Best-Reviewed Musical/Music Films 2016

Music and movies have been intertwined since the early days, and these 2016 films helped continue that proud tradition through a combination of song-and-dance numbers, dutiful storytelling, and lighthearted humor.

The order of the list reflects the scores as of December 31, 2016, but the number displayed on the Adjusted Tomatometer may change as more reviews keep getting added after the end of the year.

#1

La La Land (2016)
91%

#1

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 [More]

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

Directed By: Damien Chazelle

#2

Sing Street (2016)
95%

#2

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 [More]

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

Directed By: John Carney

#3

Florence Foster Jenkins (2016)
87%

#3

Critics Consensus: Florence Foster Jenkins makes poignant, crowd-pleasing dramedy out of its stranger-than-fiction tale -- and does its subject justice with a reliably terrific turn from star Meryl Streep.

Synopsis: In the 1940s, New York socialite Florence Foster Jenkins (Meryl Streep) dreams of becoming a great opera singer. Unfortunately, her [More]

Starring: Meryl Streep, Hugh Grant, Simon Helberg, Rebecca Ferguson

Directed By: Stephen Frears

#4

Born to Be Blue (2015)
88%

#4

Critics Consensus: Born to Be Blue benefits from a highlight-reel performance from Ethan Hawke and an impressionistic, non-hagiographic approach to Chet Baker's life and times.

Synopsis: In the late 1960s, jazz trumpeter Chet Baker (Ethan Hawke) begins a romance with an actress (Carmen Ejogo) while trying [More]

Starring: Ethan Hawke, Carmen Ejogo, Callum Keith Rennie, Tony Nappo

Directed By: Robert Budreau

#5

Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping (2016)
79%

#5

Critics Consensus: Popstar: Never Stop Never Stopping updates the rock mockumentary for the 21st century mainstream -- and hits many of its low-hanging targets with side-splitting impact.

Synopsis: Childhood friends Conner (Andy Samberg), Owen (Jorma Taccone) and Lawrence (Akiva Schaffer) found fame and fortune after forming the hip-hop [More]

Starring: Andy Samberg, Jorma Taccone, Akiva Schaffer, Sarah Silverman

Directed By: Akiva Schaffer, Jorma Taccone