So, we've put together a top ten list of our favourite musical movies that satisfy those toe-tapping urges. There's a mix of the old and the new, and the happy and the sad, so there's a song for every occasion. Best watched alone, so you can sing along as loudly (and badly) as you like and maybe bust out a dance move or two without fear of total humiliation.
10. Mamma Mia! (2008)
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When you put Meryl Streep and ABBA together in one movie, something magical happens and everything is suddenly right with the world. Sleeping with three men and not knowing the father of your child isn't sleazy, it's comedic and adventurous! Having a shotgun wedding to one of these possible fathers isn't irresponsible, it's romantic! Pierce Brosnan singing isn't like a slow and painful death, its mildly tolerable! This movie is bucket loads of fun, with songs that everyone knows and loves and a cast you can't help but adore. It is the epitome of what a life accompanied by musical numbers should be like.
9. The Sound of Music (1965)
You can't go wrong with a classic, and this has to be one of the most renowned musicals of all time. There's a reason for that; this is a wonderful mix of fabulous songs and a great story, starring the oh-so-talented Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer (the old guy from Beginners, he was quite a looker back in the day!). These songs have to be the most applicable to real life of all musicals; Do Re Mi was how I learnt scales in piano, nearing my seventeenth birthday was prime opportunity to sing Sixteen Going on Seventeen, and if you're really desperate to get your musical on, any time some one says goodbye calls for a rendition of So Long, Farewell. Perfect for a rainy day or a lazy afternoon or... or anytime, to be honest.
8. Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
This is for the more adventurous of musical-lovers, because not everyone wants to see Tim Curry in fishnets and a corset. But, if you're willing to give it a try, then this movie turns out to be quite a lot of fun. Crazy and nonsensical, yes, but fun nonetheless. And this one even has the dance moves included in the song, so no rehearsals are necessary - it's just a jump to the left and a step to the right, now put your hands on your hips and bring your knees in tight. See? Easy! This cult hit has spawned many a sing-along and on-stage recreations, and once you get past all the weirdness and bad 70's special effects, you can truly see why.
7. Chicago (2002)
1920s fashion, guns, romance, murder and jazz. This is a sleek, wicked film accompanied by an equally sultry soundtrack, including the likes of the infamous Cell Block Tango and All That Jazz. If you're into jazzy show tunes, then this is the musical for you, as the movie is packed with songs from beginning to end. Not only that, but almost all the numbers include some super-sexy choreography too and are introduced by the deep, smooth voice of none other than Taye Diggs. What more could you ask for really?
6. The Wizard of Oz (1939)
This is the musical of many of our childhoods, and even though we didn't grow up in 1939, this is still one of the most loved and long-lasting films of all time. First of all, there's Judy Garland, who on top of her naive good-looks has the voice of an angel when she sings Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Then there's a talking scarecrow, a squeaky tin man and a timid lion, all on a quest to meet the great and powerful Oz at the end of the yellow brick road. Oh, and there's flying monkeys. And a dog named Toto. I'm going to be honest here, if you haven't seen this movie, you've lived half a life. So off you go, off to see The Wizard.
5. Les Misérables (2012)
We've already raved about this movie, but in terms of a musical it gets an A+++ not only because it's sung live, but because ALMOST EVERY WORD OF THE FILM IS DELIVERED IN SONG. Now that's life in a musical. There's a nice mixture of tunes in this movie, and in one scene you might be bawling your eyes out to Anne Hathaway's I Dreamed A Dream, the next laughing your head off while Sacha Baron Cohen and Helena Bonham Carter parade around singing Master of the House. Then, as the orchestra builds, your heart will swell with patriotism and suddenly you'll have a French flag in your hands and you'll be waving it proudly along to Do You Hear the People Sing? The thing about the songs in this film is that they move you, and that makes a good musical in my eyes.
4. Across the Universe (2007)
Who doesn't like a good Beatles song? No, seriously, who? I don't think I know anyone who claims to dislike The Beatles, and why would you? Their music defined a decade, and that's what this movie is all about; the sixties. Oh, what a time it was! Hair was long, pants were flared, Uncle Sam wanted us all to go to war and everything was in technicolour! And there was a Beatles song for every situation, although naming two of the main characters Jude and Prudence obviously helped that along a little bit. The nice thing about this musical is that, even if you haven't seen it before, you can already sing along to these famous tunes. And its actually a damn good movie too, so two thumbs up.
3. Grease (1978)
Grease is the word. It has been since 1978, and will always and forever be that way. This is another, super-happy, ultra-fun, jump-up-and-down kind of musical that epitomises the ups and downs of senior high school life. Well, it's a lot more interesting than my final year at high school, because we didn't have clubs with personalised jackets, a malt shop down the road, or cars with flames painted on the sides. This movie has all that and more, plus some of the best musical songs ever written, ones that you probably know already, even if you haven't seen the movie before.
2. Hairspray (2007)
Back in 2007 when this movie first came out, I went along to the cinema thinking it was going to be a light-hearted, breezy kind of musical with lots of upbeat songs that make you smile, but not much more. Turns out I was very wrong indeed. While it does have all those fun, happy songs, Hairspray has some really serious themes about racial equality and discrimination against people who are a bit 'different' from the rest, which makes it actually quite meaningful. But breezy, too. Confused? It'll all make sense when you watch the movie and start wishing you lived in Baltimore in the early 1960s, had some cool black friends and spent your days singing and dancing down the school corridors. Did I mention Zac Efron's in it? Enough said.
1. Moulin Rouge (2001)
Okay, so I have to admit my bias; this is not only my favourite musical of all time, it's my favourite movie of all time. Ever. It's pretty different from most of the other musicals on this list, because it's actually quite tragic - no happy endings here people. But the middle bits are soooooo fantastic. This is a story all about love, love overcoming all obstacles (I'm quoting from the movie, I'm not THAT sappy) and was directed by the biggest romantic of them all, Baz Lurhmann. In terms of the musical aspect, there's a mixture of well known songs with tracks like Elton John's Your Song and Madonna's Like a Virgin, many of which are done mash-up or medley style, with some originals thrown in too. The movie itself is eyepopping with incredible sets and costumes and lights and colours... sometimes you don't know where to look! And then there's the leading characters, played by none other than my favourite actress, Nicole Kidman, and favourite actor (and light of my life), Ewan McGregor. There's something magical about this film, and if you love love, then this is the musical for you.
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