The "Mohicans" movie was indeed more enjoyable than the book. But like "Gunga Din" the resemblances to the original were minor.

The movies of "Billy Budd" and "The Man Who Would Be King," however, retain but elaborate the essential ideas of the originals.

Speaking of Gregory Peck, "Moby Dick" (1956) is also a brilliant adaptation (though few seem to think so). But I wouldn't say it's "better than the novel."

Later, made-for-TV Mobys have been either plain bad (1998) or just not very good (2011).