Here’s a list of movies based on the works of Shakespeare, from Anyone But You to an Akira Kurosawa film.
Shakespeare’s influence on stories cannot be understated. There’s always a trace of the Bard in the books, shows, or movies we consume, a testament to just how much of a literary genius he truly was. That influence hasn’t waned either; it’s still going strong today, as evidenced by the fact that the Sydney Sweeney/Glen Powell romcom Anyone But You has done so well in theatres. And if you didn’t know, yes, the movie was inspired by a Shakespeare play.
We take a look at some of the other movies inspired by Shakespeare’s works, from romcoms to bloody samurai films.
[Hero image: Sony]
From Anyone But You to West Side Story: Movies based on the works of Shakespeare
Anyone But You
Bea (Sydney Sweeney) and Ben (Glen Powell) have a fling one time but end up not being able to stand one another. For their own reasons, they decide to pose as a couple in a wedding they’re both invited to, but the whole “pretend we’re together” schtick never ends up just being pretend.
The main characters’ names are already a dead giveaway as to which Shakespeare’s play the movie is based on. Much like their 21st-century counterparts, Beatrice and Benedick also can’t stand each other in Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing, the original modern rom-com. However, unlike the movie, it’s the people around them who scheme and have them fall in love with each other.
She’s the Man
Viola (Amanda Bynes) pretends to be her brother, Sebastian, in his school so she can join their football team. Things get complicated though, especially when she falls for her roommate, Duke (Channing Tatum).
The characters’ names betray the play yet again, and it’s not just the main characters either as key supporting characters also bear the same name as they do in the play. Twelfth Night tells the story of a complicated love story: Viola likes Duke but Duke thinks she’s a dude; Olivia likes Viola not knowing she’s a girl; and Viola is busy playing a dude. Shakespeare was undeniably ahead of his time.
The Lion King
If you know your Shakespeare, it is ridiculously obvious what The Lion King is based on. Scar (Jeremy Iron) kills his brother, Mufasa (James Earl Jones), who is the king. Simba (Matthew Broderick), the king’s son, is banished but returns later to reclaim the throne from his conniving uncle. The only thing missing was Simba reciting “To be or not to be”. Or maybe it’s Hamlet that’s missing “Hakuna Matata”.
West Side Story
Two teenage gangs, both alike in dignity, in fair Manhattan where the film takes place. And of course, Tony and Maria fall in love, the star-crossed lovers of this version of Romeo and Juliet. Tony even serenades Maria looking up at her window, which is reminiscent of the famous balcony scene. West Side Story may have a lesser body count than the Bard’s original play but it still has a pretty tragic ending.
10 Things I Hate About You
This iconic retelling of Shakespeare’s Taming of the Shrew tames down the misogyny. Instead of a man training a woman to be the picture-perfect bride, Patrick (Heath Ledger) tries to win the reclusive Kat’s (Julia Stiles) heart, but it’s all a ruse. Patrick was actually hired by Cameron to date Kat so that he could date her younger sister since her father has set a rule that she can’t date until Kat does. However, Patrick starts developing real feelings for her.
Warm Bodies
Romeo and Juliet had two members of rival families fall in love. West Side Story had two members of two gangs fall in love. This movie has a zombie and a girl fall in love. The aptly named R (Nicholas Hoult) is a zombie who finds himself smitten by a human, Julie (Teresa Palmer). In a surprising turn of events, he discovers his heart starts beating when he first lays eyes on her, and so the two begin a fun and complicated relationship.
Throne of Blood
Shakespeare’s influence isn’t just on Western films. The legendary Japanese director Akira Kurosawa released this film in 1957 revolving around a samurai general Washizu. After encountering an evil spirit who tells him that he will become a lord. With the help of his scheming wife, he takes matters into his own hands which sends the both of them into a downward spiral.
It’s not that the original Scottish setting is boring, but Macbeth in feudal Japan just feels a tad more epic.
Eric E. Surbano
Senior Writer, Entertainment
Eric can be found lost in his own world jamming with headphones on while writing when he's not prepping for a DnD session or researching 'Star Wars' galactic history on Wookiepedia. A proud Ravenclaw, he loves playing (and writing about) video games, humming the 'Doctor Who' theme under his breath, and rewatching 'Friends', 'New Girl', and 'The West Wing'.
