Bookmark this page as we celebrate and list what is deemed to be the Top 20 Best and Highest Rated Musical Movies with Original Songs.
As winter and the holiday season are nearly upon us, there’s no better way to pass those cold, dark winter nights than by snuggling on the sofa with good hot cocoa, a warm blanket, and a soothing piece of entertainment. Will Ferrell’s newest Christmas musical, Spirited, has just come out on Apple TV+, but this is just the latest in a long string of films featuring an original soundtrack. If musicals are your jam, this list includes the most highly regarded films of the genre of all time.
We’ve used IMBD ratings to curate this list of best all-time musical films. To ensure we only include the finest features in the genre, we’ve excluded any titles that had less than 50,000 votes from IMDB users. This list only includes feature films, so we’ve excluded official recordings of live performances.
Top 20 Best and Highest Rated Musical Movies with Original Songs
The Lion King (1994)
The original Lion King is considered to this day one of the best-animated movies of all time. It’s no surprise this film made it to the top of our list thanks to its touching story and award-winning music.
Official premise: Lion prince Simba and his father are targeted by his bitter uncle, who wants to ascend the throne himself.
Cast: Matthew Broderick, Jeremy Irons, James Earl Jones
IMDB rating: 8.5/10
Singin’ in the Rain (1952)
An all-time classic, Singin’ in the Rain features memorable musical numbers and top-notch choreography.
Official premise: A silent film star falls for a chorus girl just as he and his delusionally jealous screen partner are trying to make the difficult transition to talking pictures in 1920s Hollywood.
Cast: Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, Debbie Reynolds
IMDB rating: 8.3/10
Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara (2011)
This highly-rated Bollywood feel-good film follows the adventures of three friends during a visit to Spain. The musical was nominated for over 60 different awards and won 32 of them.
Official premise: Three friends decide to turn their fantasy vacation into reality after one of their friends gets engaged.
Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Farhan Akhtar, Abhay Deol
IMDB rating: 8.2/10
Swades: We, the People (2004)
Directed by Ashutosh Gowariker, this Indian musical drama from the early 2000s earned several awards, including the People’s Choice Award for Best Actor.
Official premise: A successful Indian scientist returns to an Indian village to take his nanny to America with him and in the process rediscovers his roots.
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Gayatri Joshi, Kishori Ballal
IMDB rating: 8.2/10
Lagaan: Once Upon a Time in India (2001)
You can watch this Oscar-nominated period drama on Netflix.
Official premise: The people of a small village in Victorian India stake their future on a game of cricket against their ruthless British rulers.
Cast: Aamir Khan, Raghuvir Yadav, Gracy Singh
IMDB rating: 8.1/10
Sholay (1975)
This award-winning Hindu drama was directed by Ramesh Sippy and written by Javed Akhtar and Salim Khan. The comedy musical is available to rent on Prime Video.
Official premise: After his family is murdered by a notorious and ruthless bandit, a former police officer enlists the services of two outlaws to capture the bandit.
Cast: Sanjeev Kumar, Dharmendra, Amitabh Bachchan
IMDB rating: 8.1/10
The Sound of Music (1965)
Robert Wise’s The Sound of Music is probably one the most well-known and beloved musicals out there. The film won five Oscar awards, including Best Sound and Best Original Music.
Official premise: A young novitiate is sent by her convent in 1930s Austria to become a governess to the seven children of a widowed naval officer.
Cast: Julie Andrews, Christopher Plummer, Eleanor Parker, Richard Haydn, Peggy Wood
IMDB rating: 8.1/10
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
This iconic flick was the first ever movie to be filmed in Technicolor. Judy Garland’s breakthrough movie won two Oscars and features several timeless songs like Over the Rainbow.
Official premise: Young Dorothy Gale and her dog Toto are swept away by a tornado from their Kansas farm to the magical Land of Oz, and embark on a quest with three new friends to see the Wizard, who can return her to her home and fulfill the others’ wishes.
Cast: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger
IMDB rating: 8.1/10
La La Land (2016)
When Damien Chazelle’s La La Land first came out in 2016, it was an instant hit with critics and viewers alike. The musical drama won six Oscars including two for its soundtrack.
Official premise: While navigating their careers in Los Angeles, a pianist and an actress fall in love while attempting to reconcile their aspirations for the future.
Cast: Ryan Gosling, Emma Stone
IMDB rating: 8.0/10
Aladdin (1992)
Another iconic Disney classic, Aladdin features an unforgettable voice performance from the late Robin Williams as the Genie. The award-winning film was instantly praised by critics and is still widely considered to be among the best Disney has to offer.
Official premise: A kindhearted street urchin and a power-hungry Grand Vizier vie for a magic lamp that has the power to make their deepest wishes come true.
Cast: Scott Weinger, Robin Williams, Linda Larkin, Jonathan Freeman
IMDB rating: 8.0/10
Beauty and the Beast (1991)
The much-beloved soundtrack for this iconic Disney classic features songs like Be Our Guest and Beauty and the Beast.
Official premise: A prince cursed to spend his days as a hideous monster sets out to regain his humanity by earning a young woman’s love.
Cast: Paige O’Hara, Robby Benson, Jesse Corti
IMDB rating: 8.0/10
Kal Ho Naa Ho (2003)
This highly-rated Indian drama features original songs and a touching story. The film won over 47 awards for its premise, cinematography and musical numbers.
Official premise: Naina, an introverted, perpetually depressed girl life changes when she meets Aman. But Aman has a secret of his own which changes their lives forever. Embroiled in all this is Rohit, Naina’s best friend who conceals his love for her.
Cast: Preity Zinta, Shah Rukh Khan, Saif Ali Khan
IMDB rating: 7.9/10
Dancer in the Dark (2000)
Lars von Trier’s Dancer in the Dark features an award-winning performance and original music composed by Björk.
Official premise: An Eastern European US immigrant with a love for musicals has to cope with the gradual loss of her vision.
Cast: Björk, Catherine Deneuve, David Morse
IMDB rating: 7.9/10
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993)
Tim Burton’s Oscar-nominated feature is proof that some Christmas movies can be spooky and heartwarming at the same time.
Official premise: Jack Skellington, king of Halloween Town, discovers Christmas Town, but his attempts to bring Christmas to his home causes confusion.
Cast: Danny Elfman, Chris Sarandon, Catherine O’Hara
IMDB rating: 7.9/10
The Blues Brothers (1980)
Since its original release in 1980, this musical comedy has gained quite a cult status. The film features unforgettable songs like the Top 20 Billboard hit Gimme Some Lovin.
Official premise: Jake Blues rejoins with his brother Elwood after being released from prison, but the duo has just days to reunite their old R&B band and save the Catholic home where the two were raised, outrunning the police as they tear through Chicago.
Cast: John Belushi, Dan Aykroyd, Cab Calloway, John Candy
IMDB rating: 7.9/10
Veer Zaara (2004)
This award-winning Bollywood musical features an emotional story, tons of dancing and original songs. And you can stream it today on Prime Video.
Official premise: “Veer-Zaara” is a saga of love, separation, courage, and sacrifice. A love story that is an inspiration and will remain a legend forever.
Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Preity Zinta
IMDB rating: 7.8/10
Cabaret (1972)
When Cabaret first came out in the early 70s it had its fair share of controversy for daring to approach themes related to Nazi Germany and female promiscuity. Despite the scandals, this Liza Minelli classic earned several accolades including 39 wins at the Oscars.
Official premise: A female girlie club entertainer in Weimar Republic era Berlin romances two men while the Nazi Party rises to power around them.
Cast: Liza Minnelli, Michael York, Joel Grey
IMDB rating: 7.8/10
Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory (1971)
The 1971 adaptation of Roald Dahl’s popular children’s book was despised by the British author. Thankfully that didn’t stop the film itself from becoming a cult classic thanks to the surreal musical numbers and Gene Wilder’s exquisite portrayal of Willy Wonka.
Official premise: A poor but hopeful boy seeks one of the five coveted golden tickets that will send him on a tour of Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory.
Cast: Gene Wilder, Jack Albertson, Peter Ostrum
IMDB rating: 7.8/10
My Fair Lady (1964)
Probably Audrey Helburn’s most iconic role, this classic tale features beloved songs from the namesake on-stage musical like Wouldn’t It Be Loverly and Just You Wait. The movie won 8 Oscars, one BAFTA and one Golden Globe.
Official premise: In 1910s London, snobbish phonetics professor Henry Higgins agrees to a wager that he can make crude flower girl, Eliza Doolittle, presentable in high society.
Cast: Audrey Hepburn, Rex Harrison, Stanley Holloway
IMDB rating: 7.8/10
Mary Poppins (1964)
The award-winning Mary Poppins features original music performed by Julie Andrews herself and a timeless story about a magical nanny.
Official premise: In turn of the century London, a magical nanny employs music and adventure to help two neglected children become closer to their father.
Cast: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson
IMDB rating: 7.8/10
And there you go – the Top 20 Best and Highest Rated Musical Movies with Original Songs. Are there any films on this list that you disagree with or any that you think should be added? Comment below.
