The Very Best Classic Musical Movies, Ranked

Ranker Film
Updated September 15, 2023 7.9K votes 822 voters 24.4K views
Over 800 Ranker voters have come together to rank this list of The Very Best Classic Musical Movies, Ranked
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Vote up the greatest musicals released before 1970.

Sometimes it's easier to say things in a song. At least, that's the case in classic musical movies. The best old musical movies are upbeat, colorful, and full of catchy songs that help express deep emotion and tell a timeless story. This is a list of the best classic musical movies including everything from The Sound of Music to Singin' in the Rain to Fiddler on the Roof.

What films will you find in this roundup of early classic movie musicals? Maybe you're a fan of the sweeping romance West Side Story. Inspired by William Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, this musical finds a young couple from rival New York street gangs falling in love, despite their families' animosity. Mary Poppins is another popular movie musical that continues to connect with fans each generation. The Technicolor favorite The Wizard of Oz took home two Academy Awards for its iconic music. Other good movies featured on this list of top classic musical films include High Society, Bye Bye Birdie, and The King and I.

Which timeless movie musical do you think is the best? Give your favorites a thumbs up and please add any great musicals that are missing. And don't be shy about singing along!

Most divisive: A Chorus Line
Ranked by
  • Singin' in the Rain
    1

    Singin' in the Rain

    Gene Kelly, Debbie Reynolds, Donald O'Connor
    339 votes
    • Released: 1952
    • 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 Sound of Music
    2

    The Sound of Music

    Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker
    332 votes
    • Released: 1965
    • Directed by: Robert Wise

    If you love this classic, be sure to check out our list of family musical movies.

    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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  • The Wizard of Oz
    3

    The Wizard of Oz

    Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger
    316 votes
    • Released: 1939
    • 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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  • Mary Poppins
    4

    Mary Poppins

    Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, Glynis Johns
    297 votes
    • Released: 1964
    • Directed by: Robert Stevenson
    In the heart-warming musical Mary Poppins, Julie Andrews stars as Mary, an enchanting nanny with magical abilities. She arrives to assist the Banks family of London, comprised of Jane (Karen Dotrice) and Michael (Matthew Garber), their harried father, George (David Tomlinson), and their mother, Winifred (Glynis Johns). As Mary's curious blend of practicality and whimsy transforms the family's life, she introduces the children to a series of fantastical adventures. Co-starring Dick Van Dyke as Bert, a charming chimney sweep, this 1964 film won five Academy Awards including Best Actress for Andrews.

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  • West Side Story
    5

    West Side Story

    Natalie Wood, Richard Beymer, Russ Tamblyn
    270 votes
    • Released: 1961
    • Directed by: Jerome Robbins, Robert Wise
    In the heart of New York City, a tale of love and rivalry unfolds in West Side Story. Tony (Richard Beymer) and Maria (Natalie Wood), two star-crossed lovers, find themselves caught between the warring Jets and Sharks, two teenage street gangs of different ethnic backgrounds. The movie, a musical drama, is an adaptation of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet set to Leonard Bernstein's score. Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, it won ten Academy Awards including Best Picture. However, this urban romance is marred by tragedy as tensions escalate to fatal consequences.

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  • The King and I
    6

    The King and I

    Deborah Kerr, Yul Brynner, Rita Moreno
    228 votes
    • Released: 1956
    • Directed by: Walter Lang
    In this film adaptation of the Rodgers & Hammerstein musical, widowed Welsh mother Anna Loenowens (Deborah Kerr) becomes a governess and English tutor to the wives and many children of the stubborn King Mongkut of Siam (Yul Brynner). Anna and the king have a clash of personalities as she works to teach the royal family about the English language, customs and etiquette, and rushes to prepare a party for a group of European diplomats who must change their opinions about the king.

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