10 Notoriously Bad Singing Performances In Movie Musicals

When watching a movie musical, one expects impeccable singing, but that’s not always the case. Sometimes, even talented actors without much singing experience deliver rather unpleasant performances. After all, musicals live or die on the vocal prowess of their casts. In the realm of stage productions, frail voices might slip by unnoticed amidst the sweeping spectacle, but the intimacy of film leaves subpar singing starkly exposed. Despite the demands, ill-equipped stars often secure roles for their box office appeal rather than for their vocal talents. However, their deficient singing performances stand out conspicuously.

From Gerard Butler’s rendition of Phantom of the Opera‘s soaring arias to Pierce Brosnan’s rough attempt at Mamma Mia!, lacking talent has sunk many lavish musicals. Even icons like Tom Cruise struggled to convincingly rock out in Rock of Ages. While fans may initially rejoice at the sight of their favorites on screen, their off-key crooning shatters the fantasy. These disharmonious efforts join a tuneless hall of infamy, underscoring that musicals rely foremost on polished performers who can adeptly carry a melody. Otherwise, instead of smoothly gliding dreams, audiences are left with embarrassing nightmares.

10 Pierce Brosnan in Mamma Mia! (2008)

Portrays Sam Carmichael

Renowned for his role as cinema’s smoothest secret agent, Pierce Brosnan ventures into the musical genre. Set against the upbeat ABBA soundtrack, the lighthearted film in the Greek Isles features an impressive ensemble cast, though most aren’t known for their singing abilities. Portraying one of three potential fathers to Sophie, Brosnan delivers his vocal performances alongside seasoned actors like Meryl Streep and Colin Firth. However, lacking formal training, his strained singing reveals a noticeable deficiency in musical talent. Despite his dedication to the film’s atmosphere, Brosnan’s vocal limitations prevented him from seamlessly blending with the iconic ABBA melodies.

9 Will Smith in Aladdin (2019)

Portrays The Genie

In the live-action remake of Aladdin, Will Smith boldly steps into the iconic role of the Genie, previously portrayed by the legendary Robin Williams. While Smith’s performance brings its own flair to the character, emulating Williams proves challenging. Nevertheless, Smith injects the film with energy and serves as its main highlight. However, his singing falls short of expectations. Despite his enthusiasm, Smith’s vocals lack the depth and control needed for the musical numbers, particularly evident in tracks like “Friend Like Me.” Nonetheless, his charisma shines through, providing a bright spot in one of Guy Ritchie’s best movies.

8 John Travolta in Hairspray (2007)

Portrays Edna Turnblad

The film adaptation of the lively Broadway musical Hairspray sparked controversy with the casting of John Travolta as housewife Edna Turnblad. Unlike the iconic portrayals by Divine in the original and Harvey Fierstein on stage, Travolta’s rendition lacked the necessary vocal prowess and persona. Despite Travolta getting his start on Broadway, his lackluster delivery dampened the infectious energy of the score, missing the vivacity and sass that define the character. Despite a strong supporting cast, Travolta’s performance felt more like a celebrity vanity project than a fitting casting choice.

7 Cameron Diaz in Annie (2014)

Portrays Miss Hannigan

In the lackluster Annie remake, Cameron Diaz’s portrayal of Miss Hannigan proved to be an unfitting swan song for her career. Diaz, known for her limited musical abilities, failed to breathe life into iconic numbers like “Little Girls” and “Easy Street.” Her thin voice and inability to deliver powerful vocals highlighted her struggle with the demands required for musical theater. Additionally, obvious autotuning stripped away the authenticity of her character, diminishing the essence of the boozy and abrasive character. Diaz’s performance lacked intrigue and joy, underscoring her unsuitability for a role demanding strong musical prowess.

6 Rebel Wilson in Cats (2019)

Portrays Jennyanydots

The movie version of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Cats stands as one of the most criticized cinematic endeavors in recent memory. While assigning blame in its disastrous execution is challenging given its overall shortcomings, Rebel Wilson’s portrayal of the cat Jennyanydots emerges as a particularly weak link, especially in terms of musical performance. Amidst the unsettling digital fur effects, Wilson’s rendition of campy numbers falls flat due to her shrill delivery. Unable to infuse the absurdity with the intended charm, her lackluster vocals only exacerbate the film’s missteps. Wilson’s performance becomes an unfortunate sore point, further contributing to the film’s disharmony.

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5 Seth Rogan in The Lion King (2019)

Portrays Pumbaa

Billy Eichner and Seth Rogen portray the meerkat-warthog duo Timon and Pumbaa in the live-action The Lion King. While Eichner delivers solid vocals, Rogen struggles with the musical numbers, his voice lacking polish and pitch accuracy. Despite his entertaining line readings as Pumbaa, Rogen’s singing, particularly in the beloved song “Hakuna Matata,” falls flat. His wavering voice often misses the mark, failing to harmonize effectively with Eichner’s brighter tones. While casting choices share some blame, Rogen’s shortcomings underscore the remake’s larger issue: draining vibrant songs of their vitality through misguided renderings.

4 Gerard Butler in Phantom of the Opera (2004)

Portrays Erik The Phantom of the Opera

Another Andrew Lloyd Webber movie adaptation, The Phantom of the Opera, had trouble finding a leading man who could hit the demanding vocal heights required for the role. Unfortunately, the 2004 film relied too heavily on Gerard Butler’s voice, resulting in disastrous outcomes. Portraying the disfigured specter haunting the Paris Opera, Butler maintained dramatic intensity but failed to deliver in beloved anthems like the title track, with his vocals. Lacking classical technique and nuance, his performance drained all beauty from the score. His casting appears more for marquee value than musical ability, a huge misstep for a production demanding skills.

3 Tom Cruise in Rock of Ages (2012)

Portrays Stacee Jaxx

The hair metal jukebox musical adaptation Rock of Ages has Tom Cruise take on the role of faded rock star Stacee Jaxx, a character seemingly tailored to his star power. Cruise certainly looks the part of the outlandish ’80s rock icon, fully embracing the persona. However, while he commits wholeheartedly to portraying a musical frontman, Cruise’s voice fails to match his bravado. His stifled tone and limited range lack the smooth, sleazy intensity required. Despite his charismatic acting, Cruise falls short of truly moving audiences with a convincing vocal performance that matches his dedicated portrayal.

2 Russell Crowe in Les Misérables (2012)

Portrays Inspector Javert

Broadway’s beloved Les Misérables has Russell Crowe take on the role of police inspector Javert in the film adaptation, seemingly a perfect fit given his powerful screen presence. While the film is one of Russell Crowe’s best movies, his singing voice falls short compared to stellar vocalists like Hugh Jackman and Anne Hathaway. His vocals, lacking the emotional depth and range needed, pale in comparison to his co-stars. Crowe’s performance highlights a mismatch between character and performer, with his limitations becoming glaringly apparent in the emotionally demanding score of Les Misérables.

1 Clint Eastwood in Paint Your Wagon (1969)

Portrays Pardner

The interesting Western musical Paint Your Wagon featured grizzled western icons Clint Eastwood and Lee Marvin as prospecting partners, who curiously spent much of the film engaging in lengthy song-and-dance numbers. Neither actor possessed strong musical abilities, with Eastwood notably struggling vocally, which clashed with his tough, silent persona. His attempt at “I Talk to the Trees” sounded bitter and off-key. Eastwood’s unique style of awkward crooning added a touch of amusement, highlighting the film’s inconsistencies. While one of Eastwood’s more interesting Western characters, Paint Your Wagon is an anomaly where even the toughest cowboy couldn’t hit the right notes.