The movie musical is a film genre that has generally lost its luster in recent years. After being a stalwart of the late 20th and early 21st century, films based on notable Broadway shows such asCatsandDear Evan Hansenhaven’t connected commercially or critically. However, the baby shouldn’t be thrown out with the bathwater for this concept. With the right source material, musicals can successfully rebound both commercially and critically.
There are a plethora of works recently performed on Broadway that would translate well onto the big screen and connect with larger audiences. The movie musical genre is quite expansive and has the ability to cover a plethora of themes and tones that different from the other.
If done correctly, the 2020s could quickly turn around the movie musical genre into a new golden age. Here are the top stage musicals that should make the jump to the silver screen.
1American Idiot
This musical based on Green Day’s smash-hit album of the 2000s has the makings for a strong film adaptation. A movie musical would be a natural evolution for theAmerican Idiotconcept that began as a cinematic and narrative-driven album. While musical biopics have become commonplace in recent years, Green Day would have a distinct opportunity to provide a more dynamic way of highlighting their discography on film.
It’s a concept that was wildly successful for ABBA and their music’s legacy in the zeitgeist. If done correctly,American Idiotcould be theMamma Miafor the late 90s to early 00s punk rock genre.
2Assassins
Some would argue that an adaptation ofAssassinsshouldn’t be produced due to its controversial subject and themes. Though much like the musical itself, there is a wayAssassinscould be made that is tasteful in its exploration of dark facets of American history.A movie of the Stephen Sondheim musicalwould allow for a further spotlight on one of the acclaimed composer’s most underrated musical compositions. It would also allow for a deeper analysis of the psyches of those who became, or at least attempted to become, killers of United States Presidents.
In its most optimal version and with the right director, anAssassinsfilm could be a thematic masterpiece that adeptly explores the warped perceptions of the “American Dream.”
Related:Wicked Star Says Movie Will Be Different from the Stage Musical
3Beetlejuice
Some may argue that there isn’t a need for a remake of theclassic Tim Burton-directed film. However, in the few years since its premiere, theBeetlejuicemusical has already created enough of an identity and legacy to differentiate itself from its source material. If the hypothetical new film could match the physical calamity of the musical, thenBeetlejuicecould find a new life on movie screens.
The other challenge would be to find the ideal cast that could match up to the iconic original performances by Michael Keaton and Winona Ryder. Though again with it being a musical, the format would help alleviate issues with being compared to the iconic horror comedy film.
4Hadestown
Much of what madeHadestowna revelation on Broadway can be applied to making the musical a success on the big screen. Both the folk and jazz musical styles alongside the early 20th-century New Orleans settings are seldom explored on film in a meaningful way. The inventive staging of the musical has the potential to be expanded upon in some dynamic ways. For fans of the musical, a film adaptation would pique interest in how the creative team would represent locations such as the Underworld.
In terms of modern Broadway hits,Hadestownfeels like a musical most primed for a major film adaptation in the future.
Hamiltonis arguably the most obvious choice for a Broadway musical to be adapted into a feature film. Based on its success on-stage and connection to mainstream pop culture, it is a near guarantee to be a runaway box office success. The success of the original cast outside ofHamiltonwould open the door for various stars to return to their original roles for the film adaptation.
The expansive scope of a film would luxuriate critical scenes in the musical such as battles in the Revolutionary War and the various duels revolving around the titular Alexander Hamilton. An expansive film adaptation would also be additive to character development as opposed to the rapid pacing of the stage musical (which isnow streaming on Disney+).
6Oklahoma! (2019 Broadway Revival)
Oklahoma!is the only entry on this list that would constitute as a “remake” of a previous movie musical. However, the 2019 Broadway revival greatly shifts the tone of the classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical. Taking influence from this version of the historical piece would significantly differentiate itself from the 1955 film adaptation.
Much like what made the revival popular on the stage, this take onOklahoma!would garner interest from a more intimately scaled version of such a well-known work. If successful, this adaptation could open the door for further reconceptualization to breathe new life into other classic movie musicals of the 20th century.
Related:8 Musicals We’re Excited to See in 2023
7Once on This Island
The musicalOnce on This Islandis potentially the most “film-ready” piece compared to the other entries on this list. The Haitian-based narrative has adeptly balanced heart and spectacle throughout its professional productions. A film adaptation would be a prime opportunity for the production team to be visually inventive in the mythological elements, namely the four gods.
Another potentially optimal creative choice would be to produceOnce on This Islandas an animated film. The story and setting are part and parcel with numerousclassic Disney animated films of the past decades, and a major film studio would be wise to look towards this Broadway show to find a worthy compatriot.
8Shrek the Musical
For those not familiar with the Broadway musical, some may scoff at the 2000s animated film being a viable movie musical option. Though beyond the legacy of the animated franchise is a well-received musical that has found success with audiences since its Broadway debut. With franchise reboots and revivals being commonplace in modern Hollywood, fully adaptingShrek the Musicalwould be a unique way to continue to spinoff theShrekfranchise.
Especially following the success ofPuss in Boots 2, there is evidence that audiences would be interested in seeing more content from DreamWorks’ flagship characters. The biggest point of interest would have to be how the hypothetical director balances the original animation style while also making the movie musical a distinct film in of itself.
Despite being the most recently released musical on this list,Sixhas already grown an online and mainstream audience that could build interest for a film adaptation. The overt influence of pop music from the past two decades would only help to expandSix’s audience reach in a movie musical. And despite being based on figures from the 16th century, the show’s themesremain intensely resonant with modern audiences.
For fans of the musical, there’d be excitement to see how inventive filmmaking can capture the concert-like atmosphere while additionally introducing new creative choices to match the scope of a feature film.
10Spring Awakening
As Hollywood consistently looks to introduce younger stars to lead major films,Spring Awakeningwould be a wise opportunity to build up new names for movie musicals. Duncan Sheik’s 2006 musical was key in developing the careers of Jonathan Groff, Lea Michele, John Gallagher Jr, and Skylar Astin. It would be fascinating to see the scale on which a film adaptation would be made. The stage show is known for its generally minimalist staging, but the 19th-century German setting could allow for a shift in the scope of the seminal coming-of-age musical.
Whatever studio that produces aSpring Awakeningmovie musical would be errant not considering taking influence from theASL-included Broadway revival from 2015.
