10 Best Movies & TV Shows About William Shakespeare, Ranked

William Shakespeare‘s influence extends to movies and television shows that delve into his personal life, professional realm, and enduring impact on theatre. Some productions trace his journey from Stratford to the London stage, while others explore authorship controversies or follow modern-day interpretations of his works. Collectively, these projects offer insights into the man who created the work and the society that molded him.

This collection includes movies, documentaries, and TV shows that focus on Shakespeare himself, not just his plays as adaptations. You can discover biographical accounts, in-depth investigations, and creative fictional stories set in real historical contexts based on his life. Each entry provides an overview of the topic, the creator, and why it’s beneficial for those interested in learning more about the author behind the famous plays.

‘All Is True’ (2018)

In this movie, we delve into Shakespeare’s life after the Globe Theatre burns, as he moves back to his hometown Stratford to be with his family. The story primarily explores his marriage to Anne Hathaway and his connections with his remaining children, as they navigate through grief and legacy together. The film offers an insightful portrayal of their domestic life, drawing from parish records and local traditions, illustrating how the household managed outside London’s playhouses.

In this adaptation, Kenneth Branagh both stars as Shakespeare and takes on the director’s role. Judi Dench portrays Anne Hathaway, while Ian McKellen assumes a significant supporting character. Ben Elton penned the screenplay, incorporating real-life elements like property disputes and village politics to create the narrative flow. To make the later years setting more relatable, the production employs authentic period locations and meticulous costume design that aligns with everyday routines.

‘Bill’ (2015)

As a die-hard movie buff with an affinity for history, let me share my thoughts on this charming comedic piece that transports us back to Shakespeare’s formative years as a struggling actor and budding playwright. This delightful flick paints a vivid picture of his arduous journey towards London, offering a humorous take on the intrigue surrounding the supposed “lost years” of his life.

The story cleverly weaves a whimsical yarn around a plot against Queen Elizabeth I, transforming the doubts about those enigmatic years into an engaging and playful origin tale. The film brings to life various theatre troupes, court favorites, and fierce competitors to provide a realistic glimpse of the competitive entertainment landscape that a fresh face like Shakespeare would have navigated. In essence, it’s a fun and imaginative exploration of the obstacles and opportunities that shaped one of history’s greatest storytellers.

This movie is produced by the same group responsible for Horrible Histories, featuring Mathew Baynton portraying Shakespeare while a versatile ensemble handles multiple characters. It was jointly created with BBC Films, drawing inspiration from actual venues and historical court figures, transforming them into humorous skits. The end product offers young viewers an engaging guide about patrons, touring companies, and the journey from local stages to London’s grand theaters.

‘A Waste of Shame: The Mystery of Shakespeare and His Sonnets’ (2005)

As a devoted admirer of the Bard himself, I recently found myself engrossed in a captivating TV movie that delves into the fascinating world surrounding Shakespeare’s sonnets. Rather than just being a collection of poems, this production suggests they served as a mirror reflecting the lives and relationships of those within his circle – including himself!

The film follows the creation of this remarkable sequence, setting each scene in bustling inns, lively playhouses, and intimate private chambers. It reveals how these manuscripts were passed around among patrons and friends, offering a glimpse into the intricate web of connections that bound them together.

What truly sets this movie apart is its immersive narrative. It employs real names from Shakespeare’s time and provides an insightful portrayal of the London book trade at work during those days. By doing so, it offers a unique and engaging perspective on how these literary masterpieces came to be.

William Boyd penned the screenplay, and the production was created for BBC Four, emphasizing the sonnets’ Fair Youth and Dark Lady as central themes. Rupert Graves portrays Shakespeare, while the ensemble portrays historical figures engaged in discussions that mirror debates on identity and authorship. The movie additionally delves into the intricacies of printing, licensing, and staging that significantly influenced how poetry and drama were distributed to readers and spectators alike.

‘Anonymous’ (2011)

As a captivated spectator, I found myself immersed in a riveting historical drama that delves into the intriguing Oxfordian theory, suggesting the enigmatic Edward de Vere as the true author of the renowned plays we’ve grown to love. This cinematic masterpiece offers a tantalizing glimpse into the late Elizabethan court, replete with its faction-filled dynamics and political intrigue.

The film meticulously traces the journey of manuscripts from the opulent chambers of nobles to the bustling stages, painting a vivid picture of how the complex interplay between politics, censorship, and patronage molded what could be brought before the public eye. The scenes set within theaters and guild halls are particularly gripping, offering a compelling insight into the tumultuous world where art, power, and politics converged.

In this production, Roland Emmerich takes the helm, with Rhys Ifans portraying de Vere, Vanessa Redgrave and Joely Richardson depicting Queen Elizabeth I at various stages of her life, and Rafe Spall stepping into the shoes of Shakespeare himself. The movie constructs both the Rose and the Curtain stages, and employs modern printing techniques to delve into the debate surrounding play authorship. This film provides a compelling presentation of key arguments for those seeking clarity on this intriguing topic.

‘Shakespeare in Love’ (1998)

In this reinterpretation, we follow Shakespeare as he pens a fresh play, while also becoming romantically involved with a merchant’s daughter who adopts a stage name to perform. The movie delves into the everyday aspects of a theater company – from auditions and rehearsals to costuming and ticket sales – and portrays stage traditions and city rules as genuine challenges that require innovative problem-solving. The film emphasizes the collaborative dynamics among playwrights, actors, and theater managers.

In this version, John Madden is the one who takes charge as director, with Joseph Fiennes, Gwyneth Paltrow, Geoffrey Rush, and Judi Dench making up the talented cast. The production offers an authentic Elizabethan theater stage, uses props and backstage activities from that era, and has been praised for its realistic portrayal. It has garnered numerous Academy Awards, including Best Picture and acting categories, and is frequently employed in educational settings to demonstrate the transformation of a script into a live performance on stage.

‘Looking for Richard’ (1996)

In my role as an enthusiast, I’d like to share that this hybrid documentary is all about me, Al Pacino, delving into the art of portraying Richard III. It captures table readings, rehearsals, and my discussions with scholars and spectators, seamlessly transitioning between the bustling streets of New York City and our rehearsal spaces. The movie meticulously dissects verse delivery, rhetorical strategies, and scene composition to offer a glimpse into how acting choices are made, allowing viewers to understand the thought process behind each performance decision.

Al Pacino takes the roles of both director and actor, working alongside Kevin Spacey, Alec Baldwin, Winona Ryder, among others, in stage excerpts. This collaborative project incorporates discussions with theater experts and recordings of actors experimenting with readings. It serves to bridge scholarly analysis with practical staging techniques, offering insights into how contemporary performers interpret Shakespeare’s language and transform textual studies into live performances on stage.

‘Being Shakespeare’ (2011)

As a devoted movie-goer, I recently had the pleasure of watching a captivating film adaptation that showcases Simon Callow’s enchanting one-man show about the life of none other than the great bard himself, William Shakespeare. The script, meticulously crafted by renowned scholar Jonathan Bate, guides us on an intriguing journey through Shakespeare’s formative years in Stratford, his apprenticeship in bustling London, and his later return to Warwickshire. This riveting narrative is woven with themes of family, camaraderie, and the unyielding pursuit of work, skillfully connecting key biographical moments with snippets of dialogues and renowned speeches.

The performance employs straightforward sets and lighting to signify shifts in time and location, while Callow adopts varying tones of voice and body language to breathe life into contemporaries. It draws upon plays, poems, legal documents such as wills, and church records to ensure the narrative remains grounded in factual evidence. Audiences are provided with a concise guide to the significant events that delineate the surviving biographical data.

‘In Search of Shakespeare’ (2003)

Historian Michael Wood journeys through Stratford, London, and various European locations to explore Shakespeare’s life and era. The series employs parish records, legal documents, and correspondence to reconstruct the family, community, and patronage networks that facilitated his success. It features trips to preserved locales like guild halls and riverside areas to set the narrative within authentic landscapes.

In this approach, the production collaborates with archivists and local history experts to display the research journey on-screen. Reenactments illustrate everyday activities such as learning, practicing, and traveling, while the commentary elucidates how historians evaluate sources and tackle any discrepancies. Ultimately, the audience receives an interactive guide charting key individuals, locations, and institutions that significantly influenced the writer’s realm.

‘Upstart Crow’ (2016–2020)

This television series centers around William Shakespeare, a playwright balancing his personal life in Stratford with his professional commitments in London. Each episode blends accurate historical elements such as transportation, housing, and rehearsal processes, with fictional tales about censorship, competition, and the demand to produce fresh work. The show incorporates ongoing humor related to travel durations on the Oxford road, communal living, and regulations preventing women from performing publicly.

Ben Elton developed and penned the series, featuring David Mitchell portraying Shakespeare, alongside an ensemble including Liza Tarbuck, Gemma Whelan, and Harry Enfield. The production incorporates real-life aspects such as corporate structures, patronage, and the duties of a sharer within a troupe. Additionally, it subtly references specific plays and poems, allowing viewers to link everyday events with concepts later found in scripts.

‘Shakespeare Uncovered’ (2012–2015)

This documentary series allows actors, directors, and other industry professionals to delve into various plays associated with Shakespeare’s life, offering unique insights. Each episode features a host discussing a specific work in collaboration, as they uncover the origins, changes in staging over time, and artistic decisions made during performances. The program takes viewers on journeys through archives, backstage areas, and significant historical locations to demonstrate how research and practical experience influence the way plays are interpreted.

The series is jointly produced by PBS and stars hosts like Jeremy Irons, Ethan Hawke, Derek Jacobi, and Joely Richardson. It showcases snippets from seminal productions and chats with experts who clarify language, politics, and theatrical methods. Collectively, these episodes paint a vivid portrait of playwriting and the artistic circles that keep plays relevant on stage.

Share your favorites about the Bard in the comments and tell us which ones we should add next time.

2025-08-27 11:47