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 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!