This list is full of classics like West Side Story, Singin’ In The Rain, and Sound of Music. But it also includes more than a few offbeat choices like a doo-wop musical about a people-eating plant and a rock opera about a gender non-conforming wannabe rock star.
The rest of the best includes modern-day musicals starring Emma Stone as a struggling actress, Lady Gaga as a yet to be discovered pop star and Meryl Streep as a hapless hotelier. Only in Hollywood, right?
If you’re not sure which of these musicals are right for you, don’t worry, we offered our pick for the best song. This way you can listen to the best part of the film’s soundtrack before you officially press play.
Mamma Mia!
(2008)
Here we go again: Meryl Streep and her overalls sing ABBA’s greatest hits and show the world once again why she is the queen of the screen. Bow down.
Best song? “Mamma Mia (Here We Go Again)”
Little Shop of Horrors
(1986)
Audrey II might eat you alive, but the down on his luck Seymour (Rick Moranis) will break your heart into a million pieces in this musical-comedy that will make you forever scared to go to the dentist — or, to buy a new houseplant for that matter.
Best song? “Suddenly, Seymour”
La La Land
(2016)
In a city full of stars, Mia (Emma Stone) and Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) shine the brightest in this film about following your dreams.
Best song? “Someone In The Crowd”
Singin’ In The Rain
(1952)
The classic musical that’s also a Hollywood spoof will give you shelter from the storm. But, if you want to follow Gene Kelly’s lead and just dance in it, we won’t blame you.
Best song? “Good Morning”
Moulin Rouge
(2001)
A pop song twist on a classic tale of love and loss, director Baz Luhrmann’s technicolor dream starring Nicole Kidman will have you reaching for the tissues before it’s even through.
Best song? “Elephant Love Medley”
The Wizard Of Oz
(1939)
Follow the yellow brick road and you’ll end up on a journey with Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion to meet the Wizard. But what you’ll really end up seeing is that there really is no place like home.
Best song? “Somewhere Over The Rainbow”
Cinderella
(1997)
Rodgers and Hammerstein sung by Brandy and Whitney Houston is a fairytale come true.
Best song? “Impossible/It’s Possible”
Sound of Music
(1965)
Don’t let its runtime of two hours and 55 minutes discourage you from finding out how you solve a problem like Maria (Julie Andrews).
Best song? “Do-Re-Mi”
Hedwig and the Angry Inch
(2001)
John Cameron Mitchell’s rock opera about a disco queen with a complex gender identity is all about finding one’s true self.
Best song? “Wig In A Box”
West Side Story
(1961)
This New York-centric take on Romeo & Juliet will have you wish we could all just get along.
Best song? “America”
That Thing You Do!
(1996)
The sweet tale of a ’60s boy band, directed by America’s dad Tom Hanks and starring Hanks lookalike Tom Everett Scott, has one of the best soundtracks of any musical. Seriously, good luck not getting the title track stuck in your head.
Best song? “That Thing You Do”
Once
(2007)
A simple love story between two struggling musicians that will make you believe in romance and the power of a song.
Best song? “Falling Slowly”
A Star Is Born
(2018)
The ballad of Jackson (Bradley Cooper) and Ally (Lady Gaga) is a tragic one that we’ve all heard before. (This is the fourth version of this story put to film after all.) But there’s something about these two stars that make you want to take another look at it.
Best song? “Shallow”
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