Believe it or not, William Shakespeare has made a lasting impact on not only the English language but on pop culture as well. If you've read through a few of his plays, you may begin to notice that a few storylines in movies, books, and tv shows follow the same plot as a few of his most famous plays. Here are few of my favorite adaptions of his plays that I've seen!
1. 10 Things I Hate About You
This movie is a modern adaptation of The Taming of the Shrew. Heath Ledger and Julia Stiles bring the characters Patrick Verona and Kat Stratford to life in this romantic comedy. You will find yourself falling in love with each of these characters and enjoying the storyline Shakespeare created.
2. She's The Man
She's The Man is a movie that is based on the Shakespeare play, Twelfth Night. Amanda Bynes shines as an actress in this movie due to her comedic presence. It's definitely a great movie to watch when you're having a movie night with friends.
3. Romeo + Juliet
This is my favorite adaptation of Romeo and Juliet. This movie has everything you could ever want. The aesthetic of the film is beautiful, young Leonardo Dicaprio plays Romeo and Clare Danes is beautiful as Juliet. This movie will make you cry, so make sure to bring tissues whenever you watch it.
4. West Side Story
The dancing, the music and the splendor of this musical make this adaptation worth watching. West Side Story is based on Romeo and Juliet. It may be hard to sit still during this musical because each song is so easy to get into. Still, rent this classic and dance in your seat!
5. The Lion King
If you like Disney movies half as much as I do, you may enjoy watching The Lion King. The Lion King is based on Hamlet. This movie is a Disney classic, which means that it is jam-packed with songs, action and beautiful animation. If you want to see a twist on the original Hamlet, definitely pick this up and watch it!
Shakespeare has inspired many stories over time. These five films reflect his art in storytelling and help present a new perspective on the classic plays that he has written. If you're ever in need of a movie night, check out one of these five films! You won't regret it!