Whether the eye-catching spectacle of whimsical dance numbers or the catchy lyrics to upbeat songs, musical movies have stood the test of time being a beloved film genre. Every year, musicals are released, sometimes original stories like The Greatest Showman and La La Land and often based off of Broadway shows like In the Heights, West Side Story or the forthcoming Mean Girls musical movie, allowing even more people to enjoy something that once could only be viewed in New York City.
Netflix beholds a colorful amount of genres from lighthearted family-friendly films to mature adult content and everything in between. And among its lengthy movie selection comes a handful of films perfect for those eager to see people burst into song and dance at the most random times. Netflix has produced some original musicals and streams other musical movies that once played in a theater, arguably where musical movies should be viewed — on a giant screen. Its list of musical movies doesn’t appear to be stopping, with it having been announced that the platform will stream a movie version of 13 the Musical, as well as an adaptation of Matilda the Musical. As we await the upcoming 2022 films, here are other musical movies to watch on Netflix.
7 Annie
Annie is one of those musicals anyone living above a rock is familiar with and even if having never seen it, you know it tells of a spunky, red-haired orphan. The never-ending story began as a comic strip titled Little Orphan Annie and then went on to become a Broadway musical. The story has been made into multiple films, the first — the one on Netflix – premiering in 1982. Life under the care of the vicious Miss Hannigan was never fun, but it was “the hard-knock life,” as Annie and the orphans put it. But soon, her life is changed for the best when she’s invited to spend the holidays in the mansion of a successful billionaire named Oliver Warbucks.
6 Hairspray
In 1962, the pleasantly plus-sized Tracy Turnblad wanted nothing more than to fulfill her dream of dancing on the Corny Collins Show, all while fighting for the rights of the African American community. With big hair and cupcake dresses, the feel-good film captures the vintage style of the 1960s and has a soundtrack that could easily get people up on their feet. All the while, it teaches a valuable lesson about equality and not judging people for how they look. Based on both a 1988 film and a 2003 stage adaptation, Hairspray starred Nikki Blonksy in the lead role with an all-star cast including Amanda Bynes, John Travolta, Queen Latifah and the then-teen musical icon Zac Efron. Since then, it has been adapted into a live musical broadcast for NBC, with the stage musical continuing its run around the world.
5 Jingle Jangle
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Though a Christmas movie, Jingle Jangle can be enjoyed year round, especially for those who love its song and dance numbers. In a storytelling fashion, Journey tells her grandkids of the time she spent with her grandfather, an inventor. After Keegan-Michael Key’s character Gustasfon steals his ideas, Journey and her friend Edison venture out to make things right. Jingle Jangle is ideal for both children and adults, capturing the whimsicality among the children and nostalgia factor with actors like Phylicia Rashad and Forest Whitaker.
4 The Prom
Through the years, liberalism has made its way into people’s lifestyles, allowing for more freedom and acceptance but that is not the case in the small, conservative Indiana town in The Prom. The Netflix original film, which is based off of a 2018 stage musical, follows Emma, a high school student whose simple wish is to dance with her girlfriend at prom. But the school is sent into an opposing uproar, catching the attention of four washed-up Broadway stars, played by Meryl Streep, James Corden, Andrew Rannells and Nicole Kidman. In a desperate need to get their name back in the public eye, they travel across the country to help her. With a stellar cast also including Ariana Debose, Keegan-Michael Key and Kerry Washington, the musical is incredibly uplifting with an inspiring moral about accepting people for who they are.
3 tick, tick…BOOM!
tick, tick…BOOM! was originally written by Jonathon Larson and created as an autobiographical musical. With Andrew Garfield in the lead role, the movie tells of Larson’s endeavors into writing the successful musical Rent, all while working in a New York City diner. To top it off, Jon at the time was dealing with the pressure from his girlfriend, friends and life in general. The film, directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, was released onto Netflix in 2021 and also stars Vanessa Hudgens, Alexandra Shipp, and Robin de Jesús with several cameos from famous Broadway actors.
2 Vivo
Like Moana and Encanto, Lin-Manuel Miranda had written the music for the 2021 Netflix animated film Vivo. Originally slated for a theatrical release in 2020, the movie went straight to streaming following the pandemic. Vivo follows a special kind of monkey called a kinkajou, voiced by Miranda, who, after the death of his owner, travels to Florida to deliver a love letter. Along the way, he forms a friendship with Gabi who vows to help him get the message to his former owner’s lost love.
1 A Week Away
Somewhat of a Christian High School Musical, A Week Away follows Will, the troublesome teenager who attends a weeklong Christian summer camp after being given the choice of doing so, or going to jail. A Week Away features popular music from Christian songwriters, as well as some original songs. The movie also stars Bailee Madison and Sherri Shepherd, and won a Dove Award for Inspirational Film of the Year.