‘Hadestown’ And 5 Other Broadway Shows Turned Into Movies
As remarkable and genuinely life-changing as a Broadway musical experience is, we unfortunately live in a time where it's not accessible to all people. It's not every person who can afford the luxury of spending the money when our economy is so questionable, but that doesn't mean that they need to miss out on some of the award-winning sensations that have theater nerds in a chokehold. Among those gems is Anaïs Mitchell's Hadestown (2026), inspired by the tragic story of Orpheus and Eurydice.
However, Hadestown isn't the only popular show to finally get a live recording that's more widely available for people, but a number of great productions can be seen on various streaming services like Disney+, Prime Video, and more. While it might not have the same effect as sitting in a theater, watching these shows in high quality is also a gift when we take into consideration just how many details we can see through the gripping performances.
Hadestown is among the greatest things to ever come to musical theater, and the fact that we now have a recorded version is everything I could've wanted and more. Featuring the original Broadway cast, Eva Noblezada and Reeve Carney are out of this world in the emotions they evoke. Anytime you think you're all cried out, they gut you even more with another stunning musical number that's brimming with raw emotions.
From the music to the costumes and the directorial approach in the live recording, every moment of Hadestown feels like a haunting ride that’ll continue to puncture long after the curtains come down. It’s unlike anything else we’ve had before, and even if you aren’t typically a fan of musicals, this is the one you need to make an exception for. And it’s especially true if you came out of The Odyssey (2026) with your heart in your throat thinking about the romance.
For the longest time, Hamilton tickets were impossible to get if you wanted to see the original Broadway cast. That's why when the live recording released on Disney+ during the COVID-19 pandemic, it felt like a tremendous accomplishment that would hopefully kickstart more official recordings like it. Who would've imagined that a musical about one of the founding fathers would turn into such a mainstream success?
People were obsessed with the soundtrack long before watching the production live in the comfort of their homes, so it ultimately does something revolutionary—in more ways than one—in how it allows musical theater to be more accessible to people who might not be theater fans in the same way others are. The full scale of the production is indescribable, the performances are rich with layers, and the more you watch it, the more things you'll notice, making it an amazing feast for the eyes. Lin-Manuel Miranda has done great things since, but truly, nothing will ever top the phenomenon of Hamilton.
Among the more recent releases, the Tony Award-winning revival of Merrily We Roll Along featuring Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff, and Lindsay Mendez is an emotional masterpiece and a gorgeous examination of friendships. The production's staggering intimacy of delivering the story backward is among its strengths, and how the film brings to life all its emotional beats is something there are very few words for.
There's something deeply resonating about how honest the story is and how it never really deconstructs the narrative for the audience but rather leaves us to sit with the characters and their story in a haunting manner. If you love character-driven stories with astonishing performances, look no further. The timeline's riveting approach adds depth and heart in an achingly relatable situation, making every minute of it an engaging story that's impossible to look away from.
There's some controversy surrounding Miss Saigon and its interpretations that feature racist and sexist undertones, but really, if you love Eva Noblezada in Hadestown, you can't miss her in this. Tears right off the bat, the way that she and Alistair Brammer bring to life Kim and Chris is breathtaking. The performances result in some of the most intimate acting to date, and the love story leaves the same kind of heartbreaking mark that Orpheus and Eurydice's tragic end does.
From upbeat tracks to slow ballads, it delivers a gorgeous portrait of love amid war and how two people can impact each other in a short amount of time. In addition, the way this stage production is shot is gorgeous to showcase just how brilliant a Broadway show can be from a visual standpoint.
It's a gift in and of itself to have Sara Bareilles' voice anytime we hear it, but to have the opportunity to see her version of Broadway's Waitress come to life is something indescribable entirely. With brilliant lyrics, a compelling plot, and remarkable directing, the stage production comes to life brilliantly, allowing every moment to grow even more rewarding with each viewing.
The thing about Broadway shows turned into live productions, or even movies, is that a large part of the appeal lies in seeing the production while you're in the audience. Because of this detail, some of the recordings don't hit as hard as the original, but like the others on this list, Waitress isn't one to be missed, with how it fires on all cylinders to deliver something truly special.
In a way, Newsies is the kind of story that, like Hadestown and Hamilton, continues to feel relevant even years after its making. As a story about a strike against publishing executives who take advantage of their role in higher power, the approach to telling an underdog story is everything we could need and more. No matter the period, it continues to feel relatable.
Not to be confused with the movie of the same name starring Christian Bale, but the live recorded version does a tremendous job where emotions and stakes are concerned. The live recording is a dazzling, hilariously remarkable number and perfect for all ages who'd like to experience the magic of a stage production with a stellar message about system injustices within. Plus, the music is catchy, and who doesn't want that?
