Happy Tuesday, dear readers! Each week, we’ll rank the top 10 films in a specific category. While we aim to tie these lists to big releases, that won’t always be the case. Our goal? For you to enjoy, share your own lists, and join in on a lively, friendly debate. This is an interactive space to build community here at The Contending.
No fancy intros, no long essays – just a category and a list. Sound good?
This Sunday, June 8, the 78th Annual Tony Awards will celebrate the best of Broadway from the 2024–2025 season. In anticipation, we’re spotlighting ten of the greatest films ever adapted from the stage. Over the 97-year history of the Academy Awards, 13 stage-to-screen adaptations have won Best Picture (excluding An American in Paris and Moonlight, which are primarily original works). Additionally, 23 actors have earned Oscars for reprising stage roles in film – most recently Ariana DeBose in 2021 for West Side Story.
So, as we raise the curtain on Tony weekend, here are the ten most showstopping stage-to-screen adaptations that earned a second act on the silver screen.
10. The Odd Couple (1968)
9. My Fair Lady (1964)
8. Glengarry Glen Ross (1992)
7. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (1966)
6. The Philadelphia Story (1940)
5. 12 Angry Men (1957)
4. A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
3. West Side Story (1961)
2. The Sound of Music (1965)
1. Amadeus (1984)
What do you agree/disagree with? What is the greatest stage-to-screen adaptation?
![‘Pirates! The Penzance Musical’ Breakout Star Nicholas Barasch Discusses Performing On The Tonys With Seven Stitches On His Face [VIDEO]](https://thecontending.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/06/Pirates0011r-120x86.jpg)
https://preview.redd.it/seth-on-the-origin-of-it-insists-upon-itself-v0-fi17lcdqbfee1.png?width=320&crop=smart&auto=webp&s=de482e2cd8ea9ecd13996ccfef4518a74318b2aa
It's very tough to translate musicals to the screen.
Somehow you forgot to mention the one that redefined the musical that was adapted and managed to win 8 Oscars and is also one of the most important movies any of us political observers need to revisit as it's more relevant than it was 53 years ago.
Fosse's Cabaret.
Huge miss. Top five. Infinitely better than Sound of Music.
that’s the problem with these lists! It’s so easy to overlook the obvious.
Wasn't overlooked. I have never been a fan of Cabaret.
i am not going to pull any punches – this list is AWFUL!
I know this is a weekly list but this does not feel like a list from a person who knows and loves theatre but just sticks within a film lane and does not challenge themselves
There is not even a queer show on this list … during pride month come on