The Greatest Musical Movies Of All Time, Ranked

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Updated September 15, 2023 239.6K votes 10.1K voters 174.2K views
Over 10.1K Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Greatest Musical Movies Of All Time, Ranked
Latest additions: Monster High: The Movie, Dolly Parton's Mountain Magic Christmas, The Little Mermaid
Most divisive: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street

The best musical movies of all time, ranked by fans and critics. This list includes both the best original musical films and those adapted from stage musicals and other materials. Good musical movies have a long tradition in cinema, dating back to the 1930s, when most musical soundtracks were played alongside otherwise silent pictures. Could a classic musical movie be the top film musical? Since the 1950s and 60s, popular movie musicals such as Singin' in the Rain, Mary Poppins, and The Sound of Music have been favorites of children and adults alike. But which one of these great musicals deserves to be crowned the greatest musical movies of all time? You get to help decide with your votes.

And if you love hilarious famous musicals, be sure to check out our list of funny musicals.

Ranked by
  • The Sound of Music
    1

    The Sound of Music

    1965
    4,089 votes
    • Actors: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker, Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood
    • Directed by: Robert Wise


    The Sound of Music is an iconic musical movie from 1965 starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. The movie follows the story of Maria, a young woman who leaves her convent to become governess for seven children living in Austria during World War II. It features classic songs such as “Do-Re-Mi”, “Edelweiss” and “Climb Every Mountain” that are still beloved today. Despite being released over 50 years ago, The Sound of Music remains one of the most popular musicals ever made.

    In the heart of Austria, Maria (Julie Andrews), a vivacious postulant at Nonnberg Abbey, is sent to serve Captain Von Trapp's (Christopher Plummer) seven children as their governess. A stern widower, Von Trapp runs his home with military discipline. However, Maria's spirited personality and love for music soon win over the children, transforming the gloomy household into a vibrant hub of song and dance. The Sound of Music is a captivating musical drama that won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture in 1965. As political tensions rise in Europe, the family faces tough decisions about their future.

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  • Mary Poppins
    2

    Mary Poppins

    1964
    3,378 votes
    • Actors: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Glynis Johns, David Tomlinson, Ed Wynn
    • Directed by: Robert Stevenson

    The uptight children of the wealthy Banks family are pleasantly surprised when their new nanny (Julie Andrews) is purely magical. Mary Poppins takes Jane and Michael on a series of unforgettable adventures, meanwhile teaching them to enjoy life. Featuring classic songs such as 'Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious' and ‘A Spoonful Of Sugar,’ Mary Poppins has stood the test of time and remains a beloved family favorite to this day.

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  • The Lion King
    3

    The Lion King

    1994
    3,146 votes
    • Actors: Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones, Madge Sinclair, Moira Kelly
    • Directed by: Roger Allers, Rob Minkoff
    In The Lion King, a young lion prince named Simba (voiced by Jonathan Taylor Thomas when young and Matthew Broderick as an adult) is destined to become king of the Pride Lands. His wicked uncle Scar (Jeremy Irons), however, has other plans. The film, an animated musical drama produced by Walt Disney Feature Animation, presents a tale of betrayal, exile and ultimately redemption. Aided by a meerkat Timon (Nathan Lane) and a warthog Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella), Simba reclaims his birthright. It won two Academy Awards in 1995 for Best Original Score and Best Original Song.

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  • Singin' in the Rain
    4

    Singin' in the Rain

    1952
    3,694 votes
    • Actors: Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor, Jean Hagen, Millard Mitchell
    • Directed by: Stanley Donen, Gene Kelly
    In the heart of Hollywood's golden era, Singin' in the Rain is a musical delight, dancing through the transition of silent movies to talkies. Don Lockwood (Gene Kelly), a beloved silent film star, grapples with the industry's seismic shift alongside his co-star Lina Lamont (Jean Hagen) whose voice could shatter glass. Enter Kathy Selden (Debbie Reynolds), an aspiring actress who becomes both Don's love interest and his salvation. The film, known for its iconic dance sequences and catchy tunes, won a Golden Globe for Jean Hagen's performance and remains a timeless classic in cinematic history.

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  • The Wizard of Oz
    5

    The Wizard of Oz

    1939
    3,398 votes
    • Actors: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley
    • Directed by: Victor Fleming
    The Wizard of Oz is a classic fantasy film, an enduring testament to Hollywood's Golden Age. Young Dorothy (Judy Garland) finds herself whisked away from her Kansas home by a tornado, landing in the vibrant and fantastical Land of Oz. Joined by a trio of unforgettable characters - the Scarecrow (Ray Bolger) longing for brains, the Tin Man (Jack Haley) yearning for a heart, and the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr) seeking courage - they traverse the yellow brick road. Their destination: the enigmatic Wizard of Oz, who can potentially grant their wishes and return Dorothy home. Winner of two Academy Awards, this movie is noted for its innovative use of Technicolor and iconic musical numbers.

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  • Beauty and the Beast
    6

    Beauty and the Beast

    1991
    2,867 votes
    • Actors: Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White, Jerry Orbach, David Ogden Stiers
    • Directed by: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise
    Belle (Paige O'Hara) is a bright young woman held captive in an enchanted castle by a prince transformed into a monstrous Beast (Robby Benson). With the help of the castle's magical staff, she begins to see the kind heart within the Beast. To break the curse and turn him back into a man, the Beast must learn to love and be loved before a magical rose's last petal falls.

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