The Best Musicals That Are Based On Movies, Ranked By Fans

Buster McDermott
Updated October 15, 2024 40.2K views 73 items
Ranked By
15.1K votes
1.2K voters
4 reranks
Voting Rules
Only stage musicals that cite films as their original source material - no adaptations directly from other mediums

List of musicals based on movies, ranked by fans and casual critics. Stage theatre has been a primary form of entertainment for thousands of years, in the forms of plays, operas, and musicals. Around the world, dozens of theatrical performances are brought to life on stages big and small. Most notably, the theatre districts of Broadway in Manhattan and the West End in London are home to the catchiest, most elaborate, most memorable musicals. Nothing is more inspirational than experiencing the art of actors who can also sing and dance with grace and style in front of a large audience of people. It’s no wonder that plays and musicals have remained so popular throughout the years! What are the best musicals based on films?

This list includes the greatest plays and musicals that were inspired by movies, ranked according to the opinions of voters. Which soundtracks have you played nonstop? Which lyrics have you memorized? Some of these plays on this list were smash hit successful Broadway productions that scored several awards and made the actors instant successes. Others are newer shows that are still in trial runs for smaller audiences in cities like Chicago and Los Angeles.

In addition to direct adaptations from film to stage, this list includes musicals inspired by movies that weren't musicals to begin with. Wondering why you don't remember the songs from Billy Elliott or Sunset Boulevard? That's because there weren't any. 
Most divisive: Elf: The Musical (2010)
Over 1.2K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Very Best Musicals That Were Movies First
Ranked by
  • The Lion King (1997)
    1
    Mark Mancina , Elton John, Jay Rifkin
    482 votes
    The Lion King (1994)
    • Characters: Scar, Simba, Mufasa, Pumbaa, Nala
  • Beauty and the Beast (1993)
    2
    Alan Menken , Linda Woolverton, Howard Ashman
    397 votes
    Beauty and the Beast (1991)
    • Characters: Belle, Gaston, Beast, Babette, Wardrobe
  • Little Shop of Horrors (1982)
    3
    Alan Menken , Howard Ashman
    382 votes
    Little Shop of Horrors (1960)
    • Characters: Orin Scrivello, DDS, Seymour Krelborn, Audrey II, Crystal
  • Hairspray (2002)
    4
    Scott Wittman , Marc Shaiman, Thomas Meehan
    386 votes
    Hairspray (2007), which was based on the movie Hairspray (1988), dir. by John Waters
    • Characters: Velma Von Tussle, Edna Turnblad, Little Inez, Seaweed J Stupps, Motormouth Maybelle
  • Mary Poppins (2004)
    5
    Richard M. Sherman , Robert B. Sherman, George Stiles
    365 votes
    Mary Poppins (1964) and the book series by P.L. Travers
    • Characters: Mary Poppins, Michael Banks, Jane Banks, Bert, George Banks
  • Chicago
    6
    Bob Fosse , Fred Ebb, John Kander
    369 votes
    • Characters: Velma Kelly, Billy Flynn, Roxie Hart, Amos Hart, Matron "Mama" Morton