Cinema boasts countless iconic monologues that channel passion, emotion, and despair – yet song and dance can soar beyond mere words. Once a hallmark of Hollywood, genre-defining musicals such as ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ ‘Grease,’ and ‘The Sound of Music’ cemented the form’s reputation for larger-than-life storytelling. Ready to start your own melodious education? Dim the lights and explore these movie musicals that will keep you humming for days!
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Cabaret (1972)
An iconic film on multiple fronts, Bob Fosse’s period musical ‘Cabaret’ claimed eight statuettes at the 45th Academy Awards and catapulted Liza Minnelli – daughter of screen legend Judy Garland – to international stardom. Set in Berlin’s waning Weimar days, the story follows British academic Brian, who moves into a boarding house and is quickly drawn into the orbit of the free-spirited cabaret star Sally Bowles and the rest of the Kit Kat Klub’s eclectic denizens. The film’s true power lies in its dark, eerie undercurrent: the looming rise of fascism and the Nazi Party, which the characters ignore – until it is too late.
Standout Numbers: ‘Willkommen,’ ‘Maybe This Time,’ ‘Money, Money.’
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
A jukebox musical from the maestro of extravagance, Baz Luhrmann’s ‘Moulin Rouge!’ bursts with colour and doomed romance, buoyed by rousing renditions of pop classics. Set in 1900 Paris at the famed cabaret, young writer Christian (Ewan McGregor) falls for its star Satine (Nicole Kidman), who is promised to a wealthy, caddish Duke in exchange for financing the club. Flashy and stylistic, the film’s rat-tat-tat editing whirls the senses yet never dulls the emotional punch of its tragic love story – while ensuring ‘Lady Marmalade’ lodges in your head for life.
Standout Numbers: ‘Your Song,’ ‘El Tango de Roxanne,’ ‘Elephant Love Medley.’
West Side Story (1961 & 2021)
With a musical as influential as ‘West Side Story,’ the best strategy is to watch both film adaptations of this Shakespeare-inspired drama. Loosely based on ‘Romeo and Juliet,’ the movies trace the clash between two rival street gangs – the Jets and the Sharks – and the tragedy that unfolds when ex-Jet Tony falls for Maria, the Puerto Rican sister of Sharks leader Bernardo. Viewing the two versions back-to-back not only provides double the excitement but also shows how differently a stage musical can be translated to film. The 1961 classic, despite its unfortunate use of brownface, delivers phenomenal ‘dance-fighting’ numbers, while Spielberg’s 2021 remake offers a more grounded portrayal yet goes all-out with elaborate choreography. Still need convincing? Anita earned Oscars for both Rita Moreno (1961) and Ariana DeBose (2021) – one of the few roles to win Academy Awards for two different actresses.
Standout Numbers: ‘America,’ ‘Tonight Quintet,’ ‘A Boy like That/I Have a Love.’
Chicago (2002)
One of the best movie musicals of the 21st century, ‘Chicago’ is a full-tilt romp carried by the star power of Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones (who won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actress), and Richard Gere. The film captured Best Picture for its mix of black comedy, difficult themes, and dynamic performances. Set mainly in 1920s Cook County Jail, aspiring vaudevillian Roxie Hart (Zellweger) lands in Murderess’ Row after shooting her lover – right beside the notorious Velma Kelly (Zeta-Jones). As Roxie hires slick lawyer Billy Flynn (Gere) to spin her story, the film skewers the sensationalism of true crime, media manipulation, and the disposability of women, all through razor-sharp satire and brassy musical numbers.
Standout Numbers: ‘All That Jazz,’ ‘Cell Block Tango,’ ‘We Both Reached For The Gun.’
Mary Poppins (1964)
Few film genres radiate pure joy like the classic movie musical, and ‘Mary Poppins’ stands among the best family-friendly examples. Two musical legends – Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke – bring this enchanting tale to life in a blend of live action and animation. Set in 1910 London, the story begins when two children, ruled by their stern father, need a caregiver – enter Mary Poppins, who sweeps in on an east wind with her umbrella. Making her big-screen debut, Andrews won the Oscar for Best Actress thanks to her four-octave soprano and nuanced performance. Van Dyke, meanwhile, delights as the Cockney chimney sweep Bert – despite famously sporting one of cinema’s most questionable accents.
Standout Numbers: ‘Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious,’ ‘Chim Chim Cher-ee,’ ‘A Spoonful Of Sugar.’
The Wiz (1978)
‘The Wiz’ is an underrated gem in the movie-musical canon. Directed by Sidney Lumet – an auteur famed for gritty dramas – the film debuted to critical and commercial disappointment, yet has since achieved cult-classic status. It also marks the serendipitous first meeting of Michael Jackson and producer Quincy Jones, who would later forge a legendary partnership. Reimagining Dorothy’s journey with an all-Black cast, the story moves from Harlem to an urban-fantasy Oz, attracting diverse fan communities: Diana Ross devotees, Jackson’s admirers, and Wizard of Oz enthusiasts alike. With Ross as Dorothy, Jackson as the Scarecrow, Lena Horne as Glinda, and Richard Pryor as the Wiz, the film’s enduring appeal rests on its inspired performances and vibrant reinterpretation of a timeless tale.
Standout Numbers: ‘Ease On Down The Road,’ ‘Home,’ ‘You Can’t Win.’
Singin’ In The Rain (1952)
Widely hailed as the greatest movie musical – and arguably one of cinema’s finest films – ‘Singin’ in the Rain’ remains a wellspring of inspiration more than seven decades on. Gene Kelly, the quintessential song-and-dance man, joins Donald O’Connor and Debbie Reynolds as three Hollywood friends navigating the dawn of ‘talkies’ at the end of the silent-film era. Though the iconic title number is universally known, the film also brims with uproarious physical-comedy set pieces and some of the finest tap sequences ever captured on screen – especially Kelly and O’Connor’s athletic duet, ‘Moses Supposes.’ Quite simply, it is Golden-Age Hollywood at its dazzling peak.
Standout Numbers: ‘Singin’ In The Rain,’ ‘Make ‘Em Laugh,’ ‘Good Morning.’
Hedwig And The Angry Inch (2001)
One of the most subversive musicals ever made, ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ owes much of its success to director–writer–star John Cameron Mitchell, who also co-conceived and headlined the original stage show. This high-octane rock spectacle follows East German singer Hedwig as she tours with her band after a breakup with Tommy, a younger protégé who stole her songs. Flashbacks trace Hedwig’s life in East Germany and her botched sex-reassignment surgery, as the film dives into themes of gender fluidity, artistry, identity, and love. Vivid and explosive, ‘Hedwig and the Angry Inch’ is masterfully told through a distinctly queer lens.
Standout Numbers: ‘The Origin Of Love,’ ‘Wig In A Box,’ ‘Wicked Little Town.’
Born in Korea and raised in Hong Kong, Min Ji has combined her degree in anthropology and creative writing with her passion for going on unsolicited tangents as an editor at Friday Club. In between watching an endless amount of movies, she enjoys trying new cocktails and pastas while occasionally snapping a few pictures.
