Top 10 Best Movie Musical Duets
#10: “Fit as a Fiddle” “Singin’ in the Rain” (1952)
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We’re ready for lovin’ this! Dance legends Gene Kelly and Donald O’Connor star in this iconic lighthearted movie filled with classic musical and dance performances. This flashback scene features a duet between the two stars in snappy green checked suits as one of the first songs in the film. The pair perform an impressive multitasking feat as they appear to sing, play the fiddle, and perform complicated choreography all at the same time. It’s a spectacular musical number that showcases the outstanding talents of the film’s stars, even if the audience they’re performing for doesn’t seem to agree! Kelly and O’Connor are such a terrific duo, it would be hard for anyone else to compare in trying to recreate this fantastic number.
#9: “(You’re) Timeless to Me” “Hairspray” (2007)
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All you need to know about this song is that it’s a surprisingly romantic duet between Christopher Walken and John Travolta, which is absolutely iconic. Travolta plays protagonist Tracy Turnblad’s mother, Edna, and Walken plays Tracy’s father, Wilbur, with the two of them making up one of the best married couples in movie musical history. Wilbur’s slightly misguided, but still romantic attempts to convince his wife of his unconditional love for her is one of the sweetest and most memorable moments of the film. Their mutually reaffirmed love is so touching, you almost forget Edna is played by the same actor who played Danny in “Grease”, which is a testament to Travolta’s acting abilities.
#8: “Sisters” “White Christmas” (1954)
This short-and-sweet duet between sisters Betty and Judy is a charming number about sibling rivalry that any real sisters watching can totally relate to. Their big blue 1950s dresses are absolutely classic, but the massive feathered fans really steal the show in this performance. They even come back in the most hilarious way when protagonists Bob and Phil perform the duet as a reprise. Still, the original song with Rosemary Clooney and Vera-Ellen is definitely the better of the two, and would make the perfect karaoke duet for two classic movie musical-loving sisters.
#7: “A Lovely Night” “La La Land” (2016)
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Although “City of Stars” was the duet from this film that took home the Academy Award for Best Original Song, “A Lovely Night” is a more underrated duet that showcases the incredible chemistry between Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone. Their playful flirting transitions seamlessly into this charming musical number, where we see the two unsuccessfully trying to deny their feelings for each other. The song’s dance break is especially impressive, considering neither Gosling or Stone are typically featured as dancers, but they perform the simple yet captivating choreography like it comes naturally to them. This scene feels just like the old Hollywood musicals that inspired it, interrupted only by the shocking modernity of a cell phone ringing.
#6: “Take Me or Leave Me” “Rent” (2005)
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The small core cast of “Rent” made for many different dynamic combinations within its various duets, from the power ballad between best friends Mark and Roger in “What You Own” to the romantic duet with a devastating reprise “I’ll Cover You” The movie’s best and most unique duet, however, has to be this breakup song between Joanne and Maureen. Prompted by an argument caused when Maureen flirts with another woman at her own engagement party, this powerful song, featuring the amazing voices of Idina Menzel and Tracie Thoms, is one of the most entertaining arguments ever seen on the big screen.
#5: “Come What May” “Moulin Rouge!” (2001)
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This jukebox musical is filled with showstopping covers of popular songs, but it’s this original that lies at the romantic heart of the film. The forbidden romance between Christian and Satine imbues this song and allows the couple to declare their love for each other. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor were perfectly cast, and this number wonderfully showcases their wide range of talents, especially in the reprise. Interestingly, the song was originally written for another film with a tragic romance, Baz Luhrmann’s “Romeo + Juliet”, which disqualified the song from consideration for a Best Original Song Oscar nomination. “Come What May” definitely deserved more recognition twenty years ago, and is still underrated today.
#4: “Tonight” “West Side Story” (1961)
This set-in-the-‘50s song is, of course, a take on the famous balcony scene from... Shakespeare’s “Romeo & Juliet”! Maria and Tony, having met at a neighborhood dance, are eager to set aside the fact that they’re involved with two rival street gangs, as they’ve essentially fallen in love at first sight. Their starry-eye hopefulness is absolutely infectious, and the risk of being caught adds just the right amount of tension to make audiences feel exactly how the two lovers feel in this moment. It’s a scene full of pure romance, and it only makes this film’s trajectory even more heartbreaking.
#3: “Suddenly, Seymour” “Little Shop of Horrors” (1986)
When shy and nerdy Seymour Krelborn comforts his coworker — and longtime crush — Audrey after the mysterious disappearance of her sadistic boyfriend, the two admit their feelings for each other in this iconic duet. Seymour finally has a chance to show Audrey he can be the kind of person she needs, and Audrey realizes she deserves someone who will treat her with the respect and kindness she’s never truly received. Written by Howard Ashman and Alan Menken, the renowned Disney duo, this song was destined to be a classic from the beginning. Throw in an unconventional but sweet romance, and “Suddenly Seymour” is not-so-suddenly an iconic fan favorite.
#2: “Something Good” “The Sound of Music” (1965)
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This quiet, reserved duet is actually filled to the brim with romance, even down to lighting of the scene. While the most well known duet from “The Sound of Music” is definitely Liesl and Rolf’s “Sixteen Going on Seventeen” in the gazebo, “Something Good” is certainly the film’s true love song. Maria and Captain Von Trapp are lit from behind so their faces are completely hidden by shadows, making the scene feel all the more intimate and romantic. The song itself is short and simple, but the lyrics tell a beautiful love story, and say so much about how the couple feel about each other. It’s an underrated song from a classic musical, and the kiss they share after the song is absolutely magical. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Lay All Your Love On Me” / “Mamma Mia!” (2008) “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” / “Mary Poppins” (1964) “Gotta Go My Own Way” / “High School Musical 2” (2007) “Falling Slowly” / “Once” (2007) “Ten Minutes Ago” / “Cinderella” (1997)
#1: “You’re the One That I Want” “Grease” (1978)
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This classic duet between John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John as Danny and Sandy is one of the most iconic songs in movie musical history - but we do also love “Summer Nights.” Sandy debuts her new rebellious look for Danny, who has been attempting to soften his own image a bit by trying to be more sporty. Ultimately, though, this song proves that, although they show their commitment to each other by changing their appearances and actions — and Sandy has expectations — they do actually really love each other as their authentic selves. The song is also super fun, and the carnival setting makes for some really visually interesting choreography that pairs perfectly with the catchy vocals.
