What are the best musicals of all time? The movie musical is an entertainment staple that has transcended generations. While not every film in the genre becomes a classic, there are many musicals with legacies that continue to live on in the hearts of viewers. There have been acclaimed musicals since the start of the movie industry, as the first actual “talkie” (a movie with actual talking and dialogue instead of words printed on the screen) was a musical called The Jazz Singer. While this movie remains problematic in today’s society, it was a monster success at the time and set the stage for the world of musicals that followed.
Over the years, the best movie musicals included names like Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Julie Andrews, Catherine Deneuve, James Cagney, and Judy Garland. These featured fantastical stories, romantic comedies, movies with dramatic social issues at the forefront, and even historical epics. While live-action musicals took a bit of a hiatus after a series of award-contenders in the 1990s and 2000s, they saw a slight resurrection in the 2010s and an even bigger one in the 2020s. With everyone from icons like Steven Spielberg and newcomers like Damien Chazelle pushing the genre, the best musicals of all time have plenty of new contenders to the crown.
20 The Greatest Showman (2017)
- Stream on Disney Plus
While most movie musicals are adapted from actual Broadway musicals, The Greatest Showman did something different by creating an entirely new musical for the big screen. The story was based on the life of P.T. Barnum, the historic businessman who created the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus, and followed his struggles to get his circus off the ground. The Greatest Showman went on to become the fifth highest-grossing musical of all time (via Forbes). With original songs and epic dance numbers, the one thing holding it down when talking about the best musicals of all time was not picking up any Oscar wins.
19 The Blues Brothers (1980)
- Available to rent on Apple TV & Prime Video
This ’80s comedy, based on The Blues Brothers recurring musical sketch featured on Saturday Night Live, tells the story of a convict and his brother who attempt to keep the Catholic orphanage they once lived in from closing its doors. They decide to accomplish this by getting their R&B band back together to earn the money. The film was both a critical and box office success, with many finding the humor and songs to be well-blended. The movie has since become a cult classic, warranted a sequel, and the original soundtrack sold over one million copies.
18 Hedwig And The Angry Itch (2001)
- Available to rent on Apple TV & Prime Video
Hedwig and the Angry Itch earned its spot among the best musicals of all time thanks to its standing as one of the most iconic queer stories ever told. What made the movie work as well as it did was the fact the stage play director, John Cameron Mitchell, adapted the play to the big screen. What resulted was a Rocky Horror Picture Show for a new generation and one of the best musicals of all time. Mitchell also took on the title role in the movie, as he did in the play, as Hedwig, a soulful and provocative, yet funny and philosophical artist. The story is as much about gender and cultural identity as it is about heartache, winning a directing award for Mitchell and an audience award at the Sundance Film Festival.
17 In The Heights (2021)
- Stream on HBO Max
In The Heights was slated to be one of the biggest movie musicals of 2020, but due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the movie kept getting pushed back until it was eventually released simultaneously in theaters and on HBO Max in 2021. Based On Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award-winning musical, In The Heights centers on Usnavi (Anthony Ramos), a bodega owner who dreams of a better life. The musical not only features beautiful song and dance numbers, but it also features a talented Latinx cast. Despite both high critical and audience scores on Rotten Tomatoes (both at 94%), it picked up no Oscar nominations.
16 Les Misérables (2012)
- Stream on Netflix
Les Misérables is one of the most iconic period musicals of all time, having been adapted from Victor Hugo’s novel. There are several adaptations, including standout movies in 1934 (arguably the best) and 1998 (with Liam Neeson), but the one that receives the most attention was the one released in 2012. This movie closely followed the Broadway musical, centering on Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), a prisoner who is freed and later becomes the guardian of young Cosette after her mother dies. With an all-star cast, the movie won three Oscars despite critics and audiences both discounting the story (69% and 79% on Rotten Tomatoes).
15 Tick, Tick… Boom! (2021)
- Stream on Netflix
Tick, Tick… Boom! became one of 2021’s biggest movies after being released on Netflix two days after it was released in theaters. The movie stars Andrew Garfield as legendary composer, lyricist, and playwright Jonathan Larson and was huge during award season. The musical follows Larson’s life as he grabbles with the highs and lows of his career, which leaves him constantly worrying he made the wrong choice. Directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the musical sticks to its Broadway roots with huge musical numbers and epic cameos from Broadway alums. It picked up two Oscar nominations and is a solid favorite for fans (96% on Rotten Tomatoes).
14 Moulin Rouge (2001)
- Stream on Starz
Baz Luhrmann has become synonymous with the best movie musicals, and when it comes to his best musicals of all time, Moulin Rogue sits at the top. As he did with his precious movie Romeo & Juliet, Luhrmann took a classic story in history and delivered his story with modern-day music. It was like nothing movie musical fans had seen before, a bright and colorful tragedy with songs by The Beatles, David Bowie, U2, Beck, and more. Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor were spectacular in their lead roles and the movie went on to pick up a nomination for Best Picture at the Oscars while winning two other awards. It also ranks on the American Film Institute’s list of Best Movie Musicals at #25.
13 West Side Story (2021)
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West Side Story has a long history in both the musical and the movie musical world. The Broadway musical first hit stages in 1957 and later was adapted for the screen in 1961. Adapted for a second time in 2021, West Side Story follows the same story of star-crossed Maria and Tony falling in love while the streets turn to chaos because of two rival gangs. The 2021 version maintained its Romeo & Juliet influence and even featured some of the original cast, like Rita Moreno. However, it surpassed the earlier movie by making cultural changes surrounding the Puerto Rican characters, and it ended up with seven Oscar nominations.
12 The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
- Available to rent on Apple TV & Prime Video
It is hard to explain The Rocky Horror Picture Show to someone who has never heard of it. The main story sees a couple whose car breaks down wander upon a house for help. This is the home of Frank N. Furter (Tim Curry), a “Sweet Transvestite from Transsexual Transylvania.” They find themselves in the middle of an experiment where Frank is creating his own man named Rocky, while Meatloaf shows up as the resurrected delivery boy whose brain was used to create Rocky. The movie has stood the test of time and still has midnight screenings across the country. It is the longest-running theatrical release in history and was added to the National Film Registry by the Library of Congress in 2005.
11 A Hard Day’s Night (1964)
- Stream on HBO Max & Criterion Channel
A Hard Day’s Night is more than just a movie starring The Beatles. Released in 1964, it’s considered one of the best musicals of all time thanks to the influence it exhibited after its release. Directed by Richard Lester, this was a day-in-the-life look at the Fab Four and not only included some of their biggest hit songs but let fans see them with their personality on full display. This movie ushered in the era of music videos and is widely considered the grandfather of music videos, almost two decades before MTV debuted. The BBC has ranked this British-made musical as the 88th best British film of all time, regardless of genre.
10 La La Land (2016)
- Stream on Netflix
This romantic comedy-drama tells of an aspiring jazz musician and actress who fall in love against the backdrop of modern Los Angeles directed by Damien Chazelle. The film makes many references to classic Hollywood musicals, adding bright colors and dazzling musical numbers. With a natural attraction between the leads and an unconventional ending, La La Land continues to enchant musical fans. And, yes, “City of Stars” won Best Original Song while composer Justin Hurwitz scored Best Original Score at The Oscars.
9 Fiddler On The Roof (1971)
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In 1971, the Broadway musical Fiddler on the Roof was brought to the silver screen. The movie tells of a Jewish father who attempts to find husbands for his five daughters with strong wills and desires of their own. Combining cheerful choreography with a powerful story, many viewers continue to treasure Fiddler on the Roof today. It took home Best Music, Scoring Adaption, and Original Song Score at The Oscars following its release. The movie is also a crowd-pleaser and ranks as the 82nd-best movie on the American Film Institute’s 100 Years … 100 Cheers list.
8 Chicago (2002)
- Stream on HBO Max
Chicago arrived when the best movie musicals of the 1990s and 2000s were at the height of their success. Directed by Rob Marshall, the movie had an all-star cast, with Renee Zellweger as Roxie Hart, Queen Latifah as Matron Mama Morton, Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly, and Richard Gere as Billy Flynn. But the true star here was Marshall, a four-time Tony award-winning director, who brought a deft touch to the big-screen adaptation. It was a monster success, with its 11 Oscar nominations the most in history by a movie musical, winning six awards including Best Picture, making it one of the best musicals of all time.
7 Cabaret (1972)
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Liza Minnelli is a legend, and she received her biggest success in 1972 when she starred in Cabaret. This movie did something that might shock many younger film fans. Director Bob Fosse won the Oscar for Best Picture for directing this movie, beating out Francis Ford Coppola, who directed a movie called The Godfather the same year. While The Godfather is a true classic, Fosse deserved the award, as did Minnelli, who won the Oscar for Best Actress. This was an award that Minnelli’s own mother, Judy Garland, never won. The story is also relevant as it tracks the Nazi’s rise to power and shows how it happened without anyone realizing it until it was too late.
6 Meet Me In St. Louis (1944)
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Meet Me in St. Louis is one of the best musicals of all time, and only a few in history can hold a candle to the music, the story, and the performances in this masterpiece. It is also one of the few musicals on Rotten Tomatoes to enjoy a 100% fresh rating for critics. Judy Garland, who made her name with The Wizard of Oz, was at the top of her game here and was never better in any movie. Meet Me in St. Louis was also a Christmas staple for many yea thanks to Garland singing “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” The movie never won an Oscar, but it sits as the 10th-best musical of all time on the AFI list, with three of its songs making the AFI Best Songs list.
5 Mary Poppins (1964)
- Stream on Disney Plus
Mary Poppins is a Disney mostly-live-action musical that stars Julie Andrews as the titular magical nanny, Mary Poppins. Mary Poppins becomes the new nanny to two young children who have a rough family life and are happy to have a new nanny they can have fantastical adventures with. The iconic movie is filled with great, uplifting original music and fun dance choreography throughout, including several standout songs like Andrew’s “A Spoonful of Sugar” and Dick Van Dyke’s “Chim Chim Cher-ee.” The movie picked up 13 Oscar nominations and won five.
4 The Wizard Of Oz (1939)
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While this musical fantasy starring Judy Garland was released decades ago, it remains one of the best musicals of all time. It tells of a young girl from Kansas, Dorothy, who is sent to the enchanted world of Oz with her dog, Toto, after a tornado hits her home. Here, she journeys to meet the Wizard in the Emerald City whom she hopes can send her back to Kansas. She helps the Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, and Scarecrow along the way. The colorful visuals, heartwarming story, and charming melodies have made this one a favorite of many. It won the Best Music, Original Score, and Best Music, Original Song categories at the Academy Awards.
3 My Fair Lady (1964)
- Stream on Paramount Plus
My Fair Lady is a movie version starring Audrey Hepburn as Eliza Doolittle and is based on the iconic and beloved 1950s stage musical. The movie follows the same story as the original musical, as a phonetics professor decides to take on the challenge of teaching Eliza, who has a Cockney accent, to enunciate and act like a member of high society. The two clash, but eventually form a bond throughout the film that’s filled with lavish costumes, stage production, and music. The movie ended up with 12 Oscar nominations, winning eight of them, and is part of the National Film Registry in the Library of Congress.
2 The Sound Of Music (1965)
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In 1965, the stage musical about Maria, an Austrian postulant who teaches music to the Von Trapp family, was brought to the big screen. With beautiful backdrops, a charming romance, and songs that have withstood the test of time, the drama had a lot going for it. It also featured the angelic voice of Julie Andrews. Directed by Robert Wise (West Side Story), the film won five Oscars, including Best Picture. Its legacy lives on as one of the best musicals of all time, but it is more than that in movie history. In the American Film Institute’s list of the best movies of all time, it ranks 55th, regardless of genre.
1 Singin’ In The Rain (1952)
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This iconic 1950s musical rom-com focuses on the transition from silent film to sound-filled movies in late 1920s Hollywood. Singin’ in the Rain is told with a focus on the working and romantic relationship between an aspiring young actress and a longtime silent film star. The movie remains a classic, with memorable songs, elaborate dance numbers, and magnetic chemistry between the leads. It has been continually referenced in modern pop culture works for a reason. The movie is one of the rare movies with a 100% critical rating on Rotten Tomatoes. The American Film Institute ranks it as the best musical of all time and the 10th best movie of all time, regardless of genre. It also has three songs on its Best Songs list.
