The novel was adapted for the screen under the title The Mighty by Charles Leavitt; the film was shot in Toronto, Ontario, Canada and Cincinnati, Ohio, and directed by Peter Chelsom, and released in 1998.

Max reminisces about his time in daycare, when he met a boy named Kevin (or Freak, as their classmates called him).

Kevin has Morquio syndrome, wears leg braces and uses crutches, thinks of himself as a robot, and is bullied by bigger kids due to his short height.

Years later, when Max is in middle school, he learns that Freak and his mother, Gwen, referred to as "The Fair Guinevere", are moving into the house next door.

On the Fourth of July, they go to see the fireworks show and are attacked by an older boy, Tony "Blade" D., and his gang.

Freak gets the attention of a nearby police car, which drives off Blade's gang and takes the boys home.

The police await outside, and Kane is taken back to prison and, having pled guilty in court, has to serve out the rest of his original sentence plus ten more years.

Dr. Spivak, Kevin's doctor, reveals that Freak knew he was going to have a short life, but he told Max that he was going to get a bionic body because it would give himself hope.

The Fair Gwen moves away, with a new man named Rick she is in love with, and Max misses Freak's funeral, staying in his room (which he calls the "down under") for months.