Broadway has long served as a source of inspiration for the film industry — but not all musicals have found success on the silver screen. These four films have managed to capture the magic of their theatrical predecessors, all while putting a new twist on the source material with the help of movie magic.
“Chicago”
If you’re looking for a briskly paced musical extravaganza that’s jam-packed with scandalous scenarios and Jazz-era style, consider “Chicago.” This dazzling 2002 production was part of a new generation of musicals that brought the songs to the forefront, and let the speaking parts serve as the glue to hold these dazzling dance numbers together. The result is a film that’s a joy to rewatch, just as an album can hold up to countless replays without losing its luster. And to top it off, the film adaptation stars beloved performers including Renee Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Richard Gere.
“West Side Story”
While Steven Spielberg’s 2021 version of this classic musical isn’t the first adaptation, it’s the one that’s most likely to grab — and keep — the attention of modern audiences. This musical romantic drama doesn’t hide the Shakespearean origins of its “Romeo and Juliet” inspired plot, but it puts a fresh twist on these familiar tropes by introducing themes including racial discrimination, gentrification, and the struggles of immigrants. Compared to its 1961 cinematic predecessor, the Spielberg version offers more innovative cinematography, more contemporary storytelling, and more aggressive action scenes. However, the 1961 adaptation is a classic for a reason, so check it out if you’re eager to see another version of Tony and Maria’s romantic tragedy.
“Sweeney Todd”
Based on Stephen Sondheim’s refreshing and unorthodox horror musical, this screen adaptation fared well thanks to its blend of comedy and macabre. Given that the musical involves romance, revenge, grisly murders, and even baking people into pies, there was only one director that Sondheim saw fit to bring his masterpiece to the movies — Tim Burton. Burton’s dark humor and signature aesthetic shine through in every aspect of the film. From the cinematography to the set designs and spot-on casting, Burton succeeds in bringing the Demon Barber of Fleet Street to the silver screen.
“Glengarry Glen Ross”
This 1992 film traces its origins to a Pulitzer Prize-winning play that debuted in 1984. With a pedigree like that, it’s no surprise that the film employed an all-star cast that included Al Pacino, Jack Lemmon, Alan Arkin, and Ed Harris. These powerhouse performers brought their A-game to film, starring as salesmen competing to keep their jobs in a cutthroat corporate environment. While not a musical like the other stage-to-screen adaptations featured on this list, “Glengarry Glen Ross” offers a blend of humor and scathing commentary on the toxic side of working in the sales industry.
Check your favorite streaming service or your local library branch to find these spectacular silver-screen adaptations.