Top 10 Movies You Didn't Know Borrowed from Shakespeare Plays

You will hear the name Akira Kurosawa several times on this list, as the famed Japanese filmmaker practically made a career of adapting the works of Shakespeare for Japanese audiences. One such film was “The Bad Sleep Well,” loosely based on the classic tale of murder and revenge “Hamlet.” The story’s setting moves from Denmark to post-war Tokyo, and its characters morph from kings and noblemen into corporate tycoons. With the plot revolving around a young man who wishes to expose those responsible for his father’s death, there are several stand-ins for notable characters from the play; but unfortunately, the ending for our protagonist remains the same.

From one Kurosawa film to another, “Throne of Blood” takes its inspiration from the Shakespearean classic “Macbeth.” In this case, Scotland becomes Japan, although the feudal setting remains in both settings, and Shakespeare’s Three Witches become one fortune-telling spirit, who predicts that Washizu is destined for greatness as Lord of Spiderweb Castle. There are obvious parallels between “Throne of Blood” and “Macbeth,” from the scene where Lady Washizu attempts to wash imaginary blood from her hands to the classic image of trees marching on the castle, making this one of Kurisawa’s more bold and tragic Shakespeare adaptations.

We always thought Shakespeare could use more tunes, and the legendary Cole Porter obliged when he penned this Broadway musical, which was then turned into a Hollywood film. The connection between “Kiss Me Kate” and “The Taming of the Shrew” is more direct in this film: we see a production company attempting to perform the “Shrew” stage show. Paralleling the onstage story, however, is the behind-the-scenes drama, which itself is basically an adaptation of the play. With Fred and Lilli standing in for Petruchio and Katherine, the film version adds in some slapstick comedy and several big musical numbers to tell its battle-of-the-sexes.

A film about a couple of drunken Canadians starring Dave Thomas and Rick Moranis is loosely based on “Hamlet”? As ridiculous as that sounds, it’s actually true. The beer-loving twosome stumbles upon an evil plot that sees a brewery owner murdered by his own brother and an evil Brewmeister, with the brother then marrying his dead brother’s wife. To tie it to “Hamlet” even more, the brewery owner appears as a ghost to his daughter. And to top it all off, the brewery is named Elsinore, which is the setting of Shakespeare’s play. Of course, the film also features tainted beer, mind control, and hockey, hence why we said, “loosely based.”

Keanu Reeves and River Phoenix may not be the first actors that come to mind when casting a Shakespeare adaptation, but once again, we aren’t looking for literal adaptations. “My Own Private Idaho” stars Reeves and Phoenix as two gay hustlers drifting through the American northwest. Though he didn’t start out writing an adaptation, director and writer Gus Van Sant borrowed significantly from Shakespeare’s “Henry” plays, most notably “Henry IV,” and wrote the character of Scott Favor as a modern reworking of Prince Harry, a man who shuns responsibility as he waits for his inevitable inheritance. Bob Pigeon stands in for fatherly figure Falstaff, and is similarly slighted by his adopted family in the end.

One of the better-known adaptations of a Shakespearean play, this film showcases several up-and-coming actors, including Heath Ledger, Julia Stiles, and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. While it may seem like another ridiculous ‘90s high school movie, the film is basically an exact version of “The Taming of the Shrew:” Ledger needs to woo Stiles so her sister can date, as she isn’t allowed to start seeing boys until the stubborn Stiles does. Wait a second: did Will Shakespeare basically pave the way for the high school angst comedy? Either way, with the identical plot and even character names that are nods to Shakespearean names and places, this is a clever and well thought-out reworking.

So far, we’ve seen settings of classic Shakespearean plays changed to Tokyo, Canada, and an American high school; but what about outer space? Considered one of the best science fiction films of the 1950s, “Forbidden Planet” follows a father and daughter who are stranded on a remote planet, and are eventually discovered by a group of sailors, err, astronauts. A love story unfolds, as does the chronicle of a man who’s able to control the elements. Essentially, until a drastic change at the end, the plot mimics that of “The Tempest,” proving that Shakespeare is universally great – literally.

As we’ve already learned, Akira Kurosawa clearly respected classic English literature. The third Kurosawa film to make our list, “Ran” is essentially a reworking of “King Lear.” Once again with Japan as its backdrop, the story tracks an aging warlord as he decides to abdicate in favor of his three sons. Anyone with knowledge of the play knows that things go downhill from there, with the sons competing for supremacy. With obviously shared themes and allusions between the play and the film, “Ran” does not end on a high note – although it did prove to be an appropriate end to a career, as the last epic on Akira Kurosawa’s résumé.

It seems like borrowing the plot from a classic Shakespeare play and adding in catchy show tunes is a recipe for success. In “West Side Story,” the story of two star-crossed lovers destined to be separated is a tale of two groups divided by race. Instead of Verona, we get New York City’s Upper West Side. Instead of the Montagues and Capulets, we get the Sharks and Jets. Instead of a balcony, we get a fire escape. There is one more significant change, however: where Juliet meets her end along with her love, Maria survives. But forcing her to live out her days without the love of her life is just as tragic as the original ending.

Before we unveil our number one pick, here are a few honorable mentions:
- “She’s the Man” (2006)
“Twelfth Night”
- “Warm Bodies” (2013)
“Romeo and Juliet”

Most of you probably know by now that “The Lion King” is loosely based on “Hamlet.” Scar kills his brother, Mufusa, while making it look like an accident, and essentially banishes Mufusa’s son, Simba, in order to secure the throne. While these three characters clearly represent Hamlet’s father, Claudius, and Hamlet himself, we also get the inclusion of the sidekicks, Timon and Pumbaa, who are based on Rosencrantz and Guildenstern. Of course, as it’s Disney, the good guys win and only the evil characters die at the end, which is only a slight change from the blood-soaked conclusion of Shakespeare’s classic tragedy.

Do you agree with our list? What is your favorite Shakespearean adaptation? For more great Top 10s published daily, be sure to subscribe to WatchMojo.com.