Summary
- Movie musicals are on the rise, accounting for 20% of box office earnings.
- Emilia Pérez won big with 4 Golden Globe Awards and 13 Oscar nominations.
- The End explores human connections in a post-apocalyptic setting with outstanding performances.
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.
Related
10 Best Award-Winning Shows Streaming On Netflix
The Bear, The Crown, and The Beef are some of the shows streaming on Netflix with the most awards. The dominant genres are drama and thrillers.
The following ranking is based on the popularity of musical releases from late 2023 to early 2025.
This article recommends musical movies that explore themes such as drug addiction, gender transition, mental illness, and violence.
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.
Related
Joker VS. Folie à Deux: Which Is The Better Movie?
Joker (2019) and its sequel, Joker: Folie à Deux, face off against each other to debate which one is the better movie for rewatching and engagement.
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.
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.
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.
Related
10 Best Songs From Wicked, Ranked
With the success of the Wicked film adaptation, fans of the musical and newcomers alike will be singing the film’s best songs for days after seeing it
Starring Ariana Grande and British singer Cynthia Erivo, both deliver breathtaking performances in songs like “Popular” and “Defying Gravity.”
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.
Related
Wonka Director Clarifies The Film Adaptation’s Musical Nature
Wonka director Paul King’s approach to actor Timothée Chalamet’s upcoming musical movie gives the adaptation a different focus and feel.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
More
8 Best Shows To Watch When You’re Feeling Anxious
TV shows like Friends, South Park, and The Joy of Painting are great options to watch whenever anxiety kicks in.