5 Musicals that will sweep you off your feet
Last updated: September 7, 2025
There's something about musicals – they mix music, story, and raw emotion into something that just hits you differently. These five movies really showcase the incredible power of musical storytelling.
The Sound of Music
Everyone knows The Sound of Music for those songs you can't get out of your head, but what really gets you is watching how music literally transforms people's lives. Maria walks into this uptight household where the father has basically banned fun, and she doesn't just teach the kids a few tunes – she reminds an entire family what happiness feels like. The way those Austrian hills look combined with seeing genuine smiles return to those children's faces – it's the kind of thing that hits you the same way every single time you watch it.
La La Land
La La Land really gets what it means to be a dreamer. It's got this amazing way of feeling like classic Hollywood while still being totally relevant to anyone trying to make it today. That opening number on the highway is absolutely incredible. Watching Mia and Sebastian navigate their dreams and their relationship feels so genuine – you can't help but get completely invested in where their story goes.
Chicago
Chicago grabs you from the first scene with how sharp and intense it is. Don't expect some wholesome sing-along here. This thing takes aim at our weird obsession with criminals who become famous. The jazz numbers are incredible and the dancing will completely hypnotize you, plus all these characters are such fascinating train wrecks that you end up loving them even though they're basically terrible people.
West Side Story
Spielberg's version takes this beloved story and makes it feel completely current and necessary. What's so impressive is how he brings modern authenticity to the themes of love and conflict while keeping all the tragic beauty of the original. The dancing is both explosive and every moment captures the energy and hope of a neighborhood full of life and struggle
Moulin Rouge!
This one is incredible. Luhrmann creates this absolutely wild version of Paris where love, art and heartbreak are constantly colliding in the most dramatic ways. The connection between Kidman and McGregor just jumps off the screen, and everything looks so vibrant and imaginative that you get completely absorbed in every single romantic and tragic moment.
Musicals that will wash over you
Whether it's those moments that make you grin or the ones that completely wreck you, musicals just do something to people. So turn it up loud, get all cozy, and just let it completely take over.
