Movies Based on Plays

Did you know My Big Fat Greek Wedding was adapted from a one-woman show, or that The Lion King was inspired by Shakespeare's Hamlet? From Broadway musicals and Tony Award-winning dramas to comedies-of-errors and farce, plays have inspired some excellent movies over the years. While some adaptations draw very clearly from their source material, others dramatically remix their theatrical styles. This list rounds them all up—use it to find supplemental learning material for assigned reading, or just to find a fun pick for the thespian in your life. Looking for more adaptations? Check out Movies Based on Books and Movies Based on TV Shows.

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Gnomeo & Juliet Poster Image
MOVIE

Gnomeo & Juliet

age 5+

Creative, much less tragic take on classic love story.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2011)
Forbidden Planet Poster Image
MOVIE

Forbidden Planet

age 6+

Classic '50s sci-fi flick is campy fun.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1956)
Hello, Dolly! Poster Image
MOVIE

Hello, Dolly!

age 6+

Magical, old-fashioned musical still dazzles.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1969)
My Fair Lady Poster Image
MOVIE

My Fair Lady

age 6+

Witty, stylish musical classic will entertain all ages.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1964)
The Lion King (1994) Poster Image: Simba above Rafiki, Timon, and Pumba
MOVIE

The Lion King (1994)

age 6+

Musical king-of-the-beasts blockbuster is powerful, scary.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1994)
The Sound of Music Movie Poster: Maria stands in a meadow, her arms outstretched, and the children behind her
MOVIE

The Sound of Music

age 6+

Outstanding family classic has glorious music.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1965)
The Blue Bird Poster Image
MOVIE

The Blue Bird

age 7+

Shirley Temple fantasy has some scares, outdated ideas.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1940)
Let It Shine Poster Image
MOVIE

Let It Shine

age 7+

Rousing rap-style musical has family-friendly themes.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2012)
Peter Pan Poster Image
MOVIE

Peter Pan

age 7+

Stereotypes mar otherwise jaunty Disney adventure classic.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1953)
Oklahoma! Poster Image
MOVIE

Oklahoma!

age 8+

Excellent singing and dancing in '50s musical.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1955)
Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical Movie Poster
MOVIE

Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical

age 8+

Musical adaptation has positive messages, some scares.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2022)
You Can't Take It with You Poster Image
MOVIE

You Can't Take It with You

age 8+

Kid-friendly Capra classic stars a quirky family.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1938)
Hairspray (2007) Poster Image
MOVIE

Hairspray (2007)

age 11+

Infectiously fun musical with a message.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2007)
How to Marry a Millionaire Poster Image
MOVIE

How to Marry a Millionaire

age 11+

Classic Hollywood legends sparkle; premise doesn't hold up.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1953)
In the Heights Poster Image
MOVIE

In the Heights

age 11+

Joyous, touching musical has some innuendo, language.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2021)
The Seven Year Itch Poster Image
MOVIE

The Seven Year Itch

age 11+

Marilyn Monroe comedy is cute but won't interest most kids.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1955)
West Side Story Poster Image
MOVIE

West Side Story

age 11+

Musical masterpiece tackles race, with some violence.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1961)
The Importance of Being Earnest Poster Image
MOVIE

The Importance of Being Earnest

age 12+

Romance and deception in Wilde's clever comedy of manners.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 2002)
A Midsummer Night's Dream Poster Image
MOVIE

A Midsummer Night's Dream

age 12+

Sumptuous version, both earthy and enchanted.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1999)
Much Ado About Nothing Poster Image
MOVIE

Much Ado About Nothing

age 12+

Very accessible, jubilant Shakespeare with brief bawdiness.

On DVD/Streaming (Release Year: 1993)