Top 20 Movie Musicals of the Century So Far
#20: “High School Musical 2” (2007)
Top 10 Unforgettable High School Musical Moments
The first “High School Musical” was a modern take on the classic tale of “Romeo & Juliet” without the whole, they both die at the end part. It’s a good thing because otherwise, we wouldn’t have this sequel, which, at least according to critics, was a step up from the original. School’s out for summer in the second film. And the gang, the music, and the dancing are back to keep us, even those of us years past our tweens, highly entertained. To quote your favorite late-night infomercial - but wait, there’s more! Because they didn’t stop there, releasing “High School Musical 3: Senior Year” the following year, yet another hit for the franchise.
#19: “Beauty and the Beast” (2017)
Top 10 Best Beauty and the Best Songs
The 2017 live-action version of “Beauty and the Beast” had a lot to live up to, being an adaptation of the much loved and highly acclaimed 1991 animated movie. The first animated film to win a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture Musical or Comedy and the first animated movie to be nominated for a Best Picture Oscar. Even with all that, to say the 2017 film lived up to expectations might be underselling it. The movie features all the iconic songs from the original film, as well as the magic and the joy of that 1991 animated classic. Not to mention grossing over $1 billion, making it the second-biggest movie of the year behind “Star Wars: The Last Jedi.”
#18: “The Muppets” (2011)
Top 10 Best Movie Musicals of the 20th Century
It may not be the best Muppet movie of all time, as that title still, and probably always will belong to 1979’s “The Muppet Movie.” But after some highs and lows in the Muppet movie franchise in the intervening three decades, 2011’s “The Muppets” was a high for the franchise and for musicals of the century. Co-written by, and starring, the always enjoyable Jason Segel, “The Muppets” doesn’t shy away from the nostalgia of the franchise. In fact, the movie happily leans right into it and that’s hard to resist for anyone whose childhood comes with memories of those funny, felt-covered puppets. And the film’s 95% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes would suggest we aren’t the only ones who think so.
#17: “The Greatest Showman” (2017)
Top 10 Most Underrated Dance Scenes in Modern Movie Musicals
2017’s “The Greatest Showman” starring Hugh Jackman is a musical drama loosely based on the life of P. T. Barnum and his creation of Barnum’s American Museum. The film was a huge financial success, bringing in over $400 million worldwide and becoming one of the highest-grossing live-action musicals ever. It also gave us the original song, “This Is Me,” which won a Golden Globe and was nominated for an Oscar. And sure, the film wasn’t as well received by the critics, but at least they talked about it. Because as P.T. Barnum is credited with saying, “There is no such thing as bad publicity.”
#16: “In the Heights” (2021)
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Money isn’t everything, especially when it comes to judging the quality of a film based solely on its box office success or failure. “In the Heights” is a perfect example. Lin-Manuel Miranda had already taken home a Best Musical Tony Award years earlier for the stage production, and after the mega-success of “Hamilton,” there were big expectations for the “In the Heights” movie. And critically the film lived up to them, scoring a very impressive 94% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. However, with a break-even number of $200 million, the film only took home $43 million. The pandemic and the film’s presence on HBO Max obviously played a role, but a musical this joyous is bound to have a life beyond the box office.
#15: “Across the Universe” (2007)
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The Beatles are to art and entertainment what bacon is to the culinary world. They make everything better. Visitors to Las Vegas saw it with Cirque du Soleil’s production of “Love.” Kids have seen it with “Beat Bugs” on Netflix. And movie-goers got a delicious taste back in 2007 with the jukebox musical “Across the Universe.” Featuring over 30 songs from, arguably the greatest band of all time, the film tells of love, war, and social and political upheaval in the 1960s. Throw in the eye-catching visual style and this is a must-see regardless of whether you’re a Beatles superfan or not.
#14: “Into the Woods” (2014)
Top 10 Songs We Wish Hadn't Been Deleted from Movie Musicals
You might notice that a number of films on this list are adaptations of Broadway productions, and “Into the Woods” is no exception. The original show made its Broadway debut all the way back in 1987 and over the years there were a number of attempts to turn it into a movie. But where others failed, Disney - as is often the case - succeeded. With Rob Marshall directing and a cast that includes Meryl Streep and Emily Blunt, the film was definitely not lacking for talent. And although it did receive some criticism for changes made in the adaptation from the stage, this fairy tale left us feeling anything but Grimm.
#13: “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” (2007)
The story of a serial killer barber in Victorian England might not sound like a great idea for a musical, but guess what… it is. It was in 1979 when it won the Tony Award for Best Musical and in 2008 when Tim Burton’s film adaptation took home the award for Best Picture Musical or Comedy at the 65th Golden Globes. We also have to give Johnny Depp kudos for his performance as the eponymous demon barber. Of course, we didn’t doubt his ability to give a haunting performance, but we were certainly surprised (pleasantly, of course) by the vocal chops that the role of Sweeney Todd allowed him to showcase!
#12: “Rent” (2005)
In 2005, the movie musical “Rent” premiered in theaters, almost 10 years after the stage musical made its debut on Broadway (that’s just under 525,600 x 10 minutes). With six of the actors from the Broadway show returning for the film, the movie had a connection to the material that other film musical adaptations don’t. And it came across in the production. While there were some critics and audience members who could take it or leave it, “Rent” is one of the 21st Century musicals that we will always take.
#11: “Tick, Tick... Boom!” (2021)
Every Cameo in Tick, Tick... Boom!
“Tick, Tick... Boom!” brings together modern-day musical royalty. The 2021 film is an adaptation of the Off-Broadway show written by “Rent” creator Jonathan Larson. And it was directed by none other than “In the Heights” and “Hamilton” writer Lin-Manuel Miranda. With talent like that, we were sure hoping this one would be good, and we weren’t disappointed. The original stage production was performed as a rock monologue by Larson himself back in 1990, but it went through a number of changes during his time with it and was also reworked by others following his death in 1996. The film does a good job of honoring the essence of the piece and of Larson himself.
#10: “Mamma Mia!” (2008)
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This 2008 Jukebox musical features songs written by the Swedish band ABBA. And like ABBA’s music, the film is bright, fun, catchy, a little cheesy, and hard to resist. The filmmakers took a chance on turning the hit Broadway musical into a movie and it worked, as the film raked in lots of Money, Money, Money. Over $600 million in fact. And the love for the movie didn’t stop there, as people in the UK and Sweden said I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do, I Do to the release of the DVD. By the end of 2008, it was the best-selling DVD ever in both countries.
#9: “Enchanted” (2007)
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In 2001, DreamWorks poked fun at Disney with their animated classic, “Shrek.” But in 2007, Disney showed that they can also laugh at themselves with “Enchanted.” The film is a mostly live-action musical that fondly pays tribute to classic Disney animated movies while also spoofing said films with a knowing wink to the audience. And let’s not forget the great songs. The Disney catalog of songs is just as impressive as its movies and “Enchanted” lived up to those high expectations. So much so that at the 2008 Academy Awards, three of the five Best Original Song nominees were from “Enchanted.”
#8: “Dreamgirls” (2006)
What film was nominated for the most Oscars at the 79th Academy Awards in 2007? That’s right, it was “Dreamgirls.” The musical inspired by the era of Motown and very, very, very loosely based on the story of The Supremes, was nominated for eight Oscars. The film is a crowd-pleasing adaptation of the 1980s Broadway musical and it made Jennifer Hudson a star and the youngest African-American to win an acting Oscar. The movie was also nominated for three Best Original Song awards, becoming the first live-action movie to do so, one year before “Enchanted” did it.
#7: “Once” (2007)
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There was once a Guy who played music and fixed vacuum cleaners who fell in love with a Girl who played music and sold flowers. But while that might sound like the intro to a typical Hollywood romance, “Once” doesn’t follow the typical romantic movie storyline. Which is just one of the things that makes it so amazing. There’s also the beautiful music which was written and performed by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, the ones who play the Guy and the Girl in the film. Remember how “Enchanted” was nominated for three song awards at the Oscars in 2008? Well, all three lost to “Falling Slowly” from “Once.”
#6: “Les Misérables” (2012)
Top 10 Movie Musicals for the Holiday Season
While we haven’t done the math, we’re willing to say that there have been more adaptations of “Les Misérables” than any other film on this list. Victor Hugo’s 19th-century novel and the 1980 stage musical are only the tip of the iceberg. It’s as if every generation has their own version of “Les Misérables.” And for this century, at least so far, the stand-out is the 2012 film. A film that reinvigorated the classic tale and took home three Golden Globes, four BAFTAs, and three Oscars, including a Best Supporting Actress sweep for Anne Hathaway.
#5: “West Side Story” (2021)
The Story of West Side Story: From Stage to Screen
If we were putting together a list of the best movie musicals of the 20th century, “West Side Story” would be on it. And now the 21st Century has an equally great “West Side Story” as well. Steven Spielberg and a cast of talented actors, singers, and dancers managed to breathe new life into a remake many didn’t think was even needed. With the original being so good, there were no doubt those who thought Spielberg was crazy for remaking it. But he was cool and he had a vision. And given the critical acclaim, the film has received, that vision was - as is usually the case with Mr. Spielberg - one we’re glad he followed through on.
#4: “Moulin Rouge!” (2001)
The Untold Story of Moulin Rouge
A musical love story between a writer and a courtesan in turn-of-the-century Paris centered around the famous Moulin Rouge and featuring modern music probably shouldn’t work. But in the hands of Baz Luhrmann - the man who made “Romeo and Juliet” cool again - it didn't just work… it rocked! The film is a visual and sonic feast for the senses that will make you laugh and cry, will make you believe in true love, and will break your heart. All brought together with a jukebox soundtrack filled with modern, late 20th Century music. There was so much music, in fact, it took Luhrmann two and a half years to finalize all the rights to every song used in the movie.
#3: “Hairspray” (2007)
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Wake up Baltimore (and everyone else), “Hairspray” is one of the three best musicals of the 21st century so far. The OG John Waters film is a classic and while remakes are generally hit or miss, the 2007 version brought the beat from Broadway to the silver screen. Financially, it raked in over $200 million and received universal critical acclaim. We can see why, as “Hairspray” manages to be a feel-good musical while still tackling its serious subject matter with sincerity. So, to anyone who is doubting the awesomeness of this one… Go run and tell that!
#2: “La La Land” (2016)
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Remember when “La La Land,” we mean “Moonlight,” won Best Picture at the 2017 Academy Awards? While the film will always be associated with the biggest gaffe in Oscar history, we should not allow that to distract us from how darn good it is as well. Director Damien Chazelle set out to make an old-school-style musical but “ground it in real life where things don't always exactly work out.” The film is an ode to Los Angeles, love, the arts, and the sacrifices that must be made to follow your dreams. And for his efforts, 32-year-old Chazelle took home the Oscar for Best Director, becoming the youngest person ever to do so. Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions. “The Phantom of the Opera” (2004) Come for the Crashing Chandelier, Stay for the Awesome Songs “The Last Five Years” (2014) A 5-Year Relationship Seen from 2 POVs with Timelines Moving in Opposite Directions “Mary Poppins Returns” (2018) A Supercalifragilisticexpiali-Sequel “Pitch Perfect” (2012) Who Knew A Capella Could Be So Aca-Awesome?! “Rocketman” (2019) It’s Gonna Be a Long Long Time Before There’s Another Biopic Musical as Good as This One
#1: “Chicago” (2002)
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Unlike “La La Land,” when “Chicago” was announced as the Best Picture winner at the 2003 Academy Awards, it wasn’t a mistake. Not only is “Chicago” the only musical on our list to have taken home Oscar’s top honor, it was the first musical to do so in over 30 years. And it deserved all the praise it received. Now, if you’re looking for a musical with a moral message where people who do bad are punished and doing good means good things will happen, then “Chicago” isn’t for you. But the lack of karma aside, this film has it all: Sultry killers, tap dancing lawyers, a rabid tabloid press, a blood-thirsty public, great music, awesome choreography, and all….. that….. “jazzzzzzz”.
