These days, everything is being rebooted, including fantasy properties and superhero flicks! Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet has been the subject of numerous adaptations over the years. The love tragedy that is most well-known and respected in dramatic history is undoubtedly this one. The plot of a boy and girl from opposing families who fall in love and are tragically ripped apart by the rules of their families has served as the model for numerous romance novels that have been written throughout the years.
Shakespeare’s well-known tale of star-crossed lovers has, in fact, been retold in theatre, television, and film for a long time. Shakespeare’s original plot was closely followed by some filmmakers, while others modified the play’s central theme to reflect modern culture. Here are a some of the top adaptations of the epic literature by the Bard, ranked.
Die in a Gunfight (2021)
In the film Die in a Gunfight, the Rathcarts and the Gibbons are the modern-day Montagues and Capulets, two feuding families that each own a major media empire in New York City. Teenage children Ben and Mary (Diego Boneta and Alexandra Daddario) decide to ignore the tension and fall in love despite their parents’ efforts to keep them apart. Hitmen, corporate corruption, love, passion, and feelings of vengeance all reach a peak at the wedding in this fast-paced, action-packed love story.
Gnomeo & Juliet (2011)
Director Kelly Asbury turns the well-known Romeo and Juliet story into an animated story that the whole family can appreciate. In Shakespeare’s adaptation of Gnomeo & Juliet, garden gnomes are utilised. A garden barrier separates the warring blue and red gnomes. Garden gnomes Gnomeo (James McAvoy), on the blue side of the fence, and Juliet (Emily Blunt), on the red side of the fence, encounter much of the same difficulties as their fictional namesakes when they become involved in a disagreement between neighbours. Despite everything, they keep falling in love with one another. Can their relationship withstand the laughter of a lawnmower racing and a pink plastic flamingo war?
Romeo + Juliet (1996)
One of the most well-known adaptations of Romeo and Juliet is Romeo + Juliet by Baz Luhrmann. In this intricate production, the post-modern setting is mixed with the traditional Shakespearean language. Romeo and Juliet’s families are rival gangs that fight one another with guns rather than swords. The movie heavily relies on fashion to distinguish between the two gangs. The Montagues dress more casually with their flowing dress shirts and styled hair, while the Capulets look more tough with their leather leggings and gun holsters. Romeo + Juliet’s all-star cast, which includes John Leguizamo as Tybalt and Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes as Romeo and Juliet, respectively, turns up remarkable performances.
Romeo & Juliet (2013)
Under the watchful eye of the Prince, the Montagues and the Capulets coexist in Carlo Carlei’s modernised theatrical production of Romeo & Juliet. However, the hostility between the families puts everyone in danger, especially the children. The young men of both houses are hot-blooded and ready to fight at the least provocation, despite the Prince’s prohibition on such conflicts. When young Romeo (Douglas Booth), a Montague, first sees Juliet (Hailee Steinfeld), the virginal Capulet daughter, there is nothing in his family that can stop him from falling in love. This dangerous affair leaves everyone feeling both happy and sad. Award-winning author Julian Fellowes, best known for his masterpiece Downtown Abbey, wrote the screenplay for the movie.
Romeo and Juliet (1986)
One of the original adaptations is thought to be Franco Zeffirelli’s Romeo and Juliet. The film tells the traditional tale while remaining remarkably loyal to the source. Shakespeare’s classic story of young love comes to light as the Montagues and Capulets, two powerful clans in the historic city of Verona, are torn apart by a bloody civil war. Romeo Montague (Leonard Whiting), a stunning young man, musters the guts to show up unannounced at the Capulets’ captivating masquerade party after having a brief but exciting meeting with sensitive, dark-haired Juliet Capulet (Olivia Hussey).
Romeo and Juliet is currently caught up in their own tragedy. The primary actors, who were still in their teens when the film aired, have reportedly filed a lawsuit against the studio over a naked bedroom scene that they claim was recorded without their knowledge or consent.
Romeo and Juliet: Beyond Words (2019)
Francesca Hayward plays Juliet in Michael Nunn’s ballet rendition of the well-known Shakespeare drama Romeo and Juliet: Beyond Words, while William Bracewell plays Romeo. Due to their shared ancestry with the Capulet and Montague dynasties, Romeo and Juliet should be mortal enemies; yet, they fall deeply in love and secretly wed. This is the first in a chain of events that lead to catastrophe. The same story is told in an original way that has never been done before, using understandable language.
Rosaline (2022)
The Romeo and Juliet story is turned on its head in the Hulu Rosaline movie, which is based on Rebecca Serle’s book When You Were Mine. The story is told from the perspective of Rosaline, played by Kaitlyn Dever, who is Juliet’s cousin and Romeo’s most recent ex-girlfriend. Rosaline (Kyle Allen), a clever but idealistic character, devises schemes to derail the well-known romance and win back her boyfriend after she is upset by Romeo’s (Kyle Allen) decision to leave her after they met Juliet (Isabela Merced). Until Juliet, Roseline is Romeo’s entire universe, and we all know what happens when those two cross paths, according to movie director Karen Maine to People Magazine.
Shakespeare in Love (1998)
Shakespeare in Love shows the author’s struggle to write his next play. Viola, the daughter of a wealthy businessman, serves as the model for his tragicomedy Romeo and Juliet. Shakespeare is portrayed by Joseph Fiennes, Viola by Gwyneth Paltrow, and Queen Elizabeth is portrayed by Judi Dench in a small but Oscar-winning role in the movie. Shakespeare in Love won seven Oscars out of its 13 nominations, including Best Picture and Best Actress.
