Best Movie Musicals, Ranked

Audiences are buying tickets to watch movie musicals like never before. The format has made a comeback in recent years, accounting for 20% of box office earnings, a level not seen since the 90s. This movement is due to biopic musical formats such as Back to Black, the animated Disney Mufasa: The Lion King, and the Golden Globe-winning Emilia Pérez.

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The following ranking is based on the popularity of musical releases from late 2023 to early 2025.

8 Emilia Pérez

Four Golden Globes Awards

Emilia Pérez is a musical about a criminal Mexican leader who transitions genres to escape her past and start anew as a trans woman. It stars Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldaña, and Karla Gascón in the three main female roles and delivers an intense storyline filled with music and dance.

The movie won four Golden Globe Awards and received thirteen Oscar nominations. It also earned the longest-standing ovation at the Cannes Film Festival, lasting twelve minutes. Critics love the raw storyline and powerful cast performances. It's a must-see musical for those who enjoy a mix of drama and crime.

7 Joker: Folie à Deux

The Highly Anticipated Sequel To 2019's Joker

Joker: Folie à Deux explores the toxic relationship between the Joker and Harley Quinn. After they meet in an asylum, they experience dark, obsessive hallucinations intertwined with music that result in a tragic ending, particularly for the Joker.

The film caused debate among fans. Following the release of Joker in 2019, everyone eagerly anticipated its sequel. However, no one expected it to adopt a musical thriller format. Viewers were profoundly disappointed by the sequel's unexpected direction. Nevertheless, both Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga delivered exceptional performances while exploring heavy themes—obsession, madness, and chaos overall.

Watch Joker: Folie à Deux Official Trailer

6 The End

The Last Human Family In The World

The End is a musical centered on a wealthy family living in isolation in a bunker following an environmental catastrophe that rendered the Earth uninhabitable. Everything shifts when the family finds a young woman near the bunker's entrance. They initially plan to care for her and send her back to the surface, but their son, who is the same age as the girl, will challenge them to confront their past decisions and rethink their lifestyle.

The film highlights the significance of human connections, and the cast couldn't be better chosen to deliver such remarkable performances. It's a fantastic watch for movie musical fans.

Watch The End Official Trailer

5 Wicked

A Prequel Of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Wicked is a must-see musical that received ten Oscar nominations. The prequel to the 1939 film The Wonderful Wizard of Oz tells the story of two witches—Elphaba and Glinda. Elphaba has emerald-green skin and evolves into a wicked witch, while Glinda is a popular blonde girl who becomes a good and charming one. Both share a strong bond, but everything changes when Elphaba stands up for her beliefs.

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Starring Ariana Grande and British singer Cynthia Erivo, both deliver breathtaking performances in songs like "Popular" and "Defying Gravity."

Watch the Wicked Official Trailer

4 Wonka

The Story Of Willy Wonka and His Chocolate Shop

Wonka is another successful film by Paul King, who also directed Paddington. The story centers on Willy Wonka, who dreams of opening his own chocolate shop upon arriving in a magical city. However, rival chocolate companies make it difficult for him to achieve his aspirations.

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Critics have praised Timothée Chalamet's performance, but some viewers have mentioned the movie's predictability. Nevertheless, WONKA has a rating of 7.0/10 on IMDb and is a fantastic option for movie musical fans.

Watch WONKA Official Trailer

3 Mufasa: The Lion King

An Orphan Cub Becomes King

Every Lion King movie invokes nostalgia and takes all the now-grown adults from the '90s back in time. Despite mixed opinions on Mufasa: The Lion King, fans loved the new songs, animations, and special effects. However, others found the movie to lack pace and deemed it unnecessary, as it didn't contribute much to the franchise.

The plot centers on an orphaned and lonely cub named Mufasa. Found by Taka, a friendly lioness, she brings him to her family despite the challenges and the fact that her family has issues with being seen with a stray cub. Their bond grows strong, and so do the challenges. It's a great Disney movie for fans of the franchise.

Watch Mufasa: The Lion King Official Trailer

2 Back To Black

The Life Of The Iconic And Forever Remembered Amy Winehouse

Back to Black instantly captured the attention of Amy Winehouse fans upon its release in May 2024. Viewers can take a quick look at her life, along with the struggles, losses, and addictions she faced during her sadly too-short life.

Marisa Abela takes on the role of Amy Winehouse, and she does it brilliantly. From her obsession with her ex-husband Blake to her battles with alcohol and drugs, Back to Black is a biographical film that sensitively portrays the life of the beloved singer.

Watch Back To Black Official Trailer

1 Better Man

A Movie Musical Inspired By Robbie Williams

The Better Man is an intense and emotional musical centered around the incomparable singer Robbie Williams. Created by the director of The Greatest Showman, this musical moved everyone at its release. Viewers get to hear some unforgettable songs like Angels and the iconic Rock DJ.

It's an excellent choice, rated 7.6/10 on IMDb and 77 on Metascore. Some reviews describe it with words like "powerful," "raw," and "unflinching."

Watch the Better Man Official Trailer

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