I am and always will be a theater kid at heart, and with Wicked: For Good having been released, I figured I’d share my favorite movie musicals (excluding Wicked, since I talked about it already here). I’ll also be linking my favorite musical numbers with each entry, so enjoy those as well!
- The Greatest Showman (2017)
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Based on the life of P.T. Barnum and the beginnings of the circus, The Greatest Showman is a fun spectacle of a musical. Full of really iconic song and dance numbers such as “The Other Side,” “From Now On,” and “This Is Me,” it makes for an entertaining (albeit not the most accurate) film!
Song: “From Now On”
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
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Sweeney Todd is the best Broadway show I’ve seen (the 2023/2024 revival). And while the 2007 film adaptation isn’t as good, it’s still very entertaining. Director Tim Burton and leading actors Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter perfectly capture the gothic vibe. The story is incredible! Would you expect anything less for music by the late great Stephen Sondheim and a title like that?
Song: “By The Sea”
- Moulin Rouge (2001)
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This is the ‘movie-est’ movie to ever exist, and I will die on that hill.
An adaptation of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice and featuring all popular songs, Baz Luhrmann’s Best Picture nominee is an absolute drug trip to watch while still being deeply romantic and tragic. I can recommend this for the “El Tango De Roxanne” number alone; both the film and musical do a really impressive job with it.
Song: “El Tango De Roxanne”
- In The Heights (2021)
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Lin-Manuel Miranda’s semi-autobiographical hit about life in Washington Heights, N.Y., made for an absolute spectacle of a film. It features some of the most impressive dance sequences I’ve ever seen, and a fun, festive energy perfect for the summer. Jon Chu, the director of both Wicked movies, really shone and proved his worth with this one.
Song: “96,000”
- Tick, Tick…Boom! (2021)
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Of all the movies on this list, this one feels the most grounded in reality. Andrew Garfield shines as the real — and unfortunately deceased — composer Jonathan Larson. The film follows his midlife crisis at the age of 30, trying to be successful, navigate relationships, and deal with the loss of his friends to HIV/AIDS. It’s a beautiful and depressing tale, directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda of all people, and definitely worth watching!
Song: “Therapy”
- The Sound of Music (1965)
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My dad once said this is one of the best movies ever made, and the more that I think about it, I agree. The film revolves around Maria von Trapp, a former nun turned governess, looking after seven children in Nazi-era Austria. Memorable songs, beautiful scenery, and one hot Christopher Plummer make for one of the best musicals ever.
Song: “Sixteen Going On Seventeen”
- West Side Story (2021)
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2021 was a crazy year for movie musicals, huh? While the original film adaptation of the 1950s New York gang retelling of Romeo and Juliet is already iconic, Steven Spielberg’s updated one looks better, sounds better, and has all the grand spectacle a musical like that requires. It’s a shame this didn’t win any more Oscars, although Ariana DeBose’s winning performance as Anita was incredible.
Song: “Dance at the Gym”
- Mary Poppins (1964)
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A childhood favorite of mine, Mary Poppins is all about a magical nanny (also played by Julie Andrews) who comes to look after two neglected children and the fun adventures they get up to. Fantastic soundtrack, a whimsical story, and one of the worst British accents ever put on screen, there doesn’t exist a better film to put a smile on your face.
- Singin’ In The Rain (1956)
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Can’t go wrong with an old classic! Singin’ in the Rain chronicles the introduction of talking pictures and the romance and comedy to be found within. It’s just good vibes with really fun dance numbers and catchy songs, though I may just be biased since this was the first musical I was ever in.
Song: “Moses Supposes”
- Chicago (2003)
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Chicago tells the story of Roxie Hart, a woman seeking fame by killing her husband, and there’s a reason it won Best Picture in 2003. It takes a clever method of separating the song sequences and gets amazing performances (both acting and singing) out of its stars. It looks incredible, sounds incredible (with “Cell Block Tango” being a particular standout), and improves upon the already great musical!
Song: “Cell Block Tango”
Go check these musical masterpieces out!
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