Summary

Audiences are buying tickets to watch moviemusicalslike never before. The format has made a comeback in recent years, accounting for20% of box office earnings, a level not seen since the 90s. This movement is due to biopic musical formats such asBack to Black, the animatedDisneyMufasa: The Lion King, and the Golden Globe-winningEmilia Pérez.

The following ranking is based on the popularity of musical releases from late 2023 to early 2025.

This article recommends musical movies that explore themes such as drug addiction, gender transition, mental illness, and violence.

Emilia Pérezis a musical about a criminal Mexican leader who transitions genres to escape her past and start anew as a trans woman. It stars Selena Gomez, Zoe Saldaña, and Karla Gascón in the three mainfemale rolesand delivers an intense storyline filled with music and dance.

The movie won four Golden Globe Awards and received thirteen Oscar nominations. It also earnedthe longest-standing ovationat the Cannes Film Festival, lasting twelve minutes. Critics love the raw storyline and powerful cast performances. It’s a must-see musical for those who enjoy a mix of drama and crime.

Joker: Folie à Deuxexplores the toxic relationship between the Joker and Harley Quinn. After they meet in an asylum, they experience dark, obsessive hallucinations intertwined with music that result in a tragic ending, particularly for the Joker.

The film caused debate among fans. Following the release of Joker in 2019, everyone eagerly anticipated its sequel. However, no one expected it to adopt a musical thriller format.Viewers were profoundly disappointedby the sequel’s unexpected direction. Nevertheless, both Joaquin Phoenix and Lady Gaga delivered exceptional performances while exploring heavy themes—obsession, madness, and chaos overall.

The Endis a musical centered on a wealthy family living in isolation in a bunker following an environmental catastrophe thatrendered the Earth uninhabitable. Everything shifts when the family finds a young woman near the bunker’s entrance. They initially plan to care for her and send her back to the surface, but their son, who is the same age as the girl, will challenge them to confront their past decisions and rethink their lifestyle.

The film highlights the significance of human connections, and the cast couldn’t be better chosen to deliver such remarkable performances. It’s a fantastic watch for movie musical fans.

Wickedis a must-see musical that received ten Oscar nominations. The prequel to the 1939 filmThe Wonderful Wizard of Oztells the story of two witches—Elphaba and Glinda. Elphaba has emerald-green skin and evolves into a wicked witch, while Glinda is a popular blonde girl who becomes a good and charming one. Both share a strong bond, but everything changes when Elphaba stands up for her beliefs.

Starring Ariana Grande and British singer Cynthia Erivo, both deliver breathtaking performances in songs like “Popular” and “Defying Gravity.”

Wonkais another successful film by Paul King, who also directedPaddington. The story centers on Willy Wonka, who dreams of opening his own chocolate shop upon arriving in a magical city. However, rival chocolate companies make it difficult for him to achieve his aspirations.

Critics have praised Timothée Chalamet’s performance, but some viewers have mentioned the movie’s predictability. Nevertheless, WONKA has arating of 7.0/10 on IMDband is a fantastic option for movie musical fans.

Cast

Every Lion King movieinvokes nostalgia and takes all the now-grown adults from the ’90s back in time. Despite mixed opinions onMufasa: The Lion King,fans loved the new songs, animations, and special effects. However, others found the movie to lack pace and deemed it unnecessary, as it didn’t contribute much to the franchise.

The plot centers on an orphaned and lonely cub named Mufasa. Found by Taka, a friendly lioness, she brings him to her family despite the challenges and the fact that her family has issues with being seen with a stray cub. Their bond grows strong, and so do the challenges. It’s a greatDisney moviefor fans of the franchise.

Back to Blackinstantly captured the attention of Amy Winehouse fans upon its release in May 2024. Viewers can take a quick look at her life, along with the struggles, losses, and addictions she faced during her sadly too-short life.

Marisa Abela takes on the role of Amy Winehouse, and she does it brilliantly. From her obsession with her ex-husband Blake to her battles with alcohol and drugs,Back to Blackis abiographical filmthat sensitively portrays the life of the beloved singer.

TheBetter Manis an intense and emotional musical centered around the incomparable singer Robbie Williams. Created by the director ofThe Greatest Showman, this musical moved everyone at its release. Viewers get to hear some unforgettable songs likeAngelsand the iconicRock DJ.

It’s an excellent choice, rated 7.6/10 on IMDb and77 on Metascore. Some reviews describe it with words like “powerful,” “raw,” and “unflinching.”