Some Broadway musicals are original creations (such as Dear Evan Hansen or Hamilton), others are based on movies, and some successful stage productions are later adapted into films. Here’s a look at the Broadway musicals being adapted into films in recent years.
Musical films released or announced since 2019
Disney’s two most popular Broadway hits—Aladdin and The Lion King—were both released as live-action films in 2019. Will Smith starred as the Genie in Aladdin, while Beyoncé voiced Nala and Elton John returned to compose the score for The Lion King. These highly anticipated remakes drew massive attention even before release.
Aladdin
- Title: Aladdin
- Release date: March 24, 2019
- Director: Guy Ritchie
- Music: Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, with new songs by Benj Pasek & Justin Paul
- Cast: Mena Massoud (Aladdin), Naomi Scott (Jasmine), Will Smith (Genie)
The Lion King
- Title: The Lion King
- Release date: July 19, 2019
- Director: Jon Favreau
- Music: Elton John, Tim Rice
- Cast: Donald Glover (Simba), Beyoncé (Nala), James Earl Jones (Mufasa)
Musical films in production
Several stage musicals that have already completed their Broadway runs are being adapted for film. One of the most anticipated is the live-action version of Cats, featuring James Corden, who previously won a Tony Award for Best Actor. His involvement brought renewed excitement to this classic show.
Cats
- Title: Cats
- Release date: December 20, 2019
- Director: Tom Hooper
- Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber
- Cast: James Corden, Judi Dench, Jennifer Hudson, Ian McKellen, Taylor Swift
In the Heights
- Title: In the Heights
- Release date: June 26, 2020
- Director: Jon M. Chu
- Music: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Quiara Alegría Hudes
- Cast: Anthony Ramos
Musical films in development
In addition to those already released, at least 11 major Broadway musicals have confirmed plans for future film adaptations. Many of these are legendary productions that fans have been eager to see on the big screen.
Wicked
- Title: Wicked
- Release date: TBA
- Director: Stephen Daldry
- Music: Stephen Schwartz, Winnie Holzman
- Cast: TBA
Beautiful – The Carole King Musical
- Title: Beautiful: The Carole King Musical
- Release date: TBA
- Director: TBA
- Producers: Carole King, Tom Hanks, Gary Goetzman, Paul Blake
- Cast: TBA
Miss Saigon
- Title: Miss Saigon
- Release date: TBA
- Director: Danny Boyle
- Music: Alain Boublil, Claude-Michel Schönberg
- Cast: TBA
Be More Chill
- Title: Be More Chill
- Release date: TBA
- Director: TBA
- Music: Joe Iconis, Joe Tracz
- Cast: TBA
West Side Story
- Title: West Side Story
- Release date: TBA
- Director: Steven Spielberg
- Music: Leonard Bernstein, Stephen Sondheim, Arthur Laurents
- Cast: TBA
Come From Away
- Title: Come From Away
- Release date: TBA
- Director: Christopher Ashley
- Music: David Hein, Irene Sankoff
- Cast: TBA
Matilda
- Title: Matilda
- Release date: TBA
- Director: Matthew Warchus
- Music: Tim Minchin
- Cast: TBA
Memphis
- Title: Memphis
- Release date: TBA
- Director: TBA
- Music: Joe DiPietro, David Bryan
- Cast: TBA
Pippin
- Title: Pippin
- Release date: TBA
- Director: TBA
- Music: Stephen Schwartz, Roger O. Hirson
- Cast: TBA
South Pacific
- Title: South Pacific
- Release date: TBA
- Director: Michael Mayer
- Music: Richard Rodgers, Oscar Hammerstein II, James Michener
- Cast: Hugh Jackman, Justin Timberlake, Michelle Williams
Sunset Boulevard
- Title: Sunset Boulevard
- Release date: TBA
- Director: TBA
- Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black, Christopher Hampton
- Cast: Glenn Close
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