It’s almost a given that any hit Broadway musical will be made into a movie, allowing a wider audience to experience its story and songs. For fans of musicals, they can be immensely entertaining, with compelling stories, interesting characters and, of course, incredible songs and show-stopping dance numbers. Some of Hollywood’s biggest and best movies have been musicals.
As is often the case with adaptations, no matter the source material, some movie musicals just don’t match the quality of the stage show which preceded it. But in some great instances, the opposite is true—the movie musical surpasses the stage show in quality and even popularity, sometimes becoming a classic in its own right. And while there’s nothing like a show on Broadway, the best film adaptations of musicals not only play to the originals' strengths but build on them, fleshing out the characters and story in a way that makes them even more compelling.
10’Mamma Mia’ (2008)
Dir. Phyllida Lloyd
Mamma Mia!is a jukebox musical with the music of ABBA—its title is taken from their 1975 hit “Mamma Mia.” It tells the story of a young woman, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried), who invites three men (Pierce Brosnan,Colin FirthandStellan Skarsgard) to her wedding in Greece in the hopes of determining which of them is her biological father. The musical was first staged in 1999, and the film adaptation followed in 2008.
It’s hard to imagine something set entirely to ABBA music being anything but a good time, and that’s just whatMamma Mia!is. The film adaptation was a huge success, and the story translates well to film, something that isn’t always the case when coming from the stage. And although some casting choices have been criticized—most notably,Brosnan and his singing—they’re largely a delight to watch, andMeryl Streep plays Sophie’s mother, Donna, wonderfully.
Mamma Mia!
9’Grease' (1978)
Dir. Randall Kleiser
InGrease, set in 1959 at the fictional Rydell High School in Chicago, teenagers Danny (John Travolta) and Australian transfer student Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) strike up a romance while on summer vacation, only to reunite at school when the summer ends. The stage musical premiered in 1972, and the film followed six years later, in 1978. The music, lyrics, and book were written byJim JacobsandWarren Casey, and the stage version was nominated for seven Tony Awards.
Although it’s been criticized for its messaging,the film adaptation ofGreasehas far surpassed its source material in terms of popularity—it’s a career-defining work for all of its stars, andits songs remain iconic. It also has plenty of nostalgic appeal, thanks to its setting of the 1950s and a plot which revolves around teenagers in love while also touching on other themes common in such stories, including life after graduation.
Good girl Sandy Olsson and greaser Danny Zuko fell in love over the summer. When they unexpectedly discover they’re now in the same high school, will they be able to rekindle their romance?
8’Hairspray' (2007)
Dir. Adam Shankman
Set in 1960s Baltimore,Hairsprayfollows teenager Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky), who auditions for TV dance showThe Corny Collins Showand achieves her dream of becoming one of its dancers, which unexpectedly catapults her to stardom. She uses her newfound influence as a celebrity to bring racial integration to the show. Both the Broadway musical and its film adaptation were based on the 1988John Watersfilm of the same name.
The film adaptation ofHairsprayis perfectly cast, with great chemistry between the actors— Blonsky is particularly great and endearing as Tracy. It’s also a very fun movie, especially for one dealing with a serious social issue. But one of the most notable and best changes from the stage musical to the film adaptation is its treatment of the racist Von Tussle family,who aren’t redeemed in the film the way they are onstage.
7’Tick, Tick… Boom!' (2021)
Dir. Lin-Manuel Miranda
Tick, Tick… Boom!isan autobiographical musical byJonathan Larson, known for writing the musicalRent, which follows Larson’s attempts to write a musical and break into the theater world on the cusp of turning 30 in the early ‘90s in the midst of the AIDS epidemic. All the while, he’s balancing his relationships, including romances and friendships.Andrew Garfieldstars as Larson in the film adaptation, released in 2021.
The film adaptation ofTick, Tick… Boom!is a love letter to Larson and his tragically small body of work—unsurprisingly, it shares some themes withRent, notably those dealing with friendship, creativity and the difficulties of pursuing a career in the arts, while also touching onthe fear of running of time as you age. Garfield is fantastic in the role, and the film is full of references to his life, career and Broadway itself, including some memorable cameos.
tick, tick… BOOM!
6’Hedwig and the Anry Inch' (2001)
Dir. John Cameron Mitchell
Genderqueer rock musician Hedwig shares her life story inHedwig and the Angry Inch, starting with growing up in East Germany to her tour in the shadow of her ex-boyfriend’s band, with lyrics byStephen Traskand a book byJohn Cameron Mitchell. The musical premiered off-Broadway in 1998, and despite many successful stagings worldwide, it didn’t make its Broadway debut until 2014—over a decade after it was adapted as a film.
The film adaptation ofHedwig and the Angry Inchexpands on the stage show in the best ways,serving as a blueprint for how well-done an adaptation can be. Both versions have their strengths, however. The stage version has a raw intensity to it that’s difficult to replicate—it’s like watching a concert in which Hedwig spirals in real-time—whereas the film presents a more cohesive story, fleshing out the characters and events.
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
5’Chicago' (2002)
Dir. Rob Marshall
Set in 1920s Chicago, the musicalChicagofollows Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger) after she ends up on death row for killing her lover after her tries to end their affair, where she competes for attention with singer Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones), accused of killing her husband.Chicagopremiered in 1975, with a book byFred EbbandBob Fosse, and was revived in 1996—and that production is still running. It was then adapted into a film in 2002.
Chicagoremains as relevant as ever thanks to its satire of both the criminal-justice system and celebrity culture, including Roxie’s desire for fame and the way criminals and their lawyers can achieve celebrity status. The movie improved upon the idea of the musical aspects being a fantasy of Roxie’s and presents the story on a larger scale, and to great effect, especially compared to the simpler staging of the revival.
Two death-row murderesses develop a fierce rivalry while competing for publicity, celebrity, and a sleazy lawyer’s attention.
4’Little Shop of Horrors' (1986)
Dir. Frank Oz
Horror-comedyLittle Shop of Horrorsbegan off-Broadway with the story of florist Seymour (Rick Moranis), who discovers a plant with a taste for blood—which forces him to find humans to eat.The musical was based on the 1960 filmThe Little Shop of Horrorsand features music byAlan Menkenand lyrics and book byHoward Ashman, and it eventually made its way to Broadway after being adapted as a film.
Little Shop of Horrorsis a tale about morality, with some wonderfully dark humor. The adaptation is a campy film enhanced by additional songs like “Mean Green Mother,” as well as memorable appearances fromSteve Martin,Bill Murrayand more, plus fantastic puppetry and practical effects. It also has a more upbeat ending than the original version,although an alternate ending does exist,which is more faithful and better suits the story and characters.
Little Shop of Horrors
3’Fiddler on the Roof' (1971)
Dir. Norman Jewison
Fiddler on the Roof, set in the Pale of Settlement of Imperial Russia during the early 1900s, premiered on Broadway in 1964 with the story of Tevye (Chaim Topol), a devout Jewish peasant attempting to marry off his daughters and maintain his cultural traditions. The musical was based on “Tevye the Dairyman” and additional short stories bySholem Aleichem, and the original Broadway production ran for over 3,000 performances, a record-breaking number.
The film adaptation ofFiddler on the Roofis a classic movie musical. Part of what makes it so great is the cast—Topol reprises his role of Tevye, which he played in the London production of the musical. Like the stage musical, it deals with the themes of tradition and the differences between generations. It also features beautiful orchestration from noted film composer John Williams, giving the music a fuller and richer sound.
Fiddler on the Roof
2’The Sound of Music' (1965)
Dir. Robert Wise
The Sound of Music, set in 1930s Austria, tells the story of a nun, Maria (Julie Andrews), sent to work as a governess for the widowed Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer) and his seven children. The musical was first performed onstage in 1959, and the movie followed a few years later, in 1965. Both feature music and lyrics by Rodgers and Hammerstein, and bothwere based on a memoirwritten by the realMaria von Trapp.
The Sound of Musicis a beloved classic,still hailed as one of the most iconic films of both Andrews’ and Plummer’s careers—and for good reason, including the work of the iconic duo of Rodgers and Hammerstein in their final collaboration together. Although the musical is great, the film built on its strengths and enhanced it. For a few years, it held the distinction of being the highest-grossing film of all time.
The Sound of Music
A young novice is sent by her convent in 1930s Austria to become a governess to the seven children of a widowed naval officer.
1’Hair' (1979)
Dir. Miloš Forman
Rock musicalHairfollows “the tribe,” a group of hippies in New York City during the Vietnam War. The musical was the subject of some controversy due to its use of profanity and depiction of drug use and sexuality, most notably a nude scene, much of which remains in the film adaptation. It was also notable for pioneering the rock musical. The book and lyrics were written byGerome RagniandJames Rado, with music byGalt MacDermot.
Both iterations ofHairhave their strengths, but onstage, the plot is a bit loose, whereas the movie has more structure. As a result of the plot changes, some characters are drastically different. Like many movie musicals, the film adaptation also shortens some songs and drops others entirely, although some of its most famous ones, including “Aquarius,” remain intact.Both versions are quite powerful, however, thanks to the emotional ending and anti-war messaging.
