Shakespeare is the most filmed author of all time, and his influence on storytelling is widely acclaimed. But this influence is much more subtle than you would imagine.
Here are some very surprising cases of movies directly adapting or borrowing from the characters, plots, or themes of Shakespearean plays that you probably never noticed.
10. Warm Bodies (2013)
The 2013 rom-com ‘Warm Bodies’ is based on Isaac Marion’s novel and tells the story of a zombie named R and a human named Julie as they develop feelings for each other, despite knowing that they are from opposing worlds.
Sounds familiar? The story is inspired by Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’, and the connection is directly there even in the characters’ names. The movie even recreates the play’s famous balcony scene, although one participant is clearly dead from the start.
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9. Ex Machina (2014)
Although ‘Ex Machina’ draws on many themes familiar in literary classics, it puts them in a very distinct modern context, giving ideas about power, control, creation and desire a technological spin.
However, its connection to Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ is also clearly there. Nathan resembles Prospero, Caleb parallels Ferdinand, and Ava takes the place of Prospero’s daughter, Miranda, in this futuristic reimagining of Shakespeare’s magical island.
8. Anyone But You (2023)
This enemies-to-lovers rom-com is actually a modern adaptation of Shakespeare’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’. Just like in the play, the main couple begins with feeling an attraction that quickly turns into a fiery clash of their personality before their feelings take over once again.
The Shakespearean influence is even reflected in the names of the protagonists, Bea and Ben, which are very clearly inspired by Beatrice and Benedick. It is fascinating to imagine that such a modern romance movie has its roots connected to The Bard.
7. The King (2019)
Netflix’s ‘The King’ is a direct adaptation of the three plays from Shakespeare’s ‘Henriad’: ‘Henry IV, Part 1’, ‘Henry IV, Part 2’ and ‘Henry V’. Timothée Chalamet stars as the Prince of Wales and later King Henry V of England.
The movies, much like the plays, follow his inheritance of the throne as well as his navigation of palace politics, war and his complicated past. However, it has often been called out for its historical inaccuracies as well as deviations from Shakespeare’s play.
6. She’s The Man (2006)
This teen rom-com is a surprisingly faithful adaptation of Shakespeare’s ‘Twelfth Night’. The story is simply moved from Illyria to a high school, which is aptly named Illyria Prep. Just like the play, the movie follows two twins, Viola and Sebastian, who are separated.
Viola disguises herself as a boy in order to play on the boys’ soccer team and falls for the team captain, Duke. While a girl named Olivia falls for her. Even the character names remain largely unchanged, which just goes to show how timeless the works of Shakespeare are.
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5. Forbidden Planet (1956)
This sci-fi classic takes Shakespeare’s ‘The Tempest’ all the way into outer space. The magical island in the play gets transformed into a distant planet. Dr Morbius parallels Prospero, Altaira mirrors Miranda, and Robby the Robot takes Ariel’s place.
A stranded father and daughter, visiting astronauts, and mysterious forces combine to create a very modern science fiction story, yet the themes of Shakespeare’s play still echo throughout this movie.
4. 10 Things I Hate About You (1999)
Once again, Shakespeare had the perfect source material for a quintessential ‘90s high school rom-com. ’10 Things I Hate About You’ is essentially ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ in a modern high school setting.
Bianca can’t date until her stubborn sister Kat does, so Cameron arranges for bad boy Patrick to woo her. From matching character names to subtle nods to Shakespearean plays, the film has it all.
3. West Side Story (1961)
Transforming Shakespeare plays to modern settings to reflect more contemporary themes never goes wrong. ‘West Side Story’ transforms ‘Romeo and Juliet’ into a musical set in New York City.
The star-crossed lovers become Tony and Maria, and the feuding Montagues and Capulets become the Sharks and Jets. Verona becomes the Upper West Side, whereas Juliet’s balcony becomes a fire escape.
2. My Own Private Idaho (1991)
Who would have imagined a Shakespearean play could become the source material for a landmark film in queer cinema? River Phoenix and Keanu Reeves’ ‘My Own Private Idaho’ is loosely based on Shakespeare’s ‘Henry IV, Part 1’, with elements from the other plays.
The royal world we see in Shakespeare’s play transforms into an intimate story about two friends who embark on a journey of personal discovery that takes them from Portland to Idaho and then finally to Rome.
1. The Lion King (1994)
This Disney classic draws so many parallels to Shakespeare’s ‘Hamlet’. Scar is essentially Claudius, whereas Mufasa mirrors Hamlet’s father, and Simba takes the titular prince. Even Timon and Pumba echo Rosencrantz and Guildenstern.
The animated movie gives the tragedy a much happier ending. But even in the sequel, ‘The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride’, there are so many parallels to Shakespeare’s ‘Romeo and Juliet’, with Kiara and Kovu taking the place of the star-crossed lovers.
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