17 Best Movies You Didn’t Realize Are Based on Shakespeare Plays

William Shakespeare was a late 16th-century English playwright, poet, and actor who is regarded by quite a few as the greatest writer in history. Today, his plays are nonetheless performed on stages about the planet, and studying his operates is a higher college appropriate of passage.

It’s not surprising that the Bard would go on to inspire future writers and their stories. Shakespeare’s operates have because been employed as the basis for a lot of motion pictures – and not just the straight adaptations like Romeo + Juliet or Macbeth. Modern interpretations of his plays exist in each and every film genre, with quite a few motion pictures inspired by Shakespeare. All you have to do is appear closely, and you will locate that often a zombie film is a romance, or an animated musical is a Shakespearean tragedy. From Men of Respect to The Lion King, we analyze and rank which are the greatest Shakespeare adaptation motion pictures that are not as apparent to audiences thanks to their modernized retellings.

17 ‘Forbidden Planet’ (1956)

Based on ‘The Tempest’

An iconic entry of 1950s sci-fi cinema, one particular whose influence on the genre going forward as A-grade entertainment can’t be overstated, Forbidden Planet is one particular of the most well-known titles of 50s Hollywood. It follows the crew of a spaceship sent to a distant planet to investigate why the scientific colony stationed there decades earlier has gone silent. Upon arrival, they find out that one particular of the scientists and his daughter are the only two survivors, and endeavor to uncover the dark truth as to why.

Derived from Shakespeare’s The Tempest, Forbidden Planet thrives with its narrative intrigue that areas an emphasis on character. Its unique effects and art style retain a great deal of the striking grandiosity nowadays as they did upon release virtually 70 years ago, which is truly a testament to the story and the manner in which such components had been implemented into the film. – Ryan Heffernan

16 ‘Men of Respect’ (1990)

Based on ‘Macbeth’

Men of Respect is the story of Mike Battaglia (John Turturro), who climbs to the leading of his mafia loved ones by killing the boss and everyone else who threatens to get in his way. The film is a 1990s crime drama that mirrors the tragedy of Macbeth, transporting the story into the planet of organized crime.

Battaglia’s ambitions and actions through his rise to energy would eventually grow to be his downfall. Despite not getting a masterpiece, Men of Respect is an intriguing adaptation of Shakespeare’s properly-identified play Macbeth. William C. Reilly’s film has political overtones that allude to the idiom, “Be careful what you wish for,” just like the well-known perform by the gifted poet and playwright.

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15 ‘Get Over It’ (2001)

Based on ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’

When it comes to Shakespeare-retelling motion pictures, Get Over It is a fairly loose adaptation (it is primarily based on A Midsummer Night’s Dream), but it is properly worth mentioning nonetheless. The teen romantic comedy tells the story of a higher college senior who tries to win back his ex-girlfriend by joining the cast of the college play she is starring in (which occurs to be the play from which the film draws inspiration).

Tommy O’Haver‘s 2001 film veers far from Shakespeare’s original plot, exchanging mischievous fairies for impish but properly-which means higher college boys. The film steers itself back by inserting scenes from the play, performed on stage by the higher college students, although its musical performances by Vitamin C and Sisqo rooted the film firmly in the early 2000s.

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14 ‘Deliver Us from Eva’ (2003)

Based on ‘The Taming of the Shrew’

Eva (Gabrielle Union) is a tiny as well involved in her 3 sisters’ appreciate lives. Their partners choose to take matters into their personal hands when the guys employ Ray (LL Cool J) to woo her. They hope that Ray can preserve Eva away from her sisters and out of their company, but their strategy starts to backfire when the two fall in appreciate for genuine in a great method to the fake dating trope in film.

Deliver Us from Eva is loosely primarily based on The Taming of the Shrew. This version of the play is not as complex as the original text. What is complex is the meddling of the 3 guys in the life of the combative “shrew.” Although a bit predictable, Deliver Us from Eva is nonetheless a pretty enjoyable watch.

13 ‘O’ (2001)

Based on ‘Othello’

In O, Odin (Mekhi Phifer), a Black student-athlete, is the MVP of the basketball group in a predominantly white upper-class higher college. He has a gorgeous girlfriend, Desi (Julia Stiles), and is loved by his coach and all his teammates with one particular exception: Hugo (Josh Hartnett). Hugo is jealous of the interest and affection Odin receives, specifically from their coach (Martin Sheen) who is also Hugo’s father.

Following the plot of Shakespeare’s Othello, Hugo starts manipulating his “friend” and these about him, eventually resulting in Odin’s undoing. O is a completely executed turn-of-the-century take on Shakespeare’s play Othello, which has been often re-adapted more than the years. The play’s themes of race, passion, and adversity have created it a favourite amongst filmmakers and audiences alike.

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12 ‘Just One of the Guys’ (1985)

Based on ‘Twelfth Night’

The ’80s higher college rom-com Just One of the Guys is an adaptation of Twelfth Night starring Joyce Hyser, Clayton Rohner, and William Zabka, Terri (Hyser) is an aspiring journalist who just desires to be taken seriously in a planet dominated by guys. She disguises herself as a boy to obtain extra journalistic credibility, ditching her “good looks” for a quick haircut and men’s clothes.

In correct Shakespearean style, Terri falls for a guy although she’s disguised, and issues get complex. All in all, the film is a hidden gem from the ’80s that fans of the Bard will most likely nonetheless get pleasure from nowadays. Furthermore, Just One of the Guys tackles universal teenage themes, like sexual relationships, physique image, and dating.

11 ‘The Northman’ (2022)

Based on ‘Hamlet’

An epic Viking film about loved ones and revenge, The Northman is imbued with a gritty historical could possibly as it follows Prince Amleth (Alexander Skarsgård) on his quest to avenge his father and rescue his mother by killing his traitorous uncle. Its premise has a loose basis on Shakespeare’s Hamlet, tracking a young prince hellbent on killing his uncle for usurping his father’s throne. However, The Northman is also primarily based on the legend of Amleth, a Scandinavian tale that was the direct inspiration for Hamlet.

As such, The Northman may perhaps not be primarily based on Shakespeare as earnestly as other films, but it is fascinating to see a modern day-day re-telling of a mythic legend that inspired the playwright’s operates. Realized with amazing art style, a rousing sense of brutality, and all of Robert Eggers’ trademark style, the film is a gloriously ultra-violent fantasy revenge tale confident to intrigue fans of Shakespearian stories. – Ryan Heffernan

10 ‘Warm Bodies’ (2013)

Based on ‘Romeo and Juliet’

In one particular of the greatest modern day motion pictures primarily based on Shakespeare’s perform, R (Nicholas Hoult) is not your standard zombie. True, he craves human flesh, and brains are admittedly his favourite. But as opposed to the rest of his type, he longs for extra. Affection? Perhaps appreciate? He finds what he’s hunting for when, one particular day, he meets Julie (Teresa Palmer). It’s appreciate at 1st sight for R, as his after-dead heart starts beating once again.

Warm Bodies, at its core, is an echo of the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet: a boy meets and falls in appreciate with a girl from a distinctive household (or species) who is the sworn enemy of his personal, and, alas, the star-crossed lovers are destined for failure. The film offers the play a 21st-century twist but nonetheless throws in lots of callbacks to the original text. R has a greatest buddy named M (Rob Corddry). In Romeo and Juliet, Romeo’s greatest buddy is Mercutio. Julie is a shortened version of Juliet. Also, Julie’s boyfriend, Perry (Dave Franco), gets his name from Count Paris. What’s extra, Warm Bodies, a really underrated zombie film, recreates the well-known balcony scene.

9 ‘Anyone But You’ (2023)

Based on ‘Much Ado About Nothing’

When it comes to current films primarily based on Shakespeare’s plays, Anyone But You certainly deserves a spot on the list. This 2023 romantic comedy follows Bea (Sydney Sweeney) and Ben’s (Glen Powell) location wedding trip, in which the two meet once again soon after their complex previous. What’s extra, the two pretend to be a couple.

Although it is not apparent that the Will Gluck film is primarily based on Much Ado About Nothing, Anyone But You brings Shakespeare’s characters Benedick and Beatrice to life with fantastic benefits. The film is an revolutionary take on the romantic comedy genre and felt like a breath of fresh air, even though far from getting an unforgettable function (it received mixed critiques from critics, as well). Still, Gluck’s film is an entertaining one particular, as properly as a win for rom-coms at the international box workplace, with Anyone But You grossing more than $150 million worldwide. – Daniela Gama

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8 ‘Ex Machina’ (2015)

Based on ‘The Tempest’

Alex Garland is a modern day master of science-fiction storytelling, seamlessly blending the mesmerizing aesthetic of the genre with a wealthy thematic depth that tends to make for arresting and spellbinding films. One of his greatest images as a result far is 2015’s contained sci-fi thriller Ex Machina, which follows a programmer who wins a prize that sees him travel to his CEO’s remote villa. Once there, he starts participating in an experimental series of tests regarding the CEO’s new creation, an sophisticated AI android.

A fascinating and complicated tale of energy, wish, technologies, and misogyny, Ex Machina requires inspiration from a range of distinctive sources such as previous sci-fi films and literature, and contemplative believed experiments. Another discernible influence on the image was Shakespeare’s play The Tempest, with its narrative of manipulation and isolation abundantly clear in Ex Machina. – Ryan Heffernan

7 ‘She’s the Man’ (2006)

Based on ‘Twelfth Night’

She’s the Man, in all its early 2000s romantic comedy glory, requires its whole plot from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. The only genuine distinction to the play is its modern day setting. The play has twins separated in a shipwreck, whereas Viola (Amanda Bynes) and Sebastian (James Kirk) are separated by distinctive schools in the film.

The teen drama is about Viola, who disguises herself as a boy to play in an all-male soccer group. Her strategy swiftly becomes complex when she falls for her roommate, Duke (Channing Tatum), who does not know her correct identity. She’s the Man was a industrial results when it came out, grossing $57.2 million against a spending budget of $20–25 million, and endures as a very referenced film in well-known culture.

6 ‘My Own Private Idaho’ (1991)

Based on ‘Henry IV’ Parts I and II

Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix‘s chemistry alone — the two had been extremely close mates in genuine life — tends to make it worth watching My Own Private Idaho, which is amongst the greatest motion pictures inspired by Shakespeare plays. The film follows Mike Waters, a hustler afflicted with narcolepsy, and Scott Favor, the rebellious son of a mayor. The two embark on an adventure from Portland to Idaho and eventually to the coast of Italy to locate Mike’s lengthy-lost mother.

Gus Van Sant‘s road trip drama primarily based on Henry IV is touching and tender, providing a thoughtful message about sexual identity and appreciate — so a great deal so that it is regarded as a landmark piece in queer cinema. Regarded as a cult classic these days, the avant-garde My Own Private Idaho is mandatory viewing when it comes to Shakespeare adaptations. – Daniela Gama

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5 ‘Ran’ (1985)

Based on ‘King Lear’

A legendary Japanese filmmaker and a correct master of visual storytelling, Akira Kurosawa is extensively regarded as one particular of the greatest film directors in the history of cinema. In addition to his technical magnificence, he was also a marvel when unveiling a narrative in a spectacular and immersive style. Perhaps a explanation for this is the inspiration he typically took from William Shakespeare, even adapting quite a few of his stories to the screen. While Throne of Blood is heralded as one particular of the greatest adaptations of Macbeth, Ran is often overlooked as a similarly brilliant interpretation of King Lear.

Using immense scale and a visually arresting colour palette, Ran transpires as an aging warlord divides his kingdom so every single of his 3 sons can rule. However, the allure of total energy corrupts them, seeing the area fall into all-out war. It is a mighty cinematic achievement, a breathtaking show of style and story that never ever wastes a second of its 160-minute runtime and stands as one particular of the greatest epics ever created. – Ryan Heffernan

4 ‘The Bad Sleep Well’ (1960)

Based on ‘Hamlet’

Another Kurosawa masterpiece, The Bad Sleep Well is one particular of the most subtle of the director’s adaptations of Shakespeare’s perform. The noir crime thriller follows Kōichi Nishi (Toshiro Mifune), a vengeful man who rises up the ranks of an market corporation and marries the disabled daughter of the company’s vice president as a grand scheme to safe justice for his father, a previous employee at the firm, whose suicide was covered up.

A loose adaptation of Hamlet, The Bad Sleep Well is a rousing story of loved ones honor and revenge, with its concentrate on Kōichi’s obsessive vendetta amid a planet of corporate corruption and greed an intriguing centerpiece. A pristine instance of Kurosawa’s mastery of narrative as properly as his prowess as a filmmaker, the crime film is an iconic testament to the excellence of international cinema. – Ryan Heffernan

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3 ’10 Things I Hate About You’ (1999)

Based on ‘The Taming of the Shrew’

The 1999 higher college comedy, 10 Things I Hate About You, is the story of a appreciate-sick Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and his elaborate strategy to win the heart of Bianca (Larisa Oleynik). Bianca is not permitted to date till her sister Kat (Julia Stiles) starts to. Cameron convinces the self-absorbed fairly boy, Joey (Andrew Keegan) to spend the mysterious Patrick (Heath Ledger) to “tame” Kat.

Gil Junger’s film is loosely primarily based on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew and attributes tons of references to the play and Shakespeare himself. In the film, Kat is referred to as “the shrew” in one particular of the 1st scenes. Kat’s greatest buddy, Mandella (Susan May Pratt) is Shakespeare-obsessed, with a photo of him in her locker and she can be heard quoting the playwright extra than after. Being the blueprint of 1990s romantic comedies, 10 Things I Hate About You is the fantastic back-to-college film absolutely everyone ought to verify.

2 ‘West Side Story’ (1961)

Based on ‘Romeo and Juliet’

West Side Story, the musical remake of Romeo and Juliet, went from Broadway to film in an engaging play-to-major-screen adaptation in 1961. Maria (Natalie Wood) and Tony (Richard Beymer) are star-crossed lovers in New York City. The two teens come from rival gangs, the Jets and Sharks.

Just as the Montagues and Capulets of Romeo and Juliet, peace can’t be kept as Bernardo (Maria’s brother, played by George Chakiris) kills Tony’s greatest buddy, Riff (Russ Tamblyn), prompting Tony’s instant retaliation. Tony stabs and kills Bernardo and the deaths appear to mirror that of the play’s characters, Mercutio and Tybalt. No doubt, West Side Story is an engaging story that requires location amongst the greatest Shakespeare adaptations.

1 ‘The Lion King’ (1994)

Based on ‘Hamlet’

Disney’s The Lion King is a correct classic and not the 1st film fans are most likely to believe of when identifying motion pictures primarily based on Shakespeare’s operates. With a score composed by Hans Zimmer and A-list actors like Matthew Broderick (Simba) and James Earl Jones (Mufasa) bringing the animation to life, it is virtually tough to think the story is not totally original. But one particular of Disney’s greatest animated classics would not exist without the need of a monumental play by The Bard.

The Lion King is the play Hamlet at its core it is the story of a king murdered by his brother and a young prince who will someday avenge his father. Luckily, Disney decided to leave out the component exactly where the queen marries the murderous uncle and as an alternative created it so Sarabi (Madge Sinclair) and the other lionesses are servants to Scar (Jeremy Irons).

Subsequent: The Best Shakespeare Film Adaptations, Ranked