Songs & dances. 7 good musicals worth watching
7. "Chicago"
- 2002
- USA, Germany
- Comedy, crime, musical
- Director: Rob Marshall
- Starring: Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, Taye Diggs, Dominic West
- IMDb Rating: 7.2
Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger) dreams of becoming a pop star and strives to resemble her idol Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones), who sings and dances in a music hall. Fate brings them together in the same place, but they have no use for talent: both women find themselves in jail on murder charges, and their only hope is a clever lawyer Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), manipulating the jury with the help of newspaper articles. Roxy and Velma fight for his attention.
In "Chicago", all the actors independently sang and danced the parts assigned to their roles. The movie received 13 Oscar nominations and won six, including the Best Picture award.
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6. "The Phantom of the Opera"
- 2004
- UK, USA
- Melodrama, drama, thriller, musical
- Director: Joel Schumacher
- Starring: Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson, Miranda Richardson, Minnie Driver
- IMDb Rating: 7.2
Christine (Emmy Rossum) is a young and talented corps de ballet dancer who is eager to join the Paris Opera Company. During one of their rehearsals, a background screen suddenly collapses on the lead actress, nearly taking her life. The troupe members assume that this is the work of the Phantom of the Opera, who has been terrorizing the theater for a long time. Fearing for her life, the prima donna hurriedly leaves the troupe, thus giving Christine a chance. The young actress' performance is a resounding success, after which it soon turns out that the story of the Phantom of the Opera is not a fiction at all.
"I think that the movie came out many times better than the book. And there are more emotions, and the songs are not the least important :) It's much easier to get into the enchanting atmosphere of the Paris Opera", — Victorry.
"After all these years I realized that I still love this movie, no matter how much it has been criticized", — paranoid_nerd.
"The movie was instantly in my favorites, one of the best musicals I've seen!" — paranoid_nerd.
"The sets, the costumes, the acting and of course the incredible music! Immediately immersed in this atmosphere, 2,5 hours flew by like a dream", — ansi-kino.
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5. "The Greatest Showman"
- 2017
- USA
- Drama, biography, musical, family movie
- Director: Michael Gracey
- Starring: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya, Michelle Williams
- IMDb Rating: 7.5
Phineas Taylor Barnum (Hugh Jackman) has always dreamed of making history, but all his pursuits have not brought him success. One day he gets the idea to organize his own show with unique artists. So under the dome of the circus gather amazing people who previously had no place in society. Now they — together with a brilliant entrepreneur — will have to create a performance that will go down in history.
The movie won numerous international awards, including the Golden Globe, Saturn, and Grammy Awards.
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4. "Les Misérables"
- 2012
- UK, USA
- Melodrama, drama, musical
- Director: Tom Hooper
- Starring: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne
- IMDb Rating: 7.5
The action takes place in the early 19th century. Escaped convict Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), sentenced to imprisonment, is forced to hide from cruel justice for many years. Paris police inspector Javert (Russell Crowe) considers his capture a life's work. After the death of Fantine (Anne Hathaway) — an unfortunate woman for whose fate Jean Valjean considered himself responsible — the only person close to him is her daughter Cosette (Amanda Saifred). For the sake of the girl Valjean is ready to do anything.
"Les Misérables" has eight Oscar nominations and three wins, nine BAFTA nominations, and four Golden Globe nominations.
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3. "Moulin Rouge!"
- 2001
- Australia, USA
- Drama, musical, melodrama
- Director: Baz Luhrmann
- Starring: Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, John Leguizamo, Jim Broadbent, Richard Roxburgh
- IMDb Rating: 7.6
1899. Poor English poet Christian (Ewan McGregor) has fallen madly in love with the star of the famous cabaret "Moulin Rouge", courtesan and actress Satine (Nicole Kidman). The young romantic is also attracted to the beauty, and between them immediately erupt feelings. However, Christian has a rival — a rich and influential Duke (Richard Roxburgh), who can buy not only the cabaret, but also half of Paris.
In the piggy bank of awards for "Moulin Rouge!" — two Oscars for best costumes and best musical accompaniment.
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2. "La La Land"
- 2016
- USA
- Musical, drama, melodrama, comedy, music
- Director: Damien Chazelle
- Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, Amiee Conn, J. K. Simmons, Rosemarie DeWitt
- IMDb Rating: 8.0
Mia (Emma Stone) is an ambitious aspiring actress who is struggling to make her way in the movie industry. Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) is a talented jazz pianist who dreams of opening his own club. Their chance meeting develops into a romance where music and dance become the language of love. But one day, Mia and Sebastian will have to make a difficult choice between career and feelings.
"The most beautiful and my all-time favorite movie. I just rest my soul when I watch it <3", — Geek.
"A beautiful and vibrant movie that earned its Oscar statuettes for a reason. The bittersweet epilogue shatters my heart with each viewing", — rhododendron.
"Went to see it at the movies, even though I'm not much for musicals. The musical is still with me to this day. I've re-watched it a couple times already", — loremipsum.
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1. "The Sound of Music"
- 1965
- USA
- Musical, drama, melodrama, family, biography
- Director: Robert Wise
- Starring: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Charmian Carr, Nicholas Hammond, Heather Menzies
- IMDb Rating: 8.1
Maria (Julie Andrews) dreamed of becoming a nun from an early age. But as she grew older, she realized she wanted something more out of life. So the young girl from the convent is sent as a governess to the home of retired Navy Captain von Trapp (Christopher Plummer). The captain has been widowed for several years and is left alone with seven children. Before Maria, the children had survived countless caretakers at home and were already prepared to do the same with their new nanny. But Maria with the help of kindness, songs, and patience soon finds an approach to the children, as well as the way to the heart of Captain von Trapp. However, the Nazi regime that came to Austria gets in the way of family happiness.
The movie is based on one of the most successful Broadway musicals in history. "The Sound of Music" has played on stage more than 1,400 times. The production won five Tony Awards, including best musical. The film adaptation, too, has been acclaimed by critics and audiences alike. The film was honored with five Academy Award statuettes.
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I would also add a gorgeous one - "8 women".
I think I like musicals after all.
And we also need to add Sweeney Todd, the demon barber of Fleet Street, to the collection.
I'm Jack the pumpkin lord, I hate everything I'm used to.)
But Mamma Mia is a great movie for everyone!
Yes, this is essentially the same story, just shot with modern technology. In general, I don't see this as a problem.
My favorite musicals have mostly not been filmed, even the famous "Jackyll and Hyde". But it's strange that "Jesus Christ is a superstar" by the same Webber is not mentioned here (or is there a separate post for rock operas?).
Well, there are some, but that's a huge disadvantage, in my opinion. And I personally don't like the performance of the songs at the Moulin Rouge. Kidman and McGregor, IMHO, only spoil the old hits! -_- All the good things in this musical are the visual component, but this is not enough for this genre.
That's your right. But on the subject of line-ups, as long as I have been in this fandom in any way (for about 14 years now), there are always satisfied/dissatisfied with one or another line-up. And that's okay.
Have you watched the stage version? It seems that there is an entry in the public domain in VK. Maybe take a fresh look (honestly, I watched it myself in fragments).
I memorized it in English without even knowing English.😂
"Annette" 2021 with Adam
The driver.
"West Side Story," and Spielberg's 2021 version
"Wicked" is the second installment in November 2025.
And that feeling when I watched "The Phantom of the Opera" on TV, back when Gerard Butler wasn't so popular - well, man, man, and then.
I'll add it
Hairspray (2007)
The Dudes (2008)
And of course, the Glee/Glee series
"Cool musical" was back then in the same place.
The last musical I watched was "Beloved" with Catherine Deneuve, but this is just for fans of French cinema, this director's "All songs about love" turned out much better (also a musical, some songs stayed with me for a long time).
But after reading the headline, I expected there to be Grease) ✌️
I remember when I started watching Shameless and couldn't get used to the idea that this was the same actress from The Phantom of the Opera, she had such a different image. 😅
. It may be a bit boring for many, but for me it's still one of my favorite films. The cast is top (Jackman, Hathaway, Redmayne, Seyfried, Bonham Carter), the plot is heavy, but the songs don't spoil the viewing at all