In case you adore musicals and are upset that you currently can’t watch any on stage, we have you covered! Here are some of the best movie musicals, but we’ve decided not to include any Disney musicals for a change as we know the majority of them are well worth the watch!
The Greatest Showman
This movie combines the magic of cinema with music beautifully and features amazing dance sequences, incredible songs, and beautiful shots. This movie is all about P.T. Barnum and how he created the first circus. This movie musical is also about loving yourself and coming together for art. Cast members you may recognise include Hugh Jackman (Logan), Zac Efron (High School Musical), Zendaya (Spiderman: Homecoming), Michelle Williams (Blue Valentine), and Rebecca Ferguson (Mission Impossible-Rogue Nation)
Burlesque
This film has a very star studded cast and songs you can dance around the kitchen to. Although the plot may not be groundbreaking, the dance sequences, costumes, and vocals make up for it. This is a sort of modern Cabaret and shows a country girl rise to the stage in a Burlesque club. Cast members you may recognise include Cher (Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again), Christina Aguilera (The Voice), Eric Dane (Greys Anatomy), and Stanley Tucci (The Hunger Games).
Grease
Grease is a classic in the movie musical world. The songs are iconic and you will want to go right back to the 50s and learn the hand jive after watching this one. Again the storyline has not survived the passage of time that well, but the songs and dance make up for the questionable morals in this one. Grease is all about Sandy and Danny, they had a great summer romance, but all of that changes when Sandy turns up at Danny’s school.
Mamma Mia
If you love ABBA and/or Greece, then this one’s for you. Mamma Mia is all about Sophie and the fact that she invites all three of her potential dads to her wedding, and what ensues is lots of drama and laughs. The iconic songs from ABBA offer the perfect soundtrack to this one. Cast members you may recognise include Amanda Seyfried (Dear John), Meryl Streep (The Devil Wears Prada), Stellan Skarsgård (Chernobyl), Pierce Brosnan (The World Is Not Enought), Colin Firth (Bridget Jones’ Diary), Julie Walters (Harry Potter), and Christine Baranski (The Good Wife).
Singin’ In The Rain
Singin’ In The Rain is another old classic. It’s set in the 1920s and talking films are slowly becoming a thing. This film is all about actors finding their way in talking films and singing in movies. This movie has amazing songs, breathtaking dance sequences, and is all around wholesome.
Moulin Rouge
Moulin Rouge follows Christian, a writer who travels to Paris, where he meets Satine at a nightclub. This musical features a lot of popular songs and you will definitely recognise some of them. It’s directed by Baz Luhrmann and is a visual masterpiece, filled with colour and drama. Cast members you may recognise include Nicole Kidman (Big Little Lies) and Ewan McGregor (Star Wars).
Rocketman
This film is all about Elton John and it has all of Elton’s best songs, while telling his life story beautifully. It’s very theatrical and feels like a stage musical. Rocketman will have you crying, laughing, and singing along. Cast members you may recognise include Taron Egerton (Kingsman), Richard Madden (Game of Thrones), Jamie Bell (Billy Elliot) and Bryce Dallas Howard (Jurassic World).
Les Miserables
This may be one of the best musicals ever written, although the movie isn’t quite as powerful as the onstage version . This one is entirely sung through and follows Jean Valjean on his journey from being a prisoner to something more. This story is set in 1832, France during the June rebellion. This film is filled with Broadway actors and Hollywood actors, what makes this film unique is that all these songs were sung live on set! Cast members you may recognise include Hugh Jackman (X-Men), Russel Crow (A Beautiful Mind), Anne Hathaway (The Dark Knight Rises), Eddie Redmayne ( Fantastic Beasts and where to find them) and Amanda Seyfried (Mean Girls).
Sunshine on Leith
Sunshine on Leith is set in Scotland and is set to the songs of The Proclaimers. This film follows Davy and Ally who have just returned from Afghanistan and how they settle back into their life in Edinburgh. The story is touching and you will be singing along to a couple of songs. Cast members you may recogniseinclude George MacKay (1917), Kevin Guthrie (The English Game) and Antonia Thomas (The Good Doctor).
Once
Once is great for the people who don’t want big dance numbers. This film is all about a busker and an immigrant and their love story in Dublin. This film combines songs beautifully with their romance, this is a movie where they only sing when they are recording songs or celebrating.
Because there are just too many good movie musicals, here are some honourable mentions: Hairspray, Chicago, Goddess, Annie, The Sound of Music, La La Land, and The Phantom of the Opera!
