Movie musicals capture the magic and grandeur of cinema, and we’ll never get tired of watching these 10 classic films. As soon as synchronized sound was introduced in the late 1920s, Hollywood began producing musicals. As the art form grew on the stage, so too did the presentation of musicals on screen.

Whether they adapt a beloved stage show or are comprised of entirely original songs, movie musicals have an instantly timeless quality. They embody the concept of film as entertainment, offering audiences songs, dancing, and intriguing stories that often encompass a myriad of genres. As time goes by, more and more musicals earn the distinction of being called classics.

Though musicals certainly aren’t as common as they used to be, they still manage to strike a chord with modern audiences. Recent hits like Wicked prove that the right show can still make for a perfect movie musical. Each generation has produced its fair share of great musicals, and they have evolved on the big screen the same way they have transformed on Broadway and beyond. Some classics are very conventional while others are exceptionally unique.

This list isn’t a ranking of the best musicals of all time. Though many on the list certainly deserve the honor, they are mentioned because they are movies that never get boring no matter how many times they’re seen. There are Old Hollywood gems and subversive ’80s comedies, and the only thing that unites the films are their toe-tapping tunes and endless rewatch value. These classic movie musicals never go out of style.

10

All That Jazz (1979)

How often does a world-famous theater director and choreographer get to direct a semi-autobiographical movie musical? All That Jazz is the story of an overworked stage director whose bombastic lifestyle leaves him on the brink of a complete breakdown. Bob Fosse brings his crisp choreography and snappy direction, and it feels exceptionally personal because it is.

Delving into the surreal at times, All That Jazz jumps between realistic drama and over-the-top musical frills. It’s an engrossing story for people who aren’t big fans of the song and dance of musicals, while having plenty of ear-catching tunes and amazing choreography. It deconstructs the musical genre, allowing viewers to see into the mind of a legend of the theater.

9

Moulin Rouge! (2001)

The newest movie on this list, Moulin Rouge! is finally old enough to have truly attained classic status. In turn of the century Paris, an Englishman falls for a singer at the Moulin Rouge, but their love affair is complicated by an arranged marriage. Instead of crafting original music for the film, Moulin Rouge! uses pre-existing pop songs.

The jukebox musical is directed by Baz Luhrmann, whose style is perfectly suited to the story. Every moment in Moulin Rouge! is exaggerated, with vibrant colors and humongous set pieces. Though the story is razor-thin, the pure spectacle of the film makes it a must-watch for musical lovers. In the end, it’s the recognizable songs that keep viewers coming back again and again.

8

Grease (1978)

The cinema of the late 1970s embraced the dour mood of the nation at the time, but Grease came along to pep everyone up. Sandy is the new girl at her high school, and when she reunites with the boy she fell in love with over the summer, she discovers they have little in common. The endlessly bubbly musical embraces ’50s nostalgia, getting ahead of the trend by a few years.

Every song in Grease is memorable, and the performances of John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John add touches of contemporary flair to the throwback story. It’s bright and silly, and reminiscent of the musicals of Hollywood’s Golden Age. Though other films from the time had more depth, few are as endlessly rewatchable as Grease.

7

Little Shop Of Horrors (1986)

There weren’t too many classic musicals in the 1980s, but Little Shop of Horrors stands head and shoulders above the rest. The horror comedy concerns a lovesick plant shop clerk who accidentally discovers an extraterrestrial being with a thirst for human blood. Based on the off-Broadway show of the same name, the 1986 movie is a musical adaptation of Roger Corman’s campy flick from the ’60s.

Though Little Shop of Horrors has humor in abundance and goofy charm, it also has stellar music that has stood the test of time. It’s almost a parody of classic musicals, and gleefully subverts a lot of the genre’s tropes. It’s the perfect introductory musical film for those unfamiliar with the genre, and the cult classic is still beloved 40 years after its debut.

6

An American In Paris (1951)

There’s only one word powerful enough to describe An American in Paris: perfect. An American ex-pat spends his days as a painter in Paris but soon finds himself in a love-triangle that forces him to choose between his ambitions. Gene Kelly stars, and it’s his overwhelming screen presence that really sells the splendor of the film.

With its low-stakes drama, beautiful visuals, and iconic musical numbers, An American in Paris is the kind of movie that draws the viewer in and never lets them go. It’s the best of what Hollywood’s Golden Age has to offer, and puts most modern musicals to shame. Gene Kelly’s musicals are a masterclass in cinematic excellence, but An American in Paris is in a category all its own.

5

The Wizard Of Oz (1939)

A real turning point for cinema in general, The Wizard of Oz remains the most beloved American film ever made. Dorothy is whisked away to the magical land of Oz where she must go on a long journey to ask the Wizard to send her back home. The vibrant color photography and whimsical fantasy setting are still eye-catching to this day, and the movie’s opulence is just one of its strongest features.

Often overlooked, the music of The Wizard of Oz is some of the best of the classic era of musicals. Some of the songs have become bona fide standards, and have transcended their status as mere accompaniment to the film. It’s hard to believe that anyone hasn’t seen The Wizard of Oz, and it’s the sort of foundational classic that is worth revisiting at least once a year.

4

Singin’ In The Rain (1952)

There’s a reason Singin’ in the Rain is still talked about today, and it’s arguably the best movie about the film industry ever made. A veteran background actor becomes a major star when the movie industry transitions from the Silent Era to the birth of sound. Through playful humor and larger-than-life musical numbers, Singin’ in the Rain chronicles the history of cinema.

The movie works on so many levels, and it isn’t just a catchy musical or a humorous comedy about the film business. Few films from any era are so well-rounded, and it’s rare for a film from 1952 to remain so universally appealing. That’s because the trials and tribulations of the heroes are archetypal, and even 21st century audiences can relate.

3

Cabaret (1972)

With the Golden Age of Hollywood long dead, Cabaret set the standard for what a modern movie musical should look like. American singer Sally Bowles falls for an English writer in pre-WWII Germany, and their relationship is framed against the rise of the Nazi party. The film cleverly juxtaposes the recent free love movement with the anything goes attitude of the early 1930s.

Hidden behind its great music and strong choreography is a story about the dangers of apathy. Cabaret is a pretty dark musical, and does a brilliant job of finding a nice balance between its tones. Bob Fosse directed and choreographed the classic musical, and his fingerprints are all over the project. Few movie musicals match or even exceed their stage counterparts, but Cabaret makes a strong case.

2

The Sound Of Music (1965)

The musicals of Rodgers and Hammerstein have a spotty track record on the big screen, but The Sound of Music is an undeniable classic. In the years leading up to WWII in Austria, a headstrong nun-in-training takes charge of the widower von Trapp’s seven children and teaches them the power of song. Few musicals celebrate music so joyously, and that joy spreads to the audience.

The sweeping visuals bring The Sound of Music off the stage and into the Alps, making every classic moment bigger and better. Nearly every song is fondly remembered today, and modern viewers know them even without seeing the film. Julie Andrews gives another towering performance, and the movie’s Best Picture Oscar win is certainly well-deserved.

1

West Side Story (1961)

No list of classic movie musicals is complete without West Side Story, and its recent remake proves the story still has pull all these decades later. With two New York City gangs pitched in a heated battle, a boy and girl from rival factions fall in love. The dramatic retelling of Romeo and Juliet is a masterpiece in every sense of the word.

The music is exquisite, the choreography grand, and the set design evokes an almost magical recreation of The Big Apple. Every scene in West Side Story feels bigger than life, and the movie expands upon the original stage play by enhancing its scale. The themes of West Side Story are evergreen, yet another reason why the classic movie musical has remained a must-see for generations.