Although the heyday ofmovie musicalshas long since passed, the truth is that there are still plenty of fantastic releases that are just as good as the biggest hits of yesteryear. While many might point to classic musicals likeSingin' in the Rain,The Wizard of Oz, andThe Sound of Musicas the pinnacle of this beloved genre, modern filmmakers like Damien Chazelle and even Steven Spielberg have made some all-time great movie musicals. With modern times also come modern themes, and some great recent musicals have been able to tap into subject matters the classics usually avoided.
Everyone will have a different answer for what thebest movie musical of all timeis, yet over the past ten years, some incredible actors, writers, and directors have been involved with films that just might make the cut. From long-awaited adaptations of major Broadway shows to morenuanced original productionswithover-the-top performances, the movie musical has had something of a renaissance in recent years. Whileit’s hard to live up to the esteemed legacy of the old classics, these recent musicals were just as good.
While many lovers of musical theater likely discovered Lin-Manuel Miranda through the cultural phenomenon ofHamilton, he first gained prominence with his Broadway showIn the Heights. This incredible show explored the struggles of New York Dominican communities who pursue their sueñitos, which represent their dreams of a better life. With a screenplay by the musical’s book writer Quiara Alegría Hudes, director Jon M. Chu brought Miranda’s song to life on the big screen in a joyful celebration of heritage and culture.
In the Heightscaptured the struggles of hard-working, ambitious people doing everything in their power to achieve their dreams. With relevant themes of class, race, and the challenges of social mobility,In the Heightstapped ideologies and modes of thinking that were often absent from the musicals of previous eras. By giving communities that are rarely represented on screen some time in the spotlight,In the Heightsshowcased the power of cinema to boost seldom-heard voices.
The Perks of Being a Wallflowerdirector Stephen Chbosky captured the emotional core of the original show withDear Evan Hansen. Telling the story of a depressed and socially anxious high schooler, althoughDear Evan Hansenwas the subject of a lot of online criticism following the casting of 27-year-old Ben Platt, the truth was that this film captured the pain and suffering of countless young people around the world. As a timid student whose life was turned upside down following the suicide of his classmate and former bully, it was impossible not to connect with Evan’s story.
With relatable songs and some fantastic performances,Dear Evan Hansentapped into topics and themes that were mostly absent from classic musicals. As a glimpse into the social complexities for young people growing up today, the way this film balanced melodrama and musicality was admirable. Although some viewers took issue withDear Evan Hansen, those who connected with it did so deeply.
It’s usually a bad idea to mess with beloved classics, butMatilda the Musicalmanaged to breathe new life into this iconic Roald Dahl story in a way that felt fresh and original. With a trulyoutstanding lead performance from the young Irish actress Alisha Weirand top-tier songs by the stand-up comedian turned Tony Award-winning composer Tim Minchin,Matilda the Musicalperfectly adapted its Broadway show to widespread critical acclaim.
With an all-star cast featuring fantastic supporting performances from the likes of Emma Thompson and Stephen Graham, the power ofMatilda the Musicalmade it hard to believe that this story wasn’t always told through song. The music not only elevated the power of Dahl’s narrative, but the lyrics truly tapped into the imaginative wonders of childhood and the endless potential of kids’ imaginations. As a fantastic reboot that lived up to the reputation of the original,Matilda the Musicalcan stand proud alongsideAnnieas one of the greatest depictions of a troubled childhood ever adapted into musical form.
When it comes to classic movie musicals,The Wizard of Ozstands as the benchmark by which every other release is judged, which means that expectations were sky-high for the movie adaptation of its prequel story,Wicked. As an exploration of the backstory between Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West, Wicked recontextualized everything we thought we knew about Dorothy’s journey in The Land of Oz. While the Broadway show had been a hit since 2003,Wickedgained widespread acclaim when it was finally adapted for the screen in 2024.
As just the first in a two-part adaptation,Wickedrevealed that the Wicked Witch of the West was in fact Elphaba Thropp, a misunderstood young woman born with green skin. Tackling themes of race, prejudice, identity, and the complex nature of good versus evil, Wicked was a major hit at the box office, whose press tour took on a life of its own through endlessly memeable moments between co-stars Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande.
While audiences may have first come to know Hugh Jackman through his iconic portrayal of Wolverine in theX-Menfranchise, the truth is he’s got more in common with old-fashioned musical stars like Gene Kelly than the average action star. This was clear from Jackman’s incredible performance inLes Misérables, althoughJackman was never able to embrace his musical side more fully than inThe Greatest Showman. As a dazzling display of pure musical wonder, the awe-inspiring power of this musical captured the very essence of the classics of old.
Telling a heavily fictionalized account of the life of P. T. Barnum, the entertainer who created the Barnum & Bailey Circus,The Greatest Showmanfeatured a dazzling array of fascinating circus performers. As a love letter to diversity and embracing one’s own individuality,The Greatest Showmannot only featured memorable musical numbers but also relevant themes of accepting others' differences.
Lin-Manuel Miranda made the incredible leap from creating Broadway musicals and composing film soundtracks to directing his own feature withTick, Tick… Boom!With Andrew Garfield as Jonathan Larson, the real composer who created famous shows likeRent, this semi-autobiographical story explores Larson’s struggles to write his first musical and kickstart his career in musical theater. As a coming-of-age tale about a young man figuring out his creative process,Tick, Tick… Boom!captured the anxiety and bravery of taking a chance on yourself.
Bookended by documentary-style sequences,Tick, Tick… Boom!gained widespread acclaim and Garfield was even nominated for Best Actor at the Academy Awards. With a fantastic performance from Garfield, the musical sequences captured the same outstanding energy as previous Miranda works such asIn the HeightsandHamilton. As a musical aimed at those with a love of musical history,Tick, Tick… Boom!ticked all the right boxes.
Making an adaptation ofWest Side Storythat not only lived up to the power of the original stage show but also the incredible 1957 stage musical was always going to be a daunting challenge. However, out of all the filmmakers working today, Steven Spielberg was one of the few who were up to this lofty task. As a filmmaker who had long expressed his desire to make a musical, it felt appropriate that a director of Spielberg’s stature would be the one to bringWest Side Storyto life on the big screen once again.
As an old-fashioned-style production that paid homage to the show’s legacy,West Side Storyfelt both timeless and entirely palpable to modern viewers. With a story based on Shakespeare’sRomeo and Juliet, this New York love story was as powerful as ever. With a filmography filled with countless classics, it’s a testament to the continued appeal of Spielberg thatWest Side Storywas one of his most impressive and accomplished films.
Director Damien Chazelle made a musical for the ages when he releasedLa La Landin 2016. As a truly spectacular story about two ambitious young people hoping to find success in Los Angeles,La La Landwas a modern love storythat captured the complexities of trying to carve out romance in the modern age while also not letting go of their own dreams and desires. With two fantastic lead performances from Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, Chazelle captured the heartache at the center of aspiration.
From incredible dance numbers to awe-inspiring songs,La La Landwas beautifully tragic in the most heartfelt way. From its opening dance set amid a Hollywood traffic jam to its gut-wrenching conclusion at a late-night jazz bar, only those with a heart of steel will be able to withstand the poignant beauty ofLa La Land. As a film that felt modern and timeless all at the same time,La La Landwas as good as any classicmusical.
