William Shakespeare has created some of the most incredible and memorable plays in history. His iconic plays have been adapted countless times for the screen – including faithful renditions like Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet (1996), Joel Coen’s The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021), and the 1953 classic Julius Caesar featuring Marlon Brando.
While traditional adaptations remain popular, the late 1990s and early 2000s saw a wave of creative reinterpretations, transforming Shakespeare’s 16th- and 17th-century dramas into teen rom-coms and modern-day films. Here are the 10 best films inspired by the works of William Shakespeare.
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10 Things I Hate About You
You gotta love 10 Things I Hate About You, which is based on Shakespeare’s The Taming of the Shrew. This has to be up there with one of my favourite films of all time. And it has everything to do with Kat and Patrick. For those unfamiliar with the story, 10 Things I Hate About You is about two sisters, Bianca and Kat Stratford. Both in high school, Bianca isn’t allowed to date unless her sister does. So, a guy named Cameron James, who likes her, pays a notorious bad boy named Patrick to take Kat out – and, as you can imagine, things soon get messy. 10 Things I Hate About You is directed by Gil Junger and stars Julia Stiles, Heath Ledger, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt.
West Side Story
Another much-loved film, we are taking it back to the 60s with this incredible musical romance starring Rita Moreno and Natalie Wood, and Richard Beymer. Based on the 1957 stage musical, West Side Story earned 11 Oscar nominations, with actress Rita making history as the first Latina to win an Academy Award. The 1961 musical is based on Romeo and Juliet. Set in the 50s in New York, we follow the feud between two rival street gangs – the Jets and the Sharks – as they battle for control of their neighborhood. In the middle of it all, former Jet Tony falls for Maria, the sister of the Sharks’ leader. There’s romance and tension and great songs, and you won’t get bored watching this film.
The Lion King
Most of us remember watching The Lion King during our childhood. It is such a great animated film for the whole family. The Disney 1994 animated classic features voices like Matthew Broderick and James Earl Jones, and is heavily inspired by Shakespeare’s Hamlet. In this story, we follow a young lion named Simba after he is exiled from his kingdom when his father is murdered by his uncle, Scar. When Simba grows up, he needs to decide whether to return home to confront Scar and reclaim his place as king. The key similarities between The Lion King and Hamlet include a royal uncle’s betrayal, a murdered king, a ghostly visitation, and a young heir grappling with isolation and destiny.
Get Over It
Loosely inspired by A Midsummer Night’s Dream, this 2001 teen comedy stars Kirsten Dunst and Ben Foster. In this film, we follow a high school senior named Berke (Ben Foster) who joins the school play to win back his ex Allison (Melissa Sagemiller). The film grossed $19.9 million against a budget of $22 million. It has largely received mixed reviews, with some critics calling it “predictable” and “unevenly witty.” A critic shared on Rotten Tomatoes, “As with most teen movies, Get Over It is entirely predictable, and there’s not enough plot to sustain the length of the movie. However, it is not without its charms.” A second wrote, “The kind of movie where only some of the characters have last names, this essentially sweet-natured enterprise feels slightly rushed and distracted.” Although it also received praise, with one person saying, “A sweet teen romance flick.” Another joked, “Shakespeare probably made the point best: Teens rule; parents drool.”
Anyone But You
Starring Sydney Sweeney and Glen Powell, Anyone But You is based on Shakespeare’s Much Ado About Nothing. The film is about two enemies who pretend to be a couple at a destination wedding and fall for each other along the way. Hitting the big screen in 2023, Anyone But You has received mostly positive reviews and a 53% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The cast also includes Alexandra Shipp, GaTa, Hadley Robinson, Michelle Hurd, Dermot Mulroney, Darren Barnet, Bryan Brown, and Rachel Griffiths.
She’s The Man
Starring Amanda Bynes as Viola and Channing Tatum as Duke, She’s The Man is sporty romantic comedy is based on Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. You’ll definitely end up laughing out loud during the movie, which includes some iconic one-liners. In She’s the Man, the story revolves around Viola, who disguises herself as her twin brother Sebastian after her school cancels the girls’ soccer team. In her new school, she befriends a handsome teen and roommate named Duke, whom she later develops a crush on. But unfortunately, he has his sights set on another woman. And that girl also happens to like Viola.
O
Released in 2001, O is directed by Tim Blake Nelson and written by Brad Kaaya, and is a modern adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Othello. Star athlete Odin is driven to jealousy and violence when his envious teammate Hugo tricks him into thinking his girlfriend Desi’s been unfaithful. O stars Mekhi Phifer, Julia Stiles, and Josh Hartnett.
Warm Bodies
A horror romance, Warm Bodies stars Nicholas Hoult and Teresa Palmer. It was released in 2013 and puts a zombie twist on the classic Shakespeare play Romeo and Juliet. After an unusually self-aware zombie rescues a living girl from an attack, the two develop a bond that begins to change everything – and could ultimately bring new life to their dead world.
The Northman
The Northman (2022), directed by Robert Eggers, is an epic drama inspired by the Nordic legend of Amleth – the story that also inspired Shakespeare’s Hamlet. After his father was killed and his mother was abducted by his ruthless uncle, Amleth takes a journey to unravel a dark truth about his family. The film stars an A-list ensemble cast including Alexander Skarsgård, Nicole Kidman, Claes Bang, Anya Taylor-Joy, Gustav Lindh, Ethan Hawke, Björk, and Willem Dafoe.
John Tucker Must Die
John Tucker Must Die is a teen comedy inspired by Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor. The film centres around girls plotting to humiliate their cheating ex-boyfriend by using the new girl. It stars Jesse Metcalfe, Brittany Snow, Ashanti, Sophia Bush, Arielle Kebbel, and Jenny McCarthy.