Best Musicals of all Time
My top 10 Movie Musicals
Hello again! So my current life has become consumed by a sorority dance competition coming up. Don’t ask. I spend hours at practice and then go home and dance around my living room. The point is that these days, dancing and singing are the only two things I do.
That takes us right into today’s topic: TOP 10 MOVIE MUSICALS.
This morning I texted Dad to complain about a terrible movie I mistakenly watched (out of respect for this legendary director, I will not mention the film but I need REDACTED to know he is on THIN ice). My dad then sent me an incredible article of his — I guess he was looking through some old archives or whatever and it turns out that 15 years ago, he ranked his top 10 musicals of all time. I will admit that even 15 years later, his list holds up fairly well. However, there were some serious oversights (namely my #1). So, obviously, I needed to create my own list. I already sing and dance all the time now, so why not write about the best movies for singing and dancing.
I apologize in advance because only half fit the “This is Tinseltown” vibe of old Hollywood movies. Half are modern. Sorry. It feels wrong to exclude my personal favorite musicals just because they are more recent.
But enough rambling, grab your tap shoes and let’s boogie.
Before getting to No. 10, let me give a shoutout to one specific musical for one specific scene: Ann-Margaret singing "Bye Bye Birdie” in, yes, Bye Bye Birdie. Mad Men has a phenomenal scene where everybody watches Ann-Margret sing and they’re mesmerized. Who isn’t? So because of that Mad Men scene Bye Bye Birdie deserves a honorable mention.
Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
This one is a little bit of obscure, but it is one of my favorites. Is it good? Not really, no, but 1980s black comedies are the best genre to ever exist (I might have a slight obsession with the 1984 classic Gremlins).
This one’s non-stop fun. Rick Moranis plays the bumbling protagonist, Seymour, who is in love with the unattainable Audrey. But who is Audrey dating? None other than Steve Martin. Steve Martin plays an evil dentist. That sentence alone should sell you on this movie. The story takes off when Seymour buys this mysterious plant that eats humans. It’s not a documentary.
This won’t be the greatest movie you’ve ever seen, but I can guarantee it will at least be super entertaining. AND there is a Christopher Guest cameo!
Best Song: Skid Row (downtown)
9. The Muppets (2011)
This is the best Muppet movie. BY FAR. This movie has so many greats: Amy Adams, Kermit, Miss Piggy, Emily Blunt, Jason Segel, Jim Parsons, Fozzie Bear, Rashida Jones, AND JACK BLACK!
This is one of the most fun movies ever released. Walter the Muppet is struggling with his identity, so his human brother Gary takes him to see the Muppets’ studio. BUT evil corporation man Tex is going to destroy the Muppet studio for… oil? So Walter has no choice but to bring the Muppets back together for one last show (oh yeah, the Muppets split up and are all over the world now with day jobs. As a graduating senior, I have to ask: How do Muppets get day jobs???).
OK, it’s not Citizen Kane, but did Citizen Kane have Gonzo in it? No.
Best Song: Man or Muppet
I’m not the only one who thinks this song rules. It won an Oscar.
Sound of Music (1965)
I know that for most people, this will be way too low. Don’t get me wrong, I love Julie Andrews. But there are better musicals.
This movie is all about nun-in-training, Maria who becomes the governess for a rich baron and his MANY MANY kids. She bonds with the kids and then also there are Nazis.
Sure, this is an all-time classic, and I appreciate it. But this is my list, and I won’t rewatch The Sound of Music. However, as mentioned in an earlier post, this movie does have one of my favorite all-time dresses. For that alone, it can be #8.
Best Song: My Favorite Things
Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
My family would disown me if this were not on my list. This is also the only movie musical on the list that I have been lucky enough to see on Broadway. Fiddler is a family classic. The first time I saw this movie was with my grandparents. My love of old movies comes from my dad, and his love comes from his parents. My grandparents showed me many of the classics. I first saw “Some Like it Hot” was with them. So this movie is on my list because I love it, but also because my family loves it so much.
The movie is about Tevye and his family dealing with being Jewish in 20th-century Russia. Tevye wants to marry off his daughters to wealthy Jewish men. The daughters have their own ideas.
This is a beautiful movie. And the best scene is when Tevye describes a fake nightmare he had to his wife to convince her why their daughter just had to marry a poor tailor. IT IS THE BEST. A blessing on your head! We quote it at our house probably twice a day.
Best Song: If I Were a Rich Man
Honorable Mentions: Matchmaker, Do You Love Me? (Do I WHAT?), Tevye’s Dream.
Singing in the Rain (1952)
This is the quintessential movie musical. This is both my dad’s and my sister’s number one pick (well, actually, I worry that my sister would pick a different movie at No. 1 but I despise that movie and will not mention it).
I love Singin’ in the Rain but this is as high as I’m willing to go. In fact, I think #6 is generous.
This movie is about the film industry’s transition from silent movies to talkies. The focus is on a famous silent movie couple, the man played by Gene Kelly and the woman played brilliantly by Jean Hagen. But oh no! The actress talks weird! Enter Debbie Reynolds to save the day.
Sure, this is an amazing movie. But for me, there are just better musicals. It is very much a product of its time. There are so many long, boring dance breaks with fancy lighting and no substance. “You were Meant for Me,” seems like it lasts an hour. And don’t get me started on the whole “Broadway Melody/Gotta Dance!” thing at the end.
Best Song: Singing in the Rain (duh)
Oliver! (1968)
No one I know can understand my intense love for this movie. I love it an insane amount. My dad showed us this movie on a whim, thinking it would be a fun movie for us to watch. Katie and Mom thought it was passable. But I ADORED it. It was my actual favorite movie for a while.
This is a musical version of the classic Charles Dickens’ novel Oliver Twist. It follows titular Oliver being kicked out of the workhouse/orphanage and falling in with a bad crowd of street urchins who, you know, like to pick a pocket (or two).
This is a must-see, and it has so many great songs. I mean so many. It’s charming, and Fagin is one of the best movie characters ever.
Best Song: You’ve Got to Pick a Pocket or Two
Best Fagin song: Reviewing the Situation
Grease (1978)
Grease really IS the word! This is the best. It holds up decades later. I recently found out my boyfriend doesn’t like Grease and that led to a huge fight. How do you NOT like Grease!?!?! Grease 2 I can understand but not liking the original????
Grease is about Danny and Sandy — John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Danny is the bad boy who wears a black leather jacket. Sandy is the good girl who wears modest skirts. But with some help from the Pink Ladies (who wear wonderful pink leather jackets), Sandy shows that … um … you should change who you are for a man … and OK, so maybe the message doesn’t hold up. But at least the rest of the movie does! Well, also no, the rest of the movie doesn’t hold up either. . .
But the songs and costuming are just so good that I’m ranking it here.
When I am having a bad day, this is my go-to movie. You can’t be sad while watching Grease Lightning, it is impossible!
Best Song: Hopelessly Devoted to You
This was such a hard pick. But Hopelessly is the best song. This is the song you scream-sing after heartbreak and for that reason alone, it might be the best musical number ever.
Enchanted (2007)
Do you want to know the secret to creating a good musical? Cast Amy Adams. It felt wrong to leave off Disney from a top 10 musical list. My dad included Beauty and the Beast on his list, which is great, But that doesn’t touch Enchanted. This is the best Disney musical by a long shot.
Giselle is an animated character who believes in love at first sight. She is sure that she will get her happily ever after until she is pushed into our world (specifically, New York City) where there are no happily ever afters or love at first sight.
This movie has iconic actors. Like oh I don’t know, how about Susan Sarandon and IDINA MENZEL (who doesn’t sing in this movie for some reason? Why have the ultimate Broadway legend — and Elsa from Frozen! — and not even have her sing?).
This doesn’t have too many original songs. but the ones it has are AWESOME. This is a perfect little movie.
Best Song: That’s How You Know
2. West Side Story (1961)
Confession- I don’t like the play Romeo and Juliet. Never have. Never will. But West Side Story? Amazing. Love it. It is just so well done. I was obsessed with the Jets song. My dream role in high school was the one girl who just wants to be a Jet really bad but they won’t let her. Like her only goal in life is to be a jet and they just keep saying no. It is a weird subplot looking back, but that might still be my dream role.
The story is a rethinking of Romeo and Juliet with the added tension of rival gangs and racial tension. Natalie Wood is so beautiful in this movie, though in retrospect maybe having a Californian play someone from Puerto Rico (and also having a singer named Marni Nixon do her singing) wasn’t the best.
This movie, though, is the best. It is the best of Old Hollywood. It is beautiful, moving, and nostalgic. I can’t say enough good things about it. But I also love Natalie Wood a lot, so I might be a little biased in saying it is by far the best older movie musical.
Best Song: America
Chicago (2002)
This isn’t even close for me. This is my favorite movie musical and it’s probably No. 2 and No. 3 also. I’ve seen Chicago probably 20 times if I had to guess. My dad did not include Chicago on his list, which is what prompted me to make this list in the first place. I will not stand for that SLANDER. Most of this list is subjective, and I’m sure over the years, it will change. This will never change. This will always be number one, and I will die on this hill. No musical could ever touch this.
The movie is about Roxie, who killed her lover. She now has the famous lawyer Billy Flynn defending her. Roxie also faces competition from Jazz singer Velma. They all want to be famous, but the more pressing question is — will they make it out alive?
The acting is perfect. The costumes are perfect. The music perfect. The cinematography is perfect. I don’t think there is a single aspect of this movie that isn’t perfect.
The musical was based on a play written by a former journalist, who apparently hated the musical — she never wanted them to turn it into a musical. It is a fascinating story and I’d say worth looking into (or possibly a future post).
Best Song: We Both Reached for the Gun
I bet you thought I’d say All that Jazz or Cell Block Tango. Both are incredible songs, but this song is better. We Both Reached for the Gun has Richard Gere as a puppet master selling his story, so obviously it is the best.
I’m sure you disagree with some or frankly all of them, but I stand by this list. Please let me know your favorite movie musicals!
A Hard Days Night by the Beatles. Fantastic flick, and how can you top the music?
"He's very clean." 😊
I love that you remembered how we watched Fidler on the Roof together. I know that your father never liked My Fair Lady, so he probably did not show it too much to you. I always loved it.