Movie musicals have never been a sure thing, but in our current movie landscape, they feel more hit or miss than ever. In 2024 alone I’ve witnessed two musical misfires —Joker: Folie à Deux (2024) and Emilia Pérez (2024) — so, needless to say, I am yearning for a decent musical.
Jon M. Chu is looking to turn that streak around with his adaptation of the mega-blockbuster Wicked later this month. In preparation for Wicked (2024), I wanted to dive into what makes a truly great movie musical that endures the test of time. These films don’t shy away from the genre and utilize the medium to stretch the realm of possibilities beyond what is achievable on stage. It is also worth noting that this list does not include animated musicals such as Beauty and the Beat (1991) nor movies with music like All That Jazz (1979) or A Star is Born (2018).
Here are my top fifteen movie musicals.
15. The Color Purple (2023)
What I loved about this adaptation of The Color Purple is that it embraced the musical format and allowed Celie’s (Fantasia Barrino) imagination to spill into the musical numbers. Blitz Bazawule infuses kinetic energy behind the camera that puts the audience in the heart of it all; the musical numbers feel dynamic, alive, and palpable. Barrino stakes her claim as a formidable screen presence and Danielle Brooks molds Sofia (an already iconic character) in her own image to perfection. Meanwhile, Taraji P. Henson almost runs away with the whole thing. While this particular film was overlooked by awards bodies, I think it will stand the test of time.
14. White Christmas (1954)
A holiday classic that will undoubtedly have your heart swelling by the time the credits roll. Some elements haven’t aged quite well since the fifties but the film is overall a dizzying, colorful ride that will have you hooked. The performances of our central quartet (Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, and Vera-Ellen) are masterclasses and completely go-for-broke.
13. In the Heights (2021)
Jon M. Chu is no stranger to the musical. Prior to Wicked, he delivered the explosive adaptation of In the Heights. Chu fearlessly embraced fantastical elements that made the musical numbers feel reminiscent of the Golden Age musicals while remaining fresh and exciting. The film also boasts an ensemble of familiar faces like Daphne Ruben-Vega and Olga Merediz and (at the time) up-and-comers like Anthony Ramos and Melissa Barrera. Every number swings for the fences and makes full use of the switch from stage to screen.
12. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
The adaptation of the Sondheim classic is the perfect marriage of artist and material. Tim Burton demonstrates a perfect understanding of the bloody revenge story that pulses in each grim frame. His signature style compliments the story without overpowering it and strikes the perfect balance between darkly funny and utterly macabre that the stage musical demands.
11. tick, tick…BOOM! (2021)
A confident feature directorial debut from Lin Manuel Miranda that acts as a love letter to the art and process of musical theatre. He firmly grounds much of the film in reality while sprinkling in fantastical elements that uplift the format. Meanwhile, the entire framing device is the live performance of Jonathan Larson’s stage show effortlessly interwoven into the actual events inspiring the show. Andrew Garfield ascends to a whole new caliber of actor as Larson.
10. La La Land (2016)
Go ahead, roll your eyes. On my most recent rewatch of this, I was relieved to find that La La Land is still, indeed, great. Damien Chazelle shoots for the moon and comes quite close to landing among the types of musicals that used to grace our screens. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling are utterly winning as they take us on an epic journey that celebrates dreams, possibilities, growth, and the sacrifice required to make all three a reality.
9. The Umbrellas of Cherbourg (1964)
Jacques Demy’s feature is a bit unconventional—all the singing is just normal dialogue sung rather than traditional songs. However, it’s gone on to serve as a visual blueprint for many films to come, specifically with its masterful use of color. Beneath the cotton candy-coded exterior, Demy paints a portrait of young love and the accompanying ache and lessons while never shying away from the darker parts of the doomed romance.
8. Sweet Charity (1969)
Between an initial lukewarm critical reception and Bob Fosse’s other heavy hitters’ shadows, Sweet Charity often gets left out of the musical conversation. However, Fosse crafts a visceral, energetic story about a woman looking for somewhere to put all the love she has to give. Fosse makes bold visual choices (that elevator scene anyone?) and Shirley MacLaine leaves her entire heart and then some on the floor. Equally sweet and sad, Sweet Charity embraces and enhances the genre.
7. Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
Fiddler packs every second of its whopping three-hour runtime with lush visuals accompanied by soaring musical numbers and bolstered by winning performances. Director Norman Jewison manages to make the film feel larger-than-life without ever burying the themes of family, tradition, and community and gives them air to breathe and flourish. Meanwhile, Topol’s Academy Award-nominated performance as Tevye is truly one of a kind; it’s impossible not to be utterly charmed and enamored with his work.
6. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
At eighty-five years old, The Wizard of Oz manages to feel new and exhilarating with every watch. Whether it’s Judy Garland’s remarkable performance or the brilliant, saturated sets, The Wizard of Oz always takes my breath away. It’s also the definition of a technical marvel; many of the films on this list likely wouldn’t exist had this film not blazed a trail. My sincere hope is that Wicked will encourage a whole new generation to seek out the musical masterpiece and continue its legacy.
5. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
A zany, unhinged, queer fever dream featuring some of the most fearless and uninhibited performances that will ever grace the screen. Some of it may feel a tad dated by today’s standards, but Rocky Horror was a landmark moment in queer cinema that blazed a trail for many pieces of art to come. Yet, all these years later, it remains so singular and unlike anything else to come along. Tim Curry delivers one of the all-time great performances, and if you’re ever able to catch a shadow cast screening, buckle up for the most fun you’ll ever have at the theater.
4. Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
I love a movie that thoroughly understands what it is and Little Shop of Horrors is exactly that. Director Frank Oz (yes that Frank Oz) swings for the fences with every decision to deliver a bright, colorful ride operating at the campiest level possible. Rick Moranis and Ellen Greene maneuver the silliness with bold, beating hearts that make you care about these ill-fated misfits. On top of that, the practical puppetry courtesy of Lyle Conway is movie magic that we rarely get to see anymore.
3. West Side Story (1961 & 2021)
I’m cheating by putting both here, but both are so excellent in their own ways. The original boasts a kineticism that is rarely found in most movies nowadays regardless of genre. The numbers are electrifying and intricately crafted. As far as old Hollywood spectacles go, you can’t get much better than this. Spielberg’s attempt at the story magically manages to pay homage to the original while improving upon it and taking care to ensure authenticity with casting this time around. The original was an Oscar darling for a reason, but the remake didn’t get quite enough love and deserves the same amount of love as its predecessor. Both work in conversation with one another in a beautiful way.
2. Chicago (2002)
Rob Marshall’s big screen adaptation is one of those rare instances where the movie enhances the stage production. A dizzying dance where reality and fantasy collide and people will do just about anything for a headline. It’s confidently directed while every single member of the ensemble lays it all on the floor. Personally, this is one of my favorite Best Picture wins that perfectly encapsulates what a movie musical can and should be. Not to mention Catherine Zeta Jones sports one bob to rule them all.
1. Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
It may be a cliche choice, but there’s a reason it’s become cliche. Singin’ in the Rain completely and utterly understands the musical genre and how to bend the medium the enhance the genre. Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds, and Jean Hagen are all utterly dazzling and at the top of their games. It’s utterly baffling that only Hagen received an Oscar nomination for her work (deservedly so) when every performer on screen is stretching themselves beyond belief. Singin’ in the Rain is an exhilarating love letter to the movies that will leave you yearning for yesteryear. The comedy holds up, the music remains lovely, and the razzle still dazzles.
List Courtesy of Adam Patla
Header Image Courtesy of United Artists via Alternate Ending
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