Movies based on Shakespeare Stories or plays but set in different time and place.
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- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsToshirô MifuneMinoru ChiakiIsuzu YamadaA war-hardened general, egged on by his ambitious wife, works to fulfill a prophecy that he would become lord of Spider's Web Castle.Adaptation of Macbeth set in Japan directed by Akira Kurosawa.
- DirectorFred M. WilcoxStarsWalter PidgeonAnne FrancisLeslie NielsenA starship crew in the 23rd century goes to investigate the silence of a distant planet's colony, only to find just two survivors, a powerful robot, and the deadly secret of a lost civilization.'The Tempest', set in Alien Land.
- DirectorJerome RobbinsRobert WiseStarsNatalie WoodGeorge ChakirisRichard BeymerTwo youngsters from rival New York City gangs fall in love, but tensions between their respective friends build toward tragedy.'Romeo and Juliet' set in the modern world.
- DirectorRichard LoncraineStarsIan McKellenAnnette BeningChristopher BowenThe classic Shakespearean play about the murderously scheming 15th-century king is reimagined in an alternative setting of 1930s England as clouds of fascism gather.The classic Shakespearean play about a murderously scheming king staged in an alternative fascist England setting
- DirectorGil JungerStarsHeath LedgerJulia StilesJoseph Gordon-LevittA high-school boy, Cameron, cannot date Bianca until her anti-social older sister, Kat, has a boyfriend. So, Cameron pays a mysterious boy, Patrick, to charm Kat.Adapted from William Shakespeare's play "The Taming of the Shrew"
- DirectorGus Van SantStarsRiver PhoenixKeanu ReevesJames RussoTwo best friends living on the streets of Portland as hustlers embark on a journey of self discovery and find their relationship stumbling along the way.Henry IV adaptation in the modern world.
- DirectorBaz LuhrmannStarsLeonardo DiCaprioClaire DanesJohn LeguizamoShakespeare's famous play is updated to the hip modern suburb of Verona still retaining its original dialogue.Shakespeare's famous play is updated to the hip modern suburb of Verona still retaining its original dialogue.
- DirectorAndy FickmanStarsAmanda BynesLaura RamseyChanning TatumWhen her brother decides to ditch for a couple weeks, Viola heads over to his elite boarding school, disguised as him, and proceeds to fall for his school's star soccer player, and soon learns she's not the only one with romantic troubles.The film is based on Shakespeare's Twelfth Night
- DirectorTim Blake NelsonStarsMekhi PhiferJulia StilesMartin SheenAn update of Shakespeare's 'Othello' with a young cast, set in an upper class prep school, & centered around basketball player Odin.Modern setting of Othello
- DirectorKelly AsburyStarsJames McAvoyEmily BluntMaggie SmithSeparated by a garden fence and a feud, are blue gnomes on one side and red gnomes on the other. This doesn't stop blue Gnomeo and red Juliet from falling in love with each other. Do they have a future together?Romeo & Juliet
- DirectorRalph FiennesStarsRalph FiennesGerard ButlerBrian CoxA banished hero of Rome allies with a sworn enemy to take his revenge on the city.interpretation of Shakespeare's Coriolanus
- DirectorEdgar G. UlmerStarsJimmy LydonSally EilersWarren WilliamPaul dreams that his father's fatal accident actually was murder. When details of his dream repeat themselves in reality he seeks the help of psychiatrist Dr. Vincent, and they attempt to solve the riddle - with dangerous consequences.Hamlet in modern world.
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsToshirô MifuneMasayuki MoriKyôko KagawaA vengeful young man marries the daughter of a corrupt industrialist in order to seek justice for his father's suicide.Hamlet adaptation by Kurosawa
- DirectorClaude ChabrolStarsAlida ValliClaude CervalAndré JocelynAfter the death of his father, the weirdo Yvan Lesurf believes his mother Claudia Lesurf and his uncle Adrien Lesurf have poisoned him since they got married to each other. Completely disturbed and insane, the cruel Yvan decides to make a film based on Shakespeare's Hamlet to expose the wealthy Claudia and Adrien to their friends in their community. He also calls his sweetheart Lucie Ophélia in a tragedy foretold.Claude Charbol directs Alida Valli in this shakesperian adaptation of Othello set in modern world.
- DirectorEnzo G. CastellariStarsAndrea GiordanaGilbert RolandHorst FrankBack from the Civil War, Johnny Hamilton learns that his father was murdered by Santana the bandit and that his mother Gertrude married his uncle Claude but Johnny is determined to find out the truth.Hamlet in modern world
- DirectorAki KaurismäkiStarsPirkka-Pekka PeteliusEsko SalminenKati OutinenPlayboy Hamlet sees the ghost of his father, a paper baron in today's Finland.Hamlet
- DirectorMichael AlmereydaStarsEthan HawkeKyle MacLachlanDiane VenoraModern-day New York City adaptation of Shakespeare's immortal story about Hamlet's plight to avenge his father's murder.Modern-day New York City adaptation of Shakespeare's immortal story about Hamlet's plight to avenge his father's murder.
- DirectorXiaogang FengStarsZiyi ZhangYou GeDaniel WuA loose adaptation of Hamlet, "The Night Banquet" is set in an empire in chaos. The Emperor, the Empress, the Crown Prince, the Minister and the General all have their own enemies they would like to finish off at a night banquet.A loose adaptation of Hamlet, "The Night Banquet" is set in an empire in chaos. The Emperor, the Empress, the Crown Prince, the Minister and the General all have their own enemies they would like to finish off at a night banquet.
- DirectorAkira KurosawaStarsTatsuya NakadaiAkira TeraoJinpachi NezuIn Medieval Japan, an elderly warlord retires, handing over his empire to his three sons. However, he vastly underestimates how the new-found power will corrupt them and cause them to turn on each other...and him.King Lear adaptation. In Medieval Japan, an elderly warlord retires, handing over his empire to his three sons. However, he vastly underestimates how the new-found power will corrupt them and cause them to turn on each other...and him.
- DirectorJocelyn MoorhouseStarsMichelle PfeifferJessica LangeJennifer Jason LeighA family is torn apart after a father gives his valuable farm land to his daughters.King Lear set on a farm
- DirectorDon BoydStarsRichard HarrisLynn RedgraveReece NoiA modern story, inspired by King Lear, set in contemporary Liverpool.Modern story inspired by King Lear set in contemporary Liverpool.
- DirectorUli EdelStarsPatrick StewartMarcia Gay HardenLauren HollyIn this adaptation of William Shakespeare's King Lear, self-made ranch tycoon John Lear divides his holdings amongst his daughters, but finds that once they have his property, they reject him.In this adaptation of Shakespeare's King Lear, self-made ranch tycoon John Lear divides his holdings among his daughters but finds that once they have his property, they reject him.
- DirectorKenneth BranaghStarsAlessandro NivolaAlicia SilverstoneNatascha McElhoneAn update of the classic Shakespeare story, director Kenneth Branagh shot the film like a classic 1930s musical. It tells the story of four best friends who swear off love.An update of the classic Shakespeare story, director Kenneth Branagh shot this movie like a classic 30s musical. The film tells the story of four best friends who swear off love.
- DirectorKen HughesStarsPaul DouglasRuth RomanBonar ColleanoShakespeare (more-or-less) in modern gangster setting. Lily MacBeth pushes her husband Joe to rub out the reigning crime boss and become the new "kingpin" himself. Success is short- lived, however, as he confronts Lennie, a mobster whose father and wife are Joe's murder victims.MacBeth gangster movie.
- DirectorWilliam ReillyStarsJohn TurturroKatherine BorowitzDennis FarinaIt's Macbeth in mobster form!Macbeth in Mobster setting
- DirectorBilly MorrissetteStarsJames Le GrosMaura TierneyChristopher WalkenIn a modernized retelling of "MacBeth" set in 1970s suburban Pennsylvania, Joe McBeth, an unambitious hamburger stand employee, is driven to success by his scheming wife.A modernized retelling of "MacBeth" set in 1970s suburban Pennsylvania. Joe McBeth, an unambitious hamburger stand employee, is driven to success by his scheming wife.
- DirectorGeoffrey WrightStarsVictoria HillLachy HulmeGary SweetA contemporary retelling of Shakespeare's "Macbeth" set in the ganglands of Melbourne.A contemporary retelling of Shakespeare's "Macbeth" set in the ganglands of Melbourne.
- DirectorDon SelwynStarsWaihoroi ShortlandNgarimu DanielsTe Rangihau GilbertA modern day take on the classic bard tale - with Silver as a movie producer.A modern day take on the classic bard tale - with Silver as a movie producer.
- DirectorGeorge CukorStarsRonald ColmanEdmond O'BrienSigne HassoA celebrated actor struggles to distinguish his own life from that of his most recent stage role, Othello.Anthony John is an actor whose life is strongly influenced by the characters he plays. When he's playing comedy, he's the most enjoyable person in the world, but when he's playing drama, it's terrible to be around him. That's the reason why his wife Brita divorced him; although she still loves him and works with him, she couldn't stand living with him anymore. So when Anthony accepts to play Othello, he devotes himself entirely to the part, but it soon overwhelms him and with each day his mind gets filled more and more with Othello's murderous jealousy.
- DirectorBasil DeardenStarsPatrick McGoohanKeith MichellBetsy BlairThis movie, based on William Shakespeare's Othello, is neatly positioned as a vehicle to showcase some of the best jazz musicians of the period, including Dave Brubeck and Charles Mingus.The film, based on Othello, is neatly positioned as a vehicle to showcase some of the best Jazz musicians of the period - including Dave Brubeck and Charlie Mingus.
- DirectorGeoffrey SaxStarsEamonn WalkerChristopher EcclestonKeeley HawesShakespeare's Othello retold in modern London; racial tension in the police force collides with jealousy and revenge. An officer suspects his new bride of infidelity.Shakespeare's Othello retold in modern London; racial tension in the police force collides with jealousy and revenge. An officer suspects his new bride of infidelity.
- DirectorJames Gavin BedfordStarsJon SedaMario LopezTonantzin CarmeloTurf wars. Violent betrayals. A family torn apart by greed and jealousy. And one man who wants to rule the gang-ravaged streets of East L.A.In life, there's silver, and there's lead, says Rikki Ortega, as he moves to be king of the street in "Ánglio," L.A.'s east side. Older brothers and a brother-in-law are in his way. While they think they are driving out the Rojas, a local gang that runs the meth trade for bosses in Cabo San Lucas, Rikki is running an elaborate double-cross on his own family. He's not happy just to run this fratricidal con, he also wants to cash in as much as he can of one hundred kilos of crystal meth that he stole from the Rojas (and the Mexicans), seduce the girlfriend of one of his victims, and stay ahead of a cop who was a childhood friend. Will he end up with the silver?
- DirectorLloyd KaufmanStarsJane JensenWill KeenanValentine MieleTromeo, a filmmaker, falls in love with Juliet, the daughter of a former partner who tried to steal his business from him.Tromeo, a filmmaker, falls in love with Juliet, the daughter of a former partner who tried to steal his business from him.
- DirectorPeter GreenawayStarsJohn GielgudMichael ClarkMichel BlancThe magician Prospero attempts to stop his daughter's affair with an enemy.An exiled magician finds an opportunity for revenge against his enemies muted when his daughter and the son of his chief enemy fall in love in this uniquely structured retelling of the 'The Tempest'
- DirectorJack BenderStarsPeter FondaJohn GloverHarold PerrineauAn adaptation of Shakespeare's classic is set in the Mississippi bayous during the Civil War.An adaptation of Shakespeare's classic is set in the Mississippi bayous during the Civil War.
- DirectorTim SuppleStarsParminder NagraRonny JhuttiChiwetel EjioforMulticultural version of the Shakespearean tale Twelth Night, Made in modern day society featuring Anglo-Indian cast.Multicultural version of the Shakespearean tale Twelth Night, Made in modern day society featuring Anglo-Indian cast.
- DirectorTom StoppardStarsGary OldmanTim RothRichard DreyfussTwo minor characters from the play 'Hamlet' stumble around unaware of their scripted lives and unable to deviate from them.Two minor characters from the play, "Hamlet" stumble around unaware of their scripted lives and unable to deviate from them.
- DirectorJoss WhedonStarsAlexis DenisofAmy AckerFran KranzA modern retelling of Shakespeare's classic comedy about two pairs of lovers with different takes on romance and a way with words.A modern retelling of Shakespeare's classic comedy about two pairs of lovers with different takes on romance and a way with words.
- DirectorVishal BhardwajStarsShahid KapoorTabuShraddha KapoorA young man returns to Kashmir after his father's disappearance to confront his uncle, whom he suspects of playing a role in his father's fate.Bollywood Hamlet
- DirectorVishal BhardwajStarsIrrfan KhanTabuPankaj KapurThe intrigue of the Shakespearean tragedy 'Macbeth' is transposed to the Mumbai underworld.Bollywood Macbeth
- DirectorVishal BhardwajStarsAjay DevgnKareena KapoorSaif Ali KhanA politically-minded enforcer's misguided trust in his lieutenant leads him to suspect his wife of infidelity in this adaptation of Shakespeare's 'Othello'.Bollywood Othello
- DirectorGulzarStarsSanjeev KumarMoushumi ChatterjeeDeven VermaBased on Shakespeare's 'A Comedy of Errors', this is a story of identical twins (2 pairs) and mistaken identities.Bollywood's Comedy of Errors
- DirectorSharat KatariyaStarsNeil BhoopalamAnusha BoseManu Rishi ChadhaA romantic comedy concerning the tribulations of a love quadrangle during a night of magic & madness.Bollywood's A Midsummer's nights dream
- DirectorMansoor KhanStarsAamir KhanJuhi ChawlaGoga KapoorDespite knowing that their respective families are bitter enemies, Raj and Rashmi fall in love with each other and decide to elope.Bollywood's Romeo and Juliet
- DirectorJ. Om PrakashStarsRajesh KhannaMumtaz AskariSanjeev KumarRajesh Khanna plays Mumtaz's jealous husband who begins to doubt her fidelity when his best friend Sanjeev Kumar enters their lives. She is unable to convince Rajesh Khanna that she loves only him. He leaves her, not knowing that she is pregnant with his child. Depressed and confused, Rajesh Khanna becomes a homeless wanderer, while Mumtaz remarries to provide a secure home for her child. Many years later, the truth dawns on him as he turns up, a broken man, at his own daughter's wedding.Bollywood's The Winter's Tale
- DirectorJamahedji Jehangirji MadanA rich merchant, Antonio is depressed for no good reason, until his good friend Bassanio comes to tell him how he's in love with Portia. Portia's father has died and left a very strange will: only the man that picks the correct casket out of three (silver, gold, and lead) can marry her. Bassanio, unfortunately, is strapped for cash with which to go wooing, and Antonio wants to help, so Antonio borrows the money from Shylock, the money-lender. But Shylock has been nursing a grudge against Antonio's insults, and makes unusual terms to the loan. And when Antonio's business fails, those terms threaten his life, and it's up to Bassanio and Portia to save him.Bollywood's JJ Madan had adapted Shakespeare’s The Merchant Of Venice for his film starring Jahan Ara.
- DirectorSohrab ModiStarsSohrab ModiNaseem BanuShamshadbaiModi is Hamlet in this film version of the highly popular stage performance surrounded by the same principal cast: Banu as Ophelia, Shamshadbhai as Gertrude, etc. It is the story of prince Hamlet whose dead father comes back as a ghost to haunt Hamlet until he avenges his death. Hamlet is then on the horns of a dilemma as he ponders over his fate as his mother herself was involved in his father's assassination.Bollywood's Adaptation of Hamlet starring Sohrab Modi