10 Best Movie Musicals of the Last 5 Years
There hasn’t been a time in cinema history where musicals haven’t been a major draw for audiences. Since the golden age of Broadway musicals in the 1940s and ’50s, the film industry has borrowed from the stage to draw viewers to theater seats. Classic films like Singin’ in the Rain, A Star Is Born, and My Fair Lady all have their origins on Broadway, as do more modern classics like Chicago, Dreamgirls, Mamma Mia!, and Les Misérables. But there has also been a recent trend in production companies taking the chance on original musical narratives as well, such as Pitch Perfect and The Greatest Showman, films which demonstrate there is no limit to how flexible the genre can be.
Our list of top musical films from the last five years includes original films, Broadway musical adaptations, one film that has been adapted into a musical play and then back into a musical film, and a biographical musical drama of a real-life rock star represented by a digitized chimp. Musical movies allow for a different experience than live theater, and the films on this list take full advantage of the change in form. The genre continues to draw massive audience numbers, and even those that score lower in box office numbers are often critically lauded and have a lasting impact. Here are the top musical movies of the last five years.
10
‘Maria’ (2024)
Directed by Pablo Larraín
Maria is a biographical musical film about the opera singer, Maria Callas, as the retired diva begins a quest to return to the heights of her singing power. The musical biography is a vehicle for Angelina Jolie to flex her own prowess, as she fully embodies the operatic diva. In a round table conversation with other Hollywood greats, Jolie encouraged her fellow actors to try singing opera, because for her, it was the first time she had given herself permission to perform in her full voice, fully embodied, with her full emotion.
Directed by Pablo Larraín, Maria is a return to his fascination with iconic and tragic women of the 20th century. Larraín also directed Natalie Portman as Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis in Jackie, and he went on to direct Kristen Stewart in her portrayal of Princess Diana in Spencer. Jolie’s masterful performance is matched by the film’s skillful cinematography, and the blend results in a powerful musical biography that makes a lasting impression.
9
‘Better Man’ (2024)
Directed by Michael Gracey
Better Man is a biographical film co-written, produced, and directed by Michael Gracey about the life of UK singer, Robbie Williams. Rather than filming himself, Williams is depicted in the film as a CGI anthropomorphized chimpanzee. Gracey is no stranger to the musical movie genre, as his directorial debut was 2017’s The Greatest Showman. This film was also a biographical musical, about entertainment industry legend P. T. Barnum.
Musician biographies have been on the uptick in recent years, with films like A Complete Unknown, Rocketman, and Bohemian Rhapsody dominating at the box office and awards circuit. The choice to have the leading man portrayed as a digitized chimp may seem like an odd direction at first, but in a strange uncanny valley way, Williams’ life story is even more humanized as a result. Drawing from the highs and lows of the British rocker’s life, the film hits peaks and valleys that draw the viewer fully into the narrative. Better Man is a film that has the same rewatchability as other great musical movies, and can stand against some of the highest-grossing titles in the genre.
8
‘Mean Girls’ (2024)
Directed by Samantha Jayne and Arturo Perez Jr.
Touching something as culturally beloved as the classic teen movie Mean Girls can come with the risk of alienating overzealous fans of the original. But the 2017 success of the musical play production encouraged creator Tina Fey to take the chance at yet another adaptation of her cult-classic film. The film adaptation of the Broadway musical of Mean Girls was released in 2024, starring Reneé Rapp as leader of The Plastics, Regina George.
The familiarity of the narrative of socially awkward Cady Heron (Angourie Rice), going undercover in the popular high school clique, is made new with the film’s addition of songs and choreography. 2004’s Mean Girls has become such a cultural touchstone that it is a tall order to attempt to capture lightning in a bottle twice. But Fey’s faith in the ability of the musical genre to retell a classic narrative while adding something new paid off, and Mean Girls has become one of the best movie musicals released in recent years.
7
‘tick, tick … BOOM!’ (2021)
Directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda
tick, tick… BOOM! is an American biographical musical film based on a semi-autobiographical stage musical of the same name that was written by Jonathan Larson. The narrative follows Larson as he struggles to create the perfect musical to leave a lasting artistic legacy. Larson is well-known for his beloved Broadway hit Rent, but tick,tick…BOOM! is a window into a period of artistic development for the playwright.
Garfield’s performance carries the film, as he depicts a neurotic writer determined to force success before turning 30, in the week leading up to his 30th birthday. Garfield’s ability to convey deep sorrow is outmatched only by the charismatic energy he brings to the creative process, as he brilliantly captures Larson’s signature voice. Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s directorial film debut draws from his proven ability to create musicals for the stage, and tick, tick… BOOM! was a successful leap between forms for the director.
6
‘In the Heights’ (2021)
Directed by Jon M. Chu
This movie musical directed by John M. Chu is another successful case of a film borrowing its narrative from the stage. Lin-Manuel Miranda first developed In the Heights for the stage in 2005, which led to his massive success with the musical Hamilton in 2015. As Miranda’s success led to further opportunities writing music for Disney films like Moana and Encanto, Chu was busy developing one of his stage musicals into a film.
In the Heights was written by someone with a clear dedication to musical theater, and directed by someone who would go on to put his stamp on one of the biggest films to be adapted from Broadway. The Crazy Rich Asians director followed up his massive commercial success with his film adaptation of the Kevin Kwan novel of the same name with an adaptation of Miranda’s stage musical about a Dominican community in the neighborhood of Washington Heights in New York City. The narrative follows the lives of several Heights inhabitants as they work to pursue their dreams, and is yet another example of the successful symbiotic relationship between stage musicals and film adaptations.
5
‘Emilia Pérez’ (2024)
Directed by Jacques Audiard
Emilia Pérez is a unique musical crime narrative that is adapted from French director Jacques Audiard‘s musical he had written for the stage of the same name. The narrative follows the story of a Mexican cartel leader who wants to transition genders and disappear with the aid of their lawyer. The intricately plotted musical crime thriller delivers powerhouse performances from Zoe Saldaña, Karla Sofía Gascón, and Selena Gomez.
The film premiered at the 2024 Cannes Film Festival, and was a contender for the Palme d’Or. Despite being critically acclaimed, the film received criticism in some circles for its representation of Mexican culture and transgender identity, and the use of AI when editing. Although conversations about representation and authenticity should remain at the forefront of critical discussions, the controversies that surrounded the film at its release seemed to obscure the audience engagement with the film. Emilia Pérez is an original narrative by a group of powerhouse performers about the strength of female friendships, and the creative vision Audiard realized will have a lasting impact.
4
‘Cyrano’ (2021)
Directed by Joe Wright
Another recent musical adapted from the stage into film was Joe Wright‘s Cyrano. The stage play was adapted from the 1897 Edmond Rostand play Cyrano de Bergerac, about a gifted French nobleman who doubts his ability to woo the love of his life, and so writes love letters to her posing as someone she admires. Wright has directed a string of strong period pieces, including Atonement, Pride & Prejudice, and Anna Karenina. In Cyrano, Wright stepped into the realm of musical film to deliver the well-known and heart-wrenching tragedy of a nobleman’s love for Roxanne (Haley Bennett), set in a fictionalized city in France.
Bennett reprized her role as Roxanne from the stage production written by Erica Schmidt, as did Peter Dinklage in the titular role. Bennett and Dinklage both brought a deep knowledge of their characters to their portrayal on screen. Dinklage’s portrayal of Cyrano ranges from being both sobering and electric. Bennett and Dinklage carried the film with their masterful performances in this marvelous retelling of a well-known tale.
3
‘The Color Purple’ (2023)
Directed by Blitz Bazawule
The original The Color Purple movie was based on the 1982 novel of the same name written by Alice Walker. The 1985 film adaptation was directed by Steven Spielberg, and starred Oprah Winfrey, both of whom returned as producers on the 2023 musical adaptation of the story. The film builds on the stage adaptation, with Danielle Brooks and Fantasia Barrino reprising their roles.
The narrative follows Celie Harris-Johnson (Barrino) and her struggles across several decades in this period piece. The cast deliver powerful performances, and the songs and choreography add depth and layers to characters who are already beloved. Brooks received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actress, and the musical film has built an impressively committed fan base that only continues to grow.
2
‘Wicked’ (2024)
Directed by Jon M. Chu
If you haven’t seen this year’s most-talked-about film, you’ve almost certainly seen the press tour. This adaptation of the hit Broadway musical Wicked, itself adapted from the 1995 novel of the same name by Gregory Maguire, has been much anticipated. The story was first adapted for the stage in 2003, and after many successful runs over the years, earned an avid fan base. The film version was beleaguered by behind-the-scenes problems that held up production on the project for many years, and changed hands several times before landing in the capable hands of John M. Chu.
Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were cast in the roles of Galinda and Elphaba, promising powerful vocal performances to carry the musical. Not only was the film under pressure to pay homage to its predecessor on the stage, while also paying honor to the characters from the novel, and acting as a prequel to the beloved children’s classic The Wizard of Oz. The practical sets and gorgeous cinematography, along with the powerful performances from the entire cast, lend strength to this glorious tribute to the classic story beloved by so many.
1
‘West Side Story’ (2021)
Directed by Stephen Spielberg
This 2021 adaptation of the 1957 stage musical West Side Story by legendary director Steven Spielberg had to top the list. The first film adaptation of the musical was released in 1961 and was co-directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins. The classic re-telling of a “modern” day Romeo and Juliet set in Manhattan’s Upper West Side in the 1950s. Spielberg’s adaptation was lauded for its cinematography, set design, costumes, choreography, and storytelling.
The themes explored in the narrative have to do with deeply entrenched social division, and where love falls in that divide. The cast was also an amazing mix of young Hollywood notables, like Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, and Ariana DeBose. Spielberg also made the choice to bring back Rita Moreno, the original film’s Anita, to return in a new role introduced in this inventive yet faithful adaptation.
