Entertainment (Commonwealth Union) _ Undoubtedly, some of the most widely performed plays of all time, in the modern age, Shakespearean works simply did not limit themselves to theatre, but went on to dominate the film industry as well. Currently, the playwright has inspired hundreds of films alone, whether they are textbook adaptations or modern retellings. Here are 10 films that you probably didn’t know were inspired by works of Shakespeare.
- The Lion King (1994)
A true classic that is one of Disney’s best works, the masterfully created animation does not at once give away its complex backstory, especially since it was originally thought to cater to kids. However, you might have noticed at some point that the plotline is uncannily similar to Shakespeare’s Hamlet, especially given the story’s rapid rise to Broadway and its popularity among adults.
- West Side Story (1961)
Initially a Broadway musical inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story is a modern musical film, set in New York. With a conflict arising between two gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, the classic romance of ‘Maria and Tony’ takes a drastic turn, with shootouts and big musical numbers. There has also been a more recent remake that stars Ansel Elgort and Rachel Zegler.
- 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Although the film was a major hit when it came out and is going strong as one of the best rom-coms of all time, a few people noticed the movie’s subtle mirroring of The Taming of the Shrew. Perhaps it is because of the modern high school setting, but it makes the story all the more relatable to contemporary audiences, especially with it starring iconic actors like Heath Ledger, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Julia Stiles, and Andrew Keegan.
- My Own Private Idaho (1991)
Popular as a cult classic, this movie is famous, in part, because of the touching work by Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix. A road trip drama moving from Portland to Idaho to Italy, the film is an ingenious take on the rarely tackled King Henry IV.
- Men of Respect (1990)
The Mafia element alone provides enough clues to identify the play that inspired the film, even if you didn’t immediately make the connections. Portraying Shakespeare’s Macbeth in a way that is relatable to modern audiences, Men of Respect carries the same ideas of power, pain, and consequence, making it a film that packs a punch.
- Forbidden Planet (1956)
If you ever made a connection between this iconic 1950s sci-fi film and Shakespeare’s The Tempest, that’s quite impressive. Even though the story does seem a bit obvious once you’ve heard about the context, the outer space setting of the film takes away any instant recognition. Yet it’s always fun to re-watch it just so you can groan about the signs you missed!
- Get Over It (2001)
Never let it be said that Shakespeare’s works are outdated. If you remove the Elizabethan language and costumes, Shakespeare’s plays and their themes appear to be quite relevant even in the 21st century. That being said, it’s quite alright if you did not see Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream entwined in the plot of this teen rom-com.
- Big Business (1988)
An absurd film about two sets of mismatched twins separated at birth, Big Business, starring Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin, might just be the best adaptation of The Comedy of Errors yet. Full of impressive outfits, bizarre happenings and an iconic Shakespearean plot, the inspiration behind the film takes a bit of work to figure out.
- Anyone But You (2023)
A much more recent film starring Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell, Anyone But You, turned out to be a pretty big hit. However, its connection to Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing remains unexplored. But then again, it is pretty unexpected given the film’s destination wedding context.
- ‘O’ (2001)
Given the film’s one-letter title and the characters, the plot might be obvious to some. However, not many would expect a film about an upper-class high school and a basketball team to have ties to Shakespeare’s Othello. Starring Mekhi Phifer and Julia Stiles, the film, despite its setting, is still rooted in the deep themes that surround the Shakespearean tragedy.
