In recent years, the theatre world has witnessed a massive influx of Broadway shows based on films. Stage adaptations of Hollywood hits like Back to the Future, Moulin Rouge, and Beetlejuice have been dominating Broadway, both in terms of ticket sales and critical reception. Even lesser-known works, like the 2007 Israeli film, The Band’s Visit, have been brought to the stage, and even gone on to win the coveted Tony Award for Best Musical. Now, with the massive success of these adaptations, audiences must begin to wonder what films may be getting reborn on the stage next.
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Of course, not every major motion picture can be seamlessly translated to a different medium. Big-budget films that rely on complex visual effects and numerous locations are often impossible to properly convey on stage. However, films that rely on only a handful of characters within a relatively contained setting typically have excellent potential when it comes to being performed in front of a live audience. Thanks to the practicality of their concepts and the cleverness of their writing, these movies are all viable options for the next film to be given a new life on Broadway.
10 Encanto (2021)
An Exciting Collaboration Between Disney And Lin-Manuel Miranda
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Some of the most popular Broadway shows of the modern era (such as The Lion King and Aladdin) began as Disney animated films. Of course, this leads fans to wonder which films Disney will adapt next. While there are many viable options, the 2021 Oscar winner, Encanto, is a clear front-runner. Encanto follows the story of Mirabel, the only person in her multigenerational Colombian family to not be given a magical gift.
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8.4/10 Encanto PGAnimationComedyFantasyMusical
Encanto tells the tale of an extraordinary family, the Madrigals, who live hidden in the mountains of Colombia, in a magical house, in a vibrant town, in a wondrous, charming (and enchanted) place called an Encanto. The magic of the Encanto has blessed every child in the family with a unique gift from super strength to the power to heal—every child except one, Mirabel (voice of Stephanie Beatriz). But when she discovers that the magic surrounding the Encanto is in danger, Mirabel decides that she, the only ordinary Madrigal, might be her exceptional family’s last hope. Mirabel will seek out her missing cousin, Bruno, to discover the truth that Abuela has buried away for all of their lives.
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*Availability in US Director Jared Bush , Byron Howard , Charise Castro Smith Release Date November 24, 2021 Studio(s) Walt Disney Animation Studios , Walt Disney Pictures Distributor(s) Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures Writers Charise Castro Smith , Jared Bush Cast Mauro Castillo , John Leguizamo , Carolina Gaitan , Rhenzy Feliz , Diane Guerrero , Wilmer Valderrama , Jessica Darrow , Stephanie Beatriz , Adassa , Alan Tudyk , Angie Cepeda , María Cecilia Botero , Maluma Runtime 99 minutes Main Genre Animation Expand
Mirabel takes it upon herself to find a solution when her family’s magic seems to be threatened. There are many reasons why Encanto would be a prime candidate for another Disney-inspired Broadway musical. For one, the film features original songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the lyrical genius behind Broadway sensations like Hamilton and In the Heights.
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Another major upside is the setting of the film. Much of Encanto takes place inside the family’s enchanted house, which seems to take on a mind of its own. A “living set” based on the Madrigal household could certainly dazzle audiences. All things considered, a Broadway adaptation of Encanto has the ability to be a massive success.
9 Knock at the Cabin (2023)
An Effective Way To Bring Horror To Broadway
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M. Night Shyamalan’s 2023 psychological horror film has all the necessary tools to inspire a creative new spin on Broadway. Knock at the Cabin tells the nerve-wracking and twisty story of a family whose vacation is interrupted by four armed strangers insisting that they must sacrifice one of the family members in order to prevent the apocalypse.
Knock at the Cabin
relies heavily on its dialogue and the powerful performances of its actors, both of which could be translated seamlessly to the stage.
The clearest evidence in favor of adapting the film for the stage is the setting. Aside from a few brief flashbacks, the film takes place entirely in one location: the titular cabin. This would make the set design/blocking of the play quite manageable. Additionally, Knock at the Cabin relies heavily on its dialogue and the powerful performances of its actors, both of which could be translated seamlessly to the stage.
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8.5/10 Knock at the Cabin RHorrorMysteryThriller
M. Night Shyamalan’s thriller, Knock at the Cabin, tells the story of a family who is approached by four strangers while staying in a remote cabin and given an impossible ultimatum. When Eric (Jonathan Groff) and Andrew (Ben Aldridge) take their daughter Wen (Kristen Cui) to a remote cabin for a family getaway, their stay is interrupted by the arrival of Leonard (Dave Bautista), Redmond (Rupert Grint), Sabrina (Nikki Amuka-Bird), and Adriane (Abby Quinn), who tell them that one of the family must be sacrificed in order to stop the impending apocalypse.
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*Availability in US Director M. Night Shyamalan Release Date February 3, 2023 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Writers M. Night Shyamalan , Steve Desmond , Michael Sherman Cast Dave Bautista , Jonathan Groff , Ben Aldridge , Nikki Amuka-Bird , Kristen Cui , Abby Quinn , Rupert Grint Runtime 139 minutes Expand
The story also provides ample opportunities for impressive lighting techniques and visual effects, especially in the latter half when the world begins to descend into chaos. While psychological horror isn’t typically a genre that is well-represented on Broadway, an adaptation of Knock at the Cabin would have the potential to open doors for future shows of this genre.
8 Rushmore (1998)
A Tender Story Of Love And Friendship
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Although it is somewhat difficult to envision how Wes Anderson’s eccentric visual style could be translated to the stage, the heartwarming story and witty writing of Rushmore make it a viable option for a new Broadway show. The driving force of the film is the unconventional love triangle between Max, a 15-year-old student, Herman Blume, the wealthy industrialist who befriends Max, and Rosemary, a widowed teacher at Max’s school.
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Rushmore RComedyDrama
Rushmore is a comedy-drama directed by Wes Anderson, featuring Jason Schwartzman in his debut role as Max Fischer, an eccentric and ambitious teenage student at Rushmore Academy. The film also stars Bill Murray as Herman Blume, a disillusioned industrialist who forms an unlikely friendship with Max, helping to guide him back on the academic road after Max’s extracurricular activities put him on the path of expulsion.
Director Wes Anderson Release Date December 11, 1998 Studio(s) American Empirical Pictures Distributor(s) Buena Vista Pictures Distribution Writers Wes Anderson , Owen Wilson Cast Jason Schwartzman , Bill Murray , Olivia Williams , Seymour Cassel , Brian Cox , Mason Gamble , Sara Tanaka Runtime 93 minutes Main Genre Comedy Expand
Throughout the film, viewers get to witness the evolution of the complex bonds that form between the three unlikely companions. Along with its script, a major upside of Rushmore is its potential to work as either a musical or a play. Though the film is not a musical, music does play a major role nevertheless.
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The movie is packed from beginning to end with songs popularized during the British Invasion of the 1960s. As a stage show, Rushmore could either lean into this element, and include musical numbers inspired by the songs of this era, or simply maintain the original story’s status as a non-musical. Either way, Rushmore has plenty of potential for a live adaptation.
7 Living in Oblivion (1995)
A Unique Tribute To The Filmmaking Process
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Many films over the years have attempted to capture the stressful realities of putting together a motion picture, but few have managed to do so quite as effectively as Tom DiCillo’s underappreciated film, Living in Oblivion. Divided into three distinct sections, the film highlights the intense, high-energy nature of shooting scenes for a movie, along with the incredible frustrations that arise when things just keep seeming to go wrong.
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Though the movie is about filmmaking, having it performed live as a play could put the audience in the shoes of the fictional crew members even more effectively. Contrary to its subject matter, Living in Oblivion is actually structured much more like a play than a typical motion picture.
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Living in Oblivion RComedy
Living in Oblivion follows Nick, a beleaguered director managing the chaotic production of a low-budget indie film. He contends with challenges including an insecure actress, a demanding star, a pretentious director of photography, and lackluster catering, all contributing to the ongoing turbulence on set.
Director Tom DiCillo Release Date July 21, 1995 Cast Catherine Keener , Steve Buscemi , Dermot Mulroney , Danielle von Zerneck , James Le Gros , Rica Martens , Peter Dinklage , Kevin Corrigan , Hilary Gilford , Robert Wightman , Tom Jarmusch , Matthew Grace , Ryan Bowker , Francesca DiMauro , Norman Fields , Lori Tan Chinn , Vincenzo Amelia , Laurel Thornby , Michael Griffiths Runtime 90 minutes Expand
The film is divided into three separate acts, with each act highlighting its own setting, characters, and individual story in the process of putting together one cohesive project. Part of the magic of Living in Oblivion also lies in its frequent use of long takes, meant to accurately demonstrate the pressure of making sure every element lines up perfectly for each shot. Performing the full sequences live would further expand on the feelings evoked by this technique.
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6 Shiva Baby (2020)
An Anxiety-Inducing Comedy
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Upon first glance, the concept of Shiva Baby does not sound particularly riveting. The 2020 film simply follows a soon-to-be college graduate named Danielle as she attends a shiva with her parents. However, with an ensemble of characters whom Danielle desperately wants to avoid, and a relentlessly claustrophobic atmosphere, Shiva Baby becomes a high-energy spectacle that is as stressful as it is hilarious.
The entire film is focused on Danielle as she struggles to navigate a battlefield of overbearing parents, prying neighbors, and former lovers. Though it would likely require a smaller venue (in order to maintain the claustrophobic feeling), Shiva Baby could certainly be brought to the stage.
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10/10 Shiva Baby Not RatedComedyDrama
Shiva Baby is a 2021 comedy-drama directed by Emma Seligman. The film stars Rachel Sennott as Danielle, a college student who unexpectedly encounters her sugar daddy and ex-girlfriend at a family shiva. The story unfolds in real time, emphasizing the protagonist’s discomfort and societal pressures within a confined setting.
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*Availability in US Director Emma Seligman Release Date April 2, 2021 Writers Emma Seligman Cast Rachel Sennott , Fred Melamed , Polly Draper , Molly Gordon Runtime 77 Minutes Main Genre Comedy Expand
The film relies heavily on the performances of its various characters, as well as the uncomfortable situations established by its script, both of which are elements that could be adapted without any major sacrifice. Perhaps the trickiest element of the adaptation would be the blocking, as most of the characters are packed close together in one room for most of the film. If executed properly, Shiva Baby could make for a thrilling, hilarious addition to Broadway.
5 The Breakfast Club (1985)
Another Opportunity To Bring An ’80s Hit To Broadway
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Over the years, many beloved films of the 1980s have been brought back to life on the Broadway stage. With the success of hit musicals based on films like Back to the Future, Tootsie, and Beetlejuice (among many others), one must begin to wonder what other films from this era could be adapted next. One excellent option would be the popular John Hughes film, The Breakfast Club.
This beloved coming-of-age film tells the story of one singular day spent in Saturday detention by five high school students from drastically different social circles. While other Hughes films (such as Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, and Planes, Trains, and Automobiles) may be just as popular, none feel quite as perfect for the stage as The Breakfast Club.
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8/10 The Breakfast Club RComedyDrama
After receiving detention, a group of five high-school students bonds as they realize they have quite a bit in common despite being from different friend groups. Despite being over 35 years old, The Breakfast Club still stands as one of the quintessential movies of the ‘80s and one of director John Hughes standout films.
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*Availability in US Director John Hughes Release Date February 15, 1985 Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Cast Molly Ringwald , Ally Sheedy , Anthony Michael Hall , Judd Nelson , Emilio Estevez Runtime 97 minutes Expand
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The film is almost entirely set within the school library, where the five main characters have been put in detention, making it a very manageable story to show on stage overall. Additionally, being such a popular and highly character-driven film, audiences would likely be dying to see who would be cast as the representation of each social group in a modern retelling of this classic story.
4 Reservoir Dogs (1992)
A Heart-Pounding Crime Drama
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Even as popular as they are, the vast majority of Quentin Tarantino’s films would simply be impossible to perform on a Broadway stage. His first feature film, however, presents a unique opportunity to bring the auteur’s work to a new medium. Reservoir Dogs tells the nonlinear story of a diamond heist gone awry, with much of the story being revealed as the surviving thieves reconvene in their hideout.
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The thrilling film is packed with twists and turns, with audiences constantly wondering who can be trusted, and who will survive to the end. Being a high-stakes, bloody crime drama, Reservoir Dogs is not the type of story typically shown on Broadway. Nevertheless, the film offers an opportunity for the theatre world to expand into this relatively untapped genre.
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18 8.9/10 Reservoir Dogs RCrimeThriller
Quentin Tarantino’s feature-length debut Reservoir Dogs is an ensemble movie starring Harvey Keitel, Michael Madsen, Tim Roth, Steve Buscemi, Lawrence Tierney, Chris Penn, and Edward Bunker. The 1992 film centers around a group of criminals who begin to suspect one of them is an undercover cop when their supposedly perfect diamond heist goes wrong.
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*Availability in US Director Quentin Tarantino Release Date October 9, 1992 Studio(s) Live America Inc. , Dog Eat Dog Productions Distributor(s) Miramax Films Writers Quentin Tarantino Cast Quentin Tarantino , Tim Roth , Michael Madsen , Harvey Keitel , Steve Buscemi , Chris Penn Runtime 99 minutes Main Genre Crime Expand
While the film does include some of Tarantino’s signature elements of violence, it is not over-the-top to the point that it would be impossible to recreate in a live setting. Certain minor elements of the story would need to be reworked, but overall, Reservoir Dogs has the potential to attract a new audience to Broadway.
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3 The Man from Earth (2007)
A Sci-Fi Story With Zero Special Effects Needed
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Nowadays, science-fiction has become an incredibly popular genre. Unfortunately, most science-fiction films rely on impressive special effects and wide-ranging worlds, making them incredibly difficult to present at theatrical performances. A key exception to this trend, however, would be Richard Schenkman’s 2007 film, The Man from Earth.
The entire film is set at a farewell party which gradually evolves into a deep, philosophical discussion, when one man claims to have been alive for over 14,000 years, with the other attendees struggling to prove him wrong. The Man from Earth is one of the very few sci-fi films that could be adapted into a Broadway play without having to make any significant changes.
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The Man from Earth NRScience FictionDrama
The Man from Earth chronicles a farewell gathering for Professor John Oldman, which transforms into a profound discussion as he discloses to his colleagues that he is immortal and has existed for 14,000 years. Released in 2007, the film explores themes of longevity and human history through its intimate dialogue-driven narrative.
Director Richard Schenkman Release Date June 10, 2007 Writers Jerome Bixby Cast David Lee Smith , Tony Todd , John Billingsley , Ellen Crawford , Annika Peterson , Alexis Thorpe , William Katt , Richard Riehle , Steven Littles , Chase Sprague , Robbie Bryan Runtime 87 minutes
The story plays out almost entirely within one room, and relies heavily on its thorough, meticulously planned script. Even though the movie is essentially just a group of friends talking in a room for an hour and a half, its fascinating concept and effective pacing manage to keep it consistently exciting. Much like the other characters, the audience will be dying to know whether the protagonist is actually telling the truth.
2 Juno (2007)
A Topical Story Of Love, Family, And Friendship
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Jason Reitman’s 2007 comedy-drama, Juno, has all the elements that make up a popular Broadway show. The critically acclaimed film follows Juno MacGuff, a 16-year-old student who becomes pregnant, and must endure all the new questions and challenges that this major change in her life brings. While the film does explore many serious topics, it also provides a tender, heartwarming perspective on love, family, and friendship.
While the original version is not a musical, the songs within the film do play a significant role in establishing the movie’s atmosphere.
With many lovable characters and an Oscar-worthy script, Juno is a prime option for a Broadway adaptation. Juno is another option for a show that could work as either a musical or a play. While the original version is not a musical, the songs within the film do play a significant role in establishing the movie’s atmosphere.
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Juno PG-13ComedyDrama
Starring Elliot Page, Juno follows the titular character, a teenage girl who unexpectedly becomes pregnant. Deciding to give the baby up for adoption once it is born, Juno finds and befriends Mark and Vanessa, and childless couple desperate for a baby, who she plans to let adopt her child once she gives birth. Michael Cera also stars as Juno’s boyfriend Paulie, with a further cast that includes Jennifer Garner, Jason Bateman, Allison Janney, and J. K. Simmons.
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*Availability in US Director Jason Reitman Release Date December 25, 2007 Studio(s) Searchlight Pictures Writers Diablo Cody Cast Jason Bateman , Michael Cera , Allison Janney , Elliot Page , J. K. Simmons , Jennifer Garner Runtime 96 minutes Expand
In fact, the Juno soundtrack even went on to top the Billboard charts following the film’s release. Using some combination of original music and the beloved songs from the film could add an exciting new element to this already-popular story. Whichever direction the creators decide to go, Juno would surely be a success on Broadway.
1 Bodies Bodies Bodies (2022)
A Clever Comedy/Horror Hybrid
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With the production company A24 becoming as popular as it has in recent years, one may believe that it is only a matter of time before one of their films is given a new life onstage. Though it may not be the most critically successful film from the studio, Bodies Bodies Bodies has major potential in terms of a Broadway adaptation.
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The satirical film blends elements of comedy and horror as it depicts a group of Gen Z friends whose late-night game during a house party turns deadly. Aside from its witty script and self-contained setting, the aspect of Bodies Bodies Bodies with the most interesting potential on Broadway is actually the lighting.
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Bodies Bodies Bodies RComedyHorrorThriller
Bodies Bodies Bodies is a comedy/horror/thriller from 2 AM. When Bee (Maria Bakalova) travels to a hurricane party with her girlfriend Sophie (Amanda Stenberg), they find themselves surrounded by affluent 20-somethings with very different world views. When the party finally kicks off amidst the coming storm, the debauchery leads to a game of “Bodies Bodies Bodies.” However, when a power outage occurs during the game, and a murder occurs in its stead, the party takes a turn for the deadly.
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*Availability in US Director Halina Reijn Release Date August 5, 2022 Studio(s) A24 Distributor(s) A24 Writers Sarah DeLappe , Kristen Roupenian Cast Pete Davidson , Maria Bakalova , Rachel Sennott , Chase Sui Wonders , Amandla Stenberg , Lee Pace , Myha’la Herrold Runtime 95 minutes Expand
The film largely takes place at night, within a house that has lost power thanks to an intense storm going on outside. Thanks to the lack of electricity, the characters must rely on glow sticks and flashlights as their only sources of light. If used properly, this could make for a unique, captivating dynamic in a live production. One can only imagine what clever strategies Broadway lighting designers could implement in this darkly humorous story.