Top 10 Best Movie Musicals of the Last Decade
#10: “The Greatest Showman” (2017)
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Say what you want about this one – you can’t deny it’s got the juice. With a cast composed of Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Zendaya, and Michelle Williams, it was clear “The Greatest Showman” would be a hit. We just had no idea how much of a hit. The movie earned $435 million at the box office, and is the fifth-highest-grossing live-action movie musical in history. While some might take issue with the film’s, uhm … poetic license, about the man who was P.T. Barnum, you can’t deny that this one has magic to spare. The songs are catchy and exuberant, and the actors really give it their all.
#9: “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie” (2021)
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As more and more voices get the chance to tell their stories, some amazing musicals are making their way to the forefront. In 2021, the world received “Everybody’s Talking About Jamie.” The story is based on a real boy named Jamie who struggles with coming out and coming into his own at school. While the film unfortunately didn’t get the wide release it deserved, those of us who saw it, loved it. The movie has a fun and upbeat score, brilliant British humor, and the lead performance from Max Harwood is effortlessly infectious. If you haven’t seen this one, check it out.
#8: “A Star Is Born” (2018)
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With a lead single like “Shallow,” we’d have been fools to leave this one off the list. “A Star is Born” is a story we’ve all seen – four other times, in fact – before this rendition hit theaters. While we still think Judy Garland’s 1954 version takes the cake as the best, 2018 is a close second. Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga might not seem like the most obvious pairing at first, but the quirky, yet natural chemistry the pair shared lit up our screens. Plus, the music was an immediate hit. “Shallow” won an Oscar and became one of the best-selling singles ever – and the rest of the soundtrack ain’t too shabby either!
#7: “La La Land” (2016)
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What’s almost as good as a Golden Age Hollywood musical? Why, an ode to the era, of course! In 2016, director Damien Chazelle took us back in time with “La La Land.” The movie follows Emma Stone’s Mia as a wannabe actress who meets and falls in love with a struggling jazz pianist played by Ryan Gosling. The film takes place in, where else but Los Angeles, and is a true love letter to the city and the industry. The singing and dancing is marvelous, and the colors and direction of the film truly evoke old Hollywood at its finest. When we say the movies are an escape, this is what we mean.
#6: “In the Heights” (2021)
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If you’re a casual musical fan, you might have only known Lin-Manuel Miranda from his labor of love megahit “Hamilton.” But, real musical heads know that “In the Heights” was here first. The show hit Broadway in 2008 after three years of premiering at other venues, and fans waited desperately for a movie version. In 2021, they finally got their wish with Jon M. Chu’s beautifully directed version of the show. The film is incredibly cast, including powerhouses like Jimmy Smits and Daphne Rubin-Vega. But, it also showcases a lot of younger talent that we can’t wait to see go far. Chu’s version of Washington Heights is endlessly delightful, evoking a sort of magical realism that makes the film sparkle (even through the power outage!).
#5: “Pitch Perfect” (2012)
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In 2012, mash-up culture was at an all-time high. And “Pitch Perfect” capitalized on that energy to delightful effect. Starring Anna Kendrick – and, only further bursting her into stardom – the acapella comedy ran away with our hearts. The movie is essentially a jukebox musical, but puts a fun spin on the concept by combining different songs together with mesmerizing results. Seriously, if you can watch the Barden Bellas’ final performance without punching your fist into the air, you’re better than us. “Pitch Perfect” became a massive success, and everyone remembered how much they love musicals.
#4: “Rocketman” (2019)
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It seems that every rock or pop star worth their salt is getting a biopic these days. And it also seems that every single one of them is just… named after their most popular song – looking at you, “Bohemian Rhapsody.” In 2019, one of these song-named biopic musicals rose above the rest. That’s right – we’re talking about “Rocketman.” “Rocketman” tells the story of Elton John through his music – and it’s just about as glittery as you’d expect. The movie interweaves John’s songs into his life in a way that really puts into perspective where his inspiration comes from. Not only that, but it perfectly encapsulates all the glamor and extravagance we love about him while still telling his story with great empathy.
#3: “Tick, Tick… Boom!” (2021)
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If you’ve only heard of one musical, ever, we’re willing to bet that it’s “Rent.” But, you might not have known about the story of the man behind the music. Jonathan Larson died tragically before he could see “Rent’s” success but. through his art, we can get to know him. “Tick, Tick… Boom!” was released before “Rent,” and is an autobiographical retelling of Larson’s creative struggle. The Netflix adaptation, starring Andrew Garfield and directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, perfectly captures the creator’s soul while managing to tell a story about not only an icon, but a fully-formed person. Plus, the music bangs. We think Larson would have been proud.
#2: “Sing Street” (2016)
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Sometimes, you gotta take to the street and sing. This criminally underrated musical came out in 2016. While it was well-received by critics and did relatively good numbers, it seems everyone always forgets about it. Well, we’re here to make sure you remember “Sing Street”! The story is rather familiar… a bunch of teenage boys decide they want to impress girls, so they start a band. It’s a hilarious and heartfelt plot, one that’s filled to the brim with catchy original songs. The movie musical also features a wonderful cast that expertly play up the 1980s vibe, and are clearly having a raucous good time. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.
“Cyrano” (2021)
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“Matilda the Musical” (2022)
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“The Last Five Years” (2014)
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“Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again” (2018)
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“Mary Poppins Returns” (2018)
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#1: “West Side Story” (2021)
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It’s always been a dream of Steven Spielberg’s to make a musical. And, in 2021, his passion project came to fruition with one of the greatest musicals ever written. It was definitely a risk – the 1961 movie version of “West Side Story” is considered one of the very best. But, Spielberg and screenwriter Tony Kushner were able to take something so beloved and update it wondefully for a new generation. It introduced us to Rachel Zegler, who literally has the voice of an angel. And it saw great performances from Ansel Elgort, Ariana DeBose, Mike Faist, David Alvarez, and of course, the wonderful Rita Moreno. Let this be a reminder to all who doubt Spielberg: You’re in good hands!
