The 1960s were a magical time for Hollywood, especially in the popular realm of musicals. Indeed, this decade brought to the big screen a series of toe-tapping, belt-worthy musical movies still beloved today. That’s because there is often something timeless about musicals (which is why Broadway shows can sometimes run for decades on end). In many cases, the stories are still applicable in the modern era and the songs still ring true.

As audiences, we typically want to be fully immersed in a film. After all, some of us go to the movie theater to escape the world for a few hours and to forget our troubles. There is no better way to get lost in a movie than with a musical. What is it about them that makes them so memorable? Perhaps it’s the big dance breakouts, the heartfelt ballads, the swoon-worthy romances, or the flawed yet hopeful characters that are so relatable to us. Whatever the reason, modern audiences still adore musicals, as evidenced by recent releases West Side Story and Tick, Tick, Boom. While there have been some noteworthy musicals within the past decade, none are quite related to the timeless classics of the 1960s.

8 Bye Bye Birdie

Bobby Rydell in Bye Bye Birdie
Columbia Pictures

“We love you, Conrad. Oh yes, we do. We love you, Conrad. And we’ll be true. When you’re not near us. We’re blue. Oh, Conrad, we love you.” It’s a sad, tragic day for all the teenage girls when rock star Conrad Birdie is drafted by the army and will have to put a pause on his music career. To help give him a big sendoff, a random girl is selected to be serenaded and kissed by him on live television during Birdie’s farewell concert. However, not everything goes according to plan, but in the end, Bye Bye Birdie turns out perfectly, as befitting most musicals.

7 West Side Story

Natalie Wood and Richard Beymer in the original West Side Story
United Artists

“I like to be in America.” Here is one musical that doesn’t end happily ever after. West Side Story is a musical inspired by William Shakespeare’s tragedy Romeo and Juliet. Set in America, specifically the upper west side of Manhattan in New York City, two rival gangs battle it out for control of the turf. However, things get complicated when members of the opposing gangs fall in love. Now, Tony (Richard Beymer) and Maria (Natalie Wood) will do anything to be together despite their families’ hatred for each other.

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6 My Fair Lady

Audrey Hepburn makes a grand entrance at the horse races in My Fair Lady
Warner Bros.

“All I want is a room somewhere. Far away from the cold night air. With one enormous chair. Oh, wouldn’t it be loverly?” In My Fair Lady, working-class street merchant Eliza Doolittle (Audrey Hepburn) dreams of a better tomorrow, a life where she enjoys all the luxuries and comforts of a wealthy existence. She is selected by the overconfident professor Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison), who believes that he can completely transform her from a Cockney working-class girl into someone of class and high society. After working together for countless hours, the pair form an unlikely friendship that kindles into something more.

5 The Music Man

Robert Preston and Shirley Jones in The Music Man
Warner Bros.

“Seventy-six trombones led the big parade. With a hundred and ten cornets close at hand.” Traveling con artist Harold Hill (Robert Preston) has it all figured out when he arrives in River City. He plans to convince the locals to start a band by giving him money to purchase instruments and uniforms. However, one thing Harold didn’t account for was falling in love with the local Librarian, Marian Paroo (Pert Kelton) who is the one person who questions his intentions. Will Harold take the town’s money and flee? Or will he stick around and follow his heart? Find out in The Music Man.

4 Oliver!

Mark Lester in Oliver!
Columbia Pictures

“Where is love? Does it fall from skies above? Is it underneath the willow tree? That I’ve been dreaming of?” Based on Charles Dickens’ 1838 novel Oliver Twist, the British period musical drama Oliver! is about the titular young orphan boy yearning for a place to call home amidst the hustle and bustle of the streets of London. Despite many hardships along the way, Oliver finally finds a home with the kindhearted Mr. Brownlow. This musical is bittersweet and has a story that will linger with you long after the credits roll. The 1968 film marked the end of a cinematic era, with Oliver! being the last musical to win the Academy Award for Best Pictures until 2002's Chicago.

3 The Sound of Music

The Sound of Music cast
20th Century Fox

“The hills are alive with the sound of music. With songs they have sung for a thousand years.” What happens when tomboyish postulant Maria (Julie Andrews) is sent by her convent to be the temporary governess to the Von Trapp Family? Naturally, she and submarine Captain Georg Von Trapp (Christopher Plummer) fall in love.

Related: Best Recent Musical Movies, Ranked

Though historically inaccurate, The Sound of Music was based on the real-life story of the Von Trapp Family singers, The Sound of Music is a heartwarming Rodgers and Hammerstein classic that features memorable songs like “My Favorite Things”, “Do-Re-Mi” and “So Long, Farewell.” In addition, it has swoon-worthy performances by the late Christopher Plummer and the legendary Julie Andrews.

2 Chitty Chitty Bang Bang

Chitty Chitty Bang Bang
United Artists

“Oh, you pretty Chitty Bang Bang Chitty Chitty Bang Bang we love you.” What’s not to love about a flying car that never fails to amaze and save the day? Join eccentric inventor Caractacus Potts (Dick Van Dyke), his children Jeremy (Adrian Hall) and Jemima (Heather Ripley), and the lovely Truly Scrumptious (Sally Ann Howes) as they embark on the car ride of their lives. Chitty Chitty Bang Bang features a wonderful cast of fun and zany characters including Baron Bomburst, a man who loves toys but hates children, his wife, Baroness Bomburst, a woman who hates him, and the Child Catcher, a man with a nose for children but who possesses no fashion sense whatsoever.

1 Mary Poppins

Julie Andrews in Mary Poppins.
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures

“Oh, it’s a jolly ‘oliday with Mary. Mary makes your ‘eart so light! When the day is gray and ordinary, Mary makes the sun shine bright!” Just as Bert (Dick Van Dyke) sings, it’s always a jolly good time watching Mary Poppins, a film that’s as enchanting and delightful as its title character. When Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) arrives in town to be the new nanny to Jane (Karen Dotrice) and Michael Banks (Matthew Garber), the children are pleasantly surprised as Mary takes them on all sorts of amazing adventures. Mary Poppins is filled with a collection of wonderful songs like “A Spoonful of Sugar,” “Step in Time,” “Let’s Go Fly a Kite,” and the song with the longest word in history, “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious."