Movie vs musical: which came first?

Movie first: musicals based on films

These shows started as films. Some of those films were already musicals, but most were not, and the stage version wrote a new score.

• Movie came first42nd Street: movie vs musicalStage: 1980 · Screen: 42nd Street (1933), directed by Lloyd Bacon with dances by Busby BerkeleyHow the 1980 Broadway 42nd Street differs from the 1933 Warner Bros. film: extra Warren and Dubin songs, a new ending under a ghost light, a cut number.
• Movie came first9 to 5: The Musical: movie vs musicalStage: 2009 · Screen: 9 to 5 (1980), directed by Colin HigginsHow the 2009 Broadway musical differs from the 1980 film 9 to 5: Dolly Parton's full score, Roz's solos, the poisoning mix-up, and a new ending for Violet.
• Movie came firstAladdin: movie vs musicalStage: 2014 · Screen: Aladdin (1992), directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, and the live-action Aladdin (2019), directed by Guy RitchieHow the 2014 Aladdin musical differs from Disney's 1992 film: human friends instead of Abu, a human Iago, a narrating Genie, and songs cut from the film.
• Movie came firstAnastasia: movie vs musicalStage: 2017 · Screen: Anastasia (1997), the animated film directed by Don Bluth and Gary Goldman, and Anastasia (1956), directed by Anatole LitvakHow the 2017 Broadway Anastasia differs from the 1997 animated film: no Rasputin or Bartok, a conflicted Gleb, Countess Lily, 16 new songs, a new ending.
• Movie came firstBeauty and the Beast: movie vs musicalStage: 1994 · Screen: Beauty and the Beast (1991), directed by Gary Trousdale and Kirk Wise, and the live-action Beauty and the Beast (2017), directed by Bill CondonHow Broadway's Beauty and the Beast differs from Disney's 1991 film: servants turning into objects, new songs for Gaston and the Beast, and the 2017 film.
• Movie came firstBeetlejuice: movie vs musicalStage: 2019 · Screen: Beetlejuice (1988)How the Beetlejuice musical differs from Tim Burton's 1988 film: Lydia's grief, Beetlejuice as narrator, a new Delia, Juno as his mother, and a new ending.
• Movie came firstBilly Elliot: movie vs musicalStage: 2008 · Screen: Billy Elliot (2000), directed by Stephen DaldryHow Stephen Daldry's 2000 Billy Elliot film differs from the Broadway musical: Elton John's score, Grandma's song, Older Billy, and the picket line.
• Movie came firstDeath Becomes Her: movie vs musicalStage: 2024 · Screen: Death Becomes Her (1992), directed by Robert ZemeckisHow the Death Becomes Her musical differs from the 1992 film: Viola replaces Lisle, Ernest's fall, and a graveyard epilogue instead of the heads.
• Movie came firstFrozen: movie vs musicalStage: 2018 · Screen: Frozen (2013), Disney's animated film directed by Chris Buck and Jennifer LeeHow Frozen on Broadway differs from Disney's 2013 film: about a dozen new songs, the Hidden Folk instead of trolls, more for Hans, and Sven on stilts.
• Movie came firstHeathers: The Musical: movie vs musicalStage: 2014 · Screen: Heathers (1988)How Heathers: The Musical changes the 1988 Winona Ryder film: a new best friend for Veronica, Chandler's ghost, rewritten killings, and a kinder ending.
• Movie came firstKinky Boots: movie vs musicalStage: 2013 · Screen: Kinky Boots (2005), directed by Julian JarroldThe 2005 Kinky Boots film is not a musical. See how Cyndi Lauper's stage score adds new songs, swaps an arm-wrestle for boxing, and rewrites Nicola.
• Movie came firstLegally Blonde: movie vs musicalStage: 2007 · Screen: Legally Blonde (2001), directed by Robert Luketic and starring Reese WitherspoonHow Legally Blonde the Musical differs from the 2001 film: a Greek chorus, a new Emmett, a bigger Bend and Snap, a staged perm test, and a new ending.
• Movie came firstMary Poppins: movie vs musicalStage: 2006 · Screen: Mary Poppins (1964), directed by Robert StevensonHow the Mary Poppins musical mixes Disney's 1964 film with P. L. Travers's books: Miss Andrew, Bert as narrator, new songs, cut songs, and a flying ending.
• Movie came firstMonty Python's Spamalot: movie vs musicalStage: 2005 · Screen: Monty Python and the Holy Grail (1975), directed by Terry Gilliam and Terry JonesIs Holy Grail a musical? How the 2005 Broadway Spamalot differs from the 1975 film: a Lady of the Lake, a Vegas Camelot, and a new ending.
• Movie came firstMoulin Rouge!: movie vs musicalStage: 2019 · Screen: Moulin Rouge! (2001), directed by Baz LuhrmannMoulin Rouge! the musical vs Baz Luhrmann's 2001 film: an American Christian, a gay Zidler, a gentler Duke, a new show-within-a-show and a new climax.
• Movie came firstNewsies: movie vs musicalStage: 2012 · Screen: Newsies (1992), directed by Kenny OrtegaHow the 2012 Newsies musical differs from Disney's 1992 film, itself a musical: Katherine replaces Sarah, Medda's songs, Crutchie, and a new ending.
• Movie came firstSchool of Rock: The Musical: movie vs musicalStage: 2015 · Screen: School of Rock (2003), directed by Richard LinklaterHow the School of Rock musical differs from the 2003 Jack Black film: a new Lloyd Webber score, Rosalie's songs, Zack's father, and a live child band.
• Movie came firstShrek The Musical: movie vs musicalStage: 2008 · Screen: Shrek (2001), directed by Andrew Adamson and Vicky JensonHow Shrek The Musical differs from the 2001 DreamWorks film: an original score, Shrek's childhood, three Fionas, Farquaad's dad, and a new wedding fight.
• Movie came firstSingin' in the Rain: movie vs musicalStage: 1985 · Screen: Singin' in the Rain (1952), directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley DonenHow the 1985 Broadway Singin' in the Rain differs from the 1952 Gene Kelly film: real stage rain, added songs, new directors, and a different final image.
• Movie came firstSister Act: movie vs musicalStage: 2011 · Screen: Sister Act (1992), directed by Emile ArdolinoHow the Sister Act musical differs from the 1992 Whoopi Goldberg film: a 1970s Philadelphia setting, an all-new Alan Menken score, and a new villain.
• Movie came firstSome Like It Hot: movie vs musicalStage: 2022 · Screen: Some Like It Hot (1959), directed by Billy WilderHow the 2022 Some Like It Hot musical differs from Billy Wilder's 1959 film: a 1933 setting, a Black Jerry, a new Kip disguise, and a different ending.
• Movie came firstSunset Boulevard: movie vs musicalStage: 1994 · Screen: Sunset Boulevard (1950), directed by Billy WilderHow Billy Wilder's 1950 Sunset Boulevard film differs from the 1994 Broadway musical: Norma's ballads, Max's songs, Joe and Betty's duets, and the ending.
• Movie came firstTarzan: movie vs musicalStage: 2006 · Screen: Tarzan (1999), Disney's animated film, directed by Kevin Lima and Chris BuckHow the 2006 Tarzan musical differs from Disney's 1999 film: Terk turns male, Tantor is cut, Clayton survives, and the cast sings.
• Movie came firstThe Lion King: movie vs musicalStage: 1997 · Screen: The Lion King (1994), Disney's animated film, and the 2019 remake directed by Jon FavreauHow Broadway's Lion King differs from the 1994 Disney film: a female Rafiki, new songs like "Shadowland" and "Endless Night," new scenes, and puppetry.
• Movie came firstThe Little Mermaid: movie vs musicalStage: 2008 · Screen: The Little Mermaid (1989), directed by John Musker and Ron Clements, and the live-action The Little Mermaid (2023), directed by Rob MarshallHow the 2008 Little Mermaid musical differs from Disney's 1989 film: Ursula as Triton's sister, a shell-smashing finale, new songs, and the 2023 remake.
• Movie came firstThe Wizard of Oz: movie vs musicalStage: 1987 · Screen: The Wizard of Oz (1939), directed by Victor FlemingHow the RSC stage show differs from the 1939 Wizard of Oz film: the restored Jitterbug, an extra verse of "Over the Rainbow," and more chorus singing.
• Movie came firstTootsie: movie vs musicalStage: 2019 · Screen: Tootsie (1982), directed by Sydney PollackHow the 2019 Tootsie musical differs from Sydney Pollack's 1982 film: a Broadway show instead of a soap opera, no Les, a new Max, and a Yazbek score.
• Movie came firstWaitress: movie vs musicalStage: 2016 · Screen: Waitress (2007), written and directed by Adrienne ShellyThe Waitress movie is not a musical. See how Adrienne Shelly's 2007 film differs from Sara Bareilles's Broadway show: songs, Dawn and Ogie, and the ending.

Musical first: Broadway shows made into movies

These began on stage and were later filmed. The movies often cut songs, add new ones, and rework the ending.

• Musical came firstAnnie: movie vs musicalStage: 1977 · Screen: Annie (1982), directed by John Huston, and Annie (2014), directed by Will GluckHow the Annie films differ from the 1977 musical: John Huston's 1982 kidnapping finale, Miss Hannigan's change of heart, and the 2014 Will Stacks remake.
• Musical came firstBye Bye Birdie: movie vs musicalStage: 1960 · Screen: Bye Bye Birdie (1963), directed by George SidneyHow the 1963 Bye Bye Birdie film differs from the 1960 Broadway musical: Albert the chemist, a bigger Kim, Rosie's cut songs, and a new title song.
• Musical came firstCabaret: movie vs musicalStage: 1966 · Screen: Cabaret (1972), directed by Bob FosseHow Bob Fosse's 1972 Cabaret film differs from the 1966 Broadway musical: new songs, new characters, an American Sally, and songs only in the Kit Kat Klub.
• Musical came firstCats: movie vs musicalStage: 1982 · Screen: Cats (2019)How the 2019 Cats film differs from the Broadway musical: Victoria's bigger role, a new song, a female Old Deuteronomy, a busier Macavity, and digital fur.
• Musical came firstChicago: movie vs musicalStage: 1975 · Screen: Chicago (2002), directed by Rob MarshallHow the Oscar-winning 2002 Chicago film differs from the Broadway musical: songs moved into Roxie's head, cut numbers, a new end-credits song, and more.
• Musical came firstDear Evan Hansen: movie vs musicalStage: 2016 · Screen: Dear Evan Hansen (2021), directed by Stephen ChboskyHow the 2021 Dear Evan Hansen film differs from the Broadway musical: cut songs, two new songs, changed characters, and a new ending.
• Musical came firstDreamgirls: movie vs musicalStage: 1981 · Screen: Dreamgirls (2006), directed by Bill CondonDreamgirls was a musical first (1981). How Bill Condon's 2006 film moved it to Detroit, cut "Ain't No Party," and added "Listen" and three songs.
• Musical came firstEvita: movie vs musicalStage: 1979 · Screen: Evita (1996), directed by Alan ParkerHow Alan Parker's 1996 Evita film differs from the 1979 Broadway musical: Madonna's new "You Must Love Me," a changed Che, and a new ending.
• Musical came firstFiddler on the Roof: movie vs musicalStage: 1964 · Screen: Fiddler on the Roof (1971), directed by Norman JewisonNorman Jewison's 1971 Fiddler on the Roof vs the 1964 musical: Topol for Zero Mostel, two songs cut, a Kyiv scene added and a grittier look.
• Musical came firstFunny Girl: movie vs musicalStage: 1964 · Screen: Funny Girl (1968), directed by William WylerHow William Wyler's 1968 Funny Girl differs from the 1964 musical: Barbra Streisand's Oscar, added Fanny Brice songs, cut numbers, and a My Man finale.
• Musical came firstGrease: movie vs musicalStage: 1972 · Screen: Grease (1978)How the 1978 Grease film differs from the 1972 Broadway musical: four new songs, cut and reassigned numbers, a suburban setting, and an Australian Sandy.
• Musical came firstGuys and Dolls: movie vs musicalStage: 1950 · Screen: Guys and Dolls (1955), directed by Joseph L. MankiewiczHow the 1955 Guys and Dolls film with Brando and Sinatra differs from the 1950 musical: new songs, cut ballads, a new Nathan and a Times Square wedding.
• Musical came firstGypsy: movie vs musicalStage: 1959 · Screen: Gypsy (1962), directed by Mervyn LeRoyHow the 1962 Gypsy film with Rosalind Russell differs from the 1959 Broadway musical: a blended voice, a cut song, a gentler burlesque, and a TV remake.
• Musical came firstHair: movie vs musicalStage: 1968 · Screen: Hair (1979), directed by Milos FormanHow Milos Forman's 1979 Hair film differs from the 1968 Broadway musical: an Oklahoma Claude, Berger sent to Vietnam, reassigned songs and a new ending.
• Musical came firstHello, Dolly!: movie vs musicalStage: 1964 · Screen: Hello, Dolly! (1969), directed by Gene KellyHow the 1969 Hello, Dolly! film with Barbra Streisand differs from the 1964 Broadway musical: two new songs, a cut trio, and no night court scene.
• Musical came firstIn the Heights: movie vs musicalStage: 2008 · Screen: In the Heights (2021)How the 2021 In the Heights film differs from the stage musical: a framing story, Camila and 6 songs cut, a new Sonny subplot, and a later lottery reveal.
• Musical came firstInto the Woods: movie vs musicalStage: 1987 · Screen: Into the Woods (2014)How Disney's 2014 Into the Woods film differs from Sondheim's Broadway musical: cut songs, no Narrator, a gentler Act Two, and a new fate for Rapunzel.
• Musical came firstJersey Boys: movie vs musicalStage: 2005 · Screen: Jersey Boys (2014), directed by Clint EastwoodJersey Boys opened on Broadway in 2005 and Clint Eastwood filmed it in 2014. See the cast, song, structure, and true-story changes between stage and film.
• Musical came firstJesus Christ Superstar: movie vs musicalStage: 1971 · Screen: Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), directed by Norman JewisonAlbum, Broadway or film first? How Norman Jewison's 1973 Jesus Christ Superstar adds a desert troupe, a new song and modern props to the 1971 stage show.
• Musical came firstLes Misérables: movie vs musicalStage: 1987 · Screen: Les Misérables (2012), directed by Tom HooperHow the 2012 Les Misérables film differs from the Broadway musical: the new song "Suddenly," cut and moved numbers, live singing, and a changed finale.
• Musical came firstMamma Mia!: movie vs musicalStage: 2001 · Screen: Mamma Mia! (2008), directed by Phyllida LloydHow the 2008 Mamma Mia! film differs from the stage musical: a new ABBA song, four cut numbers, songs given to new singers, and a renamed dad.
• Musical came firstMatilda the Musical: movie vs musicalStage: 2013 · Screen: Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical (2022)How Netflix's Matilda the Musical (2022) differs from the Broadway show: the songs cut, a new finale, missing characters, and a simpler ending.
• Musical came firstMy Fair Lady: movie vs musicalStage: 1956 · Screen: My Fair Lady (1964), directed by George CukorGeorge Cukor's 1964 My Fair Lady vs the 1956 Broadway musical: Audrey Hepburn replaces Julie Andrews, the intermission moves, and songs are trimmed.
• Musical came firstOklahoma!: movie vs musicalStage: 1943 · Screen: Oklahoma! (1955), directed by Fred ZinnemannHow Fred Zinnemann's 1955 Oklahoma! differs from the 1943 Broadway musical: two songs cut, a haystack fire for Jud, moved numbers, and Todd-AO filming.
• Musical came firstOliver!: movie vs musicalStage: 1963 · Screen: Oliver! (1968), directed by Carol ReedHow Carol Reed's 1968 Best Picture winner Oliver! differs from the stage musical: three songs cut, a rooftop end for Sikes, and Fagin's last dance.
• Musical came firstRent: movie vs musicalStage: 1996 · Screen: Rent (2005), directed by Chris ColumbusHow Chris Columbus's 2005 Rent film differs from the 1996 Broadway musical: it opens with Seasons of Love, recasts Mimi and Joanne, and trims Goodbye Love.
• Musical came firstSouth Pacific: movie vs musicalStage: 1949 · Screen: South Pacific (1958), directed by Joshua LoganHow Joshua Logan's 1958 South Pacific differs from the 1949 Broadway musical: swapped opening scenes, a restored song, dubbed singers, and colored filters.
• Musical came firstSweeney Todd: movie vs musicalStage: 1979 · Screen: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)How Tim Burton's 2007 Sweeney Todd differs from Sondheim's 1979 Broadway musical: the cut Ballad, missing songs, a child Toby, and a starker ending.
• Musical came firstThe King and I: movie vs musicalStage: 1951 · Screen: The King and I (1956), directed by Walter LangHow Walter Lang's 1956 The King and I differs from the 1951 Broadway musical: cut songs, dubbed singers, a new British ambassador, and a sung finale.
• Musical came firstThe Music Man: movie vs musicalStage: 1957 · Screen: The Music Man (1962), directed by Morton DaCostaHow the 1962 Music Man film with Robert Preston differs from the 1957 Broadway musical: one swapped song, a trimmed opener, recasting, and a 2003 TV film.
• Musical came firstThe Phantom of the Opera: movie vs musicalStage: 1988 · Screen: The Phantom of the Opera (2004), directed by Joel SchumacherHow the 2004 Phantom of the Opera film differs from the Broadway musical: the chandelier, a sword fight, a new song, the Phantom's past, and a new ending.
• Musical came firstThe Prom: movie vs musicalStage: 2018 · Screen: The Prom (2020), directed by Ryan MurphyHow Ryan Murphy's 2020 Netflix film of The Prom differs from the 2018 Broadway musical: Barry's mother, Grandma Bea, and two new end-credits songs.
• Musical came firstThe Sound of Music: movie vs musicalStage: 1959 · Screen: The Sound of Music (1965), directed by Robert WiseHow the 1965 Sound of Music film differs from the 1959 Broadway musical: new songs, cut songs, swapped scenes, and a changed escape.
• Musical came firstWest Side Story: movie vs musicalStage: 1957 · Screen: West Side Story (1961) and West Side Story (2021)How the 1961 and 2021 West Side Story films differ from the 1957 Broadway musical: songs moved, Somewhere reassigned, Doc replaced, and more.
• Musical came firstWicked: movie vs musicalStage: 2003 · Screen: Wicked (2024) and Wicked: For Good (2025)How the two Wicked films compare to the Broadway musical: the two-part split, new songs, longer numbers, and changes to Nessarose and the Animals of Oz.

Both ways: film, then stage, then film again

These stories made the round trip: a film became a stage musical, and the musical was then filmed in its own right.

• Film, stage, then filmHairspray: movie vs musicalStage: 2002 · Screen: Hairspray (1988), John Waters' original film, and Hairspray (2007), the movie musicalHow Hairspray changed from John Waters' 1988 film to the 2002 Broadway musical to the 2007 movie musical: songs, villains, the jail plot, and the ending.
• Film, stage, then filmLittle Shop of Horrors: movie vs musicalStage: 2003 · Screen: The Little Shop of Horrors (1960) and Little Shop of Horrors (1986)How the Little Shop of Horrors musical differs from Roger Corman's 1960 film and Frank Oz's 1986 movie musical, from the songs cut to the ending.
• Film, stage, then filmMean Girls: movie vs musicalStage: 2018 · Screen: Mean Girls (2004) and Mean Girls (2024)How the Mean Girls Broadway musical differs from the 2004 film and the 2024 movie musical: cut songs, a new song for Cady, narrators, and names.
• Film, stage, then filmThe Color Purple: movie vs musicalStage: 2005 · Screen: The Color Purple (1985), Steven Spielberg's non-musical film, and The Color Purple (2023), the movie musicalHow The Color Purple musical compares with Spielberg's 1985 film and the 2023 movie musical: cut songs, new songs, Shug and Celie, and more.
• Film, stage, then filmThe Producers: movie vs musicalStage: 2001 · Screen: The Producers (1967), written and directed by Mel Brooks, and The Producers (2005), directed by Susan StromanThe Producers began as Mel Brooks's 1967 film, became a 2001 Broadway hit, then a 2005 movie. See how Ulla, Roger, the songs and the ending changed.

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