Lin-Manuel Miranda's Broadway show tells a deeply personal story of the challenges and joys of growing up in Washington Heights, New York. It was adapted for screen by Jon Chu, the director of 'Crazy Rich Asians' (2018). 'In the Heights' is an exuberant and heart-warming spectacle that pays loving tribute to the Latino community Miranda grew up in. The movie received rave reviews, but also some criticism for its failure to represent the Afro-Latino members of the community.

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'Dear Evan Hansen' -

The beloved musical 'Dear Evan Hansen' is getting the film treatment, and its award-winning onstage star Ben Platt will be reprising the lead role. The film's trailer dropped on May 18 and fans are already getting teary-eyed in anticipation. Platt won a Tony, Emmy, and Grammy award for his legendary performance as the high schooler who struggles with anxiety and isolation, but who finds himself in a most unexpected situation following a classmate's suicide. The hotly anticipated film is set to be released in September of 2021.

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'The Sound of Music' - Debuting on Broadway in 1959, 'The Sound of Music' was adapted to film in 1965, with a career-defining performance from Julie Andrews.

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'Les Misérables' - 'Les Mis' was originally a novel by Victor Hugo. It was adapted for stage in 1980, and has been adapted for big screen many times, like in 2012.

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'Grease' - You may not know that 'Grease' was a musical first, which debuted in 1971. It wasn't long before John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John stepped in for the big-screen adaptation in 1978.

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'Cats' -

'Cats' is a beloved Andrew Lloyd Webber creation. The musical was been adapted for the big screen with an all-star cast and released in 2019.

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'Rent' - Based on 'La Bohème,' this rock-themed musical follows young artists in AIDS-struck New York City. It was adapted for film in 2005.

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'Chicago' - In 1975, 'Chicago' went from being a play to a Broadway musical. The film, released in 2002, went on to win the Oscar for Best Picture.

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'The Little Shop of Horrors' - 'The Little Shop of Horrors' was originally released in 1960, before being revolutionized in a 1982 musical. Said musical was adapted for the big screen in 1986.

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'West Side Story' - One of the most iconic musicals ever, 'West Side Story' debuted in 1957, before a hit adaptation was released in 1961. Next year will see the release of a new big-screen adaptation.

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'The Phantom of the Opera' - Gaston Leroux's 20th-century novel has been adapted many times. Andrew Lloyd Webber flipped the story into a hit musical, which inspired the successful 2004 film.

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'Funny Girl' - Originally, 'Funny Girl' was a musical which opened on Broadway in 1964. Four years later, William Wyler directed the on-screen version, which starred Barbra Streisand and Omar Sharif.

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'Cabaret' - The musical debuted in 1966, and is set in Berlin before World War II. In 1972, the film was adapted for the big screen, with a lead performance from Liza Minnelli.

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'Hair' - Inspired by '60s free love and hippie culture, 'Hair' had its onstage debut in 1967. Fans could enjoy the film in 1979, with direction from Miloš Forman.

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'My Fair Lady' - A light-hearted story about class and manners, 'My Fair Lady' hit the big screen in 1964, based on the 1956 musical (itself based on George Bernard Shaw's 'Pygmalion.')

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'Oliver!' - Originally a classic novel by Charles Dickens, 'Oliver!' premiered on the West End in 1960, and hit the big screen eight years later.

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'The Music Man' - Follow the con man Harold Hill, who guides through the mayhem of 'The Music Man.' It was a musical which debuted on Broadway in 1957, before it became a film in 1962.

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'Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street' - In 2007, Tim Burton cast Johnny Depp in his adaptation of 'Sweeney Todd,' based on the 1979 musical.

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'Dreamgirls' - 'Dreamgirls' is based on the lives of Motown musicians, and was originally a 1981 Broadway hit. An all-star cast, including Beyoncé, stepped in for the 2006 film.

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'The King and I' - 'The King and I' (1951) has remained an onstage classic for over 60 years. That said, the film version released in 1956 is almost equally beloved.

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'Jesus Christ Superstar' - Another Andrew Lloyd Webber hit, this 1971 rock opera is based on the life of Jesus. By 1973, it had hit the big screen, with direction from Norman Jewison.

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'Fiddler on the Roof' - Follow Topol, who stars as the title star of 'Fiddler on the Roof.' The 1971 film is based on the Broadway musical, which debuted in 1964.

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'Annie' - 'Annie' opened up on Broadway in 1977, and ran for nearly six years. It was adapted for film in 1982, with Carol Burnett as Miss Hannigan and Aileen Quinn as Annie.

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'Evita' - In 1978, Andrew Lloyd Webber was back with 'Evita,' a new rock opera musical. Madonna starred in the 1996 on-screen adaptation.

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'Oklahoma!' - In 1955, audiences fell in love with Curly and Laurey, stars of the musical film 'Oklahoma!'. The original musical opened on Broadway in 1943.

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'On the Town' - Living in the shadow of 'Singing In the Rain,' this 1949 musical film is well worth your time. The original musical opened on Broadway in 1944.

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'Cabin in the Sky' - Three years after it opened on Broadway in 1940, 'Cabin in the Sky' got the cinematic treatment.

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'Show Boat' - 'Show Boat' (1927) has been adapted for film many times, in 1929, 1936, and 1951.

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'Camelot' - 'Camelot' is part-comedy, part-musical, a medieval tale about King Arthur, and an anticipated duel against Sir Lancelot. The musical opened in 1960, while the film version was released in 1967.

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'Hello, Dolly!' - 'Hello, Dolly!' (1964) has remained a stage staple, but the 1969 film is also adored.

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'Rock of Ages' -

A more recent musical (opening in 2005), 'Rock of Ages' got the big screen treatment in 2012, with an all-star cast featuring Alec Baldwin, Mary J. Blige, and Tom Cruise (pictured).

While you're here, catch up with these actors from famous musical movies.

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The best ever stage-to-screen musicals

The iconic Broadway musical 'Wicked' is being made into two movies by Universal

27/04/22 | StarsInsider

MOVIES Entertainment

Thousands and thousands of years later, the theater remains an essential cornerstone of our culture. There are few experiences quite like watching a sell-out show on Broadway, the West End, or just about any live performance circuit. That said, sometimes the magic of theater can be used to create a classic piece of cinema. Films like 'Grease' and 'The Sound of Music' are some of the most iconic movies ever, but they wouldn't exist without the amazing musicals they're based on.

'Wicked' has been one of the top-grossing musicals on Broadway since it first debuted in 2003. The show is based on the 1995 book by Gregory Maguire and acts as a prequel to the story of 'The Wizard of Oz,' focusing on the Wicked Witch of the West. Finally, a movie adaptation is being made with a director and cast that might actually do justice to the Broadway classic. John Chu, also known for 'In The Heights' (2021) and 'Crazy Rich Asians' (2018) is in the director's chair, and Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande have already been cast in leading roles. The movie was originally scheduled for release in 2021 but was majorly delayed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Universal have now announced their decision to go with two feature-length films rather than one! The first is expected to premiere in December of 2024, with the second premiering the following December.

That's quite a while to wait, so in the meantime, click on and discover some of the best film adaptations of stage musicals you can watch right now!