14 musical films you need to watch
We list our favorite musicals, from nostalgic classics to recent highlights.
In addition to being universal and timeless, the musical film genre also has a feel-good effect when we watch it. As we see that many musicals are re-shot or animated, spin-off versions are made because the stories are rich and simple, it is equally enjoyable to watch them over and over again.
Continue reading for musical films that have a place in our memories from past to present.
The film, which is an adaptation of the 1975 Broadway show and won six Oscars, including the "Best Picture" award, is set in 1920s Chicago. The opening scene of the movie, one of Dominic West's first works, begins with "All That Jazz" and offers every element that will excite us: crime, murder, love and jazz!
In 2006, Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose and Beyoncé sang “Dreamgirls will never leave you.” They sang the lyrics and kept their word! Beyoncé arguably gives her best acting performance in the film, for which Hudson won an Oscar for her role. Add this musical to your list as soon as possible to listen to comments such as "And I Am Telling You" and "Listen" while watching a movie with a very gripping story.
With a great song list, inspiring choreography and an unforgettable scene between the Russian man and the urban Jews, the film, adapted from the musical theater of the same name, is among our favorite musical films. The highly charismatic Tevye character is aggressively loyal to his traditions, but is governed by his deep love for his daughters.
Proving that classics are classics for a reason, Grease was the beginning of John Travolta's on-screen musical career. After its 1978 production, the series continued with its 1982 sequel and Fox's live television adaptation in 2016, and has become a nostalgic classic that will never get old.
Can we ever forget the scene where Bette Midler sings “Rose's Turn” and the long striptease show featuring Bob Mackie's incredible costumes and hats? The composition of the story, based on the famous stripper Gypsy Rose Lee, is by Jule Styne, the book is by Arthur Laurents, and the lyrics are by Stephen Sondheim. In the 1993 adaptation, Lacey Chabert from Mean Girls plays "Baby June" and Elisabeth Moss, whom we know from The Handmaid's Tale, plays "Baby Louise".
2007's "Hairspray" has a very familiar cast consisting of names such as Zac Efron, John Travolta, Amanda Bynes, Queen Latifah and James Marsden. The film, in which Tracy Turnblad's journey to become a self-actualizing star is intertwined with the activism atmosphere of the 60s, ends with the performance of "You Can't Stop the Beat" that is etched in our minds.
Adapted from the 1964 Broadway show and directed by Gene Kelly, the film tells the story of a fast-talking matchmaker and Horace Vandergeller, whom she convinces to marry an honest man out of her. Barbra Streisand's performance, hit songs and sparkling costumes also support the film's positioning as a legend.
The "High School Musical" series, which has turned many young actors into big stars, is one of the most iconic musicals of Disney Channel. The series, which introduced us to many beautiful songs from "Breaking Free" to "Bop to the Top", also introduced names such as Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens and Corbin Bleu to music theater.
While "I'm Just Ken" was not on everyone's lips yet, Ryan Gosling's "City of Stars" was occupying our Spotify lists! The 2016 film, which tells the story of a young actor struggling in life and a jazz musician who falls in love with him, is attractive and flashy, like a love letter to classics such as “Singin' in the Rain” and “An American in Paris”.
Starring Amanda Seyfried and Meryl Streep and featuring a star-studded cast, “Mamma Mia” follows Sophie, who invites three of her mother's ex-boyfriends to her wedding in Greece to find out who her father is. Even though the movie has a story with logical errors, it is full of ABBA and extremely entertaining! The same can be said for the 2018 sequel "Here We Go Again".
The story of "The Rocky Horror Picture Show", which we remember with the song "The Time Warp" and its chaotic character, begins with the newly engaged couple Brad Majors and Janet Weiss getting stranded in a storm. Breaking the fourth wall, this production shows us Transylvanians in a creepy gothic mansion, a few bloodthirsty aliens, and a mad scientist trying to create the man of his dreams.
1952's "Singin' in the Rain," which gave us the iconic scene where Gene Kelly dances and sings around a street lamp, is the oldest movie on this list. The musical, in which Debbie Reynolds and Donald O'Connor also starred, brought songs such as "Good Morning", "Broadway Ballet", "Moses Supposes", "Gotta Dance" and "Make 'em Laugh" to our lives.
Composed by Jonathan Larson and directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, this semi-autobiographical musical not only shows us Larson's talent, but also tells the story of the struggles and victories of all artists in pursuing their dreams. One of the most unforgettable moments of the film, in which Andrew Garfield plays Jonathan, who is trying to write an important song for a new musical as he approaches his 30th birthday, is the "Sunday" scene full of a list of Broadway actors.
We're sure you're hearing fingers clicking in your head right now! When it comes to musicals, it's impossible not to mention West Side Story. The moments when Robert Wise and Robbins bring to life the medieval epic of dueling New York gangs and doomed lovers are complemented by Tony and Maria singing on the fire escape and Rita Moreno's incredible performance as Anita. Fifty years later, Steven Spielberg's 2021 remake solidified the musical's legacy, launched Rachel Zegler's career, and won Ariana DeBose an Oscar.
