I'm continuing my look into the Best Musical Tony Award winners that have been turned into a film. Check out the previous Part I (1949-1969) and Part II (1970-1989). This part covers the Best Musicals from 1990-2010. This is the era of shows based on films...and then some returning back to the screen! Enjoy!
City of Angels (1990)
Music by Cy Coleman, Lyrics by David Zippel
This original musical featured film noir and their writers with catchy songs and neat black and white stylings. The show never made its way to the screen.
The Will Rogers' Follies (1991)
Music by Cy Coleman, Lyrics by Betty Comden and Adolph Green
A musical revue of the life of Will Rogers featured a charming lead actor and thrilling choreography. The show was filmed for television in Japan, but has never been made into a film.
Crazy For You (1992)
Music by George Gershwin, Lyrics by Ira Gershwin
This reworking of Girl Crazy featured great new arrangements and performances of classic Gershwin songs with outstanding Susan Stroman choreography. The show was filmed at the Papermill Playhouse for PBS, but has never been adapted into a film.
The Kiss of the Spider Woman (1993)
Music by John Kander, Lyrics by Fred Ebb
The novel was made into a 1985 Oscar-winning film before landing on Broadway with Chita Rivera. The dark tale of a political prisoner living in his fantasy world was then adapted into a film in 2025 starring Jennifer Lopez.
Passion (1994)
Music and Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Based on an Italian novel and film, the Sondheim and Lapine musical has the shortest Broadway run of any Best Musical winner. It was filmed for PBS after the run, but no musical film adaptation is likely to happen.
Sunset Boulevard (1995)
Music by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lyrics by Don Black, Christopher Hampton
Based on the classic 1950 Billy Wilder film. A filmed musical has been bandied around for years, but hasn't happened.
Rent (1996)
Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson
Larson's groundbreaking rock musical was adapted in 2005 with almost all music intact. Much of the original cast was brought in, even though many had aged out of their characters. The adaptation received mixed critic reviews, and generally un-loved by fans of the Broadway show.
Titanic (1997)
Music and Lyrics by Maury Yeston
Yeston's operatic tale of the classes aboard the Titanic opened before the blockbuster film in 1997. It is likely to never have a musical film adaptation. A filmed stage version in the UK was broadcast in theaters in 2023.
The Lion King (1998)
Music by Elton John (et al), Lyrics by Tim Rice (et al)
Julie Taymor's unique stage vision of the animated film make this a hit on Broadway and around the world. The musical added several new songs, mostly from the Rhythm of the Pride Lands album. Instead of a direct musical adaptation, Disney made the CGI 2019 film.
Fosse (1999)
Music and Lyrics by Various Artists
This musical revue recreated dances by celebrated choreographer Bob Fosse. Like most revues, no film has been adapted.
Contact (2000)
Music and Lyrics by Various Artists
One of the most unusual musicals to win - a dance play with jukebox songs with no live singing. Naturally, no film was made, but a live performance was filmed for PBS.
The Producers (2001)
Music and Lyrics by Mel Brooks
Based on Brooks' classic 1967 film, the Broadway show broke records. In 2005, many of the original cast appeared in the film adaptation directed by the show's director Susan Stroman.
Most songs remained, and cut songs were filmed and released as deleted scenes. The theatrical acting style and staging was off-putting to many critics, who preferred the original or stage version.
Thoroughly Modern Millie (2002)
Music by Jeanine Tesori, Lyrics by Dick Scanlan
The musical incorporated several 1920s songs from the original 1967 film. The musical made a star out of Sutton Foster, but the racial controversies have prevented revivals and likely a film adaptation.
Hairspray (2003)
Music by Marc Shaiman, Lyrics by Scott Wittman and Marc Shaiman
Starting life as the 1988 John Waters film, the musical was a colorful hit. The musical then took a star-studded turn in 2007 as a film adaptation. Most songs appear, with some cut or trimmed and the new song "Ladies' Choice" added. The film also features cameos by past cast and creatives and was a big box office hit.
Avenue Q (2004)
Music and Lyrics by Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx
The hilarious puppet musical was once considered for a film adaptation, but has never happened.
Monty Python's Spamalot (2005)
Music and Lyrics by John Du Prez and Eric Idle
The musical "(Lovingly) Ripped Off from the Motion Picture Monty Python and the Holy Grail" was full of references and comedy bits for Python fans and Broadway in-jokes. Other members of Monty Python were critical of the show and vetoed a film version of the musical that had been in talks for a few years.
Jersey Boys (2006)
Music by Bob Gaudio, Lyrics by Bob Crewe
One of the most popular Jukebox musicals tells the story of the Four Seasons. Clint Eastwood directed a film version in 2014, starring the many stage actors, singing live on set. It received mixed reviews, and generally forgotten.
Spring Awakening (2007)
Music by Duncan Sheik, Lyrics by Steven Sater
The hit show mashed together the alt-rock with the adolescent sexual drama of 1800s Germany. Surprisingly, no film adaptation exists, although the ideas has been tossed around for years.
In the Heights (2008)
Music and Lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda
Lin-Manuel Miranda burst on the Broadway scene with this Tony winner with a blended score taking place in Washington Heights. The film adaptation directed by Jon M. Chu arrived on the big screen in 2021, postponed from Covid. While most songs appear intact, plot changes and necessitated some songs cut and rearranged. Several Broadway alum and friends of Miranda make cameo appearances.
Billy Elliot the Musical (2009)
Music by Elton John, Lyrics by Lee Hall
Based on the 2000 film about Billy Elliot taking ballet lessons among the community's miner strikes. The show lasted a while in London and New York, with the London cast filming the production live for cinemas. There have been no talks to adapt it again.
Memphis (2010)
Music by David Bryan, Lyrics by David Bryan and Joe DiPietro
An original music that dealt with racism in the 1950s radio industry. The show was filmed live for cinemas while still running on Broadway, but there are no plans to adapt it to a feature film.
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