From a young age, I have truly and deeply loved the theatre. A good musical or play is very much like a dear friend, bringing colorful characters into your life, revealing thoughtful stories and secrets, and urging you to change and grow. There is nothing quite like experiencing a live theatre performance for the first time, feeling the beat of the music pounding in time with your heart, or letting the weighty silence of a dramatic moment ring in your ears. There are countless plays and musicals that I would love to see someday, but here are a few new and upcoming shows that are sure to be shining stars.

As an added bonus? These are all based on movies and books that have captured the hearts of audiences worldwide.

American Psycho

Introduced in 1991 as Bret Easton Ellis’ titular charater in the novel American Psycho, the devilishly charming Patrick Bateman has shocked readers and audiences on both the page and screen with his disturbing dabblings in violence and debauchery. Mr. Bateman can now add a bloody and brilliant new line to his resume with this smash hit, American Psycho the musical. After killing it on the West End in London, the musical has taken to Broadway with critical acclaim. Check out the chill-inducing look inside the production below!

Anastasia

Loosely based on the tragic story of real-life Russian Grand Duchess Anastasia Romanov, the 1997 epic movie musical Anastasia swept audiences away with plucky characters, catchy songs, and stunning visuals. To the excitement of fans everywhere, Anastasia will soon be taking the stage in a new musical based inspired by both the 1997 film and 1956 film of the same name. The score will include new songs as well as favorites like the Oscar-nominated “Journey to the Past.” According to Variety, the new musical will open to previews at Hartford Stage in Connecticut on May 12 with intentions landing on Broadway next season.

Mean Girls

The now-classic teen flick Mean Girls has seeped into our culture and our hearts. Tina Fey and her husband Jeff Richmond are totally going to make fetch happen by turning our favorite teen dramedy into a sassy stage production. With no cast or timelines attached to the project at this time, Fey and Richmond are currently hammering out the details and have assured everyone that “there will be a lot of room” for Fey’s original witty dialogue and razor-sharp humor. According to Vanity Fair, Fey has jokingly said that production won’t go up until 2027, or until Hamilton ends, which we can’t blame her for! In all seriousness, we can’t wait to see our favorite drama queens conquer the stage in this musical adaptation.

Tuck Everlasting

In 1975, Natalie Babbitt introduced readers to a thought-provoking tale of immortality, love, and the beauty of living in the novel Tuck Everlasting. For decades, Babbitt’s incredible story has been enjoyed on the page and screen as a touching coming-of-age drama. Fans of the books and films can now experience the story in a new way through the wildly successful Tuck Everlasting musical. Check out some of the highlights from this sweet new production below – the bright visuals and sunny lyrics will definitely leave you with a big smile!

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child

Okay, so this is NOT a musical, but we couldn’t make a list like this and not include the highly-anticipated dramatic addition to J.K. Rowling’s wizarding world. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child will officially open at the Palace Theatre London in July 2016, but in the meantime, you can pre-order the script to avoid any spoilers. You can also check out this behind the scenes footage of rehearsals right here!

Did we miss any other story-to-stage plays or musicals on your must-see list? Let us know in the comments below!