10 Best Musicals Everyone Should See At Least Once

West Side Story

West Side Story takes the classic star-crossed-lovers idea and turns it into something raw and emotional. Even though the film came out in 1961, it still feels surprisingly modern, especially in the way it shows love caught between loyalty, family-like bonds, and a pointless rivalry. The music is gorgeous from the fiery “America” to the hopeful “Something’s Coming.”

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg

The Umbrellas of Cherbourg is one of those films that looks dreamy and beautiful, but emotionally hits like a slow heartbreak. Catherine Deneuve plays Geneviève, who falls deeply in love, only to be separated when her boyfriend is sent to war. What makes it unique is that every single line is sung, but not in a showy way; it feels natural, almost like overhearing people’s private thoughts.

My Fair Lady

In My Fair Lady, we watch Eliza Doolittle go from a rough-spoken flower girl to someone who can blend into high society but the real story is the complicated push-and-pull between her and Professor Higgins. Audrey Hepburn plays Eliza with a mix of strength and vulnerability, while Rex Harrison brings humor to Higgins’s snobby attitude.

Singin’ in the Rain

Singin’ in the Rain is the definition of a feel-good musical, but it also has a surprisingly clever storyline about Hollywood struggling to switch from silent films to talking pictures. Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, and Donald O’Connor make the movie sparkle, especially in unforgettable numbers like “Make ’Em Laugh” and the famous rainy dance sequence.

Tommy

Tommy is basically what happens when rock music, wild visuals, and pure madness collide. Directed by Ken Russell, the film turns The Who’s album into a full-on sensory overload, packed with famous faces like Elton John, Tina Turner, and Eric Clapton. The story doesn’t always make perfect sense, but the big musical moments are unforgettable, especially “Pinball Wizard” and the chaotic Acid Queen sequence.

Oliver!

Oliver! is one of those films that looks bright and cheerful on the surface, but there’s a real emotional punch underneath it. Even though it’s based on Dickens’s dark story of a boy pushed into crime, the movie feels surprisingly lively and full of energy. The musical numbers like “Food, Glorious Food” and “Consider Yourself” make Fagin’s world seem almost fun, even though we know it isn’t.

Meet Me in St. Louis

Meet Me in St. Louis is pure comfort-watching; the kind of musical that makes you feel wrapped in a warm blanket. Released during World War II, it gave audiences a peek into a sweeter, simpler family life, with Judy Garland at the center singing classics like “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas.” The movie is full of small emotional moments rather than huge twists, but that’s what makes it so charming.

Grease

Grease is one of those musicals that never seems to fade, mostly because it’s fun, flirty, and completely unapologetic about teenage drama. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John bring huge chemistry as Danny and Sandy, which carries the whole story. On the surface, it looks squeaky-clean, but the movie is packed with cheeky humor and not-so-subtle references that definitely weren’t meant for kids. Songs like “Greased Lightning” and “Sandra Dee” still get stuck in your head instantly.

Cabaret

Cabaret is glamorous on the surface but incredibly dark underneath, which makes it feel a lot like a slow-burn soap storyline where danger creeps in quietly. Liza Minnelli is unforgettable as Sally Bowles; confident and sparkly on stage, but fragile when the spotlight fades. The nightclub performances are fun at first, but they slowly start reflecting the rise of Nazism outside.

Bugsy Malone

Bugsy Malone is such a strange idea that somehow works perfectly Here's a 1930s gangster story, but every character is a kid and the guns fire custard instead of bullets. Jodie Foster steals every scene as Tallulah, and Scott Baio brings plenty of charm as Bugsy. The whole film has this playful, slightly cheeky tone, and the production design makes it feel surprisingly polished for something so quirky. But the real magic is in Paul Williams’s songs, which are unbelievably catchy.