Depraved, the extremely anticipated musical fantasy that dives into the tales of witches from Stephen Schwartz and Winnie Holzman’s stage musical of the identical title, has solid its spell on audiences worldwide. The film is breaking field workplace information and incomes huge reward from critics for its beautiful visuals, dazzling manufacturing values, highly effective performances, and loyalty to the supply materials.
Directed by Jon M. Chu, this primary installment of a two-part adaptation stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande within the roles of Elphaba and Glinda, who type an unlikely friendship with one another alongside their paths of changing into the Depraved Witch of the West and Glinda the Good respectively. With a 90% constructive ranking on Rotten Tomatoes and a projected international debut of $165 million, Depraved is poised to develop into a vacation hit.
On the coronary heart of Depraved lies a narrative of friendship, self-discovery, and the facility of alternative. As a recent reimagining, it takes its time to dive into the complexities of each Elphaba and Glinda, two ladies with vastly totally different views and backgrounds, and permits the viewers to attach with them. For many who’ve already watched Depraved and are eagerly awaiting the discharge of Depraved: Half Two (slated for November 21, 2025), we’ve got curated a listing of musicals that seize the identical sense of magic and surprise to indulge within the meantime.
10 ‘West Aspect Story’ (1961)
Directed by Robert Clever and Jerome Robbins, West Aspect Story is a timeless musical that retells Shakespeare’s play, Romeo and Juliet, by setting it up in Nineteen Fifties New York Metropolis, the place two rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, have interaction in a relentless battle for territorial dominance. Amidst the chaos, Tony, a former member of the Jets, and Maria, the youthful sister of the Sharks’ chief, fall hopelessly in love, which units the stage for a contemporary tragedy and results in a heart-wrenching climax.
A Timeless Story of Forbidden Love
West Aspect Story’s enduring recognition lies in its means to mix the grandeur of musical theater with the gritty realism of city drama and themes of social unrest and human wrestle for acceptance. On the floor, the film might appear to be a story of star-crossed lovers, however the intense feelings, complicated characters, and social commentary are what made it so groundbreaking and memorable, which followers of Depraved will discover pleasing. Additionally, West Aspect Story made historical past because the file holder for probably the most wins for a musical by taking dwelling 10 Academy Awards.
9 ‘A Fairy Story After All’ (2022)
Going down in a world the place fairy tales are extra than simply tales, A Fairy Story After All tells the story of a teenage woman named Sky, who attends a puppet present at her college and finds herself transported to a magical kingdom stuffed with unusual characters. She even embarks on a whimsical journey to rescue her father, the King, from the evil Madame Mizrabel, and ultimately discover her means again dwelling.
A Fusion of Fairy Story and Music
A Fairy Story After All seamlessly makes use of live-action and CGI to create a visually beautiful film for audiences. It’s additionally acquired a relatable journey of development, self-acceptance, discovering one’s internal power, and understanding the that means of friendship. Written and directed by Erik Peter Carlson, the film has a promising narrative and a pleasant musical rating, which provides to its enchanting environment.
8 ‘Into the Woods’ (2014)
- Launch Date
- December 24, 2014
- Runtime
- 124
A fascinating adaptation of the Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine Broadway musical of the identical title, Into the Woods places a contemporary twist on traditional fairy tales by intertwining the tales of Cinderella, Little Purple Driving Hood, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel, as all of them search to meet their needs. The film itself begins with a baker and his spouse desirous to have a toddler however embarking on a quest to raise a witch’s curse of childlessness from upon them.
Traditional Fairy Tales with a Darkish Twist
Very like Depraved, Into the Woods brings collectively magical parts and conventional fairy tales and infuses them with mature themes about how complicated human nature is and the results that include one’s personal actions. The film is directed by Rob Marshall, who makes use of his masterful hand to showcase his versatility and mines the most effective performances from the expertise ensemble, which incorporates James Corden, Emily Blunt, Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, and extra.
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7 ‘Cinderella’ (2021)
Cinderella’s story is one which’s been advised quite a few instances, and this 2021 film by Kay Cannon is a contemporary musical reimagining of the identical beloved story. It stars Camila Cabello as Ella, an bold younger lady who desires of beginning her personal trend enterprise. Regardless of her humble circumstances and the various obstacles positioned in her path, Ella will get assist from her Fabulous Godmother, attends the royal ball, captures the prince’s coronary heart, and finds the braveness to forge her personal path.
Traditional Story Will get Modern Remedy
Cinderella was the most-watched musical movie of 2021 and far of its attraction lies within the upbeat tone, breezy narrative, and Cabella’s innate knack for comedy. She takes the unique story and offers it an empowered and entrepreneurial perspective. Along with its modern themes, the film has catchy and vibrant musical numbers, that includes a mixture of authentic songs and pop covers that make it an fascinating look ahead to followers who liked Depraved.
6 ‘The Wiz’ (1978)
Though it tells the identical story as movies that got here earlier than, The Wiz stands out as a result of it reimagines the traditional youngsters’s novel, The Fantastic Wizard of Oz, with a particular African-American cultural perspective. Set in an city fantasy model of New York Metropolis, it facilities round Dorothy, a shy, 24-year-old kindergarten trainer, who’s whisked away from her dwelling to the magical land of Ozafter a snowstorm. There, she’s accompanied by a ragtag group of mates – the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion – as she tries to seek out her means dwelling.
A Celebration of Cultural Identification
The Wiz not solely captures the infectious power of the unique but in addition celebrates the richness, tradition, and the African-American expertise. Like Depraved, it focuses on revising an iconic story with a recent perspective. Regardless of being with an assured hand by Sidney Lumet and boasting an all-star solid, together with the legendary Diana Ross and Michael Jackson, the film was a essential and business failure again within the day and solely discovered a loyal cult following years later.
5 ‘State Truthful’ (1945)
A licensed traditional, Walter Lang’s State Truthful follows the Frake household as they embark on an annual pilgrimage to the Iowa State Truthful, the place every member of the household hopes to seek out journey, development, and maybe a contact of romance. Margie, the melancholic daughter, falls for a charismatic reporter from town, Wayne, the son, is interested in a glamorous singer, and their mother and father, Abel and Melissa, attempt to win blue ribbons of their respective competitions.
A Charming Story of Small-City Life
It is not visually or thematically much like Depraved, however State Truthful captures the heat and nostalgia of small-town America and is all a couple of household confronting their hopes and desires to ultimately study extra about themselves and the significance of connection and togetherness. What’s a spotlight, although, is the memorable songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein, equivalent to “It May as Nicely Be Spring” and “It is a Grand Night time for Singing,” that add to its feel-good, escapist environment.
4 ‘Wonka’ (2023)
- Launch Date
- December 15, 2023
- Director
- Paul King
A stunning and kooky prequel to the fan-favorite story of Willy Wonka, this 2023 film focuses on the early adventures of the character earlier than he opened his well-known chocolate manufacturing facility. We see Timothée Chalamet within the position of a younger and bold Wonka as he arrives on the Galéries Connoisseur and units out on a quest of innovation and creativity and has encounters with eccentric encounters alongside the way in which.
Imaginative and Humorous Prequel
We all the time love a superb origin story, and what Wonka does greatest is that it affords a recent, detailed, adventurous, and plausible perspective on Willy Wonka’s journey from his youth to his institution because the world’s best chocolatier. The film, very like Depraved, delves into the complicated backstories of the characters, provides layers to their personalities, and naturally, options a number of musical numbers and breathtaking set designs to maintain you in awe.
3 ‘Mary Poppins’ (1964)
- Launch Date
- August 27, 1964
- Runtime
- 140
Directed by Robert Stevenson and primarily based on P. L. Travers’ collection of books of the identical title, Mary Poppins takes you to the center of London and introduces you to the Banks household, which is in disarray due to the distracted mother and father and mischievous youngsters. However with the arrival of Mary Poppins, an angelic nanny who takes care of their youngsters with a contact of magic and a complete lot of affection, the Banks family transforms utterly.
Whimsical and Charming and Heartfelt
Within the historical past of cinema, some distinguished classics are chargeable for restoring our collective sense of surprise, and Mary Poppins is one among them. The film, which has enchanted audiences for generations, blends live-action and animation in a flawless, imaginative, and emotionally resonant means. It brings to life a magical and musical world not too totally different from that of Depraved and is helmed by an iconic efficiency from Julie Andrews, who additionally received the Academy Award for Greatest Actress for the position.
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2 ‘Enchanted’ (2007)
- Launch Date
- November 21, 2007
- Runtime
- 107 minutes
Performing as each a homage to and a self-parody of Disney’s princess tales and animated options, Enchanted follows the gorgeous Princess Giselle as she is unexpectedly solid from her animated kingdom of Andalasia to the gritty, live-action streets of modern-day New York Metropolis. Shocked by her sudden displacement and stranded in a world devoid of magic, Giselle depends on her optimistic outlook and finds an unlikely ally in Robert, a divorce lawyer, and his daughter Morgan, who assist her adapt to the methods of this unusual new world.
Blends Fairy Story with Metropolis Life
Directed by Kevin Lima, Enchanted is maybe probably the most intelligent subversions of fairy tales. It’s a pleasant fusion of fantasy and actuality however it’s additionally very emotionally intense and imaginative in regards to the character arcs, which makes it a must-watch for followers of Depraved. Amy Adams delivers a pleasant efficiency and the versatile Patrick Dempsey is simply as wonderful. Total, the humor, journey, magic, and songs of Enchanted supply an unimaginable expertise.
1 ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939)
- Launch Date
- August 25, 1939
- Forged
- Margaret Hamilton , Jack Haley , Judy Garland , Bert Lahr , Ray Bolger
- Runtime
- 102 minutes
The final on the record however an apparent companion piece to Depraved, The Wizard of Oz follows Dorothy Gale and her loyal canine Toto as they get swept away by a twister and get transported from their Kansas dwelling to the enchanting land of Oz. Their extraordinary journey of in search of one thing from a mysterious Wizard, who holds the important thing to Dorothy’s return dwelling, is stuffed with colourful encounters with magical adventures and dealing with a Depraved Witch alongside the way in which.
An Iconic Musical About Self-Discovery
A real cinematic masterpiece, The Wizard of Oz has captured the hearts of hundreds of thousands with its story of fantasy, journey, music, and the wrestle to seek out somebody’s means dwelling and uncover themselves within the course of. Each Depraved and The Wizard of Oz peel again the curtain on the land of Oz, and whereas the views and narrative parts are totally different, the essence and magic of the place is deeply resonant. That mentioned, the 1939 traditional by Victor Fleming has impressed numerous diversifications over the many years and has acted as an origin story for a few of the most beloved characters of the Depraved universe.