People say that you’re either into musical movies, or you’re not—but perhaps those in the latter group have simply never seen the very best examples from the genre. Ever since Hollywood’s first musical film was released nearly a century ago, in 1927 (The Jazz Singer), they’ve captured the hearts of moviegoers everywhere. Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire helped to further popularize the form in the ’30s, after which came a Golden Age of musicals during which silver-screen renditions of Broadway hits (My Fair Lady, West Side Story, Gigi) proved their box-office mettle all over again. But what makes a musical movie one of the best of all time? Among other things: a story that one generation eagerly introduces to the next, a memorable soundtrack, and a sense of magic that can’t be recaptured in a remake (unless it’s by Steven Spielberg, that is).
Below, a shortlist of the best musical movies of all time.
West Side Story (2021), dir. Steven Spielberg
©20th Century Studios/Courtesy Everett Collection
When it was announced that one of history’s most beloved musicals would be remade, the world took comfort in the fact that the epic project would be helmed by one Steven Spielberg, who crafted a film worth celebrating with Rachel Zegler and Ansel Elgort as the star-crossed lovers. With ever-so-slight alterations to the script (including the brilliant choice to bring back Rita Moreno, who starred in the original film), the remake was a dazzling ode to the movie-going experience and all things West Side Story.
How to watch: Stream on Disney+, Apple TV, Prime Video, or YouTube.
Mamma Mia! (2008), dir. Phyllida Lloyd
Photo Credit: Jonathan Prime
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