Best-Reviewed Musicals & Music Movies 2019

With the infamously furry big-budget musical event of the year clawed to death by critics and largely ignored by audiences, this category was open to a number of smaller indie takes on the genre (see Her Smell, Teen Spirit, and Wild Rose). Still, it was another big-budget musical from early in the year that did best with critics, with Elton John biopic Rocketman earning standing – floating? – ovations and lead star Taron Egerton getting plenty of buzz heading into awards season.

The order of the rank below reflects the Adjusted Score as of December 31, 2019. Scores might change over time.

#1

Rocketman (2019)
89%

#1

Adjusted Score: 105.87%

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: ROCKETMAN is an epic musical fantasy about the incredible human story of Elton John's breakthrough years. The film follows the... [More]

Starring: Taron Egerton, Jamie Bell, Richard Madden, Bryce Dallas Howard

Directed By: Dexter Fletcher

#2

Wild Rose (2019)
92%

#2

Adjusted Score: 99.912%

Critics Consensus: There's no shortage of star-is-born stories, but Wild Rose proves they can still be thoroughly entertaining -- and marks its own transcendent moment for lead Jessie Buckley.

Synopsis: WILD ROSE tells the complicated story of Rose-Lynn, a woman on a quest to become a country music star, while... [More]

Starring: Jessie Buckley, Julie Walters, Sophie Okonedo, Jamie Sives

Directed By: Tom Harper

#3

Blinded by the Light (2019)
89%

#3

Adjusted Score: 99.852%

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: 1987. When music fanatic Javed discovers the illustrious back catalogue of The Boss his world is turned upside down; already... [More]

Starring: Viveik Kalra, Kulvinder Ghir, Meera Ganatra, Nell Williams

Directed By: Gurinder Chadha

#4

Judy (2019)
82%

#4

Adjusted Score: 96.481%

Critics Consensus: Led by a deeply committed performance from Renée Zellweger, Judy captures the waning days of a beloved performer with clear-eyed compassion.

Synopsis: Winter 1968 and showbiz legend Judy Garland arrives in Swinging London to perform a five-week sold-out run at The Talk... [More]

Starring: Renée Zellweger, Jessie Buckley, Finn Wittrock, Rufus Sewell

Directed By: Rupert Goold

#5

Her Smell (2019)
84%

#5

Adjusted Score: 89.247%

Critics Consensus: Held together by a gripping lead performance from Elisabeth Moss, Her Smell is challenging and admittedly uneven, but ultimately worth the effort.

Synopsis: Becky Something (Elisabeth Moss) is a '90s punk rock superstar who once filled arenas with her grungy all-female trio Something... [More]

Starring: Elisabeth Moss, Cara Delevingne, Dan Stevens, Agyness Deyn

Directed By: Alex Ross Perry