100 Best Movie Musicals of All Time (The Testament of Ann Lee)

Critics Consensus: Clever, incisive, and funny, Singin' in the Rain is a masterpiece of the classical Hollywood musical.

Synopsis: A spoof of the turmoil that afflicted the movie industry in the late 1920s when movies went from silent to sound. When two silent movie... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor, Jean Hagen

Directed By: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly

Critics Consensus: A glamorous and enthralling Depression-era diversion, Top Hat is nearly flawless, with acrobatics by Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers that make the hardest physical stunts seem light as air.

Synopsis: The story centers on wealthy Dale Tremont (Ginger Rogers), on holiday in London and Venice. She assumes that American entertainer Jerry Travers (Fred Astaire) is... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Edward Everett Horton, Helen Broderick

Directed By: Mark Sandrich

Critics Consensus: A disarmingly sweet musical led by outstanding performances from Judy Garland and Margaret O'Brien, Meet Me in St. Louis offers a holiday treat for all ages.

Synopsis: "Meet Me in St. Louis" is a classic MGM romantic musical comedy that focuses on four sisters (one of whom is the nonpareil Judy Garland)... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Judy Garland, Margaret O'Brien, Leon Ames, Lucille Bremer

Directed By: Vincente Minnelli

Critics Consensus: Look around, look around at how beautifully Hamilton shines beyond Broadway - and at how marvelously Thomas Kail captures the stage show's infectious energy.

Synopsis: The original Broadway production of the award-winning musical that tells the story of Alexander Hamilton, first secretary of the treasury, blending hip-hop, jazz, R&B and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Lin-Manuel Miranda, Phillipa Soo, Leslie Odom Jr., Renée Elise Goldsberry

Directed By: Thomas Kail

Critics Consensus: An absolute masterpiece whose groundbreaking visuals and deft storytelling are still every bit as resonant, The Wizard of Oz is a must-see film for young and old.

Synopsis: When a tornado rips through Kansas, Dorothy (Judy Garland) and her dog, Toto, are whisked away in their house to the magical land of Oz.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr

Directed By: Victor Fleming

Critics Consensus: A Hard Day's Night, despite its age, is still a delight to watch and has proven itself to be a rock-and-roll movie classic.

Synopsis: The Beatles in their feature film debut, one of the greatest rock-and-roll comedy adventures ever. The film has a fully restored negative and digitally restored... View Full Synopsis

Starring: The Beatles, Wilfrid Brambell, Norman Rossington, John Junkin

Directed By: Richard Lester

Critics Consensus: The Young Girls of Rochefort pays colorful homage to classic Hollywood musicals while earning its own emotionally affecting place of honor in the genre.

Synopsis: Delphine (Catherine Deneuve) and Solange (Françoise Dorléac) are twin sisters who each want to find romance and leave their small seaside town of Rochefort, France.... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Françoise Dorléac, Jacques Perrin, Danielle Darrieux

Directed By: Jacques Demy

Critics Consensus: A Star is Born is a movie of grand scope and intimate moments, featuring Judy Garland's possibly greatest performance.

Synopsis: Hollywood actor Norman Maine (James Mason) is a celebrity whose star is on the wane, but when he meets aspiring actress Esther Blodgett (Judy Garland),... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Judy Garland, James Mason, Jack Carson, Charles Bickford

Directed By: George Cukor

Critics Consensus: A charming, captivating tale of love and music, Once sets the standard for the modern musical. And with Dublin as its backdrop, Once is fun and fresh.

Synopsis: A vacuum repairman (Glen Hansard) moonlights as a street musician and hopes for his big break. One day a Czech immigrant (Marketa Irglova), who earns... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Glen Hansard, Markéta Irglová, Hugh Walsh, Gerry Hendrick

Directed By: John Carney

Critics Consensus: Watermelons may go out of season, but in A Night at the Opera, the Marx Brothers' daffy laughs are never anything less than uproariously fresh.

Synopsis: The Marx Brothers run amuck in the world of opera when Otis B. Driftwood meets aspiring singer Ricardo, who is determined to win the love... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Kitty Carlisle Hart, Chico Marx

Directed By: Sam Wood

Critics Consensus: Jacques Demy elevates the basic drama of everyday life into a soaring opera full of bittersweet passion and playful charm, featuring a timeless performance from Catherine Deneuve.

Synopsis: Geneviève (Catherine Deneuve), a beautiful young Frenchwoman who works at a small-town boutique selling umbrellas, falls for dashing mechanic Guy (Nino Castelnuovo). Their brief romance... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Nino Castelnuovo, Anne Vernon, Marc Michel

Directed By: Jacques Demy

Critics Consensus: A lavish modern fairy tale celebrated for its amazing special effects, catchy songs, and Julie Andrews's legendary performance in the title role.

Synopsis: When Jane (Karen Dotrice) and Michael (Matthew Garber), the children of the wealthy and uptight Banks family, are faced with the prospect of a new... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Glynis Johns, David Tomlinson

Directed By: Robert Stevenson

Critics Consensus: Sing Street is a feel-good musical with huge heart and irresistible optimism, and its charming cast and hummable tunes help to elevate its familiar plotting.

Synopsis: In 1985, a Dublin teenager (Ferdia Walsh-Peelo) forms a rock 'n' roll band to win the heart of an aspiring model (Lucy Boynton).

Starring: Ferdia Walsh-Peelo, Lucy Boynton, Jack Reynor, Aidan Gillen

Directed By: John Carney

Critics Consensus: Clever, charming, and heartfelt, The Muppets is a welcome big screen return for Jim Henson's lovable creations that will both win new fans and delight longtime devotees.

Synopsis: Walter, the world's biggest Muppet fan, is on vacation in Los Angeles with his brother Gary (Jason Segel) and Gary's girlfriend, Mary (Amy Adams). They... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jason Segel, Amy Adams, Chris Cooper, Rashida Jones

Directed By: James Bobin

Critics Consensus: The plot may be problematic, but such concerns are rendered superfluous by Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron's star power, the Gershwins' classic songs, and Vincente Minnelli's colorful, sympathetic direction.

Synopsis: Jerry Mulligan is an American ex-GI who stays in post-war Paris to become a painter, and falls for the gamine charms of Lise Bouvier. However,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Gene Kelly, Leslie Caron, Oscar Levant, Georges Guétary

Directed By: Vincente Minnelli

Critics Consensus: Lagaan is lavish, rousing entertainment in the old-fashioned tradition of Hollywood musicals.

Synopsis: The year is 1893 and India is under British occupation. In a small village, the tyrannical Captain Russell (Paul Blackthorne) has imposed an unprecedented land... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Aamir Khan, Gracy Singh, Rachel Shelley, Paul Blackthorne

Directed By: Ashutosh Gowariker

Critics Consensus: Stormy Weather's depiction of the Black community is disappointingly facile, but its delightful musical numbers drown out any missed narrative notes.

Synopsis: Bill Williamson (Bill Robinson), a struggling performer, meets a beautiful vocalist named Selina Rogers (Lena Horne). Bill promises her that they will be together after... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Lena Horne, Bill Robinson, Cab Calloway, Katherine Dunham

Directed By: Andrew L. Stone

Critics Consensus: Barbara Streisand elevates this otherwise rote melodramatic musical with her ultra-memorable star turn as Fanny Brice.

Synopsis: In this bittersweet, classic musical drama, the vibrant and beautiful young Fanny Brice (Barbra Streisand) starts out as a bit player on the New York... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Barbra Streisand, Omar Sharif, Walter Pidgeon, Kay Medford

Directed By: William Wyler

Critics Consensus: Lights up for In the Heights, a joyous celebration of heritage and community fueled by dazzling direction and singalong songs.

Synopsis: The creator of "Hamilton" and the director of "Crazy Rich Asians" invite you to the event of the summer, where the streets are made of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Anthony Ramos, Melissa Barrera, Leslie Grace, Corey Hawkins

Directed By: Jon M. Chu

Critics Consensus: George Cukor's elegant, colorful adaptation of the beloved stage play is elevated to new heights thanks to winning performances by Audrey Hepburn and Rex Harrison.

Synopsis: In this beloved musical, pompous phonetics professor Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison) is so sure of his abilities that he takes it upon himself to transform... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison, Stanley Holloway, Wilfrid Hyde-White

Directed By: George Cukor

Critics Consensus: Beyoncé is King.

Starring: Beyoncé

Directed By: Beyoncé

Critics Consensus: A smart re-imagining of fairy tale tropes that's sure to delight children and adults, Enchanted features witty dialogue, sharp animation, and a star turn by Amy Adams.

Synopsis: Banished by an evil queen, Princess Giselle (Amy Adams) from a fairy-tale world lands in modern Manhattan, where music, magic and "happily ever after" are... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Amy Adams, Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Timothy Spall

Directed By: Kevin Lima

Critics Consensus: Another music-fueled crowd-pleaser from writer-director John Carney, Flora and Son proves almost impossible to resist.

Synopsis: Single mom Flora (Eve Hewson) is at a loss about what to do with her rebellious teenage son, Max (Orén Kinlan). Encouraged by the police... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Eve Hewson, Orén Kinlan, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Jack Reynor

Directed By: John Carney

Critics Consensus: Roald Dahl's Matilda the Musical brings the classic story back to the screen with a delightful Emma Thompson, dazzling dancing, and a suitably irascible take on the source material.

Synopsis: An extraordinary girl with a sharp mind and vivid imagination takes a daring stand to change her story -- with miraculous results.

Starring: Alisha Weir, Emma Thompson, Lashana Lynch, Stephen Graham

Directed By: Matthew Warchus

Critics Consensus: Hairspray is an energetic, wholly entertaining musical romp; a fun Summer movie with plenty of heart. Its contagious songs will make you want to get up and start dancing.

Synopsis: In the 1960s Baltimore, dance-loving teen Tracy Turnblad auditions for a spot on "The Corny Collins Show" and wins. She becomes an overnight celebrity, a... View Full Synopsis

Starring: John Travolta, Nikki Blonsky, Amanda Bynes, Christopher Walken

Directed By: Adam Shankman

Critics Consensus: Buoyed by Robert Wise's dazzling direction, Leonard Bernstein's score, and Stephen Sondheim's lyrics, West Side Story remains perhaps the most iconic of all the Shakespeare adaptations to visit the big screen.

Synopsis: A musical in which a modern day Romeo and Juliet are involved in New York street gangs. On the harsh streets of the upper west... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn, George Chakiris

Directed By: Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise

Critics Consensus: Hedwig and the Angry Inch may very well be the next Rocky Horror midnight movie. It not only knows how to rock, but Hedwig's story has an emotional poignancy.

Synopsis: A German emigrant living in a trailer in Kansas is the victim of a botched sex-change operation. Adapted from the critically acclaimed off-Broadway rock theater... View Full Synopsis

Starring: John Cameron Mitchell, Michael Pitt, Miriam Shor, Stephen Trask

Directed By: John Cameron Mitchell

Critics Consensus: Great performances and evocative musical numbers help Cabaret secure its status as a stylish, socially conscious classic.

Synopsis: In Berlin in 1931, American cabaret singer Sally Bowles (Liza Minnelli) meets British academic Brian Roberts (Michael York), who is finishing his university studies. Despite... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Liza Minnelli, Joel Grey, Michael York, Helmut Griem

Directed By: Bob Fosse

Critics Consensus: Steven Spielberg's West Side Story presents a new look at the classic musical that lives up to its beloved forebear -- and in some respects might even surpass it.

Synopsis: Love at first sight strikes when young Tony spots Maria at a high school dance in 1957 New York City. Their burgeoning romance helps to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, Ariana DeBose, David Alvarez

Directed By: Steven Spielberg

Critics Consensus: La La Land breathes new life into a bygone genre with thrillingly assured direction, powerful performances, and an irresistible excess of heart.

Synopsis: Sebastian (Ryan Gosling) and Mia (Emma Stone) are drawn together by their common desire to do what they love. But as success mounts they are... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone, John Legend, Rosemarie DeWitt

Directed By: Damien Chazelle

Critics Consensus: While it's plenty predictable and sentimental, The Sapphires also has an irresistible feel-good vibe, winning music and charming performances to spare.

Synopsis: A would-be music promoter (Chris O'Dowd) sees something special in a girl group of four Australian singers and takes them to Vietnam to perform for... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Chris O'Dowd, Deborah Mailman, Jessica Mauboy, Shari Sebbens

Directed By: Wayne Blair

Critics Consensus: Remixing Roger Corman's B-movie by way of the Off-Broadway musical, Little Shop of Horrors offers camp, horror and catchy tunes in equal measure -- plus some inspired cameos by the likes of Steve Martin and Bill Murray.

Synopsis: Meek flower shop assistant Seymour (Rick Moranis) pines for co-worker Audrey (Ellen Greene). During a total eclipse, he discovers an unusual plant he names Audrey... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene, Steve Martin, Vincent Gardenia

Directed By: Frank Oz

Critics Consensus: Jingle Jangle: A Christmas Journey celebrates the yuletide season with a holiday adventure whose exuberant spirit is matched by its uplifting message.

Synopsis: Decades after his apprentice betrays him, a once joyful toymaker finds new hope when his bright young granddaughter appears on his doorstep.

Starring: Forest Whitaker, Keegan-Michael Key, Hugh Bonneville, Anika Noni Rose

Directed By: David E. Talbert

Critics Consensus: Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory is strange yet comforting, full of narrative detours that don't always work but express the film's uniqueness.

Synopsis: The last of five coveted "golden tickets" falls into the hands of a sweet but very poor boy. He and his grandpa then get a... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson, Peter Ostrum, Roy Kinnear

Directed By: Mel Stuart

Critics Consensus: Oliver! transforms Charles Dickens' muckraking novel into a jaunty musical Victorian fairytale, buoyed by Ron Moody's charming star turn and Onna White's rapturous choreography.

Synopsis: In this award-winning adaptation of the Broadway musical based on the Charles Dickens novel, 9-year-old orphan Oliver Twist (Mark Lester) falls in with a group... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ron Moody, Oliver Reed, Mark Lester, Shani Wallis

Directed By: Carol Reed

Critics Consensus: Dressed to the nines in exquisite production value and buoyed by Mike Leigh's sardonic wit, Topsy-Turvy is rich entertainment that is as brainy as it is handsome.

Synopsis: The lives of the Victorian Era operatic composers Gilbert and Sullivan. Takes place during the original composition of the 1884 staging that would be one... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jim Broadbent, Allan Corduner, Lesley Manville, Eleanor David

Directed By: Mike Leigh

Critics Consensus: It may not be one of Vincente Minnelli's best, but the charming and flawlessly acted Gigi still offers enough visual and musical treats to satisfy.

Synopsis: Gaston (Louis Jourdan) is a restless Parisian playboy who moves from one mistress to another, while also spending time with Gigi (Leslie Caron), a precocious... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Leslie Caron, Maurice Chevalier, Louis Jourdan, Hermione Gingold

Directed By: Vincente Minnelli

Critics Consensus: Sunshine on Leith is a musical so charmingly good-natured that even viewers who don't like musicals may find it difficult to resist.

Synopsis: Davy and Ally have to relearn how to live in Edinburgh after serving in Afghanistan.

Starring: Paul Brannigan, Jason Flemyng, Peter Mullan, Antonia Thomas

Directed By: Dexter Fletcher

Critics Consensus: Like a life-affirming rock anthem, Blinded by the Light hits familiar chords with confidence and flair, building to a conclusion that leaves audiences cheering for an encore.

Synopsis: Javed is a Pakistani teenager who experiences racial and economic turmoil while living in Luton, England, in 1987. He writes poetry as a way to... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Viveik Kalra, Hayley Atwell, Rob Brydon, Kulvinder Ghir

Directed By: Gurinder Chadha

Critics Consensus: Daring to substitute its marquee star with a VFX creation and somehow pulling it off, Better Man makes a monkey out of the traditional musical biopic to thrilling effect.

Synopsis: Better Man is based on the true story of the meteoric rise, dramatic fall, and remarkable resurgence of British pop superstar Robbie Williams, one of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Robbie Williams, Jonno Davies, Steve Pemberton, Damon Herriman

Directed By: Michael Gracey

Critics Consensus: It's going to be a long, long time before a rock biopic manages to capture the highs and lows of an artist's life like Rocketman.

Synopsis: Young Reginald Dwight changes his name to Elton John and collaborates with singer-songwriter Bernie Taupin to become one of the most iconic figures in pop... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Gemma Jones

Directed By: Dexter Fletcher

Critics Consensus: Illuminated by Amanda Seyfried's sterling performance, The Testament of Ann Lee accepts The Shakers' founder on her own terms and reaches its own rhapsodic highs as a result.

Synopsis: From award-winning writer-director Mona Fastvold (The World to Come, The Brutalist) comes the extraordinary true legend of Ann Lee, founder of the devotional sect known... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Thomasin McKenzie, Lewis Pullman, Stacy Martin

Directed By: Mona Fastvold

Critics Consensus: The Lure adds a sexually charged, genre-defying twist to well-established mermaid lore, more than overpowering its flaws through sheer variety and wild ambition.

Synopsis: Two mermaid sisters become caught in a love triangle when they fall for the same man.

Starring: Marta Mazurek, Michalina Olszańska, Kinga Preis, Andrzej Konopka

Directed By: Agnieszka Smoczynska

Critics Consensus: The Muppet Movie, the big-screen debut of Jim Henson's plush creations, is smart, lighthearted, and fun for all ages.

Synopsis: After Kermit the Frog decides to pursue a movie career, he starts his cross-country trip from Florida to California. Along the way, he meets and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Charles Durning, Austin Pendleton, Steve Martin, Mel Brooks

Directed By: James Frawley

Critics Consensus: Defying gravity with its magical pairing of Cynthia Erivo and Ariana Grande, Wicked's sheer bravura and charm make for an irresistible invitation to Oz.

Synopsis: Wicked, the untold story of the witches of Oz, stars Emmy, Grammy and Tony winning powerhouse Cynthia Erivo (Harriet, Broadway's The Color Purple) as Elphaba,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Cynthia Erivo, Ariana Grande, Jonathan Bailey, Ethan Slater

Directed By: Jon M. Chu

Critics Consensus: tick, tick... BOOM! makes musical magic out of a story focused on the creative process -- an impressive feat for debuting director Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Synopsis: Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award winner Lin-Manuel Miranda makes his feature directorial debut with tick, tick...BOOM!, an adaptation of the autobiographical musical by Jonathan Larson,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Andrew Garfield, Alexandra Shipp, Vanessa Hudgens, Bradley Whitford

Directed By: Lin-Manuel Miranda

Critics Consensus: Anchored by Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell's sparkling magnetism, Gentlemen Prefer Blondes is a delightfully entertaining 1950s musical.

Synopsis: Lorelei Lee (Marilyn Monroe) is a beautiful showgirl engaged to be married to the wealthy Gus Esmond (Tommy Noonan), much to the disapproval of Gus'... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jane Russell, Marilyn Monroe, Charles Coburn, Elliott Reid

Directed By: Howard Hawks

Critics Consensus: Director Bob Fosse and star Roy Scheider are at the top of their games in this dazzling, self-aware stage drama about a death-obsessed director-choreographer.

Synopsis: When he is not planning for his upcoming stage musical or working on his Hollywood film, choreographer/director Joe Gideon (Roy Scheider) is popping pills and... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Roy Scheider, Jessica Lange, Ann Reinking, Leland Palmer

Directed By: Bob Fosse

Critics Consensus: A rousing and energetic adaptation of the Broadway musical, Chicago succeeds on the level of pure spectacle, but provides a surprising level of depth and humor as well.

Synopsis: Nightclub sensation Velma (Catherine Zeta-Jones) murders her philandering husband, and Chicago's slickest lawyer, Billy Flynn (Richard Gere), is set to defend her. But when Roxie... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Catherine Zeta-Jones, Renée Zellweger, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah

Directed By: Rob Marshall

Critics Consensus: A timeless and elegant musical feast, Funny Face thrives on the agile and vibrant performances from legendary screen titans Audrey Hepburn and Fred Astaire.

Synopsis: Dispatched on an assignment, New York City-based fashion photographer Dick Avery (Fred Astaire) is struck by the beauty of Jo Stockton (Audrey Hepburn), a shy... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Audrey Hepburn, Fred Astaire, Kay Thompson, Michel Auclair

Directed By: Stanley Donen

Critics Consensus: Full of pith and Grand Guignol grossness, this macabre musical is perfectly helmed and highly entertaining. Tim Burton masterfully stages the musical in a way that will make you think he has done this many times before.

Synopsis: Evil Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman) lusts for the beautiful wife of a London barber (Johnny Depp) and transports him to Australia for a crime he... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Alan Rickman, Timothy Spall

Directed By: Tim Burton

Critics Consensus: Uneven yet ultimately hard to resist, Joe Wright's Cyrano puts a well-acted musical spin on the oft-adapted classic tale.

Synopsis: Award-winning director Joe Wright envelops moviegoers in a symphony of emotions with music, romance, and beauty in Cyrano, re-imagining the timeless tale of a heartbreaking... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Peter Dinklage, Haley Bennett, Kelvin Harrison Jr., Ben Mendelsohn

Directed By: Joe Wright

Critics Consensus: Unapologetically sweet and maybe even a little corny, The Sound of Music will win over all but the most cynical filmgoers with its classic songs and irresistible warmth.

Synopsis: A tuneful, heartwarming story, it is based on the real life story of the Von Trapp Family singers, one of the world's best-known concert groups... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker, Richard Haydn

Directed By: Robert Wise

Critics Consensus: Spiritedly performed by a groovy cast and imaginatively directed by Milos Forman, Hair transports audiences straight to the Age of Aquarius.

Synopsis: In New York City for the first time while on his way to enlist in the U.S. Army during the Vietnam War, Oklahoma farm hand... View Full Synopsis

Starring: John Savage, Treat Williams, Beverly D'Angelo, Annie Golden

Directed By: Milos Forman

Critics Consensus: Closer to the source material than 1971's Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory is for people who like their Chocolate visually appealing and dark.

Synopsis: Based on the beloved Roald Dahl tale, this comedic and fantastical film follows young Charlie Bucket (Freddie Highmore) and his Grandpa Joe (David Kelly) as... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Johnny Depp, Freddie Highmore, David Kelly, Helena Bonham Carter

Directed By: Tim Burton

Critics Consensus: With director Paul King at the helm and some solid new songs at the ready, the warmly old-fashioned Wonka puts a suitably sweet spin on the classic character while still leaving some room for the source material's darker undertones.

Synopsis: Based on the extraordinary character at the center of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Roald Dahl’s most iconic children's book and one of the best-selling... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Timothée Chalamet, Hugh Grant, Calah Lane, Keegan-Michael Key

Directed By: Paul King

Critics Consensus: Brian De Palma's subversive streak is on full display in Phantom of the Paradise, an ebullient rock opera that rhapsodizes creativity when it isn't seething with disdain for the music industry.

Synopsis: After record producer Swan (Paul Williams) steals the music of songwriter Winslow Leach (William Finley) and gives it to one of his bands, Leach sneaks... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Paul Williams, William Finley, Jessica Harper, George Memmoli

Directed By: Brian De Palma

Critics Consensus: Chi-Raq is as urgently topical and satisfyingly ambitious as it is wildly uneven -- and it contains some of Spike Lee's smartest, sharpest, and all-around entertaining late-period work.

Synopsis: The girlfriend (Teyonah Parris) of a Chicago gang leader (Nick Cannon) persuades other frustrated women to abstain from sex until their men agree to end... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Nick Cannon, Wesley Snipes, Teyonah Parris, Jennifer Hudson

Directed By: Spike Lee

Critics Consensus: Building on the legacy of the previous film adaptation while incorporating elements of the stage musical, The Color Purple is a crowd-pleasing testament to resilience in the face of trauma.

Synopsis: A story of love and resilience based on the novel and the Broadway musical, THE COLOR PURPLE is a decades-spanning tale of one woman's journey... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Taraji P. Henson, Danielle Brooks, Colman Domingo, Corey Hawkins

Directed By: Blitz Bazawule

Critics Consensus: A bird may love a fish -- and musical fans will love this adaptation of Fiddler on the Roof, even if it isn't quite as transcendent as the long-running stage version.

Synopsis: A lavishly produced and critically acclaimed screen adaptation of the international stage sensation tells the life-affirming story of Tevye, a poor milkman whose love, pride... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Topol, Norma Crane, Leonard Frey, Molly Picon

Directed By: Norman Jewison

Critics Consensus: Rocky Horror Picture Show brings its quirky characters in tight, but it's the narrative thrust that really drives audiences insane and keeps 'em doing the time warp again.

Synopsis: In this cult classic, sweethearts Brad (Barry Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon), stuck with a flat tire during a storm, discover the eerie mansion of... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, Barry Bostwick, Richard O'Brien

Directed By: Jim Sharman

Critics Consensus: Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again doubles down on just about everything fans loved about the original -- and my my, how can fans resist it?

Synopsis: In 1979 young Donna, Tanya and Rosie graduate from Oxford University -- leaving Donna free to embark on a series of adventures throughout Europe. On... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Amanda Seyfried, Lily James, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth

Directed By: Ol Parker

Critics Consensus: While it may not reach the delirious heights of The Muppets, Muppets Most Wanted still packs in enough clever gags, catchy songs, and celebrity cameos to satisfy fans of all ages.

Synopsis: Dominic Badguy (Ricky Gervais), The Muppets' new manager, convinces the gang to embark on a world tour. Kermit the Frog doubts that it's a good... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ricky Gervais, Ty Burrell, Tina Fey, Danny Trejo

Directed By: James Bobin

Critics Consensus: Dreamgirls' simple characters and plot hardly detract from the movie's real feats: the electrifying performances and the dazzling musical numbers.

Synopsis: Deena (Beyoncé Knowles), Effie (Jennifer Hudson) and Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose) form a music trio called the Dreamettes. When ambitious manager Curtis Taylor Jr. (Jamie... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé, Eddie Murphy, Jennifer Hudson

Directed By: Bill Condon

Critics Consensus: Mary Poppins Returns relies on the magic of its classic forebear to cast a familiar -- but still solidly effective -- family-friendly spell.

Synopsis: Now an adult with three children, bank teller Michael Banks learns that his house will be repossessed in five days unless he can pay back... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Emily Blunt, Lin-Manuel Miranda, Ben Whishaw, Emily Mortimer

Directed By: Rob Marshall

Critics Consensus: Featuring some of the best French actresses working today, 8 Women is frothy, delirious, over-the-top fun.

Synopsis: At an isolated mansion in the snowy countryside of 1950s France, a family is gathered for the holiday season. But there will be no celebration... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Catherine Deneuve, Isabelle Huppert, Emmanuelle Béart, Fanny Ardant

Directed By: François Ozon

Critics Consensus: Guy Maddin perfectly recreates the look and feel of a 1930s in this bizarre picture.

Synopsis: In this experimental musical set in 1930s Winnipeg, Canada, amputee baroness Lady Port-Huntley (Isabella Rossellini) organizes a competition offering $25,000 to the person who can... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Mark McKinney, Isabella Rossellini, Maria de Medeiros, David Fox

Directed By: Guy Maddin

Critics Consensus: It may not be the finest version of Charles Dickens' tale to grace the screen, but The Muppet Christmas Carol is funny and heartwarming, and serves as a good introduction to the story for young viewers.

Synopsis: The Muppets perform the classic Dickens holiday tale, with Kermit the Frog playing Bob Cratchit, the put-upon clerk of stingy Ebenezer Scrooge. Other Muppets --... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Michael Caine, Dave Goelz, Steve Whitmire, Jerry Nelson

Directed By: Brian Henson

Critics Consensus: It may be too sweet for some, but this unabashedly sentimental holiday favorite is too cheerful to resist.

Synopsis: Two talented song and dance men (Bing Crosby and Danny Kaye) team up after the war to become one of the hottest acts in show... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Bing Crosby, Danny Kaye, Rosemary Clooney, Vera-Ellen

Directed By: Michael Curtiz

Critics Consensus: While it's arguably more interesting on a visual level, Labyrinth provides further proof of director Jim Henson's boundless imagination.

Synopsis: Frustrated with babysitting on yet another weekend night, Sarah (Jennifer Connelly), a teenager with an active imagination, summons the Goblins to take her baby stepbrother... View Full Synopsis

Starring: David Bowie, Jennifer Connelly, Toby Froud, Shelley Thompson

Directed By: Jim Henson

Critics Consensus: A likable, infectious musical, Woody Allen's Everyone Says I Love You is sometimes uneven but always toe-tapping and fun.

Synopsis: The daughter of wealthy Manhattanites Joe (Woody Allen) and Steffi (Goldie Hawn), D.J. (Natasha Lyonne) has to contend with her extended family after her parents'... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Alan Alda, Woody Allen, Drew Barrymore, Goldie Hawn

Directed By: Woody Allen

Critics Consensus: Weaving a visually sumptuous web of musical intrigue, Kiss of the Spider Woman showcases beauty in tragedy through wondrous performances by Jennifer Lopez, Tonatiuh Elizarraraz and Diego Luna.

Synopsis: Dreamgirls and Beauty and the Beast director Bill Condon returns to the movie musical in this dazzling Technicolor-hued fantasy. Valentín (Diego Luna), a political prisoner,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Diego Luna, Tonatiuh, Jennifer Lopez, Bruno Bichir

Directed By: Bill Condon

Critics Consensus: A love-it-or-hate-it experience, Moulin Rouge is all style, all giddy, over-the-top spectacle. But it's also daring in its vision and wildly original.

Synopsis: A celebration of love and creative inspiration takes place in the infamous, gaudy and glamorous Parisian nightclub, at the cusp of the 20th century. A... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Nicole Kidman, Ewan McGregor, John Leguizamo, Jim Broadbent

Directed By: Baz Luhrmann

Critics Consensus: Too over the top for its own good, but ultimately rescued by the cast's charm, director John Landis' grace, and several soul-stirring musical numbers.

Synopsis: After his release from prison, Jake (John Belushi) reunites with his brother, Elwood (Dan Aykroyd) -- collectively known as the "Blues Brothers." Jake's first task... View Full Synopsis

Starring: John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, James Brown, Cab Calloway

Directed By: John Landis

Critics Consensus: Spike Lee's document of the Tony Award-winning musical Passing Strange is every bit as compelling onscreen as it was on stage.

Synopsis: Spike Lee's adaptation of the Broadway show "Passing Strange" presents the portrait of a musician as a young man. In 1970s Los Angeles, a talented... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Stew, De'Adre Aziza, Daniel Breaker, Eisa Davis

Directed By: Spike Lee

Critics Consensus: Oftentimes nostalgic and extremely charming, French Cancan is a breathtaking homage to Moulin Rouge.

Synopsis: Hoping to keep his financially unstable cafe in business, Henri (Jean Gabin) takes a trip to Monmartre, where he witnesses local dancers performing the can-can,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jean Gabin, Françoise Arnoul, María Félix, Anna Amendola

Directed By: Jean Renoir

Critics Consensus: A witty spoof of medieval swashbuckler movies, The Court Jester showcases Danny Kaye at his nimble, tongue-twisting best.

Synopsis: Former carnival performer Hubert Hawkins (Danny Kaye) and maid Jean (Glynis Johns) are assigned to protect the infant royal heir from tyrannical King Roderick I... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Danny Kaye, Glynis Johns, Basil Rathbone, Angela Lansbury

Directed By: Melvin Frank, Norman Panama

Critics Consensus: Driven by a fantastic lead turn from Julie Andrews, Blake Edwards' musical gender-bender is sharp, funny and all-round entertaining.

Synopsis: Victoria Grant (Julie Andrews), a down-and-out British soprano, struggles to find work in the nightclubs of 1930s Paris. While trying to scam a free meal,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Julie Andrews, James Garner, Robert Preston, Lesley Ann Warren

Directed By: Blake Edwards

Critics Consensus: Brought to life by the Marx Brothers' charming anarchy, The Cocoanuts is a groundbreaking musical romp.

Synopsis: In an effort to keep his business, Hotel de Cocoanuts, from bankruptcy, owner Hammer (Groucho Marx) flatters and cajoles the wealthy Mrs. Potter (Margaret Dumont),... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Groucho Marx, Harpo Marx, Chico Marx, Zeppo Marx

Directed By: Joseph Santley, Robert Florey

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: When Harold Hill, a traveling con man, arrives in River City, he convinces the locals to start a band by purchasing the uniforms and instruments... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Robert Preston, Shirley Jones, Buddy Hackett, Pert Kelton

Directed By: Morton DaCosta

Critics Consensus: Overflowing with infectious enthusiasm, On the Town is an exhilarating musical ride across the real streets of New York featuring another graceful performance from Gene Kelly.

Synopsis: Fun-loving sailors Gabey (Gene Kelly), Chip (Frank Sinatra) and Ozzie (Jules Munshin) have 24 hours of shore leave in New York City, and they want... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Gene Kelly, Frank Sinatra, Ann Miller, Vera-Ellen

Directed By: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly

Critics Consensus: Ginger Rogers and Fred Astaire are brilliant in Swing Time, one of the duo's most charming and wonderfully choreographed films.

Synopsis: Dexterous and risk-taking Lucky Garnett (Fred Astaire) pursues dancing and gambling with equal verve. Engaged to the pretty Margaret Watson (Betty Furness), Lucky gets pre-wedding... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Fred Astaire, Ginger Rogers, Victor Moore, Helen Broderick

Directed By: George Stevens

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: In this film adaptation of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, widowed Welsh mother Anna Leonowens (Deborah Kerr) becomes a governess and English tutor to the... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Deborah Kerr, Yul Brynner, Rita Moreno, Martin Benson

Directed By: Walter Lang

Critics Consensus: Bubsy Berkeley does it again in 42nd Street, a brilliant depression-era romp with stellar musical numbers and impeccable choreography.

Synopsis: When revered Broadway director Julian Marsh (Warner Baxter) falls on hard times with both his health and his finances, he helms an ambitious musical as... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Ruby Keeler, Warner Baxter, Bebe Daniels, George Brent

Directed By: Lloyd Bacon

Critics Consensus: No consensus yet.

Synopsis: In this lavish musical, Broadway star Don Hewes' (Fred Astaire) dancing partner (Ann Miller) goes solo, and Don declares that he can make a hit... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Judy Garland, Fred Astaire, Peter Lawford, Ann Miller

Directed By: Charles Walters

Critics Consensus: An escapist and inventive cinemascope delight, Guys and Dolls glistens thanks to the charm of its ensemble.

Synopsis: Gambler Nathan Detroit (Frank Sinatra) has few options for the location of his big craps game. Needing $1,000 to pay a garage owner to host... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Frank Sinatra, Vivian Blaine

Directed By: Joseph L. Mankiewicz

Critics Consensus: James Cagney deploys his musical gifts to galvanizing effect in Yankee Doodle Dandy, a celebration of patriotic fervor as much as it is a biopic of George M. Cohan.

Synopsis: Brought to the White House to receive a Congressional Gold Medal from President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Broadway legend George M. Cohan (James Cagney) reflects on... View Full Synopsis

Starring: James Cagney, Joan Leslie, Walter Huston, Richard Whorf

Directed By: Michael Curtiz

Critics Consensus: Vintage MGM musical stuff, characterized by Stanley Donen's fleet direction and some amazing dance performances from star Fred Astaire.

Synopsis: American sibling song-and-dance team Tom (Fred Astaire) and Ellen Bowen (Jane Powell) are in London in 1947, when all of England is in a tizzy... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Fred Astaire, Jane Powell, Peter Lawford, Sarah Churchill

Directed By: Stanley Donen

Critics Consensus: Buoyed by crowd-pleasing tunes and charming performances, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers makes a successful transition from Broadway to screen that's sure to please the whole family.

Synopsis: During the 1850s, Milly (Jane Powell), a pretty young cook, marries Adam (Howard Keel), a grizzled woodsman, after a brief courtship. When the two return... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Howard Keel, Jane Powell, Russ Tamblyn, Jeff Richards

Directed By: Stanley Donen

Critics Consensus: Aye-yip-aye-yo-ee-ay! The critics are sayin' you're doin' fine, Oklahoma! Oklahoma, O.K.!

Synopsis: There's a box social coming up, and Curly (Gordon MacRae) asks Laurey (Shirley Jones) if she'll be his date. Trouble is, Laurey thinks he's waited... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Gordon MacRae, Shirley Jones, Rod Steiger, Gloria Grahame

Directed By: Fred Zinnemann

Critics Consensus: Monty Python's the Meaning of Life is rude, ribald, and unafraid to take comedic risks -- which is to say it should more than satisfy fans of the titular troupe.

Synopsis: The stages of life are told through multiple sketches and songs by the British comedy troupe. The seven parts of life cover birth, growing up,... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Graham Chapman, John Cleese, Terry Gilliam, Eric Idle

Directed By: Terry Gilliam, Terry Jones

Critics Consensus: Help! finds the Fab Four displaying their infectious charm and humor in an enjoyably madcap adventure.

Synopsis: In the follow-up to their successful debut musical, "A Hard Day's Night," the Beatles once again offer up a melding of song and slapstick. After... View Full Synopsis

Starring: The Beatles, Leo McKern, Eleanor Bron, Victor Spinetti

Directed By: Richard Lester

Critics Consensus: Ann-Margret keeps Elvis on his toes and together they elevate Viva Las Vegas into a naughty and rockin' mild delight.

Synopsis: All musically gifted race-driver Lucky Jackson (Elvis Presley) wants in Las Vegas is to score enough money for a new car motor so he can... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Elvis Presley, Ann-Margret, Cesare Danova, William Demarest

Directed By: George Sidney

Critics Consensus: A poppy satire on pop music, Bye Bye Birdie is silly, light, and very, very pink.

Synopsis: When the draft selects rock star Conrad Birdie, his fans are devastated, but none more than struggling songwriter Albert Peterson (Dick Van Dyke), whose song... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Dick Van Dyke, Janet Leigh, Ann-Margret, Maureen Stapleton

Directed By: George Sidney

Critics Consensus: If it's not quite as sharp as The Muppet Movie, The Muppets Take Manhattan is still a smart, delightfully old-fashioned tale that follows the formula established by the first two movies -- a madcap adventure assisted by a huge group of human stars.

Synopsis: When Kermit the Frog and friends start a stage act, they decide to take the show from their college town to Broadway. However, once The... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Jim Henson, Frank Oz, Dave Goelz, James Coco

Directed By: Frank Oz

Critics Consensus: Bing Crosby and Barry Fitzgerald are eminently likable, and film is pleasantly sentimental, but Going My Way suffers from a surplus of sweetness.

Synopsis: Father Charles O'Malley (Bing Crosby) is an easy-going, golf-playing young priest whose entry into a tough neighborhood parish in midtown Manhattan is viewed with skepticism... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Bing Crosby, Barry Fitzgerald, Rise Stevens, Gene Lockhart

Directed By: Leo McCarey

Critics Consensus: A modern musical with old-fashioned charm, Better Nate Than Ever hits heartwarming high notes with its joyous message of self-acceptance.

Synopsis: Nate Foster struggles to land roles in his middle school's drama productions while he fantasizes about becoming a Broadway star.

Starring: Rueby Wood, Aria Brooks, Lisa Kudrow, Joshua Bassett

Directed By: Tim Federle

Critics Consensus: A complicated little musical, <em<Pennies from Heaven is a dazzling, tragic spectacle.

Synopsis: This heavily stylized production with lip-synched musical numbers follows Arthur Parker (Steve Martin), a Depression-era sheet-music salesman with big dreams. When Arthur faces relationship problems... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Steve Martin, Bernadette Peters, Christopher Walken, Jessica Harper

Directed By: Herbert Ross

Critics Consensus: Just because Fame is a well-acted musical doesn't mean it flinches against its surprisingly heavy topics.

Synopsis: Young men and women audition for coveted spots at the New York High School of Performing Arts. Those who make the cut discover that it... View Full Synopsis

Starring: Irene Cara, Eddie Barth, Lee Curreri, Laura Dean

Directed By: Alan Parker

Critics Consensus: Breezy, colorful, and suffused with joy, Hipsters offers audiences an engaging Cold War musical told from the other side of the Iron Curtain.

Synopsis: Young people struggle to make accomplishments in their own way during the 1950s.

Starring: Anton Shagin, Oksana Akinshina, Evgenia Brik, Maksim Matveyev

Directed By: Valeriy Todorovskiy