A Guide to Upcoming Movie Musicals- MERRILY WE ROLL ALONG, GUYS & DOLLS & More
Take a look below to learn more about your new favorite movie musical!
By: Josh Sharpe Mar. 14, 2025
Throughout the past several years, audiences have been treated to numerous high profile movie musicals including Mean Girls, The Color Purple, and, of course, Wicked. In fact, the popularity of the medium seems to be at an all-time high, with multiple musicals hitting theaters and streaming with gusto each passing year.
Though many are eagerly awaiting Wicked: For Good, the good news is that there are plenty of other upcoming movie musicals to get Broadway fans on their feet, some of which we will see before November. For those that are curious about such upcoming films, BroadwayWorld has put together a guide of all the movie musicals currently in development.
Many of the most anticipated movies are adaptations of beloved Broadway shows, such as Merrily We Roll Along and Guys and Dolls. However, there are also some hidden gems in this list, such as the forthcoming pop reimagining of Romeo and Juliet and Ann Lee, the original musical starring Amanda Seyfried.
The titles on this list range widely in their production status. Some movies are completely finished (Kiss of the Spider Woman) while others have yet to begin filming (Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat). The dated titles are presented in order of release, while the unscheduled can be found in alphabetical order.
As details for these and other upcoming musicals are confirmed, the list will be amended and updated. In the meantime, take a look below at all upcoming movie musicals!
Snow White
Release Date: March 21, 2025
Disney's Snow White, the live-action reimagining of the 1937 animated classic, stars Broadway alum Rachel Zegler in the title role with Gal Gadot as the Evil Queen. The movie musical journeys back to the timeless story with beloved characters Bashful, Doc, Dopey, Grumpy, Happy, Sleepy, and Sneezy.
In addition to Zegler and Gadot, the movie also stars Andrew Burnap, Tituss Burgess, Andrew Barth Feldman, Gorge Salazar, and Patrick Page. The movie features original songs from EGOT winners Benj Pasek and Justin Paul. The film is directed by Marc Webb and produced by Marc Platt and Jared LeBoff, with Callum McDougall serving as executive producer.
Juliet and Romeo
Release Date: May 9, 2025
Set in 1301 at the end of Medieval times, Juliet & Romeo (the first of a musical trilogy) is a twist on the Shakespeare tragic romance. Instead of the traditional poetry of Iambic Pentameter, the movie features original pop music to tell the story.
The film features Clara Rugaard and Jamie Ward in the title roles, alongside Rebel Wilson, Rupert Everett, Jason Isaacs, Dan Fogler, and Derek Jacobi. Written and directed by Timothy Scott Bogart and filmed entirely in Italy, the film brings a dynamic new perspective to the timeless tale. The world of the film is crafted by three-time Academy Award-winning Production Designer Dante Ferretti, with original music from GRAMMY Award-winning songwriter Evan Kidd Bogart, who co-created and oversaw the soundtrack. Learn more about the movie here.
Michael
Release Date: October 3, 2025
Michael is a musical biopic about the life and career of the King of Pop, Michael Jackson. The epic film will examine Jackson’s triumphs and tragedies — from his human side, to his public and private struggles, to the accusations and the 24/7 media microscope Jackson lived under, even at his artistic apex.
The film stars Michael Jackson's nephew, Jaafar Jackson in the role of his late uncle. The cast also includes Colman Domingo, Miles Teller, Nia Longer, Jessica Sula, Liv Symone, Kevin Shinick, KeiLyn Durrel Jones, and Kendrick Sampson. Larenz Tate and Kat Graham have been cast as Motown Records founder Berry Gordy and Diana Ross, respectively.
The all-star filmmaking team will also capture Michael’s undeniable creative genius, recreating his most memorable, iconic performances. As never before, audiences will experience an inside look at one of the most influential, trailblazing artists the world has ever known. The movie is directed by Antoine Fuqua from a script by John Logan.
Wicked: For Good
Release Date: November 21, 2025
Following the monumental success of Wicked: Part 1, the second half of the two-part adaptation brings to life Act 2 of the Broadway musical. The movie will pick up with the central characters after they both lean into their identities as the Wicked Witch of the West and Glinda the Good. It will also cover some events that take place in the original Wizard of Oz story with characters like Fiyero and Boq evolving into familiar faces from the familiar story.
Wicked: For Good features the returning cast of Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba, Ariana Grande as Glinda, Jonathan Bailey as Fiyero, Jeff Goldblum as The Wizard, Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible, Ethan Slater as Boq, and Marissa Bode as Nessarose. Jon M. Chu directed both parts of the musical adaptation. Learn more about the movie here.
Kiss of the Spider Woman
Release Date: Expected in 2025
Kiss of the Spider Woman is the film adaptation of the Tony-winning Broadway musical of the same name. The movie is written and directed by Bill Condon, whose other musical credits include Dreamgirls and Disney's live-action remake of Beauty and the Beast.
The story explores the complex relationship between two men caged together in a Latin American prison for very different reasons. Valentín, a political prisoner, shares a cell with Molina, a window dresser convicted of public indecency. The two form an unlikely bond as Molina recounts the plot of a Hollywood musical starring his favorite silver-screen diva, Ingrid Luna.
The musical has a book by Terrence McNally, with music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb. The cast includes Jennifer Lopez, Diego Luna, Tonatiuh, Bruno Bichir, Josefina Scaglione, and Aline Mayagoitia.
Ann Lee
Release Date: Expected in Late 2025
Ann Lee is an original musical based on the story of Mother Ann Lee, the founding leader of the Shaker Movement. During her rise during the eighteenth century, followers believed Lee to be a female representation of God and were known for their jaunty musical worship during religious services.
Amanda Seyfried stars as the titular character alongside a supporting cast that includes Thomasin McKenzie, Lewis Pullman, Christopher Abbott, Tim Blake Nelson, Stacy Martin, Matthew Beard, Scott Handy, Viola Prettejohn, David Cale, and Jamie Bogyo.
The movie is directed by Mona Fastvold, from a script he co-wrote with Brady Corbet. Daniel Blumberg, who just won an Academy Award for his score for The Brutalist, wrote original music for the film. An official release date has not been announced, but Seyfried confirmed that it is expected to debut in late 2025.
Moana
Release Date: July 10, 2026
Following the success of two animated Moana films, Disney is gearing up for the release of a live-action version of the story in 2026. Newcomer Catherine Laga‘aia is set to play the adventurous teenager who sails out on a daring mission to save her people.
The cast also includes Auckland, New Zealander John Tui as Moana’s no-nonsense father, Chief Tui; Samoan-New Zealand actress Frankie Adams portrays Moana’s playful and strong-willed mother, Sina; and Rena Owen, who hails from Bay of Islands, NZ, was cast as the revered Gramma Tala. Previously announced, Dwayne Johnson, who voiced larger-than-life demigod Maui in the 2016 animated version of the film, will reprise his role.
The movie is directed by Thomas Kail, who helmed Hamilton on Broadway and Disney+, as well as Grease Live. Lin-Manuel Miranda, who wrote the original songs, will also serve as producer. Auli‘i Cravalho, who voiced Moana in the 2016 film, will executive produce. Jared Bush (who wrote the animated film )and Dana Ledoux Miller have penned the script.
Oh, the Places You’ll Go
Release Date: March 17, 2028
Wicked's Jon M. Chu is tackling the world of animation with Oh, the Places You'll Go, an animated musical feature based on the popular Dr. Seuss book of the same name. EGOT songwriting team Pasek and Paul are writing original songs for the film, which will be distributed by Warner Bros.
Animation veteran Jill Culton, who previously worked at Pixar as a story artist on such films as Toy Story, Toy Story 2, and Monsters, Inc. is serving as co-director alongside Chu. The Seuss book will be adapted by Rob Lieber.
Chu has been attached to the film since late 2021, which is described as "a globetrotting animated musical following a young adventurer as they journey through the joys and heartaches, and the peaks and valleys of life."
Guys and Dolls
Release Date: TBA
In 2024, it was reported that a new movie adaptation of Guys and Dolls is in the works. Rob Marshall is set to direct the film, with Marshall and John DeLuca pairing up with John Requa & Glenn Ficarra to write the script. The film will be produced by John Goldwyn, Marc Toberoff and Marc Platt.
Guys and Dolls, featuring music and lyrics by Frank Loesser and book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, originally premiered on Broadway in 1950, winning 5 Tony Awards including Best Musical. The production was revived on Broadway in 1992 and 2009. The film version of Guys and Dolls was released in 1955 starring Marlon Brando as Sky Masterson and Frank Sinatra as Nathan Detroit.
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Release Date: TBA
In 2023, it was announced that Wicked director Jon M. Chu would direct a feature adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. In 2024, Chu gave an update on the movie saying "We’ll see how we go. I wait until we get the script right, and I’ll wait until it feels like an urgent need – that the world needs it right now."
Chu is set to direct the film for Amazon, with Wicked's Dana Fox and Daniel Goldfarb penning the screenplay adaptation. Lyricist TIm Rice has also revealed that he has been working with Webber on new songs for the film.
The musical was the first collaboration of composer Andrew Lloyd Webber (Jesus Christ Superstar, Phantom of the Opera, Cats) and lyricist Tim Rice (Jesus Christ Superstar, The Lion King) and blends pop, country and rock into an uplifting, technicolored story of biblical proportions.
Retelling the Biblical story of Joseph, his eleven brothers and the coat of many colors, this magical musical is full of unforgettable songs including Those Canaan Days, Any Dream Will Do and Close Every Door.
Merrily We Roll Along
Release Date: TBA
Richard Linklater is bringing Stephen Sondheim's Merrily We Roll Along to the screen in an ambitious film project which will be shot over the course of 20 years. The film adaptation was initially announced in 2019, two years before Sondheim's passing.
Paul Mescal, Ben Platt, and Beanie Feldstein have been cast as the main trio of "old friends" Franklin Shepard, Charley Kringas, and Mary Flynn, respectively. Hannah Cruz, recently seen on Broadway in Shaina Taub's Suffs, will play Gussie Carnegie in the film, with Mallory Bechtel expected to play Beth Spencer.
The story begins in 1976 with Frank, who, having once been a talented composer of Broadway musicals, has now abandoned his friends and his songwriting career to become a producer of Hollywood movies. The show's narrative presents the events of the trio's lives in reverse chronological order, ending in 1957. Sondheim wrote both the music and lyrics for the musical, which features a book by George Furth. The original production was directed by Harold Prince. The recent Broadway production, directed by Maria Friedman, starred Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lindsey Mendez. The production was a hit, receiving 7 Tony nominations, and winning 4.
On Your Feet
Release Date: TBA
On Your Feet, the Broadway musical about the lives of Gloria and Emilio Estefan, will be coming to the screen. In 2024, it was reported that a film adaptation of the musical is in the works from writer/director Lissette Feliciano. Sony Pictures will produce the film, which marks Feliciano's first major studio project as writer and director. Like the Broadway musical, the Estefans will be involved in the project, this time as producers.
On Your Feet! is the original musical based on the extraordinary life of 26-time GRAMMY Award-winning husband-and-wife team Gloria and Emilio Estefan. The show features a book by Academy Award and Golden Globe winner Alexander Dinelaris and a score made up of some of the most loved and iconic songs of the past quarter-century including "Rhythm is Gonna Get You," "Conga," "Get On Your Feet," "Don't Want To Lose You Now," "1-2-3" and "Coming Out of the Dark."
Tangled
Release Date: TBA
Michael Gracey, director of The Greatest Showman and 2024's Better Man, is in talks to direct a live-action remake of Disney's 2010 musical Tangled.
As of 2024, the latest version of the script had been penned by Jennifer Kaytin Robinson, writer of Thor: Love and Thunder, No specific information regarding casting or music has been announced, but it is expected to utilize the songs from Alan Menken and Glenn Slater.
Tangled, based on the classic story of Rapunzel, debuted in 2010 with the voices of Zachary Levi, Mandy Moore, and Donna Murphy. The movie follows Rapunzel, a lost young princess with magical long blonde hair who yearns to leave her secluded tower. She accepts the aid of an intruder to take her out into the world that she has never seen.
Bonus: Blue Moon
Release Date: Expected in 2025
Though it is not a musical, Blue Moon is a cinematic portrait of Broadway lyricist Lorenz Hart directed by Richard Linklater. The movie features a starry cast including Ethan Hawke as Hart and Andrew Scott as Richard Rodgers, along with Margaret Qualley and Bobby Cannavale. The film takes place at Sardi's Restaurant on March 31, 1943, the opening night for Rodgers and Hammerstein's Oklahoma! The story sees Hart confronting his shattered self-confidence as his former collaborator, Richard Rodgers, begins a successful new collaboration with Hammerstein. The movie made its world premiere earlier this year at the Berlin Film Festival.
Rodgers and Hart helmed such musicals as Babes in Arms and Pal Joey, in addition to the 1934 hit ballad "Blue Moon" from which the film gets its title. Rodgers and Hammerstein went on to create several hits themselves, with South Pacific, The King and I, and The Sound of Music among them.
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