“My Police officer,” Sophia Anne Caruso in “The School for Good & & Evil, “Idina Menzel in “Disenchanted,” “Heathers: The Musical,” “Hugh Jackman in “The Child,” Bette Midler and Sarah Jessica Parker in “Hocus Pocus 2,” Solea Pfieffer in “A Jazzman’s Blues,” Leslie Odom Jr. in “Glass Onion,” Jeremy Pope in “The Inspection,” Patti LuPone in “The School for Good & & Evil, “Emma Thompson in “Matilda,” Brendan Fraser in “The Whale.”
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(Illustration by Ryan Casey for Broadway.com)
While this fall has plenty of new Broadway productions, there is also a bevy of phase stars striking the big screen. From play and musical adjustments and shot stage productions to theater directors, playwrights and stars lending their talent to films, there’s something for theater fan in the fall film season. Keep reading for a guide to identifying your favorites in the new movies coming out this year.
September
A Jazzman’s Blues
How to Watch: Streaming on Netflix
Theater Connection: Solea Pfieffer, Joshua Boone and Austin Scott
Practically Famous star Solea Pfeiffer and Broadway alums Joshua Boone (Skeleton Crew) and Austin Scott (Lady From the North Country) star in Tyler Perry’s tale of forbidden love and household drama that deciphers 40 years of tricks and lies versus a soundtrack of blues music in the Deep South.
Heathers: The Musical
How to See: Streaming on Roku starting September 16
Theater Connection: Filmed on stage at London’s the Other Palace
Based upon the 1988 motion picture of the same name, Heathers: The Musical is directed for the stage by Andy Fickman and features choreography by Gary Lloyd with a book, music and lyrics by Kevin Murphy and Laurence O’Keefe. This filmed stage production stars Ailsa Davidson as Veronica Sawyer, Simon Gordon as Jason “J.D” Dean, Maddison Firth as Heather Chandler, Vivian Panka as Heather Duke and Teleri Hughes as Heather McNamara. It was filmed at London’s the Other Palace, where the musical is presently running.
Hocus Pocus 2
How to Watch: Streaming on Netflix beginning September 30
Theater Connection: Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, Kathy Najimy and Hannah Waddingham
The Sanderson sis return in the long-awaited sequel of the 1993 film. Tony winnner Bette Midler (Hello, Dolly!) and Broadway alums Sarah Jessica Parker (Plaza Suite) and Kathy Najimy (Dirty Blonde) reunite as the witches who are now plotting to take control of contemporary Salem. Three-time Olivier candidate Hannah Waddingham (Kiss Me, Kate) signs up with the cast as The Witch, a mysterious and ominous female.
October
Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile
How to Enjoy: In theaters beginning October 7
Theater Connection: Benj Pasek and Justin Paul
This live-action musical is based upon the bestselling book series by Bernard Waber and functions original tunes by Oscar, Grammy, Tony and Golden World Award-winning songwriting team Benj Pasek and Justin Paul (Dear Evan Hansen). Including Shawn Mendes as the voice of Lyle, the movie likewise stars Constance Wu, Javier Bardem, Brett Gelman, Scoot McNairy and Winslow Fegley. The movie is directed and produced by Will Speck and Josh Gordon with a screenplay by Will Davies.
The School for Good & & Evil
How to View: Streaming on Netflix starting October 19
Theater Connection: Sophia Anne Caruso, Patti LuPone, Kerry Washington and Laurence Fishburne
Based upon the very first book in the popular Soman Chainani book series, this fillm stars Broadway alums Kerry Washington (American Child) and Sophia Anne Caruso (Beetlejuice) in addition to Tony winners Patti LuPone (Company) and Laurence Fishburne (American Buffalo). Directed by Paul Feig with a movie script penned by David Magee and Feig, the film follows friends Sophie (Caruso) and Agatha (Wylie) as they discover a school where trainees are trained to end up being fairy tale heroes and villains.
My Cop
How to View: In theaters starting October 21, streaming on Amazon Prime Video starting November 4
Theater Connection: Michael Grandage, Emma Corrin, David Dawson and Rupert Everett
This movie adjustment of Bethan Roberts’ My Policeman is directed by Tony and Olivier winner Michael Grandage (Red) and includes London stage star Emma Corrin (Orlando), Broadway alum Rupert Everett (Blithe Spirit), Olivier candidate David Dawson (The Life and Experiences of Nicholas Nickleby) and pop star Harry Styles. The film, which is set in 1950s Brighton, follows Tom Citizen (Designs), a gay police officer, who marries school instructor Marion Taylor (Corrin) while remaining in a relationship with Patrick Hazlewood (Dawson), a museum curator.
November
Strange: The Al Yankovic Story
How to View: Streaming on Roku beginning November 4
Theater Connection: Daniel Radcliffe
Stage and screen star Daniel Radcliffe (Merrily We Roll Along) depicts Grammy-winning musician “Unusual Al” Yankovic in the bio-pic co-written by Yankovic and Eric Appel, who likewise directs.
Causeway
How to Enjoy: In theaters beginning November 4
Theater Connection: Lila Neugebauer, Brian Tyree Henry, Stephen McKinley Henderson, Linda Emond, Russell Harvard, Jayne Houdyshell, Will Pullen and Neal Huff
Theater director Lila Neugebauer helms this psychological drama that follows Lynsey (Jennifer Lawrence), a soldier who suffers a distressing brain injury while released in Afghanistan and has a hard time to adjust to life back house. A multitude of stage stars appear in the movie, consisting of Brian Tyree Henry (Lobby Hero), Tony nominee and upcoming Between Riverside and Crazy star Stephen McKinley Henderson, three-time Tony candidate Linda Emond (Cabaret), Russell Harvard (To Kill a Mockingbird), Tony winner and present The Music Guy member Jayne Houdyshell, Will Pullen (To Eliminate a Mockingbird) and Neal Huff (To Eliminate a Mockingbird).
The Son
How to Enjoy: In theaters starting November 11
Theater Connection: Based on Florian Zeller’s Le Fils
The Son is based on Florian Zeller’s 2018 play Le Fils and works as a follow-up to The Father, Zeller’s Oscar-winning screen adjustment of his Tony-nominated play of the same name. Starring The Music Male headliner and Tony winner Hugh Jackman, Olivier winner Anthony Hopkins and Laura Dern, the movie tells the story of Peter (Jackman) as his busy life with his brand-new partner and their child is thrown into chaos when his ex-wife Kate (Dern) turns up with their teenage kid, Nicholas. The play had a sold-out perform at London’s Kiln Theatre, followed by a West End transfer in 2019.
The Assessment
How to See: In theaters beginning November 18
Theater Connection: Jeremy Pope
Two-time Tony candidate Jeremy Pope, who will appear on stage this season as Jean-Michel Basquiat in Anthony McCarten’s The Cooperation, stars in this drama about the closeted Ellis French who gets in the Marine Corps.
Disenchanted
How to Watch: Streaming on Disney+ starting November 24
Theater Connection: Idina Menzel, Stephen Schwartz and Alan Menken
A sequel to the 2007 film Captivated, this brand-new film musical sees the return of Tony winner Idina Menzel (Wicked), Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey and James Marsden with Gabriella Baldacchino, Maya Rudolph, Yvette Nicole Brown, Jayma Mays, Oscar Nunez and Griffin Newman joining the cast. Acclaimed songwriters Stephen Schwartz (Wicked) and Alan Menken (Aladdin) also reunited to write brand-new tunes for the project.
December
Matilda
How to See: Streaming on Netflix beginning December 9
Theater Connection: Based on the acclaimed musical
Based on the 2013 musical by Tim Minchin and Dennis Kelly and adapted from Roald Dahl’s children’s novel, Matilda is the story of a little girl who imagines a much better life. Alisha Weir plays the title role together with Emma Thompson as Miss Trunchbull and Lashana Lynch as Miss Honey. Tony winner Matthew Warchus, who garnered among his 7 Tony nominations for directing Matilda on Broadway, helms the adaptation. Initial scribe Kelly and songwriter Minchin are likewise part of the creative team.
The Whale
How to Enjoy: In theaters beginning December 9
Theater Connection: Based Upon Samuel D. Hunter’s The Whale
This mental drama is based on Samuel D. Hunter’s Drama Desk and Lucille Lortel Award-winning play of the very same name. The movie stars Broadway alums Brendan Fraser (Elling) and Sadie Sink (Annie) and informs the story of 600-pound middle-aged Charlie (Fraser) as he attempts to reconnect with his 17-year-old daughter (Sink).
Glass Onion: A Knives Out Mystery
How to Enjoy: Streaming on Netflix starting December 23
Theater Connection: Daniel Craig, Leslie Odom Jr., Ethan Hawke and Kathryn Hahn
Recent Macbeth star Daniel Craig returns as Detective Benoit Blanc in this follow up to the 2019 mystery. Tony winner Leslie Odom Jr. (Hamilton), Tony candidate Ethan Hawke (True West) and Broadway alum Kathryn Hahn (Boeing, Boeing) and more star in the murder secret.