Every decade, some people declare that the genre musical is dead but they are wrong. Despite not having as much musicals as there were from 30s to 50s, when they make one, it is quite inspiring. TechTrends narrowed down a list of the best musical movies of all time. Keep reading to find out what they are.
The golden age of musical movies ended in the 60s in the film history. A new age was emerging in this era that emphasized on old stories about people signing and dancing to deal with their problems and make their way through troubles of life. Now, the musical film is so prominent in this day and age and it is hard to decide what to watch. In this article, we will take a look at the best must-see musical movies of all time (modern time) that have great quality and are ranked high on IMDb and Rotten Tomatoes. Without further ado, let’s get to the list.
Best Musical Movies of All Time
Since 1927, when sound and film came together in The Jazz Singer, the musical genre has been a staple of the movie industry and pop culture. This genre has gone through changes over the years, peaked and waned. Here are the best musical movies ever, that have been made in the last two decades.
13. Moulin Rouge! 2001
- Genre: Musical/Romance
- Director: Baz Luhrmann
- Stars: Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, Richard Roxburgh, Jim Broadbent, John Leguizamo
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 76%, IMDb 7.6
Moulin Rouge was directed by musical auteur Baz Luhrmann, and the story is about English poet Christian and cabaret actress Satine, with the two starting a romantic relationship. The movie is set at the Moulin Rouge, the largest cabaret nightclub in Paris. Many believe that this is one of the greatest musicals of the 2000s, courtesy of amazing performances and dedication to style and flare. There are bright colors and slick cinematography used for the story. Nicole Kidman gave a memorable performance as Satine, who is the lead courtesan at the nightclub. For her great display, Kidman got nominations at the Oscars and SAG Awards and won a Golden Globe. Moulin Rough is one of the best musical movies of all time.
Read more: Best Nicole Kidman Movies of All Time
12. Anna and the Apocalypse 2017
- Genre: Horror/Musical
- Director: John McPhail
- Stars: Sarah Swire, Ben Wiggins, Malcolm Cumming, Ella Hunt, Christopher Leveaux
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 77%, IMDb 6
The sleepy town of Little Haven is threatened by the zombie apocalypse at Christmas. Anna and her friends, therefore, have to fight and sing their way to survival. They go against the dead in a race to get to their loved ones. However, they realize that not one is actually safe anymore and since the civilization is collapsing, they only have each other to trust. Don’t miss this as one of the best musical movies of all time.
11. Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping 2016 79%, 6.7
- Genre: Comedy/Musical
- Directors: Jorma Taccone, Akiva Schaffer
- Stars: Andy Samberg, Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone, Maya Rudolph, Sarah Silverman
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 79%, IMDb 6.7
Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping is the next one on the list of the best musical movies of all time. It revolves around childhood friends Conner, Owen and Lawrence, played by Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone and Akiva Schaffer, respectively. They found fortune and fame by making a hip-hop group named the Style Boyz. When the frontman Conner departed the band in order to create a successful solo career and Owen and Lawrence faded into the background. The singer decides to make a documentary about his life whereas he is still on top. After his second album flopping, his world comes crashing down. Don’t miss it.
10. Tick, Tick… Boom! 2021
- Genre: Musical/Drama
- Director: Lin-Manuel Miranda
- Stars: Andrew Garfield, Vanessa Hudgens, Alexandra Shipp, Robin de Jesús
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 88%, IMDb 7.5
Jonathan Larson’s story is begging to be told, and Andrew Garfield was the perfect fit to portray his role in the movie Tick, Tick…BOOM! Garfield had his first experience in taking on a signing role such as this one, but it was amazing how his vocal capabilities were as great as his acting. The story revolves around the idea that time ticks away relentlessly, especially for those who want to make something great and change the world. Larson is one of the best examples of that notion. He changed musical theatre before the age of forty. This is indeed another one of the best musical movies of all time.
Read more: Best Andrew Garfield Movies of All Time
9. The Lure 2015
- Genre: Horror/Musical
- Director: Agnieszka Smoczynska
- Stars: Marta Mazurek, Michalina Olszańska, Kinga Preis, Jakub Gierszał
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 89%, IMDb 6.3
Another one of the best musical movies of all time is The Lure, which was directed by Agnieszka Smoczynska in 2015. The story revolves around two mermaid sisters who fall for one man and get caught in a triangle of love. there are so many genres included in this film; drama, comedy, musical, romance, horror, and fantasy. This foreign movie had great music that was fitting and can hold the audience’s attention. We highly recommend it as one of the top musical movies of all time.
Read more: Best Horror Movies of All Time
8. A Star is Born 2018
- Genre: Romance/Musical
- Director: Bradley Cooper
- Stars: Bradley Cooper, Lady Gaga, Sam Elliott, Anthony Ramos
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 90%, IMDb 7.6
A Star Is Born is yet another one of the best musical movies of all time. Bradley Cooper had his directorial debut in A Star Is Born. This incredible movie looks at important issues like substance abuse, suicide, and what fame does to a person in some cases. Musician Jackson Maine, played by Cooper, discovers Ally, Lady Gaga, who is a struggling artist and has given up on her dreams, and then he falls in love with her. However, with Ally’s career thriving, their relationship begins to break down since Jackson is dealing with his own internal demons. A key theme of the movie is how addiction can ruin the lives of the victims as well as their loved ones.
Read more: Best Romance Movies of All Time
7. La La Land 2016
- Genre: Musical/Romance
- Director: Damien Chazelle
- Stars: Emma Stone, Ryan Gosling, J.K. Simmons, John Legend
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 91%, IMDb 8
La La Land is arguably the best musical movie of all time, where Emma Stone plays the role of Mia. Stone and Gosling returned to the screen, and with their chemistry and skills, they proved why they are successful actors in the industry. Mia is an aspiring actress that has reached a dead-end, and Sebastian (Gosling) is a romantic who is obsessed with classic jazz. The two go on to create absolute magic. Justin Hurwitz wrote the song, and they go on to be instantly recognizable to you. Moreover, the colors used in the movie will dazzle you. As for the story, it breaks your heart and puts it back together all at the same time. La La Land won an Oscar for Best Picture, and Stone won hers just a few minutes before that. It is a must-watch and one of the best musical movies ever made.
Read more: Best Emma Stone Movies of All Time
6. Matilda the Musical 2022
- Genre: Musical/Fantasy
- Director: Matthew Warchus
- Stars: Emma Thompson, Alisha Weir, Lashana Lynch, Stephen Graham
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 92%, IMDb 7.1
Matilda the Musical is a stage musical, with Tim Minchin taking care of the music and lyrics. It is an adaptation of the 1988 novel Matilda written by Roald Dahl. It revolves around Matilda Wormwood, who is a five-year-old girl with talent of telekinesis. She loves reading and struggles with obstacles set by her school and her family. She helps her teacher reclaim her life. This is a sentimental and fantastic musical as it retells the same Matilda story but in a more mesmerizing way. Her story is more meaningful than the original film, with the audience feeling her heart’s neglect and lack of love. we highly recommend it as one of the best musical movies of all time that came out in 2022.
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5. Hedwig and the Angry Inch 2001 92%, 7.7
- Genre: Musical/Drama
- Director: John Cameron Mitchell
- Stars: John Cameron Mitchell, Stephen Trask, Miriam Shor, Michael Pitt
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 92%, IMDb 7.7
This is a mind-blowing movie that expresses concepts and ideas relegated to subtext. The director takes the energy of Rock n’ Roll to make Hedwig and the Angry Inch in 2001. It revolves around breaking down sexual and gender norms of society. The energy in the songs make for a perfect representation of how the titular character of the movie has accepted herself during her life. This is another one of the best musical movies of all time that you do not want to miss.
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4. In the Heights 2021
- Genre: Musical/Drama
- Director: Jon M. Chu
- Stars: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Anthony Ramos, Melissa Barrera, Stephanie Beatriz, Leslie Grace, Marc Anthony
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 94%, IMDb 7.3
Another one of the best musical movies of all time is In The Heights, which is an unabashedly extravagant musical that has a catchy tune in anything. The movie revolves around people getting ready to go to work at their 9-to-5 jobs. It is a celebration of culture, community and love. This adaptation is based on the book of the same name by Quiara Alegria Hudes. The music and the lyrics are based on Lin-Manuel Miranda. This is yet another one of the greatest musical movies of all time.
Read more: Best Survival Movies of All Time
3. The Muppets 2011
- Genre: Musical/Comedy
- Director: John Carney
- Stars: Jason Segel, Dave Goelz, Emily Blunt, Bill Barretta, Jim Parsons, Chris Cooper, Selena Gomez
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 95%, IMDb 7.1
Following a decade off the screen, in the 2011 movie The Muppets, they returned. One of the greatest members of the filmmaking cast was Bret McKenzie, the songwriter. He was tasked to craft tunes that could be like The Rainbow Connection. Moreover, he managed to live up to the expectations as people remember The Muppets for these characters. Two of the most famous songs are Me Party and Man or Muppet. The voices behind the characters are Jason Segel and Emily Blunt and this is one of the best musical movies of all time.
Read more: Best Emily Blunt Movies of All Time
2. Sing Street 2016
- Genre: Musical/Romance
- Director: John Carney
- Stars: Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Jack Reynor, Lucy Boynton, Mark McKenna, Aidan Gillen, Ben Carolan
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 95%, IMDb 7.9
One of the best ways to express contempt for authority as a teenager is a good song. In this movie, the importance of music can be seen. The film revolves around a teenager in the 1980s Ireland who gathers a band. Despite being far from The Who, they managed to express their feelings through words and music in a great way. The fact that there are great songs on the soundtrack also helped a lot, including Drive It Like You Stole It, which is amazing and made for a fantastic musical number. Sing Street is yet another one of the best musical movies of all time.
1. Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio 2022
- Genre: Musical/Fantasy
- Directors: Guillermo del Toro, Mark Gustafson
- Stars: Gregory Mann, Ewan McGregor, Finn Wolfhard, Ron Perlman, David Bradley, Cate Blanchett
- Rating: Rotten Tomatoes 97%, IMDb 7.6
A father wishes for her wooden boy to come alive in Italy and his wish comes true, giving him an opportunity to raise a child. However, they have a hard time finding a place for themselves as their country is embroiled in fascism. The cast’s performances were incredible, especially that of Gregory Mann and David Bradley as Pinocchio and Geppetto, respectively. The music is by Alexandre Desplat, giving the movie a great sense of whimsy for a fairytale. We highly recommend this as one of the best musical movies of all time that came out in 2022.