10 Movies That Should Be Adapted Into Broadway Shows

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

6 Shiva Baby (2020)

An Anxiety-Inducing Comedy

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

3 The Man from Earth (2007)

A Sci-Fi Story With Zero Special Effects Needed

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.

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.