Best musical adaptations of movies

[Tim Barstow]

Posted: 6/13/19 at 11:34am

In my opinion, it’s The Producers. Beetlejuice, or Spamalot. 

[Charley Kringas Inc]

Posted: 6/13/19 at 11:44am

A bunch come to mind:

La Cage Aux Folles

A Little Night Music

Nine

Lolita My Love

70, Girls, 70 (the score, at least, is perfect)

The Band's Visit

Applause

Carrie (well, I like it)

[KathyNYC2]

Posted: 6/13/19 at 12:00pm

Waitress.

...Adding Kinky Boots and Groundhog Day after being inspired below because these were both amazing also.

Updated On: 6/13/19 at 12:00 PM

[DoTheDood]

Posted: 6/13/19 at 1:01pm

Hairspray

Heathers

Little Shop of Horrors

The Color Purple

Groundhogs Day (I would also put Matilda but it's more based on the book that the movie, still Tim Minchin is amazing)

[InTheBathroom1]

Posted: 6/13/19 at 1:11pm

Waitress
Groundhog Day
The Band’s Visit

[DiscoCrows]

Posted: 6/13/19 at 1:18pm

My favorites are Groundhog Day, Waitress, and Legally Blonde!

[SFFrontRow]

Posted: 6/13/19 at 1:25pm

Recently, Waitress, Band's Visit, and Once (this one was a surprise).

In general, I find the musicals based on smaller lesser known independent films translate best. Part of it is the theatrical quality of independent filmmakers, the general quality of the source material, and the fact that most independent films are not usually very familiar so there is a freshness to the story. And even better when the translators use the film as a basis but not a literal translation. 

Of course then you have the big budget hits that meet expectation like The Producers, Lion King, 42nd Street. Proving quality does rise to the top.

[jdrye222]

Posted: 6/13/19 at 1:37pm

For me:

THE FULL MONTY

[Ben_Platt_Out]

Posted: 6/13/19 at 1:43pm

Loved kinky boots. Enjoyed rocky as well but the crowd was annoying.

[Ben_Platt_Out]

Posted: 6/13/19 at 1:44pm

Did anyone see Saturday night fever on Broadway with original cast? How was it?

[woeisme3]

Posted: 6/13/19 at 1:51pm

Glad to see Groundhog Day mentioned- I think that’s a perfect example of an adaptation that deepened the movies story without losing its charm.

I’ll also throw my hat in for The Band’s Visit.

Posted: 6/13/19 at 1:57pm

Bring It On.  (Plot was easy to follow.)

[YvanEhtNioj]

Posted: 6/13/19 at 1:59pm

Tennis Fan said: "Bring It On. (Plot was easy to follow.)"

An unsung hero 

[SeanD2]

Posted: 6/13/19 at 2:10pm

Most of mine have been mentioned but I'll reassert them:

A Little Night Music

Promises, Promises

Nine

The Band's Visit

Passion

 

Posted: 6/13/19 at 2:22pm

I looooooved the 2010 revival of Promises, Promises!!!

[poisonivy2]

Posted: 6/13/19 at 5:25pm

Kinky Boots

Waitress

Groundhog Day

Phantom of the Opera (does that count?)

She Loves Me

A Little Night Music

Sweeney Todd (was a 1936 film)

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 6/13/19 at 5:32pm

The Band's Visit
Nine
Passion
A Little Night Music
Little Shop of Horrors
Once
Waitress

[SisterGeorge]

Posted: 6/13/19 at 5:40pm

Tennis Fan said: "I looooooved the 2010 revival of Promises, Promises!!!"

Me too! Mostly because I finally got to see the show staged after loving the score for so long.

I also love
Grand Hotel
Sweet Charity

Updated On: 6/13/19 at 05:40 PM

[mailhandler777]

Posted: 6/13/19 at 7:07pm

I'm gonna be the oddball that says Pretty Woman. I also think Wairess.

[henrikegerman]

Posted: 6/13/19 at 7:08pm

PROMISES, PROMISES
THE PRODUCERS
SWEET CHARITY
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
NINE
ON THE TWENTIETH CENTURY
ONCE
42ND STREEET
GREY GARDENS
CARNIVAL!
XANADU
THE BAND'S VISIT
LA CAGE AUX FOLLES 
LEGALLY BLONDE
LITTLE SHOP
HAIRSPRAY
 

[GeorgeandDot]

Posted: 6/13/19 at 7:17pm

Totally forgot about Grey Gardens, Hairspray, Sweet Charity, and La Cage. Those are truly phenomenal adaptions.

[RWPrincess]

Posted: 6/13/19 at 7:35pm

Beauty and the Beast

The Lion King

Anastasia

Hairspray

[Stage Door Sally]

Posted: 6/13/19 at 7:50pm

Agree with Beauty and the Beast and The Band's Visit.

Also like to add A Gentleman's Guide To Love and Murder. The first time I saw it (went three times) I had no idea it was based on one of my favorite Alec Guinness films, Kind Hearts and Coronets. I think the musical was fun and charming. 

 

 

[ABitOnTheSide]

Posted: 6/14/19 at 10:18am

Sweet Charity

Nine

A Little Night Music

On the Twentieth Century

And the list should really just end there. At least these are different than the movies and not cash-grabs by greedy producers for stupid people.

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 6/14/19 at 1:16pm

Legally Blonde is one of my favorites.  I enjoyed the musical (especially the London production) more than the film.