The movie musical is hard not to love as a genre, with dynamic dance numbers, moving songs, and familiar characters who fans will remember 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.
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However, the movie musical has been popular for many decades, with several becoming classics, surpassing even the legacy of their original theater shows. One of the main recipes for success in these musicals is their large music numbers that specifically stand out to audiences. For example, “Dancing Queen” in Mamma Mia! and “Carnival Del Barrio” in In The Heights, are exciting ensemble moments that paint colorful depictions of both communities in their prospective films. Whether they be large, upbeat ensemble numbers, or smaller emotional songs that move audiences, these standout movie musical moments help capture the spirit of their shows.
10 “America”
West Side Story (1961)
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West Side Story NRCrimeDramaRomance
West Side Story is a classic American musical film directed by Jerome Robbins and Robert Wise. The film is an adaptation of William Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, set in New York City’s Upper West Side. The story revolves around the rivalry between two gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, and the tragic romance between Tony, a former Jet, and Maria, the sister of the Sharks’ leader.
Director Robert Wise , Jerome Robbins Release Date December 13, 1961 Cast Natalie Wood , Richard Beymer , Russ Tamblyn , Rita Moreno , George Chakiris Main Genre Crime Runtime 151 Minutes Writers Ernest Lehman Studio(s) Seven Arts Productions , The Mirisch Company Expand
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West Side Story is a classic that has delighted fans of musical theater for many generations. In fact, the show has remained so popular, it was brought back to the screen in 2022 by Steven Spielberg. Though there are several iconic songs in West Side Story, one stands out for its catchy vocals, impressive dancing, and funny acting: “America”. In the number, “America”, Rita Morena leads the song as Anita, the protective older sister-in-law of Maria. Eventually, the rest of The Sharks, the Puerto Rican gang that Anita’s boyfriend belongs to, and their girlfriends, begin to join in.
Clad in a colorful array of dresses and suits from the 1960s, the gang begins to dance on their New York rooftop. It is hard not to find this visually dynamic and exciting number amusing, especially with Rita’s impressive dance skills. Beyond this, what makes “America” such a strong number is its clever commentary on the challenging Puerto Rican immigrant experience in the 1960s United States. Though it is one of the show’s more upbeat numbers, “America” comments on the central themes of class and racism that West Side Story centers around.
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9 “You’re The One That I Want”
Grease (1978)
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Grease
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The Grease franchise is a beloved musical and romantic comedy series that began with the 1978 film Grease, based on the 1971 stage musical of the same name. The story follows greaser Danny Zuko and new girl Sandy Olsson as they navigate their romance amidst the cliques and social pressures of Rydell High. The film became a massive success and a cultural touchstone, known for its hit songs and performances by John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. Over time, the franchise has expanded with sequels, a prequel series, and television specials.
Created by Jim Jacobs , Warren Casey , Allan Carr First Film Grease Latest Film Grease 2 Upcoming Films Summer Loving Cast John Travolta , Olivia Newton-John , Stockard Channing , Jeff Conaway , Barry Pearl , Michael Tucci , Didi Conn , Maxwell Caulfield , Michelle Pfeiffer
Another equally entertaining dance number is “You’re the One that I Want” from Grease. Since its release in 1978, Grease has been one of the most popular musical theater movies in Hollywood, known for its stacked cast, catchy songs, and campy depiction of the 1950s. Grease saves its most over-the-top number for its finale, “You’re the One that I Want.” The song, which is sung by Olivia Newton as “Sandy” and John Travolta as “Danny”, shows their reunion at the high school fair.
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After feeling like she doesn’t fit in with Danny’s bad boy lifestyle, Sandy shows up to surprise him with her new outfit and makeover, a much more promiscuous outfit than she is used to sporting. Eventually, the whole ensemble of high schoolers join in the song and dance, before the two lovers drive away in a flying car. With a catchy pop melody, fun cast moments, and colorful setting, “You’re the One that I Want” encapsulates the fun of Grease perfectly.
8 “Cell Block Tango”
Chicago (2002)
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9/10 Chicago PG-13ComedyCrimeDrama
Chicago is a musical crime film directed by Rob Marshall, set in 1920s Chicago. It centers on Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger) and Velma Kelly (Catherine Zeta-Jones), two women who find themselves on trial for murder. Both aspiring performers, they vie for the attention of a high-profile lawyer, Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), in their quest for fame and freedom. The film examines themes of celebrity, crime, and media influence.
Director Rob Marshall Release Date December 10, 2002 Cast Renée Zellweger , Catherine Zeta-Jones , Richard Gere , Ekaterina Chtchelkanova , Queen Latifah Runtime 113 Minutes Main Genre Comedy Writers Bill Condon , Fred Ebb , Bob Fosse Studio(s) MiraMax , Kalis Productions GmbH & Co. Zweite KG , The Producer Circle Co. , Zadan / Meron Productions Expand
Chicago is an Oscar award-winning movie musical starring Renée Zellweger as Roxie Hart and Catherine Zeta-Jones as Velma Kelly. The musical, which follows a pair of murderesses in the 1920s, has been a favorite on Broadway and the screen for many years. Though there are several fun ensemble songs in Chicago, “Cell Block Tango” is one of the most unique in the screen adaptation. “Cell Block Tango” is sung by the six, “Merry Murderesses,” a group of women in the Cook County jail that were charged with murdering their husbands and partners for the maltreatment and abuse they faced.
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|
Character Name |
Story in Song |
|
Liz |
“Pop” |
|
Annie |
“Six” |
|
June |
“Squish” |
|
Hunyak |
“Uh Uh” |
|
Mona |
“Lipshitz” |
|
Velma Kelly |
“Cicero” |
Though many of the women are not leads, other than Velma, they make an impact on audiences in each of their solo moments in the song, each describing the humorous way they ended up in jail for their crimes. Beyond this, the technical aspects of this number in the film are impressively staged, with harsh lighting that mimics the noir style of 1920s film, something that perfectly corresponds to the time period and style of the original musical.
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7 “Masquerade”
Phantom of the Opera (2004)
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The Phantom of the Operator PG-13ThrillerDramaRomance Director Joel Schumacher Release Date December 8, 2004 Runtime 141 minutes Main Genre Musical Cast Emmy Rossum , Gerard Butler , Patrick Wilson , Miranda Richardson , Minnie Driver , Ciarán Hinds , Simon Callow , Victor McGuire , Jennifer Ellison , Murray Melvin , Kevin McNally , James Fleet , Imogen Bain , Miles Western , Judith Paris , Halcro Johnston , Paul Brooke , Oliver Chopping , Alison Skilbeck , Lee Sellers , Ramin Karimloo , Chris Overton , Jesika Cannon , Annabel Porter , Laura Hounsom Writers Andrew Lloyd Webber Expand
The Phantom of the Opera is a popular musical from the mind of Cameron Mackintosh, based on the original story by Gaston Leroux. Through the years, it has seen several different screen adaptations, but none are as well known as the 2004 film. This musical film paid homage to the original stage version beautifully, and its famous number, “Masquerade,” is a beautifully shot, lavish representation of the world of the musical.
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In “Masquerade,” the members of the opera company, along with Christine Daaé (Emmy Rossum) and her fiancé, Raoul (Patrick Wilson), sing a song of celebration about the success of the company, especially now that the Phantom (Gerard Butler) has been missing. Designed originally to open the second act of the show, “Masquerade” lifts the spirits of the show as a faux happy-ending, with its gorgeous costumes, setting, and beautiful sweeping harmonies.
This powerful moment is not only visually stunning, but emotionally stirring as well, and ends in a dramatic fashion with the surprise return of The Phantom. For these reasons, the song is perfectly representative of the intoxicating and romantic world of Phantom of the Opera.
6 “La Vie Boheme”
Rent (2005)
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Rent PG-13DramaRomance
Rent, directed by Chris Columbus, is a rock opera film set in late 1980s East Village, New York. It follows a year in the lives of bohemians Mark and Roger, who experience love, loss, and personal growth as they navigate struggles and relationships in an artistic community.
Director Chris Columbus Release Date November 17, 2005 Runtime 135 Minutes Main Genre Drama Cast Anthony Rapp , Adam Pascal , Rosario Dawson , Jesse L. Martin , Wilson Jermaine Heredia , Idina Menzel , Tracie Thoms , Taye Diggs , Julia Roth , Porscha Radcliffe , Stephen Payne , Darryl Chan , Ken Clark , R.C. Ormond , David Fine , Mackenzie Firgens , Eleanor Columbus , Matthew McCollum , Jason Foster , Brendan Columbus , Austin Shea Writers Stephen Chbosky , Jonathan Larson Expand
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Rent is a gritty, loud, and raw adaptation of the classic opera, La Bohème. The film came out in 2005 and became an instant cult classic with musical theater fans. Though many moments in the film are serious in its subject matter, “La Vie Boheme” is a fun ensemble moment for audiences to enjoy.”La Vie Boheme” is sang by the leads of the show, including Mimi (Rosario Dawson), Roger (Adam Pascal), Joanne (Tracie Thorns), Maureen (Idina Menzel), Angel (Wilson Jermaine Heredia), Tom (Jesse L. Martin) and Mark (Anthony Rapp).
The hilarious number begins when the leads are at dinner to celebrate the success of Maureen’s protest show. Chaos ensues as they tease waiters, dance on tables, and get other diners at the restaurant to join in. With a catchy melody and several hilarious moments baked into the choreography, “La Vie Boheme” is a perfect example of the spirit of Rent.
5 “Dancing Queen”
Mamma Mia! (2008)
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9/10 Mamma Mia! PG-13ComedyMusicalRomance
Mamma Mia! is a musical film set on a Greek island where Sophie (Amanda Seyfried) seeks to discover the identity of her father before her wedding. The film stars Meryl Streep as her mother, Donna, and features numerous songs by ABBA. Directed by Phyllida Lloyd, the story unfolds as three possible fathers, portrayed by Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, and Stellan Skarsgård, arrive on the island.
Director Phyllida Lloyd Release Date July 18, 2008 Cast Meryl Streep , Pierce Brosnan , Colin Firth , Stellan Skarsgård , Julie Walters , Dominic Cooper , Amanda Seyfried , Christine Baranski Runtime 108 Minutes Main Genre Comedy Writers Catherine Johnson Studio(s) Littlestar Productions , Playtone , Relativity Media Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Expand
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Mamma Mia! has one of the most recognizable soundtracks in musical history as a jukebox reimagining of ABBA’s musical songs. The film is hard not to fall in love with for its lighthearted celebration of Greek culture, ABBA’s music, and the story line revolving around the wedding of its lead, Sophie (Amanda Seyfried). It is no surprise that the standout song in Mamma Mia! is “Dancing Queen.” The number is started by Rosie (Julie Walters) and Tanya (Christine Baranski), who sing the song to cheer up their friend, Donna (Meryl Streep).
Soon, the ladies begin an all-out dance party that continues through the streets of their small Greek town, members of the town joining in for a powerful ensemble moment. The song ends as they all jump into the ocean to swim, laughing and carefree. The mix of fun choreography inspired by 1970s disco, sweet subject matter, and picturesque setting is a testament to the charm of Mamma Mia!.
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4 “You Can’t Stop The Beat”
Hairspray (2007)
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Hairspray PGComedyFamilyMusicalRomance
Hairspray is a musical comedy film directed by Adam Shankman, based on the Broadway musical of the same name. Set in 1960s Baltimore, it follows teenager Tracy Turnblad, played by Nikki Blonsky, who dreams of dancing on a popular TV show. Featuring performances by John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, and Zac Efron, the film explores themes of racial integration and body positivity.
Director Adam Shankman Release Date July 19, 2007 Runtime 115 minutes Cast John Travolta , Michelle Pfeiffer , Christopher Walken , Amanda Bynes , James Marsden , Queen Latifah Writers Leslie Dixon , John Waters , Mark O’Donnell , Thomas Meehan
“You Can’t Stop the Beat” is another exciting ensemble number from the 2007 film, Hairspray. The film follows the life of Tracy, a passionate dancer who becomes an overnight star in the 1960s. The 2007 film features a star-studded cast of names like John Travolta (Edna Turnblad) and Zac Efron (Link Larkin). There are many opportunities for fun dance numbers in Hairspray due to the nature of the show and its catchy music.
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However, “You Can’t Stop the Beat” is one of the most memorable numbers from the show, for its fun and upbeat nature as well as what it means for the context of the show. Up until this point, there was segregation on the show in terms of its dancers, but in this finale number, everyone is allowed to dance on the stage together. Complete with impressive dancing, colorful costumes and lighting, “You Can’t Stop the Beat” is a celebration of social progress and love.
3 “Epilogue”
Les Misérables (2012)
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Les Misérables PG-13MusicalDrama
Les Misérables is the 2012 musical movie adaptation of Victor Hugo’s eponymous 1862 novel, retelling the story of prisoner Jean Valjean and his quest for freedom in 19th-century France. It features a star-studded cast consisting of Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russell Crowe, Amanda Seyfried, Eddie Redmayne, Helena Bonham Carter, and Sacha Baron Cohen.
Director Tom Hooper Release Date December 25, 2012 Cast Helena Bonham Carter , Anne Hathaway , Hugh Jackman , Sacha Baron Cohen , Russell Crowe , Amanda Seyfried Runtime 158minutes Writers Victor Hugo , William Nicholson Studio(s) Universal Pictures Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Expand
Les Misérables was controversial when it came to theaters in 2012, for its departure from elements of the stage show and its casting choices. However, the film’s emotional impact and impressive set design/costuming managed to grab the attention of many audience members. One moment in particular that has a strong emotional effect is the finale of the film, with the number, “Epilogue”.
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By this point in the film, tragedy has seemed to befall most of the main characters, who have either passed away or lost loved ones in the failed revolution. Things continue to be difficult for its lead, Valjean (Hugh Jackman), when he falls deathly ill after the events of the rebellion. However, when he passes, he is reunited with all the fallen characters in heaven, and they sing a powerful and beautiful reprise of “Do You Hear the People Sing.” The reunion of the cast, as well as the beautiful cinematography and visuals, makes it one of the standout moments of the film.
2 “Carnival Del Barrio”
In The Heights (2021)
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7/10 In the Heights PG-13MusicalMusicDrama
Adapted for the screen from Lin Manuel Miranda’s Broadway musical of the same name, In the Heights stars Anthony Ramos as Usnavi de la Vega, a bodega owner in the New York City neighborhood of Washington Heights on Manhattan’s Upper West Side. Usnavi’s daily life and the lives of the other neighborhood residents are detailed through song, set against the backdrop of a sweltering New York City summer.
Director Jon M. Chu Release Date June 18, 2021 Cast Melissa Barrera , Corey Hawkins , Leslie Grace , Anthony Ramos , Olga Merediz Runtime 143 minutes Writers Quiara Alegría Hudes Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Expand
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In the Heights is a recent movie musical sensation created from the mind of Lin-Manuel Miranda and director, Jon M. Chu. The film was well-received by fans of the stage musical, which follows the lives of several young adults living in the Latin community of Washington Heights, New York. In the Heights has several large ensemble dance numbers, but few compare to “Carnival Del Barrio,” a song started by Daniela (Daphne Rubin-Vega), that is joined in by other members of the community.
Despite their suffering from the heat wave that has driven them outdoors, the community comes together to distract themselves by celebrating the different cultures of their neighborhood. The high-energy, large ensemble nature of the number makes it stand out as a powerful number that is fun to watch onscreen. It is also representative of the heart of the show, which highlights the special relationships in the Washington Heights community.
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1 “Defying Gravity”
Wicked (2024)
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181 8.7/10 Wicked PGAdventureFantasyMusical
Wicked adapts the Broadway musical into a two-part film, following the unlikely friendship between Elphaba, born with green skin, and Glinda, a popular aristocrat, in the Land of Oz. As they navigate their contrasting paths, they evolve into Glinda the Good and the Wicked Witch of the West.
Director Jon M. Chu Release Date November 22, 2024 Runtime 160 Minutes Main Genre Musical Cast Cynthia Erivo , Ariana Grande , Michelle Yeoh , Jeff Goldblum , Jonathan Bailey , Ethan Slater , Marissa Bode , Bowen Yang , Bronwyn James , Keala Settle , Peter Dinklage , Aaron Teoh , Grecia De la Paz , Colin Michael Carmichael , Adam James , Andy Nyman , Courtney Mae-Briggs , Sharon D. Clarke , Jenna Boyd Writers Gregory Maguire , Winnie Holzman , Dana Fox , L. Frank Baum Studio(s) Marc Platt Productions Distributor(s) Universal Pictures Expand
Another movie musical success for Jon M. Chu is Wicked, the 2024 film that has become an instant hit at the box office. This rendition of the popular 2003 stage show, tells the emotional tale of the friendship between Elphaba (Cynthia Erivo) and Glinda (Ariana Grande) before the events of The Wizard of Oz. Wicked is a triumph for many reasons, with its stacked cast, impressive costumes, and catchy choreography. There are many popular music numbers in the show, but none are as impactful as the final song of the show, “Defying Gravity.”
Related Why Wicked’s “Defying Gravity” In The Climatic Ending Is Different Explained By Director: “We Did Not Make Decisions Lightly”
Wicked director Jon M. Chu explains why they made the decision to change the Broadway musical’s iconic “Defying Gravity” to the film’s climatic end.
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Elphaba’s song “Defying Gravity” takes place while she is planning her escape from Oz. Beyond the powerful vocals and musicality of the number, her emotional heart-to-heart with Glinda during the song is touching to watch. The number ends with Elphaba flying off cinematically as the other characters watch in wonder at her transformation. Perhaps no other songs in the show demonstrate the magic of Wicked than this final moment.