With the upcoming launch of Depraved: For Good and the rousing success of the primary installment, musical motion pictures are hotter than ever. 2025 has additionally seen KPop Demon Hunters grow to be the largest film in Netflix historical past, whereas the very best trendy musicals embody The Best Showman, Within the Heights, and La La Land.
Everybody is aware of these motion pictures, even when they do not really admire the musical style. Nevertheless, the true enjoyable is discovering the hidden gem musicals. Those that handle to function enjoyable musical numbers and nice singing on comparatively small budgets. They flew below the radar however are literally among the greatest musicals ever made.
Vivo (2021)
It is type of stunning that extra individuals do not discuss Vivo. This Netflix authentic animated film options the voice abilities and songwriting expertise of Lin-Manuel Miranda and there is merely no greater identify in musicals as of late than him, due to his creation of Hamilton and Within the Heights.
Vivo tells the story of the titular kinkajou, who loves the music he performs along with his human pal Andrés. When Andrés dies, Vivo goes on a journey to satisfy his future and ship a love track to a retiring singer whom Andrés was near.
Critiques for Vivo had been robust, with reward going to Miranda’s songs, the animation model, and the proficient voice forged. Miranda is joined by Brian Tyree Henry, Zoe Saldaña, and the legendary Gloria Estefan, to call a couple of, giving Vivo probably the greatest musical ensembles round.
Sing Avenue (2016)
Launched in 2016, Sing Avenue is one thing of a special type of musical. As an alternative of individuals randomly breaking out into track and dance numbers, the movie tells a narrative that is centered across the creation of music and the formation of a band.
Within the movie, a teenage boy types a band in an effort to impress a woman he likes. It is a easy setup, but it really works as a result of it is heartwarming, relatable, and naturally, the music is a spotlight. A number of songs that the titular band crafts are memorable.
Sing Avenue was well-received, with acclaim going to the ’80s Dublin setting, the musical performances, and the performing of the forged, which incorporates Lucy Boynton, Jack Reynor, and extra. Sing Avenue was additionally nominated for Greatest Image – Musical or Comedy on the Golden Globes.
Oliver & Firm (1986)
Walt Disney Animation Studios is usually related to musicals. Their largest motion pictures embody The Little Mermaid, The Lion King, Moana, Frozen, Aladdin, and several other others that function iconic songs which have withstood the check of time.
Nevertheless, one Disney animated film that is still an underrated gem is Oliver & Firm. Impressed by Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist, the movie follows a homeless kitten who finds pals in a pack of canine to assist him survive his time on the streets in Nineteen Eighties New York Metropolis.
Oliver & Firm needs to be remembered higher due to the sheer high quality of the music. The story itself is robust and is a lot better than the blended evaluations it obtained, however the music is top-notch. “Why Ought to I Fear?” is likely one of the greatest Disney songs in historical past due to Billy Joel’s unbelievable abilities.
Sing 2 (2021)
The primary Sing film in 2016 grew to become a success that grossed over $600 million and will get replayed on TV networks on a regular basis. Youngsters in every single place cherished it and the soundtrack, which options covers of in style songs, is likely one of the strongest factors.
Sing 2 is a sequel that is nearly pretty much as good as the unique, but it has type of been forgotten. It did not carry out as properly on the field workplace, although the COVID-19 period has one thing to do with that, and it would not really feel prefer it has the identical endurance as the primary.
That stated, Sing 2 is definitely fairly nice. Critiques had been robust and the brand new musical numbers are unbelievable. From Scarlett Johansson’s tackle “Heads Will Roll” to Halsey’s “Might Have Been Me” to the addition of Bono to the forged, Sing 2 has music everybody can get pleasure from.
Should you’ve by no means seen Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas, that is comprehensible. This vacation movie is a spin-off of Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist, a unbelievable present that was criminally underseen and canceled after two seasons. The premise sees Zoey find yourself with the power to listen to individuals’s inside ideas by extravagant musical numbers solely seen to her.
Following the present’s unjust cancellation, Roku picked up the rights to cap issues off with a vacation film, Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas. The movie picks up the place the present left off and offers followers the satisfying ending they needed.
Zoey’s Extraordinary Christmas additionally works because the type of vacation film you may watch every year. There are covers of all the pieces from Christmas hits like “It is the Most Great Time of the Yr” to pop songs like Carly Rae Jepsen’s “Name Me Perhaps.”
Roald Dahl’s Matilda The Musical (2022)
Most of us grew up with Matilda, whether or not it was Roald Dahl’s e book or the 1996 film starring Mara Wilson. Lots of people do not know {that a} stage musical was made based mostly on the story again in 2010, which is what led to the creation of this remake.
Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical tells the story we have come to like however does so with the addition of some unbelievable songs. Alisha Weir is large as Matilda, particularly when she has to sing “Quiet,” which she delivers so properly.
The movie itself is nice, particularly with Emma Thompson’s unrecognizable efficiency because the villainous Ms. Trunchbull. It holds a powerful 93% ranking on Rotten Tomatoes and the ultimate massive musical quantity, “Revolting Youngsters,” is fairly epic.
Throughout The Universe (2007)
It is uncommon however there are a handful of film musicals which are based mostly on the songs of a selected act. For instance, Mamma Mia! is solely targeted on music by ABBA whereas 2019’s Yesterday is about The Beatles. Nevertheless, Yesterday wasn’t the primary musical centered on The Beatles.
That was Throughout the Universe, a jukebox musical from director Julie Taymor. Set within the Nineteen Sixties, the movie tells the story of Jude, a person who leaves Liverpool for america to seek out his father, solely to fall in love with Lucy, who joins the anti-war motion of the time.
Throughout the Universe does a extremely good job of balancing the romance with the political themes but it surely’s the music the place it shines. The film options greater than 30 songs by The Beatles and was nominated for Greatest Image – Musical or Comedy on the Golden Globes.
Burlesque (2010)
Your movie is assured to have good music if the likes of Christina Aguilera and Cher are your two main girls, which is why Burlesque works so properly as a musical. The movie did reasonably properly on the field workplace however did not obtain rave evaluations.
That is in all probability why it has been forgotten to time, however any musical fan who checks out Burlesque is certain to have an excellent time. The film follows an aspiring singer who heads to Los Angeles to make it massive and finally ends up as a performer at a struggling burlesque membership.
The dialogue may not be something particular, however the forged (Aguilera and Cher are joined by Kristen Bell, Alan Cumming, and extra) carry it with their performances, and the musical numbers stand out. Watching Aguilera’s protagonist grow to be the membership’s foremost attraction is fascinating.
All people’s Speaking About Jamie (2021)
Jonathan Butterell made his directorial debut with All people’s Speaking About Jamie, an adaptation of the stage play of the identical identify, which was tailored from a BBC documentary. The story facilities on a teenage boy who goals of turning into a drag queen.
All through the story, Jamie overcomes bullying and prejudice to make his dream come true, set to the tune of some phenomenal musical numbers. Max Harwood is unbelievable because the titular Jamie regardless of this being his movement image debut.
All people’s Speaking About Jamie is an emotional story with some heartbreaking and uplifting moments. It was nominated for Excellent British Movie on the BAFTAs and sits at 82% on Rotten Tomatoes, whereas that includes cameos from drag queen legends and a scene-stealing flip by Richard E. Grant.
Anna And The Apocalypse (2017)
Whereas loads of motion pictures cowl a number of genres, not many do it like Anna and the Apocalypse. This movie is half musical, half zombie horror, half Christmas film, making for one of the distinctive blends you will ever see.
Anna and the Apocalypse follows the titular Anna and her pals throughout the vacation season when a zombie outbreak hits their small city. That units the stage for some unbelievable zombie combating scenes, a few of that are set to music, with the very best being “Soldier at Conflict.”
Ella Hunt is nice within the lead function and lends her tones to memorable songs like “Break Away” and “Hollywood Ending.” The film holds nothing again with regards to zombie motion and the proficient younger actors give their all to the catchy, impressively produced musical numbers. It is excellent for an annual Christmas viewing.