Some films are so papular that they become enduring parts of pop culture. Whether they are instantly successful at the box office or find their audience later, these films are worthy enough to receive the Broadway treatment. Projects like Pretty Woman, Frozen, and Legally Blonde made the successful transition to the stage, cementing their legacies.
However, there are still many beloved movies that remain unadapted. From romantic comedies to fantasy adventures, these films have enough recognition and legions of loyal fans, meaning they would be successful stage shows on Broadway.
Crazy Rich Asians (2018)
Many consider Crazy Rich Asians one of the best romantic comedies of the 2010s. The film also received praise for revitalizing the genre, especially in the age of superhero movies. It centers on Rachel, who accompanies her boyfriend to Singapore and learns his family is extremely wealthy.
A stage adaptation of the movie would be an excellent opportunity for representation by including an all-Asian cast. Characters like Rachel and Nick's disapproving mother, Elanor, would quickly become theater standards, especially with the solos they would surely receive.
The Breakfast Club (1985)
An institution in the teen genre, The Breakfast Club remains hugely influential. The film follows five students who bond during detentions despite coming from different backgrounds and belonging to different social cliques.
The original film made stars out of its five main actors, who all went to be part of the so-called "Brat Pack;" a stage adaptation would do the same for its five young actors. Because it takes place inside a school, translating it to the stage would be very easy, and the idea of listening to a Broadway version of "Don't You (Forget About Me)" is too good to pass.
The Royal Tenenbaums (2001)
The Royal Tenenbaums follows Royal Tenenbaum, a selfish and eccentric man who fakes a terminal disease to try and reconnect with his estranged family, including his three gifted children. Hugely influential, The Royal Tenenbaums inspired many other movies and elevated Wes Anderson to the A-list.
Any Wes Anderson film would make for an excellent quirky Broadway musical, but The Royal Tenenbaums might be the best choice. The ensemble cast would be perfect on the stage, and the film's trademark visual style, including the costumes, would add some much-needed color to Broadway.
Reality Bites (1994)
Winona Ryder, arguably the most iconic actress of the 90s, cemented her legacy with Reality Bites. A love letter to Gen X, Reality Bites centers on Lelaina, a twenty-something videographer working on a document about her friends and roommates.
Reality Bites could work as a jukebox musical, using the grunge music that rose to prominence during the early 90s. It could also use Big Mountain's cover of "Baby, I Love Your Way" and Lisa Loeb's iconic "Stay (I Missed You)," adding a variety of genres to the soundtrack to help capture the 90s in all their glory.
American Hustle (2013)
David O. Russell's American Hustle follows Irving Rosenberg, a con-man who, along with his lover Sydney Prosser, reluctantly joins an FBI operation to take down corrupt politicians. The film received major acclaim, including ten Oscar nominations, making it a prime candidate for a stage adaptation.
Because of its 1970s setting, the musical could use several disco songs from the time; the film's soundtrack does so, including hits from Elton John, Donna Summer, and ELO. Adding a ton of bedazzled costumes and a couple of wigs, American Hustle: The Musical becomes a must-see.
Lady Bird (2017)
Lady Bird centers on the complicated relationship between the titular character, Christine "Lady Bird" MacPherson, and her mother, Marion. Arguably the most influential teen film of recent years, Lady Bird confirmed Greta Gerwig as a writer/director to watch and cemented Saoirse Ronan as the talent of her generation.
Unlike Ronan's other roles, Lady Bird is chaotic and selfish, making her one of the best antiheroes from the 2010s. The character would work marvelously on the stage, providing a young actress with the perfect chance to spread her acting and vocal chops.
Shakespeare In Love (1998)
Perhaps the most controversial Best Picture winner of all time, Shakespeare in Love follows a young William Shakespeare as he falls in love with a lady and uses their forbidden romance as inspiration for Romeo & Juliet. The films turned Gwyneth Paltrow into a star and earned her the Oscar, making her one of the youngest Best Actress winners.
Shakespeare in Love is a celebration of theater, so it makes total sense that it becomes a Broadway musical. It already has a play adaptation, which received rave reviews, but nothing is preventing it from also becoming a hit Broadway musical.
Mother! (2017)
Darren Aronofsky is an acclaimed director known for his trademark in-your-face approach to filmmaking, which is in full display in 2017's mother! Starring Jennifer Lawrence and Javier Bardem, the film follows a young woman who finds her home invaded by strangers.
mother! was notoriously divisive when it premiered, so a Broadway adaptation might not make a ton of sense at first glance. Still, the stage provides the perfect chance to explore and try new things, and mother! is the right vehicle to do so. It has a relatively small cast, so most of the budget could focus on bringing the ambitious third act to life.
My Best Friend's Wedding (1997)
Julia Roberts, queen of the rom-com, scored one of her greatest triumphs with 1997's My Best Friend's Wedding. The story follows Julianne Potter, a 27-year-old food critic who attempts to break the wedding of her best friend, Michael, and a college student named Kimmy.
The film subverted the audience's expectations of what a rom-com should be, ironically becoming one of the best in the genre. A musical adaptation makes total sense, and it's honestly strange that one doesn't already exist. My Best Friend's Wedding uses many Burt Bacharach songs that the stage show could easily include.
The Princess Bride (1987)
The Princess Bride is the quintessential fantasy film. Starring Cary Elwes and Robin Wright, it follows a farmhand named Westley, who must rescue his true love, Princess Buttercup, from the pompous Prince Humperdinck. The film presents the story as a book read by a grandfather to his sick grandson.
Many have attempted to adapt The Princess Bride to the stage, but the project remains in development hell. Still, all it takes is one determined person to take the film and turn it into a romantic musical full of magic and charm. Production might be quite expensive, but it would be totally worth it.