Best Musical Movies on Netflix Every Hardcore Fan Needs to Watch

Singalong to your favorite songs or be charmed in a poignant storyline, this list of best musical movies has it all.

December 01, 2021 | 14:58

From Burlesque, Mama Mia to Pitch Perfect, more and more musicals turned into blockbusters. This genre started to gain more attention from non-musical lovers over the 2000s and the 2010s. For those who just joined the musical nerd club, here’s 10 musicals that you need to watch at the comfort of you own home. Netflix is having many major pictures celebrating music - the universal language during the long pause of cinema services.

1. Burlesque

The film marked the two super divas Christina Aguilera's film debut and Cher's first musical. It is such a campy classic that its release "inspired everything, from drag queen revues to viral internet moments", cited from Entertainment Weekly.

Burlesque was released in 2010 on the day before Thanksgiving in the United States. The movie reviews what is really behind the glamorous front of showbiz with the setting in a failing vaudeville theatre somewhere in Los Angeles, US. Ali, played by Christina Aguilera, is a small-town girl with a big heart and dreams to match.

This 2010 musical is a fancy affair staring the legendary Cher (Tess) and Christina Aguilera (Ali) in a fight to make it big. Ali champions in her conquest by singing her way through the ranks under the mentorship of Tess who plays a veteran performer.

2. Mourlin Rouge!

Netflix (selected) and Amazon Prime

Prepare to be moved to tears by this sad story about forbidden love starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor.

Moulin Rouge! premiered at the 2001 Cannes Film Festival and was released in theaters on 18 May 2001 in North America and on 25 May 2001 in Australia. The film was praised for Luhrmann's direction, the performances, its soundtrack, costume design, and production values. It was also a commercial success, grossing $179.2 million on a $50 million budget.

Fans went crazy over Mourlin Rouge! even though critical reaction was initially mixed. The movie made new legs on the Great White Way as a beloved Tony-nominated musical.

3. Grease

This one is for the rebels! The teenage classic contains classic songs. Many have become well known globally including "You're the One That I Want". If you're looking for a musically induced trip down memory lane this film is perfect.

Grease might be considered a guilty pleasure to some. At the time of its release, teenagers talking explicitly about sex – particularly young women who exercised their rights to dress the way they liked – demonstrated a sort of rebellion against the constraints of American society that was rarely seen.

This seventies smash hit musical, starring John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, has been dubbed the most watched film of all time, according to UK’s all-time favorite film soundtracks. It is such a timeless piece that more than 40 years later, the film has retained its crown, coming in at highest ranking for best musicals of all time.

4. Enchanted

Netflix (selected) and Amazon Prime

The talented Amy Adams, whose musical theater background was in local dinner theater, sang her part beautifully in the movie. Fans fall for her princess-like red hair, fair skin and big puppy eyes and still wish Disney would make Giselle an official Disney Princess.

She was first to be considered to be an official Disney Princess, until Amy Adams said no because Disney has to pay royalties of their likeness of their role of their characters and also use their images only if they have the actresses permissions in order to include live action characters, cited from Disney Princess fandom.

Disney’s 2007 fairytale movie musical Enchanted is a modern fairytale with an Oscar-nominated score by Disney and Broadway legends Alan Menken and Stephen Schwartz.

5. Pitch Perfect 1 & 2

Seeing an all-female ensemble cast in a storyline where the main objective isn't finding a boyfriend is something you don't often see. In this musical, team of underdogs coming together to compete in a ruthless tournament against the best of the best. Which is perhaps why the movies have become so popular.

"I distinctly remember seeing the first one in the cinema and just feeling so great afterwards," says Hailee Steinfeld, who joined the cast in Pitch Perfect 2 and reprises her role in the third.

Now the 1st and 2nd movie is available on Netflix. Work on your harmony or jam with some choices or be invested in a poignant storyline, they have it all.

The realistic female friend relationships was interesting and fun. It gets viewers thinking if there's ever a real life friendship like this I have to be a part of it.

6. Hairspray

Netflix (selected) and Amazon Prime

Even though Hairspray is supposedly a musical rom-com, it has a serious message behind it all. The movie is excellent at getting its point across subtly. You’ll be glad to know that the film is available for streaming on Netflix.

These are issues, like discrimination and racism — specifically toward women and black Americans, that are still prevalent in society today, which is why seeing Tracy and her friends triumph over these problems still resonates with audiences across the nation in fictional Corny Collins Show

With the rose-tinted, let’s-all-dance-together ending. Hairspray sang an important message in upbeat tone: "You can’t stop today as it comes speeding down the track / Child, yesterday is history and it’s never coming back / ’Cause tomorrow is a brand new day and it don’t know white from black.”

7. Corpse Bride - Netflix

Corpse Bride, often referred as Tim Burton's Corpse Bride, is a 2005 American stop-motion-animated horror musical film. It is the perfect choice to enjoy all year round, on Halloween, on Valentine's Day, or anniversary that reminds you about the joy of living with no regret.

Johnny Depp led an all-star cast as the voice of wonderfully quirky Victor, a man who accidentally finds himself married to a dead woman. The voice work from Helena Bonham Carter as Emily the Corpse Bride is top notch.

Corpse Bride marked Tim Burton's debut as stop-motion feature film director. This is also the first stop-motion feature from Burton that is not distributed by Walt Disney Pictures.

8. Mama Mia - Netflix

This is the sort of movie that you cannot help but stop and move your body to, and it is guaranteed to put a smile on your face, too.

And now we’ve arrived at one of the most popular musical movie of our time, a movie that can turn any frown upside down, and that was created by the wellness community to decrease dependency on mood-altering drugs.

Mamma Mia is a gift, it is a joy. It is Meryl Streep, Christine Baranski, Pierce Brosnan, and Colin Firth singing and dancing on a Greek island. Do yourself a favor and watch this ASAP. It’s an instant pick-me-up.

9. Across The Universe

Netflix (selected) and Amazon Prime

This is a Beatles jukebox musical masterpiece. Any hardcore Beatles fan must have came across this movie

It was an extravagant cinematic endeavor, requiring nearly 5,000 extras and costumes, 300 dancers, and elaborate handmade art (including giant puppets). It also featured intricate, beautifully staged choreography, and had musical legends like Bono, Eddie Izzard, and Joe Cocker made cameos.

According to the Refinery29, The entire thing was shot in over 70 locations. What’s more, there’s only minimal dialogue — the vast majority of communication between characters is done through 33 reimagined and re-orchestrated songs by The Beatles, each of which helps tell a sweeping tale of one of the most turbulent periods in American history.