By Jennifer Otto
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William Shakespeare was a late 16th-century English playwright, poet, and actor who is regarded by many as the greatest writer in history. Today, his plays are still performed on stages around the world, and studying his works is a high school right of passage.
It's not surprising that the Bard would go on to inspire future writers and their stories. Shakespeare's works have since been used as the basis for a lot of movies – and not just the straight adaptations like Romeo + Juliet or Macbeth. Modern interpretations of his plays exist in every film genre, with numerous movies inspired by Shakespeare. All you have to do is look closely, and you will find that sometimes a zombie movie 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 best Shakespeare adaptation movies that aren't as obvious to audiences thanks to their modernized retellings.
22 'Motocrossed' (2001)
Based on 'Twelfth Night'
When it comes to films that you wouldn't expect to have their origins from a Shakespearean classic, a Disney Channel Original Movie might just top the list in terms of the most surprising and unexpected. However, especially when compared to the various other films based on Twelfth Night, it's easy to see Motocrossed as an effective, dirt-bike-based parallel to the classic story. The film follows Andrea Carson (Alana Austin), who, despite her love of motocross, is barred from competing in the sport for being a girl, so she decides to secretly race as a guy in place of her twin brother, Andrew.
Even with its smaller, made-for-TV scope and scale, Motocrossed still manages to handle a lot of the same themes and gender dynamics that made Twelfth Night such an effective and timeless story. Motocross and Shakespeare don't initially seem like they would make for an effective pairing, but the film's execution has widely proven otherwise, as the film is still highly remembered as one of the best Disney Channel Original movies. – Robert Lee
21 'Forbidden Planet' (1956)
Based on 'The Tempest'
An iconic entry of 1950s sci-fi cinema, one whose influence on the genre going forward as A-grade entertainment cannot be overstated, Forbidden Planet is one of the most famous 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 discover that one 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 places an emphasis on character. Its special effects and art design retain much of the striking grandiosity today as they did upon release almost 70 years ago, which is actually a testament to the story and the manner in which such elements were implemented into the film. – Ryan Heffernan
Forbidden Planet
20 'Men of Respect' (1990)
Based on 'Macbeth'
Men of Respect is the story of Mike Battaglia (John Turturro), who climbs to the top of his mafia family by killing the boss and anyone 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 world of organized crime.
Battaglia's ambitions and actions during his rise to power would ultimately become his downfall. Despite not being a masterpiece, Men of Respect is an interesting adaptation of Shakespeare's well-known play Macbeth. William C. Reilly's film has political overtones that allude to the idiom, "Be careful what you wish for," just like the famous work by the gifted poet and playwright.
19 'Valley Girl' (1983)
Based on 'Romeo & Juliet'
There have been countless iconic adaptations and riffs on Romeo & Juliet over the years thanks to its status as one of the most beloved romance stories of all time, with Valley Girl drenching the classic story in a distinct 80s flair and energy. The film transforms the clashing factions of the original tale and translates them into topical high school cliques, with valley girl Julie (Deborah Foreman) fostering an unexpected romance with city punk Randy (Nicolas Cage). While their relationship initially seems impossible due to coming from completely different worlds, the sparks begin to fly as they feel perfect for one another.
At the heart of every Romeo & Juliet adaptation, removed from all the changes to setting, time period, and even stakes, what makes them all so effective is the core understanding of the strength that comes from forbidden young love. Cage and Foreman have exquisite chemistry, perfectly encapsulating the passion and excitement that comes from love at a young age, as well as the rebellious nature of its characters and their relationship as a whole. The film makes for a standout among other 80s rom-coms thanks to the inherent strengths of Shakespeare's original story. – Robert Lee
Valley Girl (1983)
R
Romance
Comedy
- Release Date
- April 29, 1983
- Director
- Martha Coolidge
- Cast
- Nicolas Cage , Deborah Foreman , Elizabeth Daily , michael bowen , Cameron Dye , Heidi Holicker , Michelle Meyrink , Tina Theberge , Lee Purcell , Richard Sanders , Colleen Camp , Frederic Forrest , David Ensor , Joanne Baron , Tony Plana , Tony Markes , Christopher Murphy , Robby Romero , Camille Calvet , Lisa Antille , Theresa Hayes , Andrew Winner , Betsy Bond , Laura Jacoby , Karl Johnson , Joyce Hyser , Michael Wyle , Steve Sayre , Wayne Crawford , The Plimsouls , Josie Cotton
- Runtime
- 99 Minutes
18 'Get Over It' (2001)
Based on 'A Midsummer Night's Dream'
When it comes to Shakespeare-retelling movies, Get Over It is a pretty loose adaptation (it is based on A Midsummer Night's Dream), but it is well worth mentioning nonetheless. The teen romantic comedy tells the story of a high school senior who tries to win back his ex-girlfriend by joining the cast of the school play she is starring in (which happens to be the play from which the movie draws inspiration).
Tommy O'Haver's 2001 film veers far from Shakespeare's original plot, exchanging mischievous fairies for impish but well-meaning high school boys. The film steers itself back by inserting scenes from the play, performed on stage by the high school students, while its musical performances by Vitamin C and Sisqo rooted the film firmly in the early 2000s.
17 'Deliver Us from Eva' (2003)
Based on 'The Taming of the Shrew'
Eva (Gabrielle Union) is a little too involved in her three sisters' love lives. Their partners decide to take matters into their own hands when the men hire Ray (LL Cool J) to woo her. They hope that Ray can keep Eva away from her sisters and out of their business, but their plan begins to backfire when the two fall in love for real in a wonderful approach to the fake dating trope in film.
Deliver Us from Eva is loosely based on The Taming of the Shrew. This version of the play isn’t as complicated as the original text. What is complicated is the meddling of the three men in the life of the combative "shrew." Although a bit predictable, Deliver Us from Eva is still a fairly enjoyable watch.
Deliver Us From Eva
R
Where to Watch
*Availability in US
- Release Date
- February 7, 2003
- Director
- Gary Hardwick
- Cast
- LL Cool J , Gabrielle Union , Duane Martin , Essence Atkins , Robinne Lee , Meagan Good
- Runtime
- 105
- Main Genre
- Comedy
16 'Prospero's Books' (1991)
Based on 'The Tempest'
More than just a simple retelling of the events of The Tempest, Prospero's Books sets itself apart as one of the most unique adaptations out there with its wild, one-of-a-kind structure to better align itself with the original Shakespeare story. The film largely follows the plot of the original tale, with Prospero's daughter falling in love with the son of his enemy, all the while Prospero himself provides off-screen narration as well as the voices of various characters throughout the story.
More than any other Shakespeare adaptation, Prospero's Books is a passionate love letter to the work and mastery of Shakespeare himself, even making changes to the original story to better fit it into Shakespeare's overall legacy. While the film itself may seem relatively daunting to those who aren't familiar with the intricate work of The Tempest, the film manages to be approachable enough that even those who aren't aware of the film's origins can have a great time watching this fantasy tale unfold. – Robert Lee
15 'O' (2001)
Based on 'Othello'
In the must-see 2001 movie, O, Odin (Mekhi Phifer), a Black student-athlete, is the MVP of the basketball team in a predominantly white upper-class high school. He has a beautiful girlfriend, Desi (Julia Stiles), and is loved by his coach and all his teammates with one exception: Hugo (Josh Hartnett). Hugo is jealous of the attention and affection Odin receives, especially from their coach (Martin Sheen) who is also Hugo's father.
Following the plot of Shakespeare's Othello, Hugo begins manipulating his "friend" and those around him, ultimately resulting in Odin's undoing. O is a perfectly executed turn-of-the-century take on Shakespeare's play Othello, which has been frequently re-adapted over the years. The play's themes of race, passion, and adversity have made it a favorite among filmmakers and audiences alike.
Rent on Amazon
14 'John Tucker Must Die' (2006)
Based on 'The Merry Wives of Windsor'
It became an unexpected trend throughout the 90s and early 2000s for teenage coming-of-age films to in fact be contemporary adaptations of classic literary works, with a handful of Shakespeare's works getting the teenage makeover. Loosely based on The Merry Wives of Windsor, John Tucker Must Die may be the most raunchy and unexpectedly Shakespearean of these coming-of-age films, yet is undeniably a parallel to the classic story. The film follows a trio of high schoolers who, after learning that they've all been dating the same guy, put aside their differences and decide to team up to get glorious revenge on John Tucker.
John Tucker Must Die doesn't shy away from the more risqué and in-your-face stylings that defined 2000s filmmaking, yet the core Shakespearean roots keep everything grounded enough to be an exciting and engaging experience. The Merry Wives of Windsor itself is a Shakespeare tale that is rarely adapted to film, so seeing something committed to bringing the classic tale to a teenage setting makes it stand out that much more. The film has only grown to be more of a cult classic as the years have gone on, with a legacy sequel to the film even being in the works. – Robert Lee
John Tucker Must Die (2006)
13 'Just One of the Guys' (1985)
Based on 'Twelfth Night'
The '80s high school 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 wants to be taken seriously in a world dominated by men. She disguises herself as a boy to gain more journalistic credibility, ditching her "good looks" for a short haircut and men's clothing.
In true Shakespearean fashion, Terri falls for a guy while she's disguised, and things get complicated. All in all, the film is a hidden gem from the '80s that fans of the Bard will likely still enjoy today. Furthermore, Just One of the Guys tackles universal teenage themes, like sexual relationships, body image, and dating.
Just One of the Guys
12 'The Northman' (2022)
Based on 'Hamlet'
An epic Viking movie about family and revenge, The Northman is imbued with a gritty historical might 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 based on the legend of Amleth, a Scandinavian tale that was the direct inspiration for Hamlet.
As such, The Northman may not be based on Shakespeare as earnestly as other films, but it is fascinating to see a modern-day re-telling of a mythic legend that inspired the playwright’s works. Realized with stunning art design, a rousing sense of brutality, and all of Robert Eggers’ trademark style, the film is a gloriously ultra-violent fantasy revenge tale sure to intrigue fans of Shakespearian stories. – Ryan Heffernan
The Northman
11 'Warm Bodies' (2013)
Based on 'Romeo and Juliet'
In one of the best modern movies based on Shakespeare's work, R (Nicholas Hoult) is not your typical zombie. True, he craves human flesh, and brains are admittedly his favorite. But unlike the rest of his kind, he longs for more. Affection? Perhaps love? He finds what he's looking for when, one day, he meets Julie (Teresa Palmer). It's love at first sight for R, as his once-dead heart begins beating again.
Warm Bodies, at its core, is an echo of the tragedy of Romeo and Juliet: a boy meets and falls in love with a girl from a different household (or species) who is the sworn enemy of his own, and, alas, the star-crossed lovers are destined for failure. The film gives the play a 21st-century twist but still throws in plenty of callbacks to the original text. R has a best friend named M (Rob Corddry). In Romeo and Juliet, Romeo's best friend is Mercutio. Julie is a shortened version of Juliet. Also, Julie's boyfriend, Perry (Dave Franco), gets his name from Count Paris. What's more, Warm Bodies, a truly underrated zombie movie, recreates the famous balcony scene.
Warm Bodies
10 'Anyone But You' (2023)
Based on 'Much Ado About Nothing'
When it comes to recent films based on Shakespeare's plays, Anyone But You surely deserves a spot on the list. This 2023 romantic comedy follows Bea (Sydney Sweeney) and Ben's (Glen Powell) destination wedding vacation, in which the two meet again after their complicated past. What's more, the two pretend to be a couple.
Although it isn't obvious that the Will Gluck film is based on Much Ado About Nothing, Anyone But You brings Shakespeare's characters Benedick and Beatrice to life with great results. The film is an innovative take on the romantic comedy genre and felt like a breath of fresh air, though far from being an unforgettable feature (it received mixed reviews from critics, too). Still, Gluck's movie is an entertaining one, as well as a win for rom-coms at the global box office, with Anyone But You grossing over $150 million worldwide. – Daniela Gama
Anyone But You
9 'Ex Machina' (2015)
Based on 'The Tempest'
Alex Garland is a modern master of science-fiction storytelling, seamlessly blending the mesmerizing aesthetic of the genre with a rich thematic depth that makes for arresting and spellbinding films. One of his best pictures thus 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 begins participating in an experimental series of tests concerning the CEO’s new creation, an advanced AI android.
A fascinating and complex tale of power, desire, technology, and misogyny, Ex Machina takes inspiration from a variety of different sources including past sci-fi films and literature, and contemplative thought experiments. Another discernible influence on the picture was Shakespeare’s play The Tempest, with its narrative of manipulation and isolation abundantly clear in Ex Machina. – Ryan Heffernan
Ex Machina
8 'Haider' (2014)
Based on 'Hamlet'
Hamlet is widely regarded as one of Shakespeare's greatest and most iconic literary works, being timeless in its approach and adapted a wide variety of times, not just across generations, but across cultures. While many Shakespeare adaptations come from Western countries, Hamlet is such a massive and influential tale that it has even found itself being the source of adaptations across the world. Haider is easily the most prominent example, being a striking political crime thriller from India that acts as both an adaptation of Hamlet and inspired by modern-day memoir, Curfewed Night.
While its roots and basic structure follow the ins and outs of Hamlet to a tee, Haider is exceptional when it comes to translating and evolving the intricacies of the Shakespeare classic to a striking time of political tension, the Kashmir conflicts of 1995. It serves to even further amplify the emotional weight and prowess of the original story, which, when combined with thrilling Indian action sequences, make for a cultural phenomenon that became one of the defining Indian films of the 2010s. – Robert Lee
7 'She's the Man' (2006)
Based on 'Twelfth Night'
She's the Man, in all its early 2000s romantic comedy glory, takes its entire plot from Shakespeare's Twelfth Night. The only real difference to the play is its modern setting. The play has twins separated in a shipwreck, whereas Viola (Amanda Bynes) and Sebastian (James Kirk) are separated by different schools in the film.
The teen drama is about Viola, who disguises herself as a boy to play in an all-male soccer team. Her plan quickly becomes complicated when she falls for her roommate, Duke (Channing Tatum), who does not know her true identity. She's the Man was a commercial success when it came out, grossing $57.2 million against a budget of $20–25 million, and endures as a highly referenced film in popular culture.
She's the Man
6 'My Own Private Idaho' (1991)
Based on 'Henry IV' Parts I and II
Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix's chemistry alone — the two were very close friends in real life — makes it worth watching My Own Private Idaho, which is among the best movies 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 ultimately to the coast of Italy to find Mike's long-lost mother.
Gus Van Sant's road trip drama based on Henry IV is touching and tender, offering a thoughtful message about sexual identity and love — so much so that it is considered 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
My Own Private Idaho
R
Drama
Romance
- Release Date
- February 1, 1991
- Director
- Gus Van Sant
- Cast
- River Phoenix , Keanu Reeves , James Russo , William Richert , Rodney Harvey , Chiara Caselli
- Runtime
- 104 minutes
5 'Ran' (1985)
Based on 'King Lear'
A legendary Japanese filmmaker and a true master of visual storytelling, Akira Kurosawa is widely regarded as one 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 fashion. Perhaps a reason for this is the inspiration he often took from William Shakespeare, even adapting several of his stories to the screen. While Throne of Blood is heralded as one of the greatest adaptations of Macbeth, Ran is sometimes overlooked as a similarly brilliant interpretation of King Lear.
Using immense scale and a visually arresting color palette, Ran transpires as an aging warlord divides his kingdom so each of his three sons can rule. However, the allure of total power corrupts them, seeing the region fall into all-out war. It is a mighty cinematic achievement, a breathtaking display of style and story that never wastes a second of its 160-minute runtime and stands as one of the greatest epics ever made. – Ryan Heffernan
Ran
R
Action
Drama
History
- Release Date
- December 20, 1985
- Director
- Akira Kurosawa
- Cast
- Tatsuya Nakadai , Akira Terao , Jinpachi Nezu , Daisuke Ryu , Mieko Harada , Yoshiko Miyazaki , Mansai Nomura , Hisashi Igawa , Shinnosuke Ikehata , Masayuki Yui , Kazuo Kato , Norio Matsui , Toshiya Ito , Heihachiro Suzuki , Kenji Kodama , Haruko Tōgō , Reiko Nanjo , Tokie Kanda
- Runtime
- 160 Minutes
4 'The Bad Sleep Well' (1960)
Based on 'Hamlet'
Another Kurosawa masterpiece, The Bad Sleep Well is one of the most subtle of the director’s adaptations of Shakespeare’s work. The noir crime thriller follows Kōichi Nishi (Toshiro Mifune), a vengeful man who rises up the ranks of an industry corporation and marries the disabled daughter of the company’s vice president as a grand scheme to secure justice for his father, a past employee at the company, whose suicide was covered up.
A loose adaptation of Hamlet, The Bad Sleep Well is a rousing story of family honor and revenge, with its focus on Kōichi’s obsessive vendetta amid a world of corporate corruption and greed an intriguing centerpiece. A pristine example of Kurosawa’s mastery of narrative as well as his prowess as a filmmaker, the crime film is an iconic testament to the excellence of international cinema. – Ryan Heffernan
The Bad Sleep Well
Crime
Drama
Thriller
- Release Date
- January 22, 1963
- Director
- Akira Kurosawa
- Cast
- Toshiro Mifune , Masayuki Mori , Kumatari Fujiwara , Takeshi Katō , Kyôko Kagawa , Tatsuya Mihashi , Takashi Shimura , Kō Nishimura
- Runtime
- 150 Minutes
3 '10 Things I Hate About You' (1999)
Based on 'The Taming of the Shrew'
The 1999 high school comedy, 10 Things I Hate About You, is the story of a love-sick Cameron (Joseph Gordon-Levitt) and his elaborate plan to win the heart of Bianca (Larisa Oleynik). Bianca is not allowed to date until her sister Kat (Julia Stiles) begins to. Cameron convinces the self-absorbed pretty boy, Joey (Andrew Keegan) to pay the mysterious Patrick (Heath Ledger) to "tame" Kat.
Gil Junger's movie is loosely based on Shakespeare's The Taming of the Shrew and features tons of references to the play and Shakespeare himself. In the movie, Kat is referred to as "the shrew" in one of the first scenes. Kat's best friend, Mandella (Susan May Pratt) is Shakespeare-obsessed, with a photo of him in her locker and she can be heard quoting the playwright more than once. Being the blueprint of 1990s romantic comedies, 10 Things I Hate About You is the perfect back-to-school film everyone should check.
10 Things I Hate About You
- Movie
- Shakespeare
- My Own Private Idaho
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