Top 10 Best Movie Musicals of the 20th Century
#10: “Mary Poppins” (1964)
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Led by the endearing presence of Julie Andrews, “Mary Poppins” feels like a warm hug courtesy of Disney. The main actress arrives to restore order to the Banks household with a little bit of magic. She teaches the children some life lessons through song, performing classics like “Spoonful of Sugar.” Andrews won an Oscar for her portrayal of the titular nanny that brings a sparkle to this London family. With the help of Dick Van Dyke’s Bert, the group have fun in a number of stylized sequences. The fantastical movie takes viewers on an adventure full of singing, dancing, and even moments of animation.
#9: “Grease” (1978)
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Among the more successful musicals of its decade, “Grease” serves as a throwback to the late 1950s. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John star in a case of two opposites falling in love. The cinematic adaptation of the stage show features many enduring hits like “Summer Nights” and the hot-rod anthem “Greased Lightnin.” Newton-John also shows off her pipes in slower ballads such as “Hopelessly Devoted to You.” The love story contains more than a few chances to sing and dance, coming to a head with a memorable conclusion. Both characters reunite for “You’re the One That I Want” in another reminder of the soundtrack’s toe-tapping numbers.
#8: “The Band Wagon” (1953)
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Featuring a late-career performance by Fred Astaire, this Vincente Minnelli film includes no shortage of high-quality numbers. “The Band Wagon” focuses on the making of a Broadway show with other great cast members like Cyd Charisse. Along with some fantastic production design, the project allows Hollywood legends to excel in extended sequences. The section known as the “Girl Hunt” ballet features some iconic dancing courtesy of the two leads. With a long list of standards, the musical also has the famous composition “That’s Entertainment!” Minnelli’s vision brings many effective elements together to create another gem from MGM.
#7: “An American in Paris” (1951)
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In this Best Picture winner, the genius Gene Kelly stars as an artist working in France’s capital city. He later becomes infatuated with a woman played by Leslie Caron despite a friend having already fallen for her. This complicated love story plays out with Kelly doing what he does best, with songs like “I Got Rhythm” that still rank among his most well-known performances. The final sequence brings together a multitude of musical numbers in a stunning ballet. Allowing the lead performer to do some eye-catching choreography, the last section has a whole host of scene and costume changes for viewers to enjoy.
#6: “Swing Time” (1936)
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Starring Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers, “Swing Time” is one of several films featuring the talented duo. The former plays a dancer that takes lessons from the latter. After a splendid routine together, the pair have a number of other scenes that allow them to fall in love. The romantic story gives these partners no shortage of opportunities to show off their moves. From tap numbers to elegant ballroom steps, the movie lets them play around in different dance styles. This all comes with the foundation of Jerome Kern’s music and Dorothy Fields’ words. Any time Astaire and Rogers share the screen together, they put viewers at ease with their natural abilities.
#5: “Cabaret” (1972)
“Cabaret” takes a serious look at Germany before the Third Reich. While that might sound depressing, this musical delicately blends its history lessons with lively songs. Liza Minnelli’s starring role commands the stage of the Kit Kat Klub. Brilliantly directed by Bob Fosse, she does justice to the Kander and Ebb numbers. Joel Grey’s Master of Ceremonies steals his scenes as another skilled performer. As the fascist movement grows around them, the entertainers deliver engrossing work during the Weimar Republic. Fosse’s history in the genre clearly aids his direction as the well-staged sequences feel especially impactful.
#4: “The Wizard of Oz” (1939)
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“The Wizard of Oz” is not only a Hollywood classic, it’s full of many songs we know by heart. “Over the Rainbow” still sounds as wonderful as it did nearly a century ago. Judy Garland plays her most famous role as the Kansas teenager lost in a magical land. Teaming up with her misfit friends, Dorothy heads out on a fantastic journey full of life lessons and unforgettable set pieces. By the time they reach the Emerald City, the characters have become some of the most beloved in movie history. The Golden Age of American film wouldn’t be complete without this fantasy masterpiece.
#3: “The Sound of Music” (1965)
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With a catalog of beloved musicals, Rodgers and Hammerstein really outdo themselves with this particular piece. Robert Wise directs the film adaptation that does justice to all of the writers’ quotable songs. Aspiring nun Maria teaches the von Trapp children to sing in numbers such as “Do-Re-Mi,” helping the kids and viewers fall in love with music. Julie Andrews delivers another compelling lead performance as she slowly works her way into the Austrian family’s life. It all comes together with WWII looming in the background, bringing together some reality to a partially true story. You’ll likely be humming all of these joyous melodies for days after watching it.
#2: “West Side Story” (1961)
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With the music of Leonard Bernstein and the lyrics of Stephen Sondheim, “West Side Story” builds from a strong foundation. The stage musical receives an astounding rendition courtesy of directors Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins. Stellar casting includes Russ Tamblyn and Rita Moreno, filling out the movie’s many roles with well-rounded performances. The update to the “Romeo and Juliet” story involves carefully executed numbers that work on every emotional level. Robbins’ choreography is a standout throughout this cinematic adaptation, creating a balance between fight scenes and ballet. It was one of the most Oscar-winning films of its day for all of these reasons and more. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory” (1971) Gene Wilder Stars in an Absurdly Funny Musical Based on Roald Dahl’s Novel “Top Hat” (1935) Astaire & Rogers Team Up to Perform Iconic Standards by Irving Berlin “The Blues Brothers” (1980) The SNL Members Rub Elbows with Music Legends in This Hilarious ‘80s Classic “Meet Me in St. Louis” (1944) Judy Garland Wins Our Hearts in This Classic Film Set around the 1904 World’s Fair “Funny Girl” (1968) Barbra Streisand Sings Many Classics as Fanny Brice & Wins an Oscar for Her Performance
#1: “Singin’ in the Rain” (1952)
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Standing as a high watermark for classic Hollywood, “Singin’ in the Rain” easily ranks among the best musicals of all time. Starring the inimitable Gene Kelly, it features some of the most memorable numbers in the history of MGM studios. Kelly sings and dances during the iconic title song in just one impressive section. Next to that rainy sequence, the movie includes highlights like “Make ‘Em Laugh” and “Good Morning.” It also does a fantastic job at describing the transitional era between silent and talkie films. Full of amazing performances from the entire cast, this project is a nonstop combination of laughs, music, and romance.
