Shakespeare on Film

A selection of Shakespeare's works adapted for the big screen. Some adaptations are true to the bard's text while other take a more playful approach.
Updated October 2, 2022
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Hamlet [1948 film]
Laurence Olivier
DVD
Shakespeare's melancholy Dane is tasked with avenging his father's death by killing his uncle, but finds himself delayed in carrying it out by quirks of circumstance and his own complex, brooding nature.
Much Ado About Nothing [1993 film]
Kenneth Branagh
DVD
Tale of love and jealousy set in Italy.
Hamlet [1996 film]
Kenneth Branagh
DVD
Murder and violence, revenge and intrigue, sex and desire, paranoia and madness. The heady brew of passion and emotion that makes up Shakespeare's tragedy Hamlet has intoxicated audiences of all ages. The story of the Prince of Denmark, who seeks revenge for his father's murder at the hands of his...
10 Things I Hate About You [1999 film]
Gil Junger
DVD
A smart, hip look at dating in the nineties and the extremes some guys will go to just to get the girl they want. A retelling of Shakespeare's play, The Taming of the Shrew.
A modern interpretation of Taming of the Shrew set in an American high school.
The Lion King [1994 film]
Roger Allers
DVD
Contains new musical number not in the original version and remastered animation.
Inspired by Shakespeare's Hamlet.
She's the Man [2006 film]
Andy Fickman
DVD
Viola, disguised as her twin brother Sebastian, joins the high school boys' soccer team and helps win the big game while unexpectedly falling for Duke. High school politics and twisted love triangles become a major challenge.
Loosely based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night and set in a modern day boarding school.
A Thousand Acres [1997 film]
Jocelyn Moorhouse
DVD
A father has decided to divide his thousand-acre farm between his three daughters, until a man comes into the picture and changes the meaning of sisterhood. Based on the novel by Jane Smiley, which was based on 'King Lear' by Shakespeare.
A modern-day retelling of King Lear

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