With $190 million box office earnings worldwide, “Anyone But You” has become the highest-grossing William Shakespeare’s adaptation of all time, as reported by Collider first. That’s right, the rom-com starring Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell is based on “Much Ado About Nothing,” by the English playwright, if you didn’t know already.
“Anyone But You” has been a triumph in many ways, and an example that old-formulas can still work in the current filmmaking landscape. It’s not only a classic rom-com that follows the playbook almost by heart (and still manages to feel fresh), it has also joined the great tradition of taking beloved classic novels and plays to the modern world.
While there have been many modern adaptations of classics, we have to admit that these experiments have not always been good. While some only take a loose inspiration, others lean more into the original material. Check out our seven film recommendations, including “Anyone But You” and where to watch them.
7 romantic comedies based on classic novels and plays
Cruel Intentions (Dangerous Liaisons)
Available to stream on: Prime Video
This classic teen romantic thriller is based on the French epistolary novel by Pierre Choderlos de Laclos, first published in 1782. However, instead of centering around French nobles, it follows New York rich high schoolers. Starring Reese Witherspoon, Ryan Phillippe and Sarah Michelle Geller, “Cruel Intentions” has become a cult classic.
Clueless (Emma)
Available to stream on: Fubo, Paramount+, Showtime
One of the best adaptations of any Jane Austen novel, as well as one of the best teen movies ever made. Written and directed by Amy Heckerling, the film, starring Alicia Silverstone, gave us an iconic wardrobe and lines (“ugh, as if!” “You’re a virgin who can’t drive”), and Paul Rudd’s acting debut.
10 Things I Hate About You (The Taming of the Shrew)
Available to stream on: Disney+, Hulu
The film, directed by Gil Junger, also served as a breakthrough for Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. The story follows Cameron (Gordon-Levitt) who has a crush on Bianca (Larisa Oleynik). To get around Bianca’s dad’s strict dating rules, he tries to convince the rebellious Patrick (Ledger) to date Bianca’s not-so-social sister, Kat (Stiles).
Easy A (Scarlett Letter)
Available to stream on: Fubo, DirecTV
Before “Anyone But You,” Will Gluck took inspiration from Nathaniel Hawthorne’s “The Scarlet Letter” to create a teen classic, “Easy A.” The film stars Emma Stone as Olive, who becomes an outcast when a series of rumors about her intimate life start circulating out of control.
Anyone But You (Much Ado About Nothing)
Available to watch on: theaters, VOD (from Feb. 20th)
Gluck takes advantage of Shakespeare’s original play to, well, play with deceptiveness and comedic situations while following the same principle: Bea and Ben start as enemies (or rivals), while they also are being pushed by friends and family to get together.
She’s The Man (Twelfth Night)
Available to stream on: Netflix, Paramount+, Hoopla
This romantic comedy film directed by Andy Fickman was inspired by William Shakespeare’s play “Twelfth Night.” The story follows Viola Hastings, portrayed by Amanda Bynes, who disguises herself as her twin brother Sebastian in order to join the boys’ soccer team at his prestigious boarding school.
She’s All That (Pygmalion)
Available to watch on: Netflix, Paramount+, Showtime, DirecTV
Directed by Robert Iscove, the film stars Freddie Prinze Jr. and Rachael Leigh Cook. The film, adapting George Bernard Shaw’s play Pygmalion, follows high school jock Zack Siler, who takes on a bet to transform the school’s art geek, Laney Boggs, into the prom queen.
