Mark Twain once said "there's no such thing as an original idea." It's a concept that is never more true than in the realm of storytelling. Some of our most beloved and long-cherished tales are simply stories that have been told and then retold again.
That said, it still surprises some to know that their favourite films or TV shows are actually appropriations of classic literature. In fact some of the most well known, and most universally loved cinema moments are in fact just modernised versions of timeless stories. From Clueless to the Lion King, here are 16 pieces of film and cinema you might not have known were based on classic literature.
1. Pretty Woman
Based on: George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion
2. 10 Things I Hate About You
Based on: Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew
3. Clueless
Based on: Jane Austen's Emma
4. O
Based on: Shakespeare's Othello
5. She's The Man
Based on: Shakespeare's Twelfth Night
6. Bridget Jones's Diary
Based on: Jane Austen's Pride & Prejudice
7. The Lion King
Based on: Shakespeare's Hamlet
8. Cruel Intentions
Based on: Pierre Choderlos de Laclos' Les Liaisons Dangereuses
9. Anyone But You
Based on: Shakespeare's Much Ado About Nothing
10. Warm Bodies
Based on: Shakespeare's Romeo & Juliet
11. Revenge
Based on: The Count of Monte Cristo
12. She's All That
Based on: George Bernard Shaw's Pygmalion
13. Blade Runner
Based on: Philip K. Dick's Do Androids Dream of Electric Sheep
14. My Own Private Idaho
Based on: Shakespeare’s Henry IV
15. AI: Artificial Intelligence
Based on: Carlo Collodi's Pinocchio
16. John Tucker Must Die
Based on: Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor
If you're looking for more cinema inspiration and picks to watch, you might like our films like Babygirl list or our guide to movies like Conclave. Or if you're in the mood to hunt down some cult classic cinema, try films like Saltburn. Happy watching.
