Oscars 2022: When and where to watch the musical which won Ariana DeBose an award for Best Supporting Actress

Steven Spielberg is one of the most iconic and proven filmmakers working in the world today. And when a director of his calibre decides to bring a popular musical to screen, having dreamt of it since childhood, big things are to be expected. 

Speilberg has wanted to make the musical into a film since he was 10 years old and when he did, he blew the minds of the viewers. The movie, which received rave reviews upon release, was also nominated for seven awards at the 94th Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The movie bagged one Oscar, with Ariana DeBose winning Best Supporting Actress. 

West Side Story is set in 1950’s New York and tells the story of a forbidden love story between Tony and Maria, two youngsters who are tied to rival street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks.

The musical West Side Story is based on Romeo and Juliet and has lyrics written by the late Stephen Sondheim. The musical opened on Broadway in 1957 and the first film adaptation came in 1961 by directors Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins. Speilberg has previously said that West Side Story has been his all time favourite musical and that the songs and music from the production has been in his life throughout.

The movie stars Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, David Alvarez, Mike Faist, Rita Moreno, Brian d'Arcy James, Corey Stoll, Ana Isabelle and Maddie Ziegler, pamong others. 

West Side Story, which also won Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy at the 79th Golden Globe Awards, is available to stream on Disney+ Hotstar.