3 Movies that were Based on Shakespeare's Idea.

The classic works of Shakespeare have been adapted to the screen since the early days of cinema, ranging from authentic retellings to nearly unrecognizable interpretations to versions that stay true to the source with innovative modernizations. Joss Whedon's "Much Ado About Nothing," which hits theaters on June 7, is something of the latter -- a contemporary update of the Bard's comedy starring a cast from commercial television, yet with the original Shakespearean dialogue intact.


While Whedon's "Much Ado" is clearly a Shakespeare adaptation, there are plenty of movies that we may not have known were based on the writer's classic plays. From Disney favorites to rom-coms to award winners, Shakespeare has inspired nearly every genre with stories that have given way to a variety of interpretations.

Think you know a Shakespeare story when it's revamped for the screen? Take a look at the movies that have been teaching you classic literature all along.

1. 'Romeo Must Die' (2000).

Shakespeare is quite popular among musical artists breaking into the film world. In"Romeo Must Die," R&B singer Aaliyah made her acting debut as Trish, a modern Juliet and daughter of an Oakland gang leader. When Jet Li's Han (a.k.a. Romeo) falls for Tris,h their love becomes hindered by war between race and crime.

2. 'The Bad Sleep Well' (1960).

Shakespeare inspired the great Japanese filmmaker Akira Kurosawa more than once. Through the lens of "Hamlet," "The Bad Sleep Well" critiques the corporate corruption of 1960's Japan, replacing the usurping of the throne with that of climbing the corporate hierarchy. Toshirô Mifune ("Seven Samurai") plays the modern Japanese Hamlet, determined to seek revenge on the man who manipulated his father into suicide.

   3. 'The Lion King' (1994). 

Kids were exposed to the Bard long before they entered        high school. The not-so-original Disney "The Lion King" is really just Shakespeare's "Hamlet" in the animal kingdom. Just think about it: Simba's Uncle Scar kills Mufasa to become King, then a grown-up Simba seeks vengeance on Scar, after seeing a vision of his father's ghost, of course. And don't forget the comical Rosencrantz and Guildenstern-esque Timon and Pumbaa, who even star in "The Lion King 1 1/2," which can be seen as a loose adaptation of Tom Stoppard's "Hamlet" spin-off "Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead."