10 Broadway Musicals That Remain Unfilmable

While many beloved Broadway musicals have made the jump to the big screen, a few have yet to receive their own movie adaptations. Here are ten notable productions that, as of August 2023, remain unwritten into film:

Wicked

Wicked is a prequel to the 1995 stage musical Gregory Maguire’s Wicked Stories. Yet, despite its success and a recent film adaptation, the original stage version has not been fully represented in a standalone movie format. This satirical musical by the creators of Dear Evan Hansen continues to captivate audiences on Broadway.

Hadestown

Hadestown is a modern retelling of the Orpheus and Eurydice myth set in a post-apocalyptic world. While the original stage production has earned critical acclaim, no film adaptation that truly captures the essence of this unique story has been released.

Waitress

The Waitress musical tells the story of Judy hweller, a small-town pie-maker whose life is transformed when she gains a new hope and a newfound courage. While there is a film version of this production, it primarily focuses on the story arc rather than the unique elements of the original Broadway showing.

Come From Away

Come From Away is a heartwarming tale of the small town of Gander, Newfoundland, which welcomed thousands of stranded airline passengers after the 9/11 attacks. Though the musical has been celebrated for its warm portrayal of community and empathy, a standalone film version that fully captures the charm and depth of the stage production has not been produced.

Six

The Six musical is a pop concert-style show that reimagines the lives of the six wives of Henry VIII. While a film adaptation exists, it primarily captures the experience of those who saw the Broadway show and does not delve deeply into the musical's unique narrative voice and staging.

A Strange Loop

A Strange Loop is a Pulitzer Prize-winning musical that explores themes of identity and self-acceptance through the eyes of a Black gay man. Despite its critical acclaim, no standalone film version that reflects the complexity and depth of this groundbreaking production has been released.

The Lightning Thief

This musical is based on the popular book series by Rick Riordan. While the story is intriguing, the musical adaptation has yet to be filmed and released, leaving fans to imagine how this epic adventure might translate to the screen.

Additionally, there are several other Broadway productions that have not yet found their way to the silver screen:

Flahooley! (Harburg Fain)
Pacific Overtures (Sondheim)
Darling of the Day (Harburg Styne)
Assassins (Sondheim)
Sunset Boulevard (Lloyd Webber)
My Pip Dream (Rodgers Hammerstein)
By Jupiter (Rodgers Hart)
The Most Happy Fella (Loesser)
I Can Get It For You Wholesale (Rome)
Pardon My English (Gershwin)

It’s worth noting that adaptations of musicals can be announced or developed after the last update of this article, so it’s always a good idea to check for the latest news and updates.