Since humans could communicate, they would tell stories, sing songs, and recite poetry. The best poetic adaptations take the source material and do it justice. This could mean a faithful retelling with accurate details or, more likely, an interpretation of the original that still preserves the essence of the piece. Here we've compiled some of the best films inspired by poetry. Dr. Seuss's unique take on illustrated children's literature using meter and rhyme scheme resulted in timeless catchy poetry that is still a favorite for kids years after its original publishing. Shakespeare is, of course, another favorite whose works are adapted into film all the time. What movies adapted from poems are your favorite? Vote up your favorite and make sure to also check out our list of films about poets.
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Based on: Homer's Odyssey This one is a pretty loose adaptation. The Coen Brothers's O Brother Where Art Thou? follows three escaped convicts searching for hidden treasure while a sheriff relentlessly pursues them. The main character in the movie's name is Ulysses, which itself is the Roman name for Odysseus.
Based on: Blind Harry's The Actes and Deidis of the Illustre and Vallyeant Campioun Schir William Wallace The original poem by Blind Harry is a long biographical piece that covers the life and accomplishments of Scottish freedom fighter William Wallace. The poem isn't necessarily historically accurate and neither is the film.
Based on: Dr. Seuss's How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Dr. Seuss books probably aren't the first thing that come to mind as poetry, but they're written in rhyming verse and most definitely count. In the beloved children's book, The Grinch steals presents and decorations from the people of Whoville in an attempt to thwart Christmas. The illustrated poem actually serves as a critique of the commercialization of the holiday. The also beloved Ron Howard cinematic adaptation features a very committed Jim Carrey and has become a Christmas classic.
Based on: Tim Burton's The Nightmare Before Christmas Jack Skellington, the King of "Halloween Town", stumbles upon "Christmas Town" and schemes to take over the holiday. Tim Burton came up with the source poem while working as a Disney animator in 1982. Originally a sleeper hit, the film is now a favorite during the holiday season.
Based on: Ballad of Mulan Disney, who famously use children's fairytales as a basis for their magical storytelling, turned to the Ballad of Mulan for 1998's Mulan. Hua Mulan is a folk hero from 4th to 6th century China, which would begin around 300 AD. This very old tale is fairly similar to Disney's version, with Mulan taking her frail father's place during conscription.
Based on: Arabian Nights The third installment in Pasolini's "Trilogy of Life", Arabian Nights portrayed the collection of Middle Eastern folk tales known as the One Thousand and One Nights or the Arabian Nights. The film contains abundant nudity, sex and slapstick humor and seems to preserve more spirit of the original than many other adaptations.
Based on: Homer's Iliad Ah The Iliad. A 704 page poem. Troy is loosely based on the Homer epic that covers 50ish days of the ten year Trojan War. With a cast including Brad Pitt, Eric Bana, Orlando Bloom, and Diane Kruger, Troy plays all the hits including the Trojan horse and the fall of Achilles.
Based on: Beowulf The story of Beowulf is one of the most often translated works of literature. The plot revolves around Beowulf, a hero of the Geats, who comes to the aid of Hrothgar, the king of the Danes, whose mead hall in Heorot has been under attack by the monster Grendel. Director Robert Zemeckis cast Ray Winstone in the lead role after seeing him play Henry VIII for an ITV production.
Based on: Sir Gawain and the Green Knight One of the most well known of the Arthurian stories, Sir Gawain and the Green Knight is a chivalric romance, wherein Sir Gawain accepts a challenge from a mysterious "Green Knight." The 2021 adaptation stars Dev Patel and received acclaim from critics for its cinematography, music, and acting.
Based on: Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac Technically, Cyrano is based on a 2018 play. And that play is based on the 1897 Edmond Rostand play Cyrano de Bergerac, which is written in rhyming couplets of twelve syllables per line. In the film, Cyrano is desperately in love with Roxanne, who is also being courted by a soldier named Christian and the wealthy Duke De Guiche. Convincd he could never have her, Cyrano uses his talents as a prolific wordsmith to help Christian win over Roxanne.
Based on: Edmond Rostand's Cyrano de Bergerac Another interpretation of Cyrano de Bergerac, but this time from the lens of a queer teen romance. Ellie Chu makes extra money writing papers for other students. She then begins writing love letters for well-meaning jock Paul Munsky towards Aster Flores. Ellie also harbors a crush on Aster, but fears the feelings wouldn't be returned.
Based on: Forough Farrokhzad's The Wind Will Carry Us and Omar Khayyám's Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam Acclaimed director Abbas Kiarostami's The Wind Will Carry Us follows a journalist who arrives in a Kurdish village in order to document their death ceremony. Though an old woman is expected to pass, she outlives predictions, forcing the journalist to fully integrate into the village. Though the title comes from a poem by Forough Farrokhzad, the central themes of life and death come from Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam.
