We all know Shakespeare in some way or another. He is so ingrained in our culture that we have the phrase “star-crossed lovers”, “to be or not to be”, and soaps with the phrase “out, damned spot!” out there in the world. With so many ways to enjoy the Shakespearean classic stories that are out there (plays, books, movies, audiobooks, series, etc.) it is hard to know which one to choose. This is why this list will help you pick some adaptations of the stories of the bard.
1. Baz Luhrmann’s Romeo + Juliet, is a contemporary take on the tragedy between two young lovers belonging to enemy families. Though the film is modern, the bard’s dialogue remains. The movie was first released in 1996, achieving the status of a classic since then.
2. The Tragedy of Macbeth was first realized in 2021, it has stars like Denzel Washington playing Macbeth, and Frances McDormand in the iconic role of Lady Macbeth. This movie does not feel like a movie, but rather a high-budget play, and it plays to its favor, allowing the audience to appreciate the performance as the bard intended.
3. She’s the Man is reimagining Shakespeare’s classic, Twelfth Night, bringing it to modern audiences. It was first realized in 2006 with Amanda Bynes and Channing Tatum as leads in the movie. Although this movie moves away from the original tale, it manages to keep everything that made Twelfth Night a classic in the first place.
