45 of the Greatest Movie Musicals of All Time
Band Wagon (1953)
Band Wagon is a 1953 musical film directed by Vincente Minnelli. The film follows a fading Hollywood star, Tony Hunter (Fred Astaire), who decides to revive his career on Broadway and meets a talented but temperamental ballerina named Gabrielle Gerard (Cyd Charisse) along the way.
The film is known for its iconic musical numbers, including “Dancing in the Dark” and “That’s Entertainment!”. The latter became the film’s most famous song. Band Wagon is considered a classic of the Golden Age of Hollywood musicals.
Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
1952 saw the world introduced to the absolute awesomeness that is Singin’ in the Rain. Its catchy songs, dazzling dance numbers, and charming performances have captivated audiences for decades, and it remains a timeless classic.
The film has also had a significant cultural impact, inspiring countless homages and parodies in popular culture. Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds danced off the screen and into our hearts with this movie.
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
The Wizard of Oz is a classic that has captivated audiences for generations. This film has everything you could want in a movie – except maybe a decent explanation for why a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, and a Cowardly Lion are all best friends.
But let’s be honest, who needs logical explanations when you have flying monkeys, magical slippers, and a terrifying green witch? And let’s not forget the iconic songs, like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “We’re Off to See the Wizard”, that will have you tapping your feet and singing along.
West Side Story (1962)
You know it’s a film to be remembered when it has 10 Academy Awards. The 1961 musical film West Side Story, initially directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, is an eponymous adaptation of the popular Broadway musical.
It follows two rival groups, the Jets and the Sharks, in New York City and the doomed love affair between Tony and Maria, who come from opposite sides of the conflict. Love, prejudice, and violence flourish amidst groundbreaking choreography and catchy Latin music.
Movies that seamlessly blend the art of music, dance, and storytelling have been capturing our hearts for decades. From the classic Hollywood era to modern-day blockbusters, musical films have been entertaining audiences and setting the standard for what it means to be a great movie. So grab your popcorn and get ready to sing along to some of cinema’s most beloved musical films.