Although the heyday of movie musicals has long since ed, the truth is that there are still plenty of fantastic releases that are just as good as the biggest hits of yesteryear. While many might point to classic musicals like Singin' in the Rain, The Wizard of Oz, and The Sound of Music as the pinnacle of this beloved genre, modern filmmakers like Damien Chazelle and even Steven Spielberg have made some all-time great movie musicals. With modern times also come modern themes, and some great recent musicals have been able to tap into subject matters the classics usually avoided. 1u3mg

The musical movie genre lends itself to big, bombastic, larger-than-life performances that jump off the screen, but these films feature some over-the-top work from iconic actors. While the best original movie musicals started out on the silver screen, many great additions to the genre were adapted from stage musicals. Acting in a musical on stage is markedly different from working in film, as the performers have to communicate their thoughts and feelings to the audience in the back of the theater. Since the same isn't true for movies, some actors give performances that are a little too big.

Musical theater has been an important influence on Hollywood through the years, inspiring and providing source material for many movie musicals that have been successful in their own right. However, there are several notable musical films that originated onscreen as a medium, becoming pop-cultural phenomenons and, at times, resulting in later staged productions after the fact. This year alone, the Academy-nominated film, Emilia Pérez is one of cinema's latest musical triumphs.

Musical biopics have been a staple of the film industry for many years, with Better Man arriving in 2024 as one of the strangest. The success of past musicals and the best modern movie musicals is somewhat divisive, as musicals don't connect with all audiences. However, music biopics are grouped into a class of their own because they have a realistic narrative since they draw from a public figure's actual life. This also means that biopics have plenty of drama, as the music industry can be a tough business.

Among the many movie genres out there, the musical biopic is one of the most special, as it brings true stories and music together in unforgettable ways, and fortunately, Netflix has an array of amazing musical biopics. For context, a musical biopic is a movie that tells the true story of someone's life, while also including musical elements. This typically includes choreographed musical numbers, musical performances, and just music in general. Musical biopics allow audiences to get a glimpse inside an artist's life through their music.

The movie musical is hard not to love as a genre, with dynamic dance numbers, moving songs, and familiar characters who fans will from the staged versions. Hollywood has recently embraced movie musicals, finding success with them at the box office, such as Jon M. Chu's Wicked, or Oprah Winfrey's The Color Purple.

Movie musicals, as well as those written for the stage, are a divisive genre that not all audiences are going to connect with, but sometimes viewers are drawn in because the story is familiar to begin with. Taking a beloved film and transforming it into a musical can be a great way for fans and newcomers to the original work. Additionally, knowing that a large viewer base is going into the production with a knowledge and understanding of the narrative gives the writers and directors the opportunity to take risks and create boundary-pushing song and dance numbers.

2025 and beyond are shaping up to be spectacular years for movie musicals, with an array of adaptations, sequels, and original stories set to captivate audiences. The lineup promises something for every musical lover, spanning classic fairy tales, beloved animated films, inspiring biographies, and successful Broadway adaptations. There are Disney’s live-action remakes, from Snow White to Moana, which are set to showcase the magic of their animated classics in fresh new formats. Meanwhile, original musicals like Michael aim to capture the magic of iconic figures through song and storytelling.

When considering the best animated musicals, it is inevitable that Disney will automatically come to mind, but in reality, there are countless animated musicals not made by Disney, that are truly outstanding watches. These musicals are diverse in their stories and music, and all of them are staples of many generations' childhoods, just as Disney's best movies were. Though some of these films are seemingly inspired by Disney, while others are completely and utterly unique, all of these non-Disney animated musicals are some of the best musicals, and are deserving of some appreciation.

When watching a movie musical, one expects impeccable singing, but that's not always the case. Sometimes, even talented actors without much singing experience deliver rather unpleasant performances. After all, musicals live or die on the vocal prowess of their casts. In the realm of stage productions, frail voices might slip by unnoticed amidst the sweeping spectacle, but the intimacy of film leaves subpar singing starkly exposed. Despite the demands, ill-equipped stars often secure roles for their box office appeal rather than for their vocal talents. However, their deficient singing performances stand out conspicuously.