20 Unforgettable Movie Musicals From the Past Five Decades

While the Golden Age of Hollywood brought us timeless musicals like The Wizard of Oz (1939), Singin’ in the Rain (1952), and The Sound of Music (1965), the genre continued to thrive long after Gene Kelly and his peers retired their dance shoes. From thought-provoking dramas to delightfully over-the-top productions, here are 20 musical films from the last 50 years that are guaranteed to have you humming along from your living room.

1. Cabaret (1972)

Bob Fosse’s bold and dazzling film adaptation of the 1966 Broadway musical, based on Christopher Isherwood’s 1939 novel Goodbye to Berlin, captures the essence of Berlin during the Weimar Republic. While the stage version lacked some of the film’s most memorable songs like “Mein Herr,” “Money, Money,” and “Maybe This Time,” it also didn’t feature Liza Minnelli, who auditioned for the original production but ultimately made the role her own on the big screen.

2. Jesus Christ Superstar (1973)

Many religious groups initially opposed Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s rock opera, which depicted the final days of Jesus Christ with a countercultural twist. However, Pope Paul VI reportedly praised Norman Jewison’s 1973 film adaptation, directed by the Moonstruck filmmaker. Following a private screening, Ted Neeley, who portrayed Jesus, recalled the pope describing the movie as “beautiful” and a powerful tool for spreading Christian teachings.

3. Tommy (1975)

The Who’s 1969 rock opera album Tommy originally set its pinball wizard protagonist’s story during World War I, but Ken Russell’s 1975 film adaptation shifted the timeline to the 1970s. This change allowed Tommy, played by The Who’s lead singer Roger Daltrey, to rise to fame and spiritual awakening against a backdrop that matched the album’s music. The updated setting also showcased legendary performers like Tina Turner and Elton John.

4. Saturday Night Fever (1977)

The iconic soundtrack will draw you in, but the raw, unfiltered portrayal of 1970s New York will keep you hooked in this disco-driven drama. John Travolta, already a star from the ABC sitcom Welcome Back, Kotter, skyrocketed to fame with this role. While the Saturday Night Fever soundtrack remains one of the best-selling of all time, the film itself was far from lighthearted. Its original R-rated version was described by a Washington Post review as a bold, unapologetic dive into a gritty world filled with explicit language and a harsh perspective.

5. Grease (1978)

Inspired by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey’s 1971 musical, this lively tale of 1950s high schoolers became an instant classic, with several songs climbing the charts, including Barry Gibb’s title track performed by Frankie Valli. Grease is also famous for its age-defying casting, with Olivia Newton-John (Sandy) at 29, Stockard Channing (Rizzo) at 33, and Michael Tucci (Sonny) at 31, all playing

6. The Muppet Movie (1979)

The first full-length film in The Muppets series reveals the origin story of how the beloved The Muppet Show characters came together, complete with a vengeful restaurateur (Charles Durning) and a star-studded lineup of cameos. Filming scenes like Kermit singing “The Rainbow Connection” from a car or a swamp required ingenuity—Jim Henson famously operated Kermit from a submerged diving bell to bring the magic to life.

7. Fame (1980)

Fame offers a glimpse into the lives of gifted students at New York City’s High School of Performing Arts, serving as a precursor to the legendary musical A Chorus Line. The song “Nothing,” sung by Diana Morales, reflects on her experiences at the school. Director Alan Parker revealed that this inspired producer David De Silva to create a standalone film exploring the vibrant world of performing arts education.

8. Purple Rain (1984)

The electrifying performances and hit-packed soundtrack of Purple Rain propelled it to blockbuster status. However, Prince’s semi-autobiographical movie wasn’t initially called Purple Rain, nor did it plan to feature the titular song. Originally titled Dreams, the film’s soundtrack was curated from 100 songs provided by Prince, with “Purple Rain” added only after director Albert Magnoli witnessed its powerful live performance.

9. Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

In Frank Oz’s original cut of this ’80s cult classic about a carnivorous plant, Seymour and Audrey meet a grim fate—Audrey II devours them both, a plot point borrowed from Howard Ashman and Alan Menken’s 1982 stage adaptation. The film’s dark ending, where the plant’s offspring conquer the world, was so unpopular with test audiences that it was reluctantly replaced.

10. Moulin Rouge! (2001)

Baz Luhrmann’s extravagant musical tragicomedy tells the tragic love story of Christian (Ewan MacGregor), a struggling writer, and Satine (Nicole Kidman), a dazzling courtesan, set in the vibrant world of 1900s Paris. Securing rights to the film’s modern pop soundtrack took nearly two years, with Luhrmann unable to include songs by The Rolling Stones and Yusuf/Cat Stevens.

11. Chicago (2002)

Rob Marshall’s adaptation of Kander and Ebb’s 1975 Broadway hit required its cast to handle their own singing and dancing, despite varying levels of experience. Richard Gere mastered tap-dancing for his role, while Renée Zellweger, unfamiliar with the musical, underwent rigorous training to portray Roxie Hart. Catherine Zeta-Jones, with her musical theater background, and John C. Reilly, who once performed as a tramp clown, brought their unique talents to the production.

12. The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

The 2004 film adaptation of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s iconic Broadway musical, directed by Joel Schumacher of The Lost Boys and Batman Forever fame, faced criticism for prioritizing spectacle over depth. However, it captivated audiences much like the phantom (Gerard Butler) enchants Christine Daaé (Emmy Rossum). The film earned an A CinemaScore and boasts an 84 percent approval rating from over 250,000 Rotten Tomatoes reviews. Amid its grand operatic drama, subtle details emerge, such as Ramin Karimloo, who played both Raoul and the phantom on stage, appearing as Christine’s father in a fleeting photograph.

13. Dreamgirls (2006)

Following numerous delays, the 2006 film adaptation of the 1981 Broadway sensation Dreamgirls debuted with a star-studded cast including Beyoncé, Jamie Foxx, Eddie Murphy, and Jennifer Hudson in her first film role. While the original musical tried to avoid direct parallels to Motown Records and The Supremes, director Bill Condon reworked the story to align more closely with its real-life inspiration, even relocating the setting from Chicago to Motown’s hometown of Detroit.

14. Once (2007)

In Once, writer/director John Carney reimagined the movie musical by focusing on the bond between a lovelorn Irish street musician (Glen Hansard) and a Czech flower vendor (Markéta Irglová). The film’s leads, both musicians rather than actors, composed much of the soundtrack during its 17-day shoot in Dublin, improvising their way through Carney’s script. With no costume designers, lighting crews, paid extras, or filming permits, the project embraced a raw, authentic approach.

15. Across the Universe (2007)

Julie Taymor’s bold tribute to The Beatles mirrors the band’s journey from pop sensations to countercultural icons through a fictional 1960s romance. Jude (Jim Sturgess), a Liverpool artist, and Lucy (Evan Rachel Wood), an American student turned activist, anchor the story. Composer Elliot Goldenthal deliberately avoided iconic guitar riffs, which Taymor described as “the ghost in the room,” to give the film its own identity.

16. Mamma Mia! (2008)

This whimsical tale of a bride-to-be uncovering her father’s identity among her mother’s three ex-lovers, set to ABBA’s hits, was brought to the screen by the original 1999 West End musical team—producer Judy Craymer, director Phyllida Lloyd, and writer Catherine Johnson. ABBA members Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus make cameos, with Andersson as a dock pianist in “Dancing Queen” and Ulvaeus as a Greek god in “Waterloo.”

17. Get on Up (2014)

Chadwick Boseman initially turned down the role in the James Brown biopic Get on Up after completing 42, a film about Jackie Robinson, feeling hesitant to portray another legend. However, director Tate Taylor persisted, and Boseman ultimately embraced the part, delivering a dynamic and multifaceted performance as the Godfather of Soul. While most of the music features remastered tracks from Brown’s catalog, Boseman performed all the dance sequences himself.

18. La La Land (2016)

Damien Chazelle’s Oscar-winning film begins with a vibrant musical sequence set in an unlikely location: a congested Los Angeles freeway. The scene, shot on a real freeway ramp that was closed for a weekend, resonated with L.A. drivers for its authenticity. The movie masterfully blends the charm of Old Hollywood with the gritty challenges of pursuing dreams in one of America’s toughest cities.

19. A Star Is Born (2018)

Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s electrifying on-screen connection, paired with a collection of powerful songs—many composed with Lukas Nelson’s assistance—proved that a modern take on 1937’s A Star Is Born was far from unnecessary. Cooper, who directed and co-wrote the film, chose Lady Gaga after seeing her rendition of Édith Piaf’s “La Vie en rose” at a charity event. In the movie, Cooper’s Jackson Maine first encounters Gaga’s Ally performing the same song in a drag bar.

20. West Side Story (2021)

Steven Spielberg and Tony Kushner, with input from historical experts and a phenomenally skilled cast, crafted a more nuanced and vibrant reimagining of West Side Story. While Spielberg said his team looked to the 1957 musical for inspiration rather than the 1961 film, they included a nod to the latter by casting Rita Moreno, who originally played Anita, as Valentina, the widow of Doc.