Book tickets to West End shows based on films

Instead of “lights, camera, action”, it’s now “curtain up” for these film musicals.

Think of your favourite film and it’s probably inspired a musical production: School of Rock, Titanic and Billy Elliot to name a few. In recent years, films have often enjoyed a second life on stage, with movie storylines attracting large, global audiences.

From Golden Age movies to recent family favourites, there are lots of West End shows based on films that you can see in London right now. Instead of “lights, camera, action”, it’s now “curtain up” for these film musicals.

Book tickets to West End musicals based on films now.

Back to the Future: The Musical

Time travel in the DeLorean with Marty McFly as Back to the Future parks up in the West End. Based on the cult sci-fi film, Marty and experimental scientist Dr. Emmett Brown are sent back in time to 1955. They’ve got to make sure Marty’s parents get together in order to be in the present day again. The Back to the Future musical includes hits from the film, so find “The Power of Love” and get your flux capacitor at the ready. Find out more about Back to the Future: The Musical in London.

Book Back to the Future: The Musical tickets on London Theatre.

The Lion King

The Lion King is both one of Disney’s highest-grossing films and one of the most successful stage adaptations in history. Simba, King of the Pride Lands, continues to roar loudly at the Lyceum Theatre, where he’s done so over two decades. Elton John brought his musical touch to the production too, creating the music for the show with iconic songs including “Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight”. Find out more about The Lion King in London.

Book The Lion King tickets on London Theatre.

Moulin Rouge! The Musical

Baz Luhrmann's 2001 Moulin Rouge! film comes alive in the West End. Meet the lovestruck couple, American writer, Christian, and the club’s singing sensation, Satine, as they try to defeat the odds to stay together. Moulin Rouge! The Musical is packed with romance, heart, and plenty of pop songs to boot. There's over 70 songs in Moulin Rouge! on stage.

Book Moulin Rouge! The Musical tickets on London Theatre.

Matilda the Musical

Roald Dahl's staple children's story was adapted for film in 1996, starring Mara Wilson as a plucky Matilda Wormwood. Now you can see Matilda and the Crunchem Hall kids on stage. Matilda follows the title schoolgirl who possesses telekinetic powers try to defeat her Goliath — Miss Trunchbull. The Olivier-winning musical continues at the Cambridge Theatre. See the Matilda musical before the Matilda musical film comes out in 2022.

Book Matilda the Musical tickets on London Theatre.

Sunset Boulevard

Before the famed street in Los Angeles lent its name to a musical, it titled a 1950 Billy Wilder film. In a mansion on that street, former Hollywood A-lister Norma Desmond is struggling to accept her star is fading — and when she meets young screenwriter Joe, she sees him as her ticket back to fame. He, likewise, sees her as his hope for a big break, and the two begin a relationship that threatens to destroy them both.

Andrew Lloyd Webber, Don Black, and Christopher Hampton first set the story to music in 1993, and the award-winning show returns to the West End in September 2023 with Jamie Lloyd as director and Nicole Scherzinger as Norma.

Book Sunset Boulevard tickets on London Theatre.