The stage shows of Broadway and the silver screen of Hollywood have had a long, symbiotic relationship together, with many of the finest movies of all time, including Grease, Chicago, Cabaret and The Sound of Music, having been adapted from classic stage musicals. In the last twenty years or so, however, there has been a huge influx of the reverse: movies being adapted into stage productions.

Legally Blonde, Aladdin, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, Pretty Woman, The School of Rock, Matilda, and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory are just some of the movies that have received the Broadway makeover and gone on to enjoy success on the stage. Some, like Little Shop of Horrors and The Producers, began as films, were adapted into Broadway shows, and then remade as their musical film versions. Mean Girls became a popular musical and is now the stage show is getting a 2024 film adaptation. For some movies, the move to Broadway seems like a no-brainer; for others, it certainly requires a bit of tweaking, a lot of imagination, and a little stardust to give it what it takes. Nowadays, it seems like no movie is off-limits when it comes to musical adaptations. Below are ten great movies that inspired successful Broadway and West End stage productions.

Update January 4, 2024: In honor of the release of the upcoming Mean Girls musical, this article has been updated with even more great musicals inspired by classic films and more details about the films and the stage productions.

10 The Bodyguard (1991)

Starring Kevin Costner and Whitney Houston (in her acting debut), 1992's The Bodyguard centers on the relationship between a famous actress/singer, and the Secret Service agent hired to protect her from the stalker that has been threatening her. The film is mostly noted for its accompanying soundtrack, which features a several songs by Houston herself, including "I Will Always Love You", "I'm Every Woman", and "I Have Nothing". Despite garnering a generally mixed response from critics, who were largely critical of Houston's abilities as an actress, The Bodyguard went on to be a big success at the box office, earning a massive $411 million on a $25 million budget.

The Musical It Inspired

A stage adaptation of The Bodyguard debuted at the Adelphi Theatre in London's West End in December 2012, where it ran for two years before premiering in various countries such as Australia, China, South Korea, and Poland. The musical version differs from the film in that it acts as a jukebox musical made up of several songs from across Houston's career. This means that tracks not featured in the film, such as "One Moment in Time" and "Saving All My Love For You", have been added in alongside ones that already were. On the whole, the stage adaptation was better received than its cinematic counterpart, with the original West End production picking up four Laurence Olivier Award nominations.

9 Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975)

Monty Python and the Holy Grail is considered by many to be the best of the comedy troup's big-screen outputs. An example of a picaresque narrative structure, the film follows King Arthur as he sets out on a surreal quest to recruit men to join his round table. Along the way, he rides an invisible horse, encounters a limbless knight, and meets an enchanter known simply as Tim. The film also features a hilarious musical number involving the knights of Camelot, which, no doubt, was the initial impetus for a full musical. With many quotable lines and memorable moments, The Holy Grail is often regarded as one of the funniest films ever made.

The Musical It Inspired

In 2004, almost 30 years after the film was released, a stage musical adaptation titled Spamalot debuted at the Schubert Theatre in Chicago. Python member Eric Idle wrote the stage show's script and song lyrics, as well as helping to compose the music. Amazingly, Spamalot managed to outdo its source material and reach new levels of irreverence and absurdity with the addition of more song and dance. After being met with overwhelmingly positive reviews during its Chicago run, the show made its Broadway debut in 2005, where it was directed by acclaimed Hollywood director Mike Nichols. It went on to be nominated for 14 Tony Awards. Following multiple West End runs and several UK and US tours, Spamalot returned to Broadway in 2023 for a revival, which is still playing. Notable cast members have included Tim Curry, Craig Robinson, Hannah Waddingham, David Hyde-Pierce, Hank Aaria, and Warwick Davis.

Related: These Movie Stars Also Had Successful Runs on Broadway

8 School of Rock (2003)

School of Rock is an example of a movie that feels like it was destined for Broadway. The 2003 film tells the story of a failing rock musician named Dewey Finn (Jack Black), who poses as a substitute teacher in an attempt to form a band out of his students and win a cash prize at a local music competition. What Dewey doesn't bank on is the positive effect making music has on the children he mentors. Loved by children and adults alike, the movie was universally acclaimed when it was first released, with most of the praise being aimed at the film's humor, its catchy soundtrack, and Jack Black’s career-highlight performance.

The Musical It Inspired

In 2015, the joint forces of legendary musical impresario Andrew Lloyd Webber and acclaimed writer Julian Fellows brought about a stage musical version of School of Rock. The show premiered on Broadway at the Winter Garden Theatre before making its West End debut at the Gillian Lynne Theatre in 2016. There have since been productions in Australia, Argentina, Japan, and Austria. Like the film, the stage version features an ensemble cast made up largely of child actors and comprises a total of 15 musical numbers, 12 of which are original songs, while the remaining three are ones from the film. A critical darling, the School of Rock Musical was nominated for four Tony Awards and three Laurence Olivier Awards.

7 Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (1988)

While movies like School of Rock, Footloose, Dirty Dancing or even Pretty Women all seem like obvious choices for stage adaptations, one that certainly would have caught a lot of people off guard was the 2005 Broadway production of the classic 80s comedy Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. Starring Steve Martin and Michael Caine, the film depicts the rivalry between two con men who compete with each other to see who can swindle an heiress out of her sizeable fortune. It's noted for having one of the cleverest twists of any comedy film. Despite itself being a remake of the 1964 film Bedtime Story, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels has been remade twice in the form of 2001's Heartbreakers and 2019's The Hustle.

The Musical It Inspired

Along with a pair of remakes, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels also inspired a stage musical. After premiering at the Old Globe Theatre in San Diego in 2004, the show made its way onto Broadway at the Imperial Theatre in early 2005. The original Broadway production was met with mixed reviews from both critics and audiences who found the music to be sub-par and the energy to be lacking. Many noted that is failed to live up to the quality of the film. However, a 2014 West End production of the show with a new direction, choreography, and design received considerably better reviews. It may not have been the obvious choice for a musical adaptation, but Dirty Rotten Scoundrels, nevertheless, proved itself to be a charming and fun theatrical experience.

6 Back To The Future (1985)

Widely regarded as one of the best films ever made, it was only a matter of time before Back to the Future was adapted for the stage. The movie version, which hit cinemas in the summer of 1985, was directed by Robert Zemeckis and stars Michael J. Fox as Marty McFly, a teenager who travels back in time to 1955. There, he must get the help of his scientist friend Emmett "Doc" Brown (Christopher Lloyd) in order to restore the course of history and return him to his own time. Not only was Back to the Future a critical and commercial success when it was first released, but it has since become an icon of popular culture, spawning a multimedia franchise and being referenced in multiple films, TV shows, and songs.

The Musical It Inspired

Back to the Future: The Musical finally saw the light of day in 2020 after having been in development since 2012. The stage show was written by Bob Gale, the co-writer of the original film, and featured music by Alan Silvestri, who, as well as composing the score for every entry in the Back to the Future trilogy, has also worked on titles such as Forrest Gump, The Bodyguard, Who Framed Roger Rabbit, and the Avengers films. To date, there have been three productions of the musical: one in Manchester, one in London's West End, and another on Broadway. Overall, the musical has been well-received by fans and critics alike and has garnered numerous award nominations, including seven Laurence Olivier Awards.

5 Sister Act (1992)

In the 1992 comedy musical, Sister Act, Hollywood legend Whoopi Goldberg plays Deloris Wilson, a nightclub singer who, after witnessing a violent crime, is put into witness protection at a convent. After initially clashing with the other nuns and their strict lifestyles, Deloris soon wins them over with her charismatic singing style, and is promoted to director of the choir. However, the killer whose crime she witnessed wants revenge and puts a bounty on her head. With a supporting cast that includes Maggie Smith and Harvey Kietel, Sister Act is a joyfully fun movie that has only gotten better with age. As well as a musical adaptation, the film also spawned a 1993 sequel titled, Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit, and an upcoming threequel.

The Musical It Inspired

It took 17 years for Sister Act to get a stage adaptation, but when it finally did, the wait was worth it. The original West End production debuted at the London Palladium in 2009 with Patina Miller, who has since had success in the Hunger Games films, in the lead role. While the film version features covers of the existing gospel and R&B tracks, the stage show contains 15 original songs, including "Take Me to Heaven", "Raise Your Voice", and "Sister Act". Notable names that have starred in the show's various West End and Broadway productions include Cynthia Erivo, Beverley Knight, Jennifer Saunders, Victoria Clark, and Sheila Hancock. The latest production is scheduled to begin its run at London's Dominion Theatre in March 2024.

4 Billy Elliot (2001)

British coming-of-age film, Billy Elliot, tells the story of an 11-year-old boy from a working-class family who discovers he has a talent for ballet. Set against the backdrop of the UK miner's strike in the mid-eighties, it focuses on the titular character's struggle to choose between following his dream and meeting the traditional expectations of his father. In what was his big screen debut, Jamie Bell plays the main character, alongside Julie Walters as Billy's dance instructor, Sandra. An unexpected hit, the film went on to gross $109 million at the worldwide box office on a $5 million budget, and was nominated for three Oscars and twelve Baftas, all of which make it one of the best British films of all time.

The Stage Musical It Inspired

The film's success eventually led to a stage adaptation, which premiered at the Victoria Palace Theatre in London's West End in March 2005. With a script and lyrics by Lee Hall, who went on to write the screenplays for War Horse and Rocketman, and music by the legendary Elton John, the show instantly became a favorite among critics and theatergoers, with the original London production going on to be nominated for an impressive ten Laurence Olivier awards. Following an Australian tour, Billy Elliot: The Musical made its Broadway debut at the Imperial Theatre in 2008. Among the show's many great musical numbers are the incredibly catchy "Electricity" and the heartbreaking ballad "The Letter (Mum's Letter)". Spider-Man's Tom Holland and Game of Thrones' Dean Charles Chapman are among the many names to have played Billy on stage over the years.

3 Legally Blonde (2001)

2001 comedy Legally Blonde was a hit with both audiences and critics when it first hit theater screens over twenty years ago. Based on the novel of the same name by Amanda Brown, the film stars Reese Witherspoon as Elle Woods, a blonde-haired, pink-wearing, fashion-obsessed sorority queen who, upon being dumped by her boyfriend, enrolls at Harvard Law School in an attempt to win him back. Along the way, Elle embarks on a journey to prove that there is more to her than just her looks. As well as Witherspoon, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for her performance, the film also stars Luke Wilson, Selma Blair, Jennifer Coolidge, and Matthew Davis. Its popularity led to a 2003 sequel, entitled Legally Blonde 2: Red, White, and Blonde, a direct-to-DVD spin-off, a rumored TV series, and a successful stage musical.

The Stage Musical It Inspired

Legally Blonde: The Musical opened on Broadway at the Palace Theatre in 2007, before making its West End debut at the Savoy Theatre in 2010. Despite an initial mixed response from critics, the stage show was a hit with audiences and, over the course of various different production and casts, it slowly began to win over reviewers. The musical version sticks quite closely to the plot of the film, but with the addition of several catchy songs, including "Omigod You Guys", "Bend and Snap", and "There! Right There!", the stage adaptation manages to add a whole new layer of fun and enjoyment. Over the years, many well known names have been among the show's cast, such as Laura Bell Bundy, Sheridan Smith, Christian Borle, and Peter Davison. To date, there have been productions of the show in 17 different countries, including Germany, China, South Korea, and New Zealand.

2 Matilda (1996)

Roald Dahl's Matilda was originally published as a novel in 1988, and later became the bases for a 1996 feature film adaptation. Directed by acting royalty, Danny DeVito, who also stars as the title character's father, the film tells the tale of Matilda Wormwood (Mara Wilson), a gifted child terrorized by her unloving family and sadistic headteacher, who uses her powers of telekinesis to teach the adults in her life a lesson. The film also stars Embeth Davidtz, Pam Ferris, and Rhea Pearlman, and, despite struggling at the box office during its initial run, has gone on to be remembered fondly for its clever storytelling and the excellent performances of the cast. Overall, it is considered one of the purest and best Roald Dahl book adaptations.

The Musical It Inspired

Though strictly speaking, it is not a direct adaptation of the film, but rather the book it's based on, it's fair to say that Matilda the Musical would likely have never materialized if it weren't for the popularity of the 1996 movie. After seeing the potential for Matilda to make a leap to the stage, writer Denis Kelly brought in Australian musical comedian Tim Minchin to help with the music and lyrics. Following a run in Stratford-Upon-Avon by the Royal Shakespeare Company, the show found its way onto the West End stage in 2011 before making its Broadway debut two years later. Since it premiered, the musical has received widespread acclaim and has become one of the most decorated stage musicals of all time, with a total of seven Olivier Awards and five Tonys to its name. Such a phenomenon is the musical that, in 2022, things came full circle when it was adapted into a Netflix film, which was similarly well-received.

Related: Best Movies Based on Stage Plays, Ranked

1 The Lion King (1994)

Disney’s The Lion King is nothing short of a global phenomenon. Inspired by William Shakespeare's Hamlet, the film tells the epic tale of Simba the Lion, a prince destined to be king, whose ascent to the throne is squandered by his murderous uncle, Scar. Featuring the voices of Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones, and Rowan Atkinson, The Lion King was met with universal acclaim when it first hit movie theaters in 1994 and is still highly regarded by both audiences and critics today. Furthermore, upon its release, it broke numerous records and became the highest-grossing animated movie of all time. Its success led to two direct-to-video follow-ups, two spin-off TV series, a 2019 live-action remake, and a stage musical adaptation.

The Musical It Inspired

The turnaround between the film's release in cinemas and the stage production debuting on Broadway was only four years, which highlights just how popular the property was at the time. Like the movie, the stage show features music and lyrics by Elton John and Tim Rice, which is possibly the strongest musical combination ever put together. Fan favorite songs from the film, such as "Circle of Life", "I Just Can't Wait to Be King", and "Hakuna Matata" all appear in the show, alongside several original compositions, and the stage production makes use of puppets and elaborate costumes to portray the various animal characters. The Lion King opened at the Lyceum Theatre in London in 1999, and is still running there to this day. Worldwide, it is the highest-grossing stage show of all time, having grossed over $8.1 billion as of 2017.