The works of William Shakespeare, like The Merchant of Venice and Much Ado About Nothing, have had a significant impact on cinema and the Hollywood industry over the years, especially within the romantic comedy and emotive drama genres.
If there’s one standout factor in films based on his works, it’s the complex characters and the incorporation of both satirical and tragic elements. Typically, these stories address universal themes such as love, betrayal, ambition and tragedy.
These themes have proven to be timeless and have been integrated into modern cinematic productions to resonate with contemporary audiences, as seen in the case of Anyone but You, which became the highest-grossing adaptation of the author.
My Own Private Idaho – Henry IV, Henry V and more
My Own Private Idaho was directed by Gus Van Sant and released in 1991. It presents a unique and complex story. Although it is not a direct adaptation of a specific work by William Shakespeare, it is influenced by elements from the plays Henry IV: Part 1, Henry IV: Part 2 and Henry V.
The story follows Mike Waters (portrayed by River Phoenix) and Scott Favor (portrayed by Keanu Reeves), two young men who are friends and embark on a road trip in search of Mike’s biological mother.
The narrative also intertwines with elements from Shakespeare’s plays, particularly through the character of Falstaff, portrayed by Bob Pigeon and played by William Richert.
The film incorporates dialogues and scenes that reflect elements from Shakespeare’s plays. Van Sant employs the road movie style to explore themes of identity, family, and searching, similar to how the playwright’s works delve into universal themes through their characters and plots.
Available on Kanopy.
The Lion King – Hamlet
Although The Lion King adapts and softens elements of Hamlet for a younger audience, the influence of Shakespeare’s work is evident in the narrative structure and fundamental themes of the film. The narrative has been praised for its depth and emotional resonance, attributes it shares with the classic work.
Both stories revolve around a young prince who must face the tragedy of his father’s murder and deal with the consequences. The relationship between Mufasa and Simba reflects the relationship between King Hamlet and Prince Hamlet, as the death of the father has a significant impact on both protagonists.
Similarly, like in the classic play, the film addresses themes of betrayal and revenge. Scar, Simba’s malevolent uncle, conspires to usurp the throne, similar to how Claudius, Hamlet’s uncle, conspires to kill King Hamlet.
Available on Disney+.
10 Things I Hate About You – The Taming of the Shrew
10 Things I Hate About You is a teen romantic comedy released in 1999, directed by Gil Junger and starring Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles. It is heavily inspired by William Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew.
The plot follows the Stratford sisters, who are very different. The beautiful and popular Bianca has never been on a date but is eager to, while Kat, her older sister, is feisty and ill-tempered. However, their father won’t let Bianca date until Kat gets one.
Although the film updates the story to a modern high school setting and adds contemporary elements, it retains the essence of Shakespeare’s comedy and has been appreciated for both its wit and fidelity to the original material.
Available on Disney+ and Hulu.
Ex Machina – The Tempest
Ex Machina explores the relationship between humans and androids, especially through the character of Ava, an android with artificial intelligence played by Alicia Vikander. The plot unfolds in a futuristic setting and focuses on the interactions between Ava, a young programmer named Caleb, and Ava’s creator, Nathan.
The film shares thematic elements with some of the themes explored by Shakespeare in his works, such as human nature, morality, and the complexities of relationships. However, its narrative contains similarities to the classic The Tempest.
Available on Max, Prime Video and Kanopy.
Get Over It – A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Get Over It is a teen romantic comedy released in 2001, directed by Tommy O’Haver and starring Ben Foster and Kirsten Dunst. Although it is not a direct adaptation of a specific Shakespearean play, the movie draws inspiration from elements of various works, primarily A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
The plot revolves around a young man named Berke, who tries to get over a romantic breakup while participating in a high school production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The film incorporates comedy and parody elements, with characters facing complicated romantic situations and typical love entanglements characteristic of the iconic playwright and poet.
While the production takes inspiration from Shakespeare’s works, the story is set in a modern high school environment and uses a lighter and more humorous tone to address themes of love and heartbreak. The influence of the author is primarily reflected in the narrative structure and the comedic elements throughout the film.
Available on Hoopla.
Warm Bodies – Romeo and Juliet
Warm Bodies is a romantic comedy from 2013, directed by Jonathan Levine and starring Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer. It is based on the novel of the same name by Isaac Marion and revolves around a love story between a zombie named R and a human named Julie.
It is not a direct adaptation of a specific Shakespearean work, but it shares thematic similarities with Romeo and Juliet. The love story between R and Julie is influenced by the dynamics of forbidden lovers and overcoming barriers between two opposing worlds.
In Shakespeare’s play, he presents a tragic love story between two young individuals from feuding families. In the movie, the relationship between a zombie and a human adds a unique twist to the classic narrative of forbidden love.
Available on Hulu, Tubi and Peacock.
Anyone But You – Much Ado About Nothing
Anyone but You is the new romantic comedy of 2024 that has swept the global box offices, establishing itself as the highest-grossing William Shakespeare adaptation of all time, according to Collider.
The story is based on the play Much Ado About Nothing and follows Bea and Ben. After an incredible first date, their attraction cools off until they unexpectedly reunite at a wedding in Australia. They then do what any adult would do: pretend to be a couple.
Will Gluck directed the film, with Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell portraying the main characters. Additionally, the cast was filled with A-list stars, including Alexandra Shipp, Dermot Mulroney, Gata, Nat Buchanan and Rachel Griffiths, among others.
Available for purchase or rental through Prime Video, Apple TV and Vudu.
She’s the Man – Twelfth Night
She’s the Man is a romantic comedy film from 2006, directed by Andy Fickman and starring Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum. The film, which has become a classic in the genre, is inspired by William Shakespeare’s play Twelfth Night.
The plot follows Viola Hastings, who disguises herself as her twin brother Sebastian to join the school’s soccer team after the women’s team is disbanded. While in disguise, Viola falls in love with her teammate Duke Orsino. The situation becomes complicated when Sebastian unexpectedly returns.
Twelfth Night is known for its plot of gender confusion and romantic misunderstandings. Similarly, the movie adapts these elements into a contemporary school setting, using gender disguises and romantic mix-ups to create a fun and entertaining comedy.
Available on Netflix, Paramount+, Prime Video, Hoopla and Kanopy.
West Side Story – Romeo and Juliet
West Side Story is a musical and film that premiered in 1961 and is heavily influenced by William Shakespeare’s play Romeo and Juliet. The film was directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, with music composed by Leonard Bernstein and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim.
The plot unfolds in New York City and features two youth gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, coming from different ethnic backgrounds. The story follows Tony, a former Jet member, and Maria, the sister of the Sharks’ leader.
Despite tensions and rivalries between the gangs, Tony and Maria fall in love, facing obstacles similar to those of Romeo and Juliet. The narrative structure, characters, and dynamics of forbidden love reflect the characteristics of the classic play.
Additionally, the music and choreography contribute to the emotional intensity of the story. The works of the playwright serve as a timeless inspiration that has been adapted and reinterpreted in various forms over the years.
Available on Tubi, Kanopy and Hoopla.
Big Business – The Comedy of Errors
Big Business is a comedy released in 1988, directed by Jim Abrahams and starring Bette Midler and Lily Tomlin. Although it is not a direct adaptation of a specific work by the poet, it draws inspiration from elements of comedy of errors and misunderstandings, typical of the playwright’s works.
The plot features two pairs of identical twins born in the same hospital, but due to an administrative error, one set of twins grows up in a wealthy family in New York, while the other set grows up in a humble family in a small town. Decades later, the four women meet in New York, leading to a series of misunderstandings and comedic situations.
The film shares the concept of mistaken identity and comic entanglements, elements common in Shakespearean comedies such as Twelfth Night and The Comedy of Errors. The influence of the author is reflected in the structure of the comedy and the exploration of themes related to identity and the complications of human relationships.
Available on Disney+.
