The film was adapted from Daphne du Maurier 's 1938 novel Rebecca though some supernatural elements were added to it .
Daphne du Maurier 's 1938 novel Rebecca was previously adapted by Alfred Hitchcock as Academy Award - winning Rebecca ( 1940 ) .
The film was adapted from Daphne du Maurier 's 1938 novel Rebecca , which was previously adapted by Alfred Hitchcock as Academy Award - winning Rebecca ( 1940 ) , though some supernatural elements were added to it .