In the world of cinema, the practice of stories taking multiple forms across different mediums is nothing new. Musicals have always had a special place in the hearts of audiences, with their catchy tunes and vibrant storytelling capable of transforming a good tale into an unforgettable experience. Some musicals stretch their appeal even further by being based on movies that were not originally musicals, creating a layered entertainment experience that goes from screen to stage and back again.

One stellar example is “Hairspray,” which debuted as a 1988 film by John Waters. The movie was later adapted into a Broadway musical in 2002, which in turn led to a blockbuster musical film in 2007. It’s a bright and energetic story that tackles issues of segregation and body image, wrapped up in the infectious music and dance numbers of the 1960s.

Another iconic representation of this trend is “The Producers,” originally a 1967 film by comedy legend Mel Brooks. It was turned into a Broadway hit in 2001, with music and lyrics by Brooks himself, then came full circle as a musical film adaptation in 2005. Both the play and the newer movie featured Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick as the leads, ensuring continuity and familiarity for fans across both mediums.

“Little Shop of Horrors” also eats its way onto this list. Starting as a 1960 black comedy film, it found new life as an off-Broadway musical in 1982. This darkly humorous story about a man-eating plant then returned to the silver screen with its catchy doo-wop and rock-inflected tunes in the beloved 1986 version starring Rick Moranis.

More recently, we have “Into the Woods,” which combines several Brothers Grimm fairy tales into one interconnected story. The Stephen Sondheim musical hit Broadway in 1987 but was originally based on non-musical films that featured individual fairy tales like “Cinderella” or “Little Red Riding Hood.” The concept came full circle with Disney’s film adaptation in 2014 that brought together an all-star cast including Meryl Streep and Johnny Depp.

By diving into these examples where non-musical films birthed stage musicals which then inspired cinematic adaptions, we witness a fascinating interplay between the different art forms. It demonstrates how stories can evolve through varying approaches to storytelling—through dialogue, song, or dance—each time offering audiences a fresh take on familiar narratives.

These reiterations prove that good stories are timeless and adaptable across numerous artistic expressions. They show that whether it’s spoken word or sung melodies, plot narratives or choreographed numbers; there’s always a creative avenue to reimagine great tales for new generations of audiences to come.