10 Broadway Musicals In Need of a Film Adaptation!

While the power of Broadway musicals certainly extends far greater than the streets of New York City, the shows listed below could make their mark on Hollywood as well if they choose to follow in the steps of other recent or upcoming musical adaptations like Wicked, In the Heights, and West Side Story by bringing their daring and entertaining stories to the big screen!

1. Beautiful: The Carole King Musical

As you’d assume, Beautiful is based on the life of singer-songwriter Carole King and makes sublime use of her legendary discography. In 2022, Daisy Edgar Jones was cast in the lead role of the highly-anticipated film version. 

Standout Song: “Will You Love Me Tomorrow”

2. The Book of Mormon

This musical comedy, which won a whopping 9 Tony awards, follows two Mormon missionaries who travel to Uganda, Africa, to convert the townspeople and balances both humor and optimism in a way that would satisfy both musical and movie lovers alike. And creators Trey Parker and Matt Stone already have experience successfully bringing their creations to the big screen -- their movie South Park: Bigger. Longer, and Uncut was nominated for 2 Oscars in the music categories!

Standout Song: “Sal Tlay Ka Siti”

3. Come From Away

Based on real events, Come From Away explores a small Canadian community that warmly embraces a group of strangers in the days following 9/11. While a filmed version of the stage production is currently streaming on Apple TV+, a live-action feature film would offer an alternative perspective on films centered around 9/11.

Standout Song: “Me and the Sky”

4. Fun Home

A musical coming-of-age tale about the secrets one woman learns about her father after she comes out of the closet. Jake Gyllenhaal is currently attached to star in the planned film adaptation which will highlight important themes like queerness and generational trauma.

Standout Song: “Ring of Keys”

5. Kimberly Akimbo

The 2023 Tony Award winner for Best Musical follows a teenage girl with a condition that forces her to age rapidly and look like an elderly woman – a quirky and impactful story that has never quite been explored before throughout film history.

Standout Song: “Better” 

6. Parade

Based on the real-life of Leo Frank, a Jewish man who was tried, imprisoned, and eventually lynched for a crime he didn’t commit, underscores the importance of love, light, and fighting against antisemitism. A potential film adaptation would satisfy Parade fans of nearly 25 years as well as introduce a whole new generation to this poignant Broadway musical.

Standout Song: “This Is Not Over Yet” 

7. SIX

In this Broadway smash, the 6 wives of Henry VIII embody pop star personas ranging from Ariana Grande to Nicki Minaj to Adele. A SIX adaptation would blend the genre of historical drama, pop musical, and satirical comedy in a way that has never been attempted before.

Standout Song: “Ex-Wives”

8. A Strange Loop

Another recent Tony winner for Best Musical, A Strange Loop is a musical within a musical about the complexity of the Black gay experience – a perspective that is much-needed yet oft-forgotten both on stage and screen. 

Standout Song: “Exile in Gayville”

9. Sunset Boulevard

This musical, based on the classic 1950 movie of the same name, is on its way to becoming a film version starring Glenn Close, who won a Tony for the role of washed-up Hollywood actress Norma Desmond in 1995. The adaptation would be the first Andrew Lloyd Weber musical turned movie since 2019’s Cats – not to mention it could get Glenn Close one step closer to her overdue Oscar!

Standout Song: “With One Look”

10. Waitress

Yet another musical based on a film that is now in need of another film based on the musical, Waitress features original music from Sara Bareilles and follows a woman who attempts to use her passion for baking as a way to escape her troubled life. The musical has found a legion of fans throughout the years, and with no sign of losing momentum, a film adaptation would be a guaranteed hit at the box office.

Standout Song: “She Used to Be Mine”