Top 10 Movie Musicals We Want to Be Remade

It’s already a stretch to ask audiences to suspend their disbelief long enough to follow the premise of this musical. The least they could do is make a film we’d never forget, and not because it’s a trippy mess that’ll remain etched in our brains forever. We don’t mean to be catty, but the 2019 movie tried so hard to hit all the Oscar-bait boxes that it became one colossal cat-astrophe. We’re not saying it’s easy to make “Cats” look good, but as one of the longest running Broadway shows, it clearly isn’t impossible. Maybe someone better suited to tackle the musical’s oddities could dig their claws in for a more tolerable do-over. Otherwise, this is one tail that we should probably just let lie.

Unless you include the 1999 recording starring Hugh Jackman, it’s been a while since “Oklahoma!” received the silver screen treatment. And given the success of the 2019 Tony Award-winning revival, we’d say now would be a great time to revisit it. The 1955 flick was relatively faithful to its source material, so perhaps it’s time for a more inventive adaptation. With that in mind, the revival unearthed the original story’s darker underlayers in a way that would appeal more to contemporary audiences. We also “Cain’t say no” to the idea of the revival cast reprising their roles. An updated “Oklahoma!” could be a fantastic celebration of the old and new combined. One thing’s for sure, we could never tire of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s brilliant soundtrack.

Opening on Broadway in 1996, “Rent” became a sensation, scoring Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize. Nearly a decade later, most of the cast reunited for the film version, which some felt left a lot to be desired. We certainly wish it hadn’t skipped out on some brilliant songs like “Christmas Bells” and “Happy New Year.” Still, “Rent” has a huge fanbase. And now, Jonathan Larson’s legacy is reaching wider audiences thanks to the hugely successful “Tick, Tick… Boom.” Considering how relevant it still is, we couldn’t think of a better time for a remake. Only this time, we want the entire original Broadway soundtrack. And although the original cast has likely moved on, we wouldn’t say no to some cameos either.

A classic story, epic soundtrack, and star-studded cast weren’t enough to make this adaptation a hit. Audiences and critics alike found the movie rather lackluster, and nothing like the lively show they loved. So, should it be remade, we suggest the filmmakers ask the Wizard for an equally talented but maybe more age-appropriate cast. And a new adaptation would need plenty of spark to evoke the dynamism of the stage musical. Because there’s no doubt that the story has all the elements to be a major blockbuster. Plus, we could always use more films that celebrate Black excellence. It would also be interesting to see how the current realities could motivate the plot, making it more relatable to audiences today.

In 1968 “Hair” pushed so many boundaries that it changed the face of musical theater. Its film adaptation was released a little over a decade later, but songs aside, it felt like a very different story. While both can be appreciated in their own right, the stage show packs the biggest punch. On-screen nudity won’t have the same shock factor now, but many of the musical’s themes remain as relevant as ever. An engaging ensemble and epic tracks explore topics like pacifism, bigotry, and sexual freedom, among other so-called taboo subjects. Sure, we’d miss the excitement of the audience interaction, but a fun, poignant, and uplifting film sounds perfect. We could all “Let the Sunshine In” a little more.

It would be hard to rival this classic, but that doesn’t mean we shouldn’t try. The unconventional rom-com wouldn’t be amiss in today’s zeitgeist, and there are new generations just waiting to be exposed to Lerner and Loewe’s sensational score. We’d also like to nominate the original Broadway Eliza Doolittle, Julie Andrews, to direct. She actually helmed an Australian revival in 2016, so we can’t think of anyone better suited for the job. And Keira Knightly was once in talks to potentially star in a remake that never happened, which is a shame. We just want an Eliza who can sing, dance, and not butcher the cockney accent. “With a Little Bit of Luck,” we’ll get the perfect film, and “Wouldn’t [That] Be Loverly?”

A screen-adaptation of this Sondheim classic was long-awaited. But like the film teaches us, be careful what you wish for. The Disney-fied version of the musical went down like the giant’s beanstalk. We need a new version that doesn’t sugar-coat the show’s darker themes and isn’t afraid of sticking to the more harrowing parts of its source material. After all, this is a story about actions and consequences, and, as in life, not all have positive outcomes. We also want to see the Mysterious Man back in full force. After all, he’s a pretty important character that was essentially cut. There have been many fairytale reimaginings over the years, and we just need one that can do the show justice.

The 2012 adaptation of “Les Mis” left audiences feeling miserable for all the wrong reasons. The pace was unsteady, the close-ups were too much, and well, it’s a great example of when celebrity casting works and when it doesn’t. We’d love a different director, perhaps one more familiar with musical theater, to take another shot at bringing this story to the silver screen. The musical’s powerful message and themes of love, passion, and resilience are vital to the narrative, and with the right group, it could be a stirring motion picture. On stage, “Les Mis” ensembles around the globe have successfully roused audiences since the 1980s. We definitely want to “hear the people sing” again, but it needs to be the right people.

“Little Shop” is a classic, but there’s no denying that it could use a few technical touch-ups. As much as we love Audrey II, the carnivorous plant puppet was quite high-maintenance. But it’s nothing that couldn’t be solved with some modern visual effects. That being said, we wouldn’t want a remake to be too CGI-heavy, as there’s something to be said for the gritty, low-budget look. We’d also like the entire soundtrack to remain intact, although we’d accept a new tune or two from Alan Menken. In 2020, names like Taron Egerton, Scarlett Johansson, Billy Porter, and Chris Evans were attached to a remake. But apparently, it’s been postponed indefinitely. Still, we’re holding out hope it’ll happen one day!

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Evita” (1996)
There Are a Plethora of Actresses Who Could Knock the Lead Role Out of the Park

“A Little Night Music” (1977)
It Just Didn’t Do the Magnificent Show Justice

“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” (2007)
Many Feel This Movie Musical Needs Redemption

“Bedknobs and Broomsticks” (1971)
We’d Love to Catch Up with These Characters in Modern Times

“Dear Evan Hansen” (2021)
The Film Didn’t Quite Match the Stage Production’s Emotional Punch

Melodramatic, thrilling, passionate, and entrancing are just some words we’d use to describe this musical. As for its movie adaptation? Well, let’s just say “The Music of the Night” was off-key in many ways. Should we get a remake, we’d want it to fill us with the same sense of danger, intensity, and excitement that’s gripped worldwide theater audiences for decades. The show’s also famous enough to draw in audiences without relying on miscasting celebrities for name recognition. These iconic roles should be played by trained theater actors who can do the story justice, as that would breathe life into the hair-raising narrative. Hey, Andrew Lloyd Webber, if you’re watching, this is “All [We] Ask of You.”