Emma Siegel ‘26, Arts and Entertainment Writer

         Movies based on Shakespeare’s plays. (Photo courtesy of Town and Country Magazine) 

Though William Shakespeare’s works were written centuries ago, their influence is ongoing. Most recently, these works have had a resurgence in modern day pop culture and social media, inspiring many hit movies and shows. 

One of the many films inspired by Shakespeare’s extensive plays is “She’s the Man” (2006), directed by Andy Flickman. It is based on Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night,” as it centers the theme of twin impersonation where one twin pretends to be the other. “She’s the Man” even uses the exact names from “Twelfth Night,” Viola and Sebastian, for the two main twin characters. While Viola in “Twelfth Night” pretends to be Sebastian as she proves herself in her career,  Viola, played by Amanda Bynes, pretends to be her twin brother, Sebastian, at an elite boarding school to prove a point about women’s equality in soccer. Though the plots differ, the themes and tropes are only able to be enjoyed because of Shakespeare’s creation of them.  

Another notable trope, “enemies-to-lovers,” which has reappeared in countless films and novels, comes from the renowned play “Much Ado About Nothing” by Shakespeare. In it, Benedick and Beatrice are two characters who appear to hate each other. However, their friends believe otherwise and play a trick on them to make them stop fighting and bring them together. The play ends with their love confessions to each other after previously denying their mutual romantic feelings during the rest of the play. We can see this same plot in the recent box-office-smashing film “Anyone But You,” directed by Will Gluck. “Anyone But You” follows Bea, similar to the name Beatrice, played by actress Sydney Sweeney, and Ben, similar to Benedick, played by actor Glen Powell. In the film, they begin as enemies, yet when their family and friends try to trick them into liking each other, they decide to pretend they are in a relationship to keep them happy, and in turn, end up actually falling in love. 

“West Side Story,” a modern adaptation of “Romeo and Juliet,” portrays the tragedy that can come from forbidden love in a unique and touching way. “West Side Story” gained significant support from viewers; though the original movie was made in 1961, the Broadway musical is still being performed to this day. In 2021, Director Steven Spielberg released a new take on this story with an enchanting perspective as he focuses on the deep infatuation the characters have with each other in this heartbreaking story. 

These incredible productions demonstrate the timelessness of Shakespearean literature, as it serves as the basis and inspiration for these films. While Shakespeare’s plays may be centuries old, their stories and messages will always be present. So many recent fan favorites have been inspired by these Shakespearean plays and the media has created modern twists that uniquely  continue Shakespare’s legacy and work. The use of Shakespeare’s well-known tropes help to bring new meaning to modern day films and help to explore the complexity of relationships and people.