With Wicked flying into theaters November 22, fans of the Broadway juggernaut will be able to experience the musical's first installment adapted for the big screen. (Part 2 hits in 2025.) And while those anxiously awaiting this The Wizard of Oz prequel will no doubt ensure its success defies gravity, it remains to be seen how highly the film will rank among the most beloved musical movies.
Fandango recently polled nearly 2,000 movie-going musical fans to find out which song-filled films are their absolute favorites. So whether you're wondering how high Wicked will need to soar to beat out the 1939 classic that spawned it, or you're looking for a comprehensive list of must-watch musicals to get you in the mood, read on for the poll's toe-tapping results.
Too Long, Didn't Read Summary:
· The highly anticipated Broadway musical adaptation Wicked arrives in theaters November 22.
· The film follows a long line of popular movies set to music, from Mary Poppins and Fiddler on the Roof to Footloose and Moulin Rouge!
· With musicals on the mind ahead of Wicked's arrival, Fandango polled nearly 2,000 fans of the tuneful genre to find out which entries are among their favorites.
15. White Christmas (1954)
77% on the Tomatometer
88% on the Popcornmeter
140 votes
This 1950's classic isn't just an enduring holiday favorite; it's one of the greatest movie musicals of all time. Credit is due to its all-star cast, led Bing Crosby and Rosemary Clooney, as well as its feel-good story – supported by Irving Berlin's timeless tunes – that could teach the Hallmark Channel a thing or two about tugging at heartstrings.
14. Fiddler on the Roof (1971)
81% on the Tomatometer
92% on the Popcornmeter
143 votes
Fiddler on the Roof's funny, emotional tale of a humble Jewish milkman torn between upholding his long-held traditions and beliefs while raising five, forward-thinking daughters would work without its memorable music. But it's the film's iconic songs, from “If I Were a Rich Man” to “Matchmaker, Matchmaker,” that continue to make it a favorite of the genre some 50 years after its release.
13. Little Shop of Horrors (1986)
91% on the Tomatometer
79% on the Popcornmeter
153 votes
A brilliant mix of B-movie camp, dark comedy and practical effects-fueled horror, this adaption of the off-Broadway show is one of those musicals that's widely enjoyed by folks who don't typically consider themselves fans of the genre. That's due in large part to its all-star '80s cast, including Rick Moranis, Steve Martin, John Candy and Bill Murray, whose performances – even the ones that are just cameos – have turned the film into a cult-favorite among faithful followers of the comedy legends.
12. Moulin Rouge! (2001)
75% on the Tomatometer
89% on the Popcornmeter
158 votes
A sensory-stinging showcase of director Baz Luhrmann at the absolute top of his auteur-defining talents, Moulin Rouge! presents an intoxicating collision of romance, comedy, danger and plenty of panache. And that's before you're ears are treated to its turn-of-the-century, Parisian takes on contemporary tunes like Nirvana's “Smells Like Teen Spirit" and The Police's "Roxanne."
11. Beauty and the Beast (1991)
93% on the Tomatometer
93% on the Popcornmeter
177 votes
From The Lion King and Aladdin to The Little Mermaid, Mulan, Moana and so many more, Disney's massive library of animated musicals has no shortage of blockbuster successes beloved by fans and critics alike. It's saying something, then, that among these all-timers, 1991's Beauty and the Beast – the first animated feature to ever be nominated in the Academy Award's best picture category – stands out as a favorite among Disney's passionate following.
10. Footloose (1984)
55% on the Tomatometer
71% on the Popcornmeter
182 votes
You don't need to be a fan of Footloose to be familiar with its iconic '80s music. From Kenny Loggins' infectious title track to the Deniece Williams and Bonnie Tyler bangers “Let's Hear It for the Boy” and “Holding Out for a Hero,” respectively, this Kevin Bacon-fronted favorite is better known for its soundtrack than its story. That said, the tuneful tale of a rebellious teen teaching a small, buttoned-up town how to party remains a toe-tapping romp that still holds up.
9. The Greatest Showman (2017)
56% on the Tomatometer
86% on the Popcornmeter
209 votes
A crowd-pleasing spectacle to rival any production ever put on by P.T. Barnum himself, The Greatest Showman is a rousing, feel-good film that perfectly blends its biographical subject matter – the titular creator of the Barnum & Bailey circus – with incredibly entertaining song and dance numbers. Toss in top-notch turns from stars Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams and Zendaya, and it's no wonder this one ranks as high as a towering big top.
8. Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
92% on the Tomatometer
87% on the Popcornmeter
236 votes
You needn't look further than 2005's Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and the more recent Timothee Chalamet-starring prequel Wonka, to appreciate the unique magic of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory – and Hollywood's eagerness to recapture it. But while these Wonka-wannabes touched on some of the 1971 musical's appeal, you'd have better luck scoring a golden ticket than duplicating the bizarre, beautiful Gene Wilder-fueled enchantment of this timeless classic.
7. The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
80% on the Tomatometer
85% on the Popcornmeter
252 votes
While typically described as a cult classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show has long since transcended that sattus to become a cultural phenomenon adored by a passionate fanbase to rival any mainstream franchise's following. Featuring a career-defining performance from Tim Curry, the campy horror-comedy-musical hybrid – which holds a 49-year theatrical release record – is a raunchy, spirited romp that's midnight showings have become a thing of legend.
6. Singin' in the Rain (1952)
100% on the Tomatometer
95% on the Popcornmeter
267 votes
A celebration – and affectionate satire – of Tinseltown's struggle to move on from the silent film era in the 1920's, Singin' in the Rain remains an all-time favorite among fans of the genre. And while the 1952 classic is best remembered for Gene Kelly's titular, light post-swinging scene, the film's numerous other song-and-dance sequences are masterclasses that could teach today's musicals a thing or two about the carefully-choreographed craft.
5. West Side Story (1961)
92% on the Tomatometer
84% on the Popcornmeter
275 votes
Given that West Side Story is a '50s-set retelling of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, you might not expect it to deliver one of the melodic genre's most timeless tales. But the complicated romance at the center of its story about rival New York City street gangs is as relevant today as it was when it swept 1961's Academy Awards. And while it doesn't dethrone the original, Spielberg’s 2021 remake is an equally entertaining watch.
4. Mary Poppins (1964)
97% on the Tomatometer
86% on the Popcornmeter
281 votes
Disney has delivered dozens of live-action and animated classics since Mary Poppins released 60 years ago, but this enchanting tale of a magical nanny is still considered one of the studio's crowning achievements. The immense talents of stars Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke deserve much of the credit here, but the film's use of cutting-edge-at-the-time effects and endlessly catchy tunes also did their part to earn the family-friendly musical multiple Academy Awards, as well as a passionate following that spans generations.
3. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
98% on the Tomatometer
89% on the Popcornmeter
364 votes
The hype and anticipation surrounding Wicked's release is but a single example of the enormous impact 1939's The Wizard of Oz has had not just on the musical genre or cinematic medium, but on pop culture as a whole. From iconic quotes – “We're not in Kansas anymore” – to green-skinned Halloween witch costumes, this undisputed all-timer has touched everyone in some way, even those who've never seen the Judy Garland-starring classic. And if you're somehow among that latter camp, now's the perfect time to remedy that oversight ahead of Wicked's November 22 arrival.
2. The Sound of Music (1965)
83% on the Tomatometer
91% on the Popcornmeter
464 votes
Not even a year after casting a spell on moviegoers in Mary Poppins, Julie Andrews returned wielding a different kind of magic in The Sound of Music. While Andrews traded her nanny's magical umbrella for a nun's acoustic guitar in a more serious story based on the real-life Von Trapps', her character similarly leveraged boundless charm, optimism, and musical ability to teach a family – and an adoring audience – what's most important in life.
1. Grease (1978)
66% on the Tomatometer
87% on the Popcornmeter
476 votes
A funny, feel-good, occasionally raunchy crowd-pleaser with a killer cast and an even better soundtrack, Grease transcends its familiar tale of 1950's high-school archetypes and star-crossed romance to deliver one of the most popular, rewatchable films tthere is. It's also on the shortlist of movie musicals that reach far beyond the genre, appealing to a mainstream audience that otherwise might not gravitate toward stories told through song. Grease is the word indeed!
