Warm up your pipes and practice your scales: this list of the top 15 best musical movies to watch right now will have you singing, dancing and tapping your toes in no time. From timeless classics to modern showstoppers, these films deliver unforgettable performances, catchy tunes and stories that will move your heart and lift your spirits.
Keep an eye on this list as it is updated with the latest and greatest musical movies, so you can be sure you’re in the loop. From Grease to The Color Purple, this list will help musical lovers stay up to date on the most popular musical movies available.
Watch Guide Methodology: Using proprietary viewership data, DIRECTV Insider curates lists of the most popular TV shows and movies being watched by real people, in real time, to help you pick the best trending content to watch across networks. Our rolling data collection also allows readers to see how a trending show’s ranking has changed week over week.
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TOP 15 MUSICAL MOVIES TO WATCH
Let’s get started. Here are the trending musical movies that TV-watchers are enjoying right now, with all the information you need to check them out for yourself.
1. ‘Grease’
↑ 15 vs. Prior Week
Immerse yourself in the effervescent world of Grease (1978), the quintessential high school musical that has stood the test of time. Set in the mid-1950s, it’s a high-voltage journey brimming with exciting friendships, teen romances and adventures.
Watch as the wholesome exchange student Sandy (Olivia Newton-John) and the bad-boy Danny (John Travolta) share a summer romance that’s as enchanting as it is transformative. Amidst youthful rebellion and bobbing dance numbers, the question remains: Will their relationship survive the capricious boundaries of high school cliques and the eventual clash of their contrasting personas? Dive in to find out!
2. ‘Jersey Boys’
↑ 23 vs. Prior Week
Experience the nostalgic rhythm of the 1960s in Jersey Boys. John Lloyd Young shines as Frankie Valli, one of four gritty lads from New Jersey who form the iconic Four Seasons with Bob Gaudio (played by Erich Bergen), Nick Massi (Michael Lomenda), and Tommy DeVito (Vincent Piazza). Their timeless hits like Sherry, Big Girls Don’t Cry, and Walk Like a Man rocket them to stardom, but the glow of the spotlight casts long shadows. As their success soars, personal and professional issues threaten to shatter their harmony, propelling the film into a captivating exploration of music, fame and the ties that bind.
3. ‘The Greatest Showman’
↑ 1 vs. Prior Week
Bringing the 19th century fireworks of entertainment to life on the screen, The Greatest Showman (2017) brings audiences into the flamboyant world of P.T Barnum. Set in the early 1800s, the richly imaginative dreamer Barnum, portrayed by the charismatic Hugh Jackman, transforms his humble beginnings into the creation of a magnificent spectacle — the Barnum & Bailey circus.
The movie showcases heart-throbbing acrobatics, unique performers and unforgettable musical numbers — encapsulating Barnum’s rise from the ground to the sparkling heights of the greatest show on Earth. The Greatest Showman is a testament to the inception of the show business, an intoxicating exuberance of a man who turned the impossible into a reality.
4. ‘Top Hat’
↑ 22 vs. Prior Week
Experience the glamour of the 1935 classic Top Hat, starring Fred Astaire as the charismatic American entertainer, Jerry Travers, who becomes entangled in a delightful comedy of errors. Misunderstanding abounds when the wealthy Dale Tremont, portrayed by the iconic Ginger Rogers, mistakenly assumes that Jerry is the husband of her friend, Madge. In reality, Madge, played by Helen Broderick, is married to Jerry’s business manager Horace Hardwick, brought to life by Edward Everett Horton.
Filled with elegant dances, romantic moments and remarkable comedic timing, Top Hat transports you to the nostalgic charm of Old Hollywood, capturing the complicated love story with refined wit and classic humor.
5. ‘Royal Wedding’
↑ 57 vs. Prior Week
Travel back in time with the 1951 classic musical, Royal Wedding. Set amidst the grandeur of 1947 London, it captures the excitement surrounding the wedding of Princess Elizabeth and Prince Philip in real-time. Leading the heartwarming tale are charismatic sibling song-and-dance team Tom and Ellen Bowen, played by the supremely talented Fred Astaire and Jane Powell.
As they navigate through the royal extravaganza, sparks fly as Ellen falls for the dashing Lord John Brindale while Tom is wooed by the elegant Anne Ashmond. Witness Fred Astaire at his best, delivering one of his most legendary dance performances – a gravity-defying moment of glory atop a ceiling.
6. ‘Fiddler on the Roof’
↓ 4 vs. Prior Week
Immerse yourself in the world of Fiddler on the Roof (1971), an acclaimed screen adaptation of a renowned international stage music sensation. This multi-layered narrative follows the life of Tevye, masterfully brought to life by Topol. Tevye is a humble milkman whose resilience, love, and faith arm him against the oppressions of turn-of-the-century czarist Russia.
The film’s elaborate production design transports you to the very heart of a bygone era, while the plot’s poignant themes resonate with a timeless universality that continues to captivate audiences worldwide. This is a motion picture that remains as relevant today as it was on its release, making it a must-watch for all film enthusiasts.
7. ‘West Side Story’
↑ 3 vs. Prior Week
A timeless classic, West Side Story (1961), revolutionized the film industry with its raw and passionate portrayal of young love against a backdrop of gang violence on the stark, unforgiving streets of New York’s Upper West Side. Battling for turf and pride, two rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, find their world turned upside down when Tony, a Jet, falls in love with Maria, the sister of the Sharks’ leader.
This modern Romeo and Juliet tale unfolds with a rhythmic blend of music, dance, and high-stakes drama. Haunting yet heartening, West Side Story redefines star-crossed lovers and gives viewers a dire warning that hate and vengeance can only lead to tragedy.
8. ‘Fame’
↑ 16 vs. Prior Week
Step into the high-pressure world of performing arts with the classic musical drama Fame. In New York City’s High School of Performing Arts, talented yet eclectic students like ambitious dancer Leroy Johnson and shy violinist Doris Finsecker, take center stage.
This movie isn’t just about teenage dreams, it’s about the arduous journey to unmask talent, unleash potential and make a mark in the world of art. So, put on your dancing shoes and join the unforgettable class of Fame, as they navigate both the stage and the rapidly shifting emotional landscape that is high school.
9. ‘Oliver!’
↑ 7 vs. Prior Week
Immerse yourself in the captivating narrative of Oliver Twist like never before in the acclaimed 1968 adaptation, Oliver! Follow the journey of 9-year-old orphan, Oliver, played by Mark Lester, whose harmless naivety lands him into the grim underworld of London, filled with skilled pickpockets led by the Artful Dodger and cunning Fagin.
When a compassionate Mr. Brownlow offers Oliver a chance at a new life, Bill Sikes, Fagin’s ruthless henchman, gets ready to foil the boy’s chances of escape. With stellar performances and a gripping plot, Oliver! beautifully fuses the essence of Dickensian darkness and raw human emotion.
10. ‘South Pacific’
↑ 37 vs. Prior Week
Transport yourself to a world of tropical romance and war-time tension with the captivating 1958 classic, South Pacific. Based on the award-winning Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, this technicolor marvel features famed actors such as Rossano Brazzi and Mitzi Gaynor.
Brazzi plays Emile de Becque, a French landowner who falls head over heels for the charming Navy nurse Nellie Forbush, portrayed passionately by Gaynor. As love blossoms amidst the backdrop of World War II, racial prejudice and fear create dramatic twists and turns. South Pacific is a poignant and delightfully dramatic demonstration of love, war and the power of song.
11. ‘Sparkle’
↑ 139 vs. Prior Week
Immerse yourself in the soulful era of 1968, where girl groups and the captivating Motown sound were hitting their crescendo in Sparkle. Sisters Delores (Dee), Tammy (Sister) and the eponymous Sparkle, brilliantly portrayed by Tika Sumpter, Carmen Ejogo and Jordin Sparks respectively, are fervent to take Detroit by a storm, in spite of their mother’s apprehension, played by the legendary Whitney Houston. Derek Luke, their relentless manager, sees more than just talent; he sees a launching pad for a new musical empire, even if it means leveraging the sisters’ success and exploiting his fervent feelings for Sparkle. This evocative film released in 2012 bears testament to the journey of dreams, love and the treacherous road to stardom.
12. ‘Mamma Mia!’
↑ 1 vs. Prior Week
Mamma Mia! (2008) is a dazzling film set in the stunning Greek islands that combines music, humor and a tangled tale of love. Donna, played by the brilliant Meryl Streep, is a carefree hotelier organizing her daughter Sophie’s wedding. Unbeknownst to her, Sophie has invited three of Donna’s former lovers, hoping to identify her real father and have him at her wedding.
As love, laughter and surprise reunions unfold, the movie promises viewers a whirlwind of emotions that will have them tapping their feet one moment and reaching for a tissue the next.
13. ‘Dreamgirls’
↑ 69 vs. Prior Week
Immerse yourself in the vibrant and cutthroat world of 1960s music industry with the 2006 film, Dreamgirls. Watch the decadent rise of the captivating trio, the Dreamettes, helmed by Deena (Beyoncé Knowles), Effie (Jennifer Hudson) and Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose). But their dreams of stardom are tested when an opportunistic manager, Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie Foxx), sets his sights on them, pushing them from backup singers for the stunning national star (Eddie Murphy), into the glaring spotlight of fame. However, as they ascend the ladder of success, they soon learn the painful price of stardom, leading to an emotional musical drama that is as unforgettable as the songs it celebrates.
14. ‘Stomp the Yard: Homecoming’
↑ 6 vs. Prior Week
Released in 2010, Stomp the Yard: Homecoming is a potent mix of rhythmic energy and youth determination. Collins Pennie stars as a rebellious figure who must navigate his troubles to guide a dance troupe toward a national competition. The challenge calls for more than impressive dance moves; it demands unity, persistence, and resilience from the team. Filled with electrifying dance sequences and intense drama, Stomp the Yard: Homecoming is an inspiring tale about finding your rhythm even amidst chaos. It’s a story that proves the strength of teamwork, not just in dance, but in overcoming life’s hurdles.
15. ‘The Color Purple’
↑ 2 vs. Prior Week
The Color Purple, an iconic film from director Steven Spielberg based on the iconic book of the same name, is set in the Jim Crow South and has garnered acclaim for its unflinching portrayal of the hardships and triumphs of the African American community during this era.
The movie features a powerful, memorable performance by Fantasia Barrino as Celie Harris, charting her journey from an oppressed, abused child to a resilient, empowered woman. Colman Domingo’s Albert portrays the bitter realities of the male-dominated society with chilling precision. This film is a remarkable chronicle of resilience, hope and the human spirit’s uncrushable power set against a backdrop of systemic injustices, leaving an indelible imprint on the hearts of all who watch it.
And there you have it: the top 15 musical movies to watch at home. Stay tuned for updates to come, so you can keep up with the best content available right now.
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And for even more insight into the top shows and movies to watch right now, check out these other lists:
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