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William Shakespeare: books in order and screen adaptations

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William Shakespeare has 22 books adapted into 71 TV shows and movies.

About William Shakespeare's books on screen

William Shakespeare has 22 works on record that have been adapted for the screen, published from 1590 to 1623 (including play). Together they have become 2 TV series and 69 movies. The first adaptation was Hamlet (1900), and the most recent released one is Hamlet (2025). The most adapted is Romeo and Juliet, with 12 screen versions.

William Shakespeare books with adaptations, in publication order

  1. Romeo and Juliet (1590) · adapted as The Lion King II: Simba's Pride (1998), Romeo + Juliet (1996), Romeo and Juliet (1968), Gnomeo & Juliet (2011) and 8 more
  2. Titus Andronicus (1592) · adapted as Titus (1999)
  3. Richard III (1593) · adapted as Richard III (1955), Richard III (1995), Looking for Richard (1996), No Beast. So Fierce (2025)
  4. Richard II (1595) · adapted as Chimes at Midnight (1965)
  5. Henry IV, Part 1 (1597) · adapted as My Own Private Idaho (1991), The King (2019), Chimes at Midnight (1965)
  6. Henry IV, Part 2 (1598) · adapted as My Own Private Idaho (1991), The King (2019), Chimes at Midnight (1965)
  7. Julius Caesar (1599) · adapted as Caesar Must Die (2012)
  8. Henry V (1599) · adapted as My Own Private Idaho (1991), The King (2019), Henry V (1944), Henry V (1989) and 1 more
  9. A Midsummer Night's Dream (1600) · adapted as A Midsummer Night's Dream (1935), A Midsummer Night's Dream (1999)
  10. The Merchant of Venice (1600) · adapted as The Merchant of Venice (2004)
  11. Much Ado About Nothing (1600) · adapted as Anyone but You (2023), Much Ado About Nothing (1993), Much Ado About Nothing (1973)
  12. Hamlet (1602) · adapted as Hamlet (1948), Hamlet (1990), Hamlet (1996), Hamlet (1964) and 6 more
  13. King Lear (1608) · adapted as Ran (1985), King Lear (1970), King Lear (1910), King Lear (1987) and 1 more
  14. Othello (1622) · adapted as Othello (1951), Omkara (2006), Othello (1956), Othello (1995) and 1 more
  15. Macbeth (1623) · adapted as Throne of Blood (1957), Macbeth (2015), The Tragedy of Macbeth (2021), Macbeth (1948) and 3 more
  16. The Tempest (1623) · adapted as Forbidden Planet (1956), The Tempest (2010), Prospero's Books (1991)
  17. Twelfth Night (1623) · adapted as She's the Man (2006), Twelfth Night (1996), Twelfth Night (1955)
  18. Antony and Cleopatra (1623) · adapted as Antony and Cleopatra (1908), Antony and Cleopatra (1913), Antony and Cleopatra (1972)
  19. The Taming of the Shrew (1623) · adapted as 10 Things I Hate About You (1999), The Taming of the Shrew (1967), The Taming of the Shrew (1908), The Taming of the Shrew (1929)
  20. Coriolanus (1623) · adapted as Coriolanus (2011)
  21. Cymbeline (1623) · adapted as Cymbeline (2014)
  22. Henry IV · adapted as Chimes at Midnight (1965)

TV shows and movies based on William Shakespeare's books

Common questions

How many William Shakespeare books have been made into movies or TV shows?

22 books have been adapted into 71 TV shows and movies.

What was the first William Shakespeare adaptation?

Hamlet, released in 1900, a movie based on Hamlet.

Is a new William Shakespeare adaptation coming?

No new adaptation date is on record yet; the latest released one is Hamlet.

Which William Shakespeare book has the most adaptations?

Romeo and Juliet, with 12 TV and movie versions.