15 Netflix Titles to Binge for Theater Fans

Last August, we wrote about the 9 musicals that you can binge-watch on Netflix, which included films such as Mamma Mia, Moulin Rouge, Anastasia, and Funny Girl. Just in case you’re still thirsty for even more streamable content to feed your theater-starved heart, guess what, we’ve got MORE for ya!

Check these out:

1. The Prom

We bet you’ve already seen this, but it’s always good for a rewatch. Whatever you feel about this Ryan Murphy adaptation, “Unruly Heart” is a great go-to if you’re looking for a good cry.

2. The Boys in the Band

Another Ryan Murphy stage-to-film adaptation but unlike stunt-casted The Prom, this one features the same actors as the 2018 Broadway revival. It’s about a group of gay men gathering together for a birthday party, unearthing buried truths and unspoken feelings.

3. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom

August Wilson’s 1984 Broadway play has also been adapted to the screen, starring Viola Davis as Ma Rainey and the late Chadwick Boseman as Levee. Wilson’s career has been dedicated to writing plays (one play per decade to be exact) that center on the experiences of African-Americans in the 20th century. Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom highlights what life was like for Black music artists in 1920’s America.

4. Giving Voice

The documentary Giving Voice follows the journey of ambitious high school student performers who are all vying to win the prestigious August Wilson Monologue Competition. The final round of the competition is held at the August Wilson Theatre on Broadway!

5. Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey

This original movie musical is on its way to becoming a holiday classic. Starring Forest Whitaker and Keegan Michael-Key (who knew he’d be musical tv’s MVP?), it follows the journey of an innovative and vibrant toymaker who was betrayed by his own apprentice.

6. Matilda

Remember when life was ok and the actual West End production of Matilda was a drive away in Solaire? Whether you were lucky enough to see it or still bummed AF you missed it because it got 2020-ed, the OG 1996 film starring Danny DeVito is on Netflix. Relive the story and your childhood!

7. Little Women

The 2005 Broadway musical of Little Women, based on Louisa May Alcott’s novel of the same name, was also staged by REP in 2010. Now, audiences have the opportunity to watch the tale’s two most popular film adaptations: the 2019 Greta Gerwig-directed film starring Soairse Ronan, Emma Watson, Florence Pugh, Eliza Scanlen, Laura Dern, Timothée Chalamet, and Meryl Streep, and the 1994 classic, starring Winona Rider, Kirsten Dunst, Claire Danes, Trini Alvarado, Christian Bale, and Susan Sarandon.

8. The Addams Family

This 1991 Hollywood film has also been given the Broadway treatment, where it opened as a musical at the Great White Way in 2010. In 2013, Filipino audiences saw a local staging produced by Atlantis Theatrical at the Meralco Theater.

9. The Prince of Egypt

This 1998 animated feature, which is an adaptation of the Book of Exodus following the life of Moses, is now a West End Musical! Take a look back and listen to the songs written by Stephen Schwartz, who returned to write more original songs for the 2020 stage production.

10. The Little Prince

A 2015 animated feature based on Antoine de Saint-Exupéry’s The Little Prince is also streaming on the platform. Recent local stage adaptations have included Make Believe Productions’ The Little Prince: An Interactive Play and Tanghalang Pilipino’s Prinsipe Munti.

11. Carrie

This 2013 remake is the third film adaptation based on Stephen King’s 1974 novel of the same name. First opening as a musical on Broadway in 1988, it was also staged as a local production by Atlantis Theatrical at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza in 2013 starring Mikkie Bradshaw-Volante and Kayla Rivera.

12. Romeo+Juliet

William Shakespeare is undeniably one of theater’s greatest influences. One of the most accessible ways to begin to learn more about his work is by watching this 1996 Baz Luhrmann film starring Leonardo DiCaprio and Claire Danes.

13. Song Exploder, Season 1 Episode 2

In this particular Song Exploder episode, viewers get a look inside the mind of Lin-Manuel Miranda, where he talks about his writing process for Hamilton’s “Wait For It.” Song Exploder is a new Netflix series by Hrishikesh Hirway, based on his podcast of the same name, where artists break down their personal inspirations behind their music and lyrics.

14. Over the Moon

Over the Moon is a Netflix original animated movie musical that follows a young girl’s quest to meet Chang’e, a mythical moon goddess played by Hamilton’s Phillipa Soo.

15. Center Stage

This classic 2000 film follows 12 dance students as they compete for a spot in the American Ballet Company. Witness how they push themselves to the limit in order to reach their artistic goals.