ComScore

The 51 Best Musical Movies to Watch (and Sing at the Top of Your Lungs) from the Couch

With their the magical ability to turn any moment into an emotional ballad or catchy dance number, musicals have a way of seeping into our living rooms and getting us to belt from the couch. From classics like Bye Bye Birdie to brand new musicals like Jingle Jangle, here are the 51 best musical movies to watch and stream at home.

40 of the Best Romantic Movies of All Time


movies singing in the rain
Metro Goldwyn-Mayer

1.singin’ In The Rain

What’s it about: Cue the incredible tap routines. The 1952 musical follows a silent film company and their transition to sound (or the rise of the "talkies" as mentioned in the film). Watch Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly) and Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) rise to fame, and who can forget the iconic Singin’ in the Rain number.

Who’s in it: Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Jean Hagen, Debbie Reynolds

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

movies moulin rouge
Century Fox

2. moulin Rouge

What’s it about: This fever-dream of a Baz Luhrmann film about a writer who falls in love with the most beautiful courtesan in all of Paris will have you humming Elton John love song medleys for days.

Who’s in it: Ewan McGregor, Nicole Kidman, Jim Broadbent

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

bride and prejudice
Miramax Films

3. bride And Prejudice

What’s it about: It tells the story of two parents, who are desperate to arrange marriages for their four daughters. This becomes a problem when their oldest child insists on choosing her own husband.

Who’s in it: Martin Henderson, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Nadira Babbar

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

movies west side story
United Artists

4. west Side Story

What’s it about: The New York City take on Romeo and Juliet remains a classic to this day. With music by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim and choreography by Jerome Robbins, how could it not? Jets and Sharks battle it out, while a forbidden love story unravels deep-seated issues of race and prejudice.

Who’s in it: Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Rita Moreno, George Chakiris

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Hulu

movies dreamgirls
Dreamworks

5. dreamgirls

What’s it about: The cost of fame is steep—at least, that’s what music trio The Dreamettes had to learn...the hard way. The musical paid tribute to Motown and The Supremes with jaw-dropping hits like the "And I Am Telling You I'm Not Going" sung by Jennifer Hudson (who won an Oscar for her role).

Who’s in it: Beyoncé, Jennifer Hudson, Anika Noni Rose, Jamie Foxx

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

aladdin remake
Walt Disney Studios

6. aladdin

What’s it about: Relive the classic story with Disney’s live-action adaptation, which follows the lovable street urchin as he teams up with a genie to defeat the evil sorcerer, Jafar.

Who’s in it: Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott

Where to watch: Disney+ or Amazon Prime

best musical movies jingle jangle
Netflix

7. jingle Jangle

What’s it about: When you’re ready to get into the holiday spirit, look no further than this Netflix family flick. Follow a toy inventor named Jeronicus Jangle who loses his most treasured creation and his Christmas cheer. But with the help of his granddaughter, he sets out to find his missing invention and fall in love with the magic of the holidays again.

Who’s in it: Forest Whitaker, Phylicia Rashad, Keegan-Michael Key

Where to watch: Netflix

movies paris
Metro Goldwyn-Mayer

8. an American In Paris

What’s it about: Gene Kelly is an American ex-pat looking to live that artist life in Paris. But it’s not until he meets his muse (Leslie Caron) and the two sing and dance all over town that his work starts to pick up.

Who’s in it: Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Nina Foch

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

movies funny fac
Paramount Pictures

9. funny Face

What’s it about: A magazine photographer is in desperate search of the next big face. Good thing he encounters brainy bookstore clerk Audrey Hepburn. (Did we mention this musical is also set in Paris?)

Who’s in it: Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

purple rain
Warner Bros.

10. purple Rain

What’s it about: Starring the one and only Prince, it follows an up-and-coming artist who will stop at nothing to advance his career.

Who’s in it: Prince, Apollonia Kotero, Morris Day

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

movies enchanted
Walt Disney Pictures

11. enchanted

What’s it about: Fairy tale meets reality in this musical about a princess (Amy Adams) whose evil and soon-to-be stepmother banishes her to the most un-enchanted place in the whole world: New York City. Plus, she bumps into former TV doctor heartthrob Patrick Dempsey, so what can really go wrong?

Who’s in it: Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Idina Menzel

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

movies hairspray
New Line Cinema

12. hairspray

What’s it about: Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) starts a revolution when she gets cast on a local dance show in Baltimore and makes it her mission to end segregation on TV.

Who’s in it: Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta, Zac Efron, Queen Latifah

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

annie remake
Columbia pictures

13. annie

What’s it about: An orphan’s hard-knock life is changed for the better when she’s taken in by a lonely billionaire.

Who’s in it: Quvenzhané Wallis, Jamie Foxx, Cameron Diaz

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

movies hedwig
Fine Line Features

14. hedwig And The Angry Inch

What’s it about: Before Neil Patrick Harris and Darren Criss took on the Broadway hit show, John Cameron Mitchell released the 2001 film of the genderqueer German punk rocker. Hedwig Robinson goes on a U.S. tour to tell her love story and tracks down the former bandmate (and ex-lover) who stole all her songs.

Who’s in it: John Cameron Mitchell, Stephen Trask, Miriam Shor

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Hulu

movies chicago
Miramax

15. chicago

What’s it about: This Oscar-winning musical about two murderesses (Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renée Zellweger) fighting for their freedom—and fame—can be described in two words: jazz hands.

Who’s in it: Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere

Where to watch: Hulu

best musical movies sound of music
20th Century Fox

16. the Sound Of Music

What’s it about: The hills are alive with the sound of Julie Andrews singing on the hilltops of Austria. Maria (played by Andrews) becomes a governess to seven children of a widowed, stern naval captain. Her influence leads to a rediscovery of love and music in the family's lives.

Who’s in it: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer

Where to watch: Disney+

best musical movies grease
Paramount Pictures

17. grease

What’s it about: Leather jackets, drive-in movie theaters and a bopping track list makes for one of the best movie musicals of all time. Transfer student Sandy and greaser Danny have a blossoming summer romance, but when Sandy shows up at his school, Danny must decide whether to stick with his bad boy persona or show off his true feelings for her.

Who’s in it: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway

Where to watch: Amazon Prime


best musical movies burlesque
Stephen Vaughan/Sony Pictures

18. burlesque

What’s it about: Christina Aguilera and Cher in one movie? Yep. Follow along as an aspiring singer (played by Aguilera) leaves her small town for Los Angeles to follow her dreams. She becomes a cocktail waitress at the Burlesque Lounge where her extraordinary voice is discovered.

Who’s in it: Cher, Christina Aguilera, Kristen Bell, Stanley Tucci

Where to watch: Netflix

aashiqui movie musical
Vishesh Films

19. aashiqui

What’s it about: Rahul is a singer who’s struggling to make ends meet. When his girlfriend gets her big break in the modeling industry, he realizes that fame isn’t all it’s chalked up to be.

Who’s in it: Rahul Roy, Anu Agrawal, Avtar Gill

Where to watch: iTunes

best musical movies jersey boys
Warner Bros.

20. jersey Boys

What’s it about: If you love the Broadway hit, then Clint Eastwood’s film adaptation is sure to leave an imprint (and have you starting your own quartet). Learn about Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons, four men from New Jersey looking to rise to stardom as they navigate their way through the industry (while dealing with obstacles from their hometown).

Who’s in it: Vincent Piazza, John Lloyd Young, Steve Schirripa, Christopher Walken

Where to watch: Netflix

best musical movies willy wonka and the chocolate factory
Paramount

21. willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory

What’s it about: A golden ticket we definitely don’t want to lose. The popular Roald Dahl children’s book that inspired the original 1971 will lead you through a fantastical (but super weird) adventure filled with candy, oompa loompas and an unpredictable Willy Wonka showing the way to five lucky children.

Who’s in it: Gene Wilder, Peter Ostrum, Julie Dawn Cole

Where to watch: Netflix

sparkle
Warner Bros. Entertainment

22. sparkle

What’s it about: Follow along as three talented sisters live out their Motown dreams and build their musical empire.

Who’s in it: Philip Michael Thomas, Irene Cara, Lonette McKee

Where to watch: iTunes

best musical movies la la land
Dale Robinette/IMDB

23. la La Land

What’s it about: What happens when an aspiring jazz pianist and equally aspiring actress meet in the lonely land of Los Angeles? They fall in love and sing songs. The award-winning film will have you tapping your toes as Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone dance around the City of Angels. OK, and you might cry too. You’ve been warned.

Who’s in it: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend, J.K. Simmons

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Hulu

best musical movies rent
IMDB

24. rent

What’s it about: We hope you have some tissues ready for this 2009 musical based on the Tony Award-winning show. Whether you’re sobbing during "I'll Cover You" or swaying a lighter to "Seasons of Love," dive into the lives of struggling New Yorkers while dealing with the AIDS epidemic in their community.

Who’s in it: Idina Menzel, Anthony Rapp, Taye Diggs, Rosario Dawson

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Hulu

best musical movies little shops of horror
The Geffen Film Company/Warner Bros.

25. Little Shop Of Horrors

What’s it about: Sure, you came for the love story between a flower shop assistant and his coworker, but just like the title implies, you stay for the tale of the human blood-hungry plant Seymour. This cult-favorite musical is as beloved as it is original.

Who’s in it: Ellen Greene, Rick Moranis, Steve Martin

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Hulu

best musical movies les miserables
Working Title Film.

26. les Misérables

What’s it about: Based on the classic 1862 Victor Hugo novel, Jean Valjean (after being hunted by a cruel policemen Javert after breaking parole) agrees to care for a factory worker's daughter and it changes their lives forever. Set in 19th-century France during the June Rebellion, the star-studded cast sings about love, sacrifice, broken dreams and more. Viva la France!

Who’s in it: Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, Eddie Redmayne

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Hulu

best musical movies the wiz
Universal Pictures

27. the Wiz

What’s it about: Inspired by The Wizard of Oz, comes a modern-take on the fantasy classic. Harlem schoolteacher Dorothy is whisked away to Oz and is told about the Wiz, who can help her get back to Manhattan. Watch Diana Ross ease on down the road with superstar Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow as they sing songs written by Quincy Jones, Nickolas Ashford and Valerie Simpson.

Who’s in it: Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Richard Pryor

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Hulu

best musical movies xanadu
Universal Pictures

28. xanadu

What’s it about: When a struggling artist discovers his muse (Olivia Newton-John), she convinces him to team up with an aging musician (Gene Kelly) to build a roller-skating disco. Though it was a box-office failure at the time, Xanadu has become a cult-favorite since its original release.

Who’s in it: Olivia Newton-John, Gene Kelly, Michael Beck

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Hulu

best musical movies fame
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

29. fame

What’s it about: Before High School Musical took centerstage, this teen musical drama told the lives and hardships of students from the High School of Performing Arts. It tackles heavy issues like mental health and sexuality, while highlighting the everyday struggles of being a student.

Who’s in it: Irene Cara, Debbie Allen, Gene Anthony Ray

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

best musical movies newsies
Walt Disney Pictures

30. newsies

What’s it about: Catch Christian Bale sing and dance in the Disney film inspired by the real-life Newsboy Strike of 1899 in New York City. This 1992 comedy-drama is all about sticking it to the man (aka Pulitzer and Hearst) with choreography by the Kenny Ortega.

Who’s in it: Christian Bale, David Moscow, Bill Pullman

Where to watch: Disney+

best musical movies bye bye birdie
Fred Kohlmar

31. bye Bye Birdie

What’s it about: When rockstar Conrad Birdie is selected for the draft, no one is more upset than aspiring songwriter Albert Peterson...well, besides the droves of teens despondent to see Birdie go. It's a rollercoaster of twists and turns that makes for a comedy-musical hybrid.

Who’s in it: Ann-Margret, Jesse Pearson, Dick Van Dyke, Janet Leigh

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

best musical movies funny girl
Getty Images

32. funny Girl

What’s it about: A movie based on the real-life cabaret star Fanny Brice spotlights her rise to stardom. Played by Broadway legend Barbra Streisand, with her voice and comedic talents, Brice finds success on the stage, but winds up putting her love life on the back burner.

Who’s in it: Barbra Streisand, Florenz Ziegfeld Jr., Kay Medford

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

best musical movies hello dolly
Chenault Productions

33. hello, Dolly!

What’s it about: Matchmaker Dolly Levi schemes to find a suitable partner for the "half-a-millionare" Horace Vandergelder, and entangles herself in a few other romantic stories along the way. Fancy hats, big dresses and the incredible range of Barbra Streisand included.

Who’s in it: Barbra Streisand, Michael Crawford, Walter Matthau

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

best musical movies fiddler on the roof
Metro Goldwyn-Mayer

34. fiddler On The Roof

What’s it about: A milkman's only dream? Finding suitable husbands for his five daughters. He consults with the town's matchmaker, but the three oldest want to break away from Jewish traditions.

Who’s in it: Chaim Topol, Leonard Frey, Norma Crane

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

best musical movies cabaret
Allied Artists-ABC Pictures

35. cabaret

What’s it about: With a love triangle between an American cabaret singer, a British academic and a playboy set in Germany's cultural hub of Berlin on the brink of the war, things are bound to get complicated. This is a story that stands beautifully on its own, but is also rife with historical meaning.

Who’s in it: Liza Minnelli, Joel Grey, Michael York

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

best musical movies rocky horror picture show
20th Century Fox

36. The Rocky Horror Picture Show

What’s it about: This cult-classic still has people doing the "Time Warp" at every Halloween party. When Brad and Janet find themselves in the eccentric scientist Frank-N-Furter’s mansion, the duo’s innocence is tested. Filled with rock songs, dance numbers and a human creation by the Furter, it’s an unpredictable rollercoaster of fun.

Who’s in it: Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Richard O'Brien

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

best musical movies into the woods
Walt Disney Pictures

37. Into The Woods

What’s it about: When one curse leaves a baker and his wife childless, they must venture into the woods to find a way to reverse the spell. Along their journey looking for the hardest (and weirdest) items, they bump into familiar fairytale characters like Cinderella, Prince Charming and many more that bring our favorite storybook tales together to help this promising family change their fate.

Who’s in it: Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick, Emily Blunt, James Corden

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

best musical movies rock of ages
David James/Warner Bros.

38. rock Of Ages

What’s it about: Jam out to some of rock's biggest hits by Journey, Bon Jovi and more. Aspiring singer Sherrie Christian heads to Hollywood to follow her dreams, but struggles to find her footing (and has to deal with a rocker that just might be played by Tom Cruise).

Who’s in it: Tom Cruise, Julianne Hough, Alec Baldwin, Catherine Zeta-Jones

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

best musical movies sweeney todd
DreamWorks Pictures

39. sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber Of Fleet Street

What’s it about: After 15 years of doing his time for a crime he didn't commit, a London barber is seeking revenge by providing bodies for a meat-pie shop. Basically a Dexter and Hannibal musical lovechild.

Who’s in it: Johnny Deep, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

best musical movies across the universe
Columbia Pictures

40. across The Universe

What’s it about: Beatles fans can enjoy a whole musical centered around the British band's iconic songs. During the Vietnam War, Jude sets out to find his father and meets Max and Lucy along the way. Cue a love story, stunning visuals and some surprising cameos.

Who’s in it: Jim Sturgess, Evan Rachel Wood, Joe Anderson

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Hulu

best musical movies labyrinth
Henson Associates, Inc./Lucasfilm Ltd.

41. labyrinth

What’s it about: Directed by Jim Henson and starring David Bowie, this family film takes you to the Labyrinth, filled with creatures, '80s music and a goblin king. After Sarah's baby brother is taken, she must find a way to solve the riddle and rescue him.

Who’s in it: David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, Toby Froud

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

best musical movies hair
United Artists Pictures

42. hair

What’s it about: Claude Hooper Bukowski's whole life changes when he meets a group of NYC hippies and a debutante that steals his heart. A musical take on the Vietnam War debate, the film depicts the late '70s love of music, drugs and appearance (aka you guessed it–hair).

Who’s in it: Treat Williams, John Savage, Beverly D'Angelo

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

best musical movies the music man
Warner Bros.

43. the Music Man

What’s it about: Leave it to a traveling con man to convince a few locals to start a band by buying items from him. The "band leader" prepares to flee, but risks his plan after he starts to fall in love with a local librarian.

Who’s in it: Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Buddy Hackett

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

best musical movies the king and i
20th Century Fox

44. the King And I

What’s it about: The film adaptation of the Rodgers and Hammerstein musical brings together a British widowed governess and King Mongkut of Siam who clash over their cultures but ultimately fall in love.

Who’s in it: Yul Brynner, Deborah Kerr, Rita Moreno

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

movies mama mia
Universal Studios

45. mamma Mia!

What’s it about: You’ve got the Greek islands, a plot built around ABBA tunes and Meryl Streep. What’s not to love?

Who’s in it: Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan

Where to watch: Amazon Prime, Hulu

movies five yars
Radius-TWC

46. the Last Five Years

What’s it about: Sometimes not every musical is sunshine and rainbows. Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan star in this breakup musical and deconstruct the struggles and pitfalls of their relationship entirely in song.

Who’s in it: Anna Kendrick, Jeremy Jordan

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

movies umbrella
20th Century Fox

47. the Umbrellas Of Cherbourg

What’s it about: This colorful 1964 musical—also set in Paris—stars a fresh-faced (and heartsick) Catherine Deneuve who falls hard for a dashing dude right before he goes off to war. (It’s subtitled, FYI.)

Who’s in it: Catherine Deneuve, Nino Castelnuovo

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

best musical movies mary poppins
Disney

48. mary Poppins

What’s it about: The Disney film that has us singing "Supercalifragilisticexpialidocioius" without missing a beat. Fall into the magical world of Mary Poppins as she manages two misbehaving children through song, special effects and even dancing penguins. And if you can't get enough of the singing nanny, check out Mary Poppins Returns for more fun shenanigans.

Who’s in it: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke

Where to watch: Disney+

best musical movies the greatest showman
20th Century Fox

49. the Greatest Showman

What’s it about: Learn about P.T. Barnum’s drive to create a show filled with exotic and daring performers that would become the modern circus we know today. Fire breathing and acrobatics aside, it’s the show-stopping, catchy numbers that really make this movie pop.

Who’s in it: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Zendaya

Where to watch: Amazon Prime


movies once
Fox Searchlight Pictures

50. once

What’s it about: A street performer pairs up with an aspiring singer to collaborate together to write music. As they compose songs, they begin to fall in love and pull on our heart strings. The Irish film won an Oscar for Best Original Song, so might want to check this one out.

Who’s in it: Glen Hansard, Markéta Irgolvá

Where to watch: Amazon Prime

best musical movies the wizard of oz
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

51. the Wizard Of Oz

What’s it about: Dance along the yellow brick road and over the rainbow into this musical classic. Regarded as one of the greatest films of all time, Dorothy finds herself in the magical land of Oz and meets three new companions on her way to meet the wizard. We don't know about you, but we're clicking our heels three times for this one.

Who’s in it: Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley

Where to watch: Amazon Prime



about face matte fluid eye paint review chelsea candelario

Associate Editor, Ultimate Fangirl, Aspiring Beauty Guru

Chelsea Candelario is an Associate Editor at PureWow. She has been covering beauty, culture, fashion and entertainment for over a decade. You'll find her searching the internet...

greta

Senior Editor

Greta Heggeness is a California-based editor at PureWow and has been writing about entertainment since 2015. She covers everything from awards shows to exclusive celebrity...