I grew up watching, dancing, and singing along with classic movie musicals and it is a genre I have continued to love as the years went on. The whimsical quality the musical numbers bring to the table always bring a little joy to my heart. Musicals were much more common in early Hollywood (around the 1950s) but there have been some recent additions to the genre that I think really succeeded in delivering great stories and songs. Here is a list of some of my favorites:
Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
This is an absolute classic. I love everything about this movie. The story is hilarious, emotional, the characters are iconic and memorable, and the music and dancing are legendary. I would urge anyone to witness this film at least once, even if you aren’t a fan of musicals.
The Sound of Music (1965)
Julie Andrews delivers such a wonderful performance in this musical. I remember watching this almost everyday as a kid and I could still watch it everyday as an adult and love it just the same. The story is endearing and the music is beautifully executed.
Into the Woods (2014)
I really enjoyed the adaptation of this Sondheim musical to the big screen. This is a darker take on the classic fairy tale stories and the performances by the actors and the visual effects used really immerse the viewer in the magical world the characters are journeying through.
White Christmas (1954)
Another true classic. Even though this is a holiday movie, I could watch this contentedly at any point in the year. I often find one or two of the songs from this film stuck in my head and I am honestly not really ever mad about it. The four main actors are incredibly talented and I am always drawn into and captivated by their performances.
Mary Poppins Returns (2018)
Watching this movie, I really felt that it was honoring classic movie musicals in the modern times of today. The style of music and dance as well as the section of the film with hand drawn 2D animation sent pangs of nostalgia running through me. I absolutely adored the magical whimsy of this film.
The Greatest Showman (2017)
Another great modern addition to a genre that was primarily popular in the past. The music is more updated to better fit with the music more commonly heard today but still has qualities that hearken back to classical Hollywood musicals. It is packed with amazing performances and a really well constructed story.
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