Musicals are among the most popular forms of visual entertainment. From elaborate sets to professional singing, musicals appeal to a wide variety of audiences, from small children who like the flashy costumes to full-grown adults who tear up at the soul in the songs. Along with being fun, musicals can cover content ranging from revenge (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street) to LGBTQ+ struggles (RENT).
Updated: November 2022: To keep this article fresh and relevant by adding more information and entries, this article has been updated by Olivia Martello.
Whatever the story, musicals share it through music, one of the best mediums to portray a deeper level of emotion, creating a stronger connection with the audience. Musical shows are a magical experience that can’t be compared to any other. The orchestra and the ambiance immerse you in the story entirely, which is impossible to replicate. However, films bring about their own benefits that a stage performance can’t provide. As a result, many Broadway musicals have been turned into films. Here are a few of the best musical movie adaptations ever made.
14Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
InSweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, the title barber returns to London from his exile and seeks revenge on the judge (Alan Rickman) who sent him away and stole his wife and child. He practices on his clients and Mrs. Lovett helps him hide the evidence. Tim Burton’s recreation ofSweeney Toddis a match made in heaven as Burton brings his auteur style, managing to make everything deeply unsettling. Burton did such a phenomenal job with this masterpiece thatit is considered one of his best films to date.
13Les Misérables (2012)
Ex-prisoner Jean Valjean is being hunted by Javert for breaking the parole of his 19-year sentence, but manages to reinvent himself as Mayor of a small town. Meanwhile, in the background, the French Revolution is making its way through the streets. Known for the live singing that was done on set,Les Misérableswon many awards for the performances and the dedication of the actors to their roles, asAnne Hathaway lost a lot of weightand let production team shave her head. The film adaptation brings with it the chance to see some of the world’s most famous celebrities in classic roles; it also allows for greater cinematic effect as being on a closed set allows for the use of more risky props, like the weapons used from the barricades.
Related:Stephen Sondheim dies at 91, Hollywood Mourns a Musical Legend
12Mamma Mia! (2008)
Mamma Mia!is a story that you may’t really go wrong with. Sophie, who is about to get married, invites her three potential fathers to her wedding in Greece, but she doesn’t know which one is her real father. The premise alone is enough to entertain comically and to tug at your heartstrings as Sophie hides the truth from her mother, Donna – and Donna is panicking, seeing her past loves in Greece, coincidentally at the same time her daughter is getting married.
The movie adaptation brings forth the real Greece as the film was shot in the Greek isles. This is not possible with the stage performance, as it’s on a stage and limited to how well it can recreate a setting. We also get to see the performance of Meryl Streep, who shows off her singing abilities that many did not know she had.Mamma Mia!received so much attention that it received a sequel, and it was recently revealed that there areplans for a third filmto make a complete trilogy.
11Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
Little Shop of Horrorsis a hilarious musical that revolves around a plant named Audrey II that feeds on human flesh and blood, which makes it stronger and bigger. This classic has everything – a bit of gore, a bit of romance, and some classic tunes like “Feed Me Seymour." The movie adaptation brings Audrey II to life and makes it even more horrifying with the close-ups that the stage cannot provide. This, along with a hilarious cast of Rick Moranis and Steve Martin, the movie adaptation ofLittle Shop of Horrorsis a gem of a musical and the only one of its kind.
10Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
Tevye the milkman has five daughters, each of which needs to get a husband through the matchmaker, but that does not always go according to plan. Life in an Orthodox Jewish community revolves around tradition, andFiddler on the Roofcould not do a better job of portraying their lives and their difficulties. The movie adaptation takes Topol, who plays Tevye both in the film and on Broadway, and enhances his performance tenfold. Through beautiful cinematography and precise editing, the film is the best way to see Topol’s performance as Tevye inFiddler on the Roof.
9Rent (2005)
Set in New York,RENTfollows a group of young people, some of whom suffer from AIDS, and their struggles in paying their rent and surviving. Popular on both Broadway and the screen,RENTis one of the few on this list that has most of the original cast from the Broadway show in the movie adaptation. It’s highly praised not only for the music and the performances, but for the nuanced representation of LGBTQ+ characters and narratives. Some even sayit got them into musicals in the first place. The film adaptation ofRENTis more intimate than the stage performance, as you get a closer look at the suffering of the individuals both physically and emotionally through the camera with clear views of their faces. On top of this, the film also allows for a clear sound when the music comes through, so the audience can have the best experience possible.
8Hairspray (2007)
Following Tracy, the plus-size teen who loves to dance,Hairsprayis about more than just dancing.Hairspraybrings forward the segregation of the 1960s and focuses on racial integration, which is opposed by most, except Tracy. Tracy is only accepted by the lovingMotormouth Maybelle, played by Queen Latifah,and her children who only appear on Negro Day of the Corny Collins show. The film brings forth a stellar cast for this classic musical. With stars like Zac Efron, Queen Latifah, Michelle Pfeiffer, John Travolta and Christopher Walken, this adaptation was a recipe for success. The film gave us one iconic moment when Motormouth was leading a march against segregation in the streets of Baltimore, and it was a real march that others joined, and soon the few became the many. This is difficult to recreate on stage and was a moment meant for the silver screen.
Related:Best Recent Movie Musicals, Ranked
7The Producers (2005)
A wannabe producer and a producer known for his flops seek to produce the worst play ever written to steal a million dollars. This remake of the originalThe Producersfeaturing Matthew Broderick, Nathan Lane, and Uma Thurman is a hilarious take on fraud and the glamour behind being a Broadway producer. The film brings us elaborate dances and numbers with yet another stellar cast that draws the eye of many. Most of all, this film brings the friendship between Bialystock (Lane) and Bloom (Broderick) to life. With Bloom’s number towards the end of the film “‘Til Him”, we get to see close-ups of both Bloom and Bialystock, showcasing what they’ve been through together, making the moment more magical.
6Cabaret (1972)
The movie adaptation ofCabaretstars Liza Minnelli as Sally Bowles, a cabaret singer in Germany. She becomes involved in a love triangle just as the Nazi Party is beginning to rise. Minnelli gives a defining performance as Sally; everything from the character’s look to her songs are perfect and represent the movie as a whole. Joel Grey also excels as the cabaret’s emcee, adding to the dark glamour of the movie.
5Annie (1982)
Orphan Annie is adopted by rich man Oliver “Daddy” Warbucks, to improve his image. As much as she likes her lavish surroundings, Annie still longs for the day she will reunite with her birth parents.Annieis a classic with a wholesome story and a score to match. It’s impossible to not feel something when watchingAnnie.The film brings us the true nature of Annie’s innocence and naivety. As the ginger navigates her life, she is still longing for something so simple as wanting to meet her real parents. Through the silver screen of cinema, we see her heart in its entirety and truly sympathize with Annie.
