Rent
If there's one reason to love Rent it's the amazing, so-good-you-can-listen-on-repeat-and-never-get-sick-of soundtrack. But there are thousands of reasons—525,600 to be exact—that land Rent at the top of our list of favorite movie musicals of all time. And no, ladies, we're not just talking about Taye Diggs. One of the best parts of this 2005 movie adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize– and Tony Award–winning rock opera about bohemians in New York City's East Village struggling with life, love and AIDS is that it stars the most of original Broadway lineup. And can we talk about Jesse L. Martin's voice? After years on Law & Order, you completely forget about those powerhouse vocals!
Grease
Ah,
Grease. The movie musical that makes you want to grab a letter jacket and join the next graduating class of Rydell High so long as Olivia Newton John and
John Travolta look-alikes grace the hallways. Not to mention it features one of the most requested karaoke songs ever. You know the one. Even though you roll yours eyes every time it comes on, by the beginning of the first chorus, you're screaming at the top of your lungs, "Ah willa willa willa uh, tell me more, tell me more!" We'll always love
Grease for the great music, makeovers, Halloween costumes and, of course, eye candy (
Hello, John Travolta!).
High School Musical
Sure, from the outside it seems that High School Musical is better suited for your kids than for you. But, really, what's not to love about cheesy pop songs and synced, choreographed dance moves? Not a thing. This is the movie musical for the young at heart. And, of course, we owe the megahit movie musical a big thank you for introducing us to Zac Efron and his glorified side bangs. Seriously dreamy.
Chicago
This 2002 movie musical was jam-packed with an all-star lineup that left moviegoers wondering if it was going to be fabulous or a total flop. But this Oscar®-winning movie about Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart, two murderesses who find themselves on death row together and fight for the fame that will keep them from the gallows in 1920s Chicago, was positively dazzling. The musical numbers! The costumes! Who knew Richard Gere, Renée Zellweger and Catherine Zeta-Jones could sing and dance? We'd be lying if we didn't admit that this movie had us practicing our Bob Fosse dance moves (jazz hands!) in our bedroom mirrors.
The Wizard of Oz
As a little girl, who didn't imitate Judy Garland as Dorothy, clicking her shoes together (while wishing that they too were
sparkly red) and reciting, "There's no place like home?" This 1939 classic has become one of those movies passed down from generation to generation. The blue gingham dress, the infamous lines—"I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too!"—the memorable characters and, most importantly, the valuable lessons of courage, intelligence and heart...all taught to us by a lion, tiger and bear. Oh my!
West Side Story
A modern-day Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story is a musical about two youngsters from rival New York City gangs who fall in love, and it's captured the hearts of music lovers for years. We blame Tony's amazingly romantic serenade to Maria (Natalie Wood) for our skewed idea of romance. West Side Story has left generations of girls wondering why cute boys don't come around singing outside our window sills. And we had our flirtatious Maria-esque eyelash batting perfected too!
The Sound of Music
In the realm of movie musicals, The Sound of Music has definitely become one of America's favorite things. And while kids today may know Julie Andrews best for her role in The Princess Diaries, this 1965 movie about Maria (played by Andrews), who leaves her Austrian convent to become a governess for a widower's seven mischievous children, has become a classic. The movie has become such a part of the pop culture lexicon that even Fox's cartoon hit Family Guy has parodied the infamous Von Trapp children's, "So Long, Farewell" musical number.
Mamma Mia!
Shot with a breathtaking Greek island as the backdrop, Mamma Mia! asks this question: Will Meryl Streep ever make a bad movie? The 2008 story of a bride-to-be trying to find her real father is told using hit songs by the popular '70s group ABBA. And while this Golden Globe–nominated movie had its comical moments, the real comedy is watching Pierce Brosnan (aka James Bond) sing...
Beauty and the Beast
In 1991, this fairy tale got an animated Disney makeover and inspired millions of little Belles to dance around their living rooms. In the movie, Belle becomes imprisoned by the Beast (really an enchanted prince) and, over time, discovers the real person hiding beneath all the fur and fangs. And while the movie teaches the valuable, "Don't judge a book by its cover lesson," it also teaches us that yellow does in fact make a very gorgeous color for a gown. Let us not forget
Celine Dion and Peabo Bryson's Oscar®-winning duet of "Beauty and the Beast," which set the tone for one of the most magical scenes in the movie.
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