Broadway has long been a healthy source of inspiration for Hollywood films, with countless directors looking to New York’s premiere theater district for potential film adaptations.

Fortunately, many of these subsequent films have effortlessly lived up to the hype of the original theatrical productions on which they are based, paving the way for universally acclaimed musicals capable of withstanding the test of time.

With Evil As they recently hit theaters, we thought we’d take a look back at some of our favorite movies based on beloved Broadway musicals over the years that we’d each recommend checking out.

The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

The 2004 adaptation of the Phantom of the Opera is not without its problems, deviating significantly from its source material and taking unnecessary liberties with its underlying script. Despite this, director Joel Schumacher captures the gothic atmosphere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s original stage production, right down to its macabre musical numbers and dreamlike tone. Add in some uncharacteristically strong vocals from Gerard Butler and you have the makings of a uniquely terrific romantic horror film.

Les Miserables (2012)

Cast aside Russell Crowe, Les Misérables is a suitably epic version of Victor Hugo’s famous French novel. Transporting viewers to the social and political upheaval of the French Revolution and beyond, Les Misérables highlights the enormous hardships that people faced in the early 19th century, characterized by hunger, economic hardship and unjust political regimes in power. With spellbinding performances from Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway and Eddie Redmayne, it’s a stunning period musical that brings Hugo’s portrait of post-Napoleonic France to the big screen.

Chicago (2002)

Murder, jazz, steamy romantic love triangles, and Richard Gere? Oh, my! Adapted from the Bob Fosse musical of the same name, Chicago mixes biting humor with plenty of infectious musical performances and creates a spectacle out of a Prohibition-era murder case. With all three artists exceptionally well cast in their leading roles, Chicago succeeds as a roaring, perversely comic Broadway musical that leaves viewers tapping their feet to the musical beat throughout.

Tick, Tick… Boom! (2021)

Lin-Manuel Miranda’s contribution to the world of Broadway speaks for itself, as evidenced by his significant productions of In the Heights and to a greater extent the historical hip-hop musical, Hamilton. But even then, it’s worth noting Miranda’s more recent mainstream successes, like his excellent directorial work on 2021’s Tick, Tick… Boom! A gut-wrenching biopic centered around Rent creator Jonathan Larson, Tick, Tick… Boom! focuses on the turbulent years of Larson’s early career, marked by professional frustrations, relationship problems, existential dread of aging, and constant uncertainty about his chosen career path.

Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

Not surprisingly, Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street may well be the most depressing Broadway adaptation to hit theaters yet. Faithfully based on Stephen Sondheim’s famous musical, Sweeney Todd also finds director Tim Burton at his darkest and liveliest, consistently tapping into the despondent spirit of its eponymous character. With Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter giving it their all as a pair of vengeful Victorian serial killers, once seen, Sweeney Todd is not easily forgotten, lives on in the furthest reaches of our most twisted imaginations.

In the Heights (2021)

Before Hamilton launched him into mainstream popularity worldwide, Lin-Manuel Miranda arrived on the scene with his endearing love letter to New York City, In the Heights. Almost two decades later, Miranda’s breakthrough work provided the inspiration for 2021’s In the heights, fully cementing Miranda’s place as the modern generation’s successor to Stephen Sondheim or Andrew Lloyd Webber. Driven by Miranda’s revelatory blend of modern hip-hop, salsa and soul, it’s a wonderfully upbeat musical drama that focuses on the power of dreams and the personal sacrifices it takes to see them through to reality (even if it means saying goodbye to the people ). and places you have come to know and love).

West Side Story (2021)

We’ve already mentioned Sondheim a few times, but you simply can’t mention the master’s name without bringing up his 1957 classic, West Side Story. Providing inspiration for not one, but two beloved films over the years, each version of West Side Story remains worth watching for one reason or another. However, there is something positive to say about the 2021 iteration of the musical, brilliantly brought to life by the legendary Steven Spielberg. With Sondheim’s lyrics leaping off the screen with the grace and beauty of Ariana DeBose’s dance numbers, every moment of West Side Story is pure Broadway art at its most unforgettable.