire cinematic saga is also quite iconic because it centers around the reason why fans were hooked on the story from the start. Since Bella’s power is a shield, Edward has never been able to read her thoughts. In a peaceful moment, when she decides to remove the shield, he finally gains access to her mind in a way that allows fans to follow through montages of the couple’s journey together – starting from the moment they first saw each other. It’s essentially a very moving recollection of Bella and Edward’s story.

In the books, the scene is simple but understandable, as it’s complicated to describe in a way that’s nearly as touching. It’s gratifying to see that the film adaptation also used this moment to intensify the emotion, creating a poetic and wrenching conclusion to the saga.

Bella’s Transformation in Breaking Dawn: Part 1

It was scary to think about adapting Renesmee’s birth in such a way that it would have an impact, but not cross into horror territory. Twilight is a PG-13 rated franchise, so even though the books gave a complete description of the moment, how could they stay faithful to it while keeping the rating low? They definitely got it right, which is worth mentioning, especially since it was the end of Breaking Dawn: Part 1, and worked to get fans excited for the sequel movie.

In the scene, Bella experiences a dramatic childbirth and dies while bringing her daughter into the world. Edward is desperate and fights in every way to save her, including biting her several times. The moment is chaotic, as Jacob also faces the possibility of losing his friend. Meanwhile, the audience sees Bella’s transformation into a vampire as the venom from the bites takes effect inside her body. At the end of it all, she opens her eyes, and the movie ends, marking the beginning of a powerful transition in the story, and the character.

The Prom in Twilight

The romantic side was a major focus of the Twilight films – especially the first one. Many moments in the books are described simply or without much significance; Bella’s prom is a good example of this. It originally takes place in the school gym, but in the movie adaptation, the scene has a much more dazzling aesthetic, thanks to the setting being an event hall. It’s a very special moment in Bella’s life, but it’s worth highlighting her dance with Edward in a well-lit gazebo – a moment exclusive to the film.

Bella, dressed in her prom dress and with her injured leg, faces the mixed emotions of leaving high school behind while also dealing with her conflicting feelings for Edward and Jacob. The details in the acting help build even subtle tension very well, as the vampire’s look reflects both desire and concern, since he doesn’t want Bella to lose her humanity. In fact, this is exactly what comes up when the two talk during the dance. In the books, none of this has any real repercussions as this key conversation, (a milestone in the first evolution of their relationship), isn’t explored in this way.

Rosalie & Jasper’s Backstories in Eclipse

Another interesting aspect of the Twilight films is the flashbacks to the pasts of some members of the Cullen family. In the books, this is explored, but for audiences who have only followed the saga in the movies, it’s clear the filmmakers wanted them to better understand how the main clan of the story came to be. Once Rosalie and Jasper’s backstories are revealed in more detail onscreen, it’s a well-crafted touch in the script that adds depth – not to the main plot, but to the development of characters who become more important as the story progresses. Besides, these scenes made many fans realize that Edward’s brothers seemed to be more interesting than the main couple.

In Jasper’s case, we see his transformation and internal struggle with being raised as a vampire during the Civil War, initially being a bloodthirsty soldier before meeting Alice and changing sides. It’s also a way to understand his more restrained behavior. Rosalie’s flashback shows her tragic human life story, marked by abuse and betrayal before being turned against her will by Carlisle. It’s also worth noting the visual impact of both stories.

The Passage of Time in New Moon

Anyone who has read the saga will know that the passage of time in New Moon is a bit different, but it’s quite creative considering the story’s plot. When Edward decides to leave Bella, she falls into depression, but the pages that tell of this sad and heavy period of her life are blank – only the names of the months appear on the pages. While it would be easy to adapt this to the screen, the second film in the Twilight franchise chose to innovate, making it even more interesting to watch by diving deep into the character’s emptiness and pain.

The movie uses a creative technique to represent Bella’s grief, with the camera revolving around her as the seasons change, indicating the passage of time vs. her stagnant emotional state. The sequence is simple, requiring little effort, but it’s powerful when the goal is to show how she withdraws from the world, letting herself be consumed by a cycle of sadness and loneliness, while the environment around her continues to change. The choice not to use dialogue and to rely solely on the soundtrack is also a huge plus.

The Twilight franchise is available to stream on Hulu.