Musicals are a genre of storytelling that can be used to tell many kinds of stories. While many musicals are fun and lighthearted, some can tell important stories with deep themes. No matter what kind of musical you like, Netflix offers a decent selection of options that are available to stream right now.
From Disney musicals to classics, here are ten of the best musicals to stream on Netflix at this very moment.
HIGH SCHOOL MUSICAL 3: SENIOR YEAR
High School Musical 3 was the third and last installment of the series that started on the Disney Channel. The film stars Vanessa Hudgens and Zac Efron and is really how these two got their big start. The last of the trilogy is all about the fears and fun that the group of characters has during the last year of high school. When the school throws a spring musical, the characters are able to express their feelings about graduation.
This is a fun, lighthearted musical to watch when you just want to enjoy yourself.
SHREK THE MUSICAL
Shrek the Musical might have seemed like a strange idea to create, but it’s been quite successful. The musical ran on Broadway for a couple of years starting in 2008. The Broadway show was filmed and released on DVD, and now you can watch this high-quality recording of the Broadway cast on Netflix.
If you want a musical that will make you laugh and that’s a little bit silly and fun, this is a good choice for you. You’ll enjoy reliving all of the best and most hilarious moments from Shrek but with a new twist.
JERSEY BOYS
Jersey Boys was a popular Broadway musical for a time and it was eventually turned into a film directed by Clint Eastwood. This musical is the ideal choice for people who enjoy music from the 50s and 60s.
This musical follows the story of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons as they get their career off the ground and struggle with obstacles such as problems with the mob. The high points of this movie are the songs, as they are really good and keep the story moving forward. If you’re looking to watch a musical that’s not geared for kids, Jersey Boys could be the right choice for you to watch tonight.
HERCULES
Disney has made a variety of musicals over the years. Many of their animated films are musicals and some of these films have even been turned into Broadway adaptations. While Hercules isn’t one of the movies that Disney has made into a Broadway show, it is definitely a fun musical film. The song “I Can Go the Distance” is an inspiring song that people of all ages can enjoy.
Sometimes, a Disney film is just what you’re in the mood for, and this is a musical that people of all ages can enjoy.
WEST SIDE STORY
West Side Story is one of the more classic musicals on this list. This is an iconic classic that won 10 Oscars when it was released in 1961. The story is a re-telling of Romeo and Juliet but is instead set in New York City in the 1950s.
The story follows two gangs, the Puerto Rican Sharks and the American Jets. When Tony from the Jets falls in love with Maria, played by Natalie Wood, from the Sharks, their love meets many obstacles. The music was created by Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein, making this a true classic. If you love romances and dramas, this is the perfect musical for you.
ACROSS THE UNIVERSE
This isn’t the most well-known or influential musical on the list, but it is definitely a compelling, romantic movie. Released in 2007, this musical features music by The Beatles. It tells the story of a working-class man, Jude, and a girl from the midwest named Lucy who is played by Evan Rachel Wood. The movie is set in the 1960s and deals with issues from the time such as the Vietnam War.
Across the Universe is colorful and dynamic and a little different than what you might expect from a musical, making it worth a watch.
MULAN
Mulan is another Disney movie on this list, but it’s one of the more well-made and stunning Disney animated films from the last 20 years.
The songs fromMulanare also extremely catchy and all easy to remember and sing. You’ll be singing “Reflections” and “Girl Worth Fighting For” over and over again after you rewatch this Disney classic.
MAMMA MIA!
Mamma Mia! is another one of the classic musicals on this list. While this movie adaptation might not have been the most successful, it’s still a fun ride. Plus, you can watch this movie on Netflix and then watch the sequel that came out last year.
The best part about the Mamma Mia! movie is the star-studded cast which includes Meryl Streep and Amanda Seyfried.
HAIRSPRAY
Hairspray will have you singing the phrase “Good morning, Baltimore!” loudly and at the top of your lungs for the next few days.
This movie is an adaptation of the musical that won many Tony awards in 2003. The story is about Tracy Turnblad, a high school student who struggles with her weight who ends up being a star on her favorite TV show, The Corny Collins Show. This movie features music in the 1960s style, and it also deals with issues such as civil rights and feminism.
WHITE CHRISTMAS
White Christmas is another classic musical on this list and it’s definitely an enjoyable movie to watch if you like classic films. The movie stars Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney and features amazing dance numbers as well as memorable and lovely songs.
This is a soft, romantic musical that’s perfect for the holiday season or anytime you just need an escape. While it might not be close to Christmas, this musical is worth watching right now while it’s still available to stream.
