"Wicked has soared to the top of my—and many other’s—favorite movies of 2024, and I anticipate that it will take over with Part 2 coming in 2025. If you’re like me, you have probably been belting out to the soundtrack since you saw it. I mean, it is pretty ‘popular’ right now and forever will be. This time between now and November 2025 is a suspenseful waiting game. So, how do we fill the void until we can see Elphaba and Glinda back on the big screen? Luckily, just for you, The Everymom team has curated a list of ‘unlimited’ opportunities to sing your theatrical hearts out with a list of the best musical movies while we wait for Wicked Part 2.
Whether you’re trying to entertain your kids during a school break, introduce them to a favorite musical from your childhood (I’m looking at you, The Sound of Music movie), or planning a good old-fashioned sing-along with the subtitles, you’ll find plenty of options to choose from. Keep scrolling for over 50 of the best musical movies and where to watch them.
What Makes Musical Movies Special?
Do you ever catch yourself immediately singing a song the moment someone names a musical? Movies are, of course, entertaining, but there is a special place in our hearts for musicals: the singing, the dancing, the insanely talented performers. Seeing a musical is such an experience in itself. So when musicals get turned into movies, like Wicked—or when movies debut as musicals—you have the opportunity to experience the magic of musical movies it over and over again in the comfort of your own home (and sing along as loud as you want!) Keep reading to find out where to stream some of the best movie musicals.
Classic Musical Movies
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Rated: G
Given that we’re waiting for Wicked Part 2, we can’t fail to mention The Wizard of Oz. Starring the beloved Judie Garland as Dorothy, the critically acclaimed film is known for its “innovative use of Technicolor.” The 1939 film is based on the children’s novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum. It is the inspiration for the novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by Gregory Maguire, which we now know as the musical rendition, Wicked.
The Sound of Music (1965)
Rated: G
Where to Stream: Disney+ or Hulu
Starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer, The Sound of Music movie takes you through the touching story of nun-to-be Maria and the Von Trapp Family singers. The movie won five Academy Awards, including Best picture and is known for its beautiful cinematography. The original musical debuted in 1959 on Broadway and has had many revivals since. Popular songs kids will love from The Sound of Music include “Do-Re-Mi” and “My Favorite Things.”
Mary Poppins (1964)
Rated: G
Where to Stream: Disney+
An American classic, Mary Poppins, became the nanny everyone wished they had. Starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, this film is filled with magic, dance, and life lessons—like reminding parents to let go and have a little fun once in a while. The 2018 version, Mary Poppins Returns, is another beautiful performance played by Emily Blunt.
Where to Stream Other Classic Musical Movies
A note for parents: The PG-13 rating was introduced in 1984, so PG rating in an earlier movie may look more like a PG-13 rating by today’s standards for violence, language, thematic elements, and nudity. If you’re concerned, we suggest watching it without your kids first.
Singin’ in the Rain (1952) | Rated: G | Max or Hulu
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers (1954) | Rated: G | Tubi
Oklahoma! (1955) | Rated: G | Peacock or Prime Video
Carousel (1956) | Unrated | Rent on Multiple Streaming Platforms
West Side Story (1961) | Rated: PG | Disney+ or Hulu
The Music Man (1962) | Rated: G | Tubi
Bye Bye Birdie (1963) | Rated: G | Rent on Multiple Streaming Platforms
My Fair Lady (1964) | Rated: G | Paramount+ or Hulu
Oliver (1968) | Rated: G (parent warning: domestic violence) | Paramount+
Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971) | Rated: G | Disney +
Fiddler on the Roof (1971) | Rated: G | Tubi or YouTube TV
Funny Girl (1968) | Rated: G | Prime Video
Grease (1978) | Rated: PG | Paramount+
Grease 2 (1982) | Rated: PG | Paramount+
Footloose (1984) | Rated: PG | Paramount+
Modern Movie Musicals for Families
Wonka (2023)
Rated: PG
Based on the 1964 Roald Dahl character from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, the 2023 debut of Wonka shares the backstory of Willy Wonka, who is played by Timothée Chalamet. While life can get hard, there’s something about chocolate that can magically change the world and how you perceive it.
The Greatest Showman (2017)
Rated: PG
Where to Stream: Disney+ or Hulu
This movie stars Hugh Jackman, who plays Phineas Taylor Barnum, the founder of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. P.T. rises to fame with his knack for show business and strives for his show to be the greatest one in the world. If you loved this film, the stage adaptation is expected to premiere in London in 2026.
Enchanted (2007)
Rated: PG
Where to Stream: Disney+
With the mission to find a true love’s kiss, a young princess from Andalasia frolics her way through the real streets of New York City. Does she find her true love or does the queen send her back to her fairytale land empty-handed? A modern twist on a Disney princess, this film has hints of Disney movie classics like Cinderella, The Princess and the Frog, and Sleeping Beauty.
Where to Stream Other Modern Musicals
Newsies (1992) | Rated: PG | Disney+
Moulin Rouge (2001) | Rated: PG-13 | Hulu
Dreamgirls (2006) | Rated: PG-13 | Paramount+
High School Musical (2006) | Rated: G | Disney+
Into the Woods (2014) | Rated: PG | Disney+
Descendants (2015) | Rated: G | Disney+
La La Land (2016) | Rated: PG-13 | Hulu
Mary Poppins Returns (2018) | Rated: PG | Disney+
Disenchanted (2022) | Rated: PG | Disney+
Broadway Adaptations for Families
Matilda the Musical (2022)
Rated: PG
Where to Stream: Netflix
The musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book Matilda has been delighting theatergoers for years. Then in 2022, Netflix debuted a musical movie adaptation complete with epic songs, dance numbers that went viral, an intimidating Emma Thompson as Miss Trunchbull, and the most endearing Matilda we’ve seen since Mara Wilson in the 1996 film.
Annie (1982)
Rated: PG
Where to Stream: AMC+ and YouTubeTV
The cheeky, yet sweet and caring orphan, Annie, is based off the 1924 comic strip Little Orphan Annie. It was turned into the Broadway musical Annie in 1977 and was then made into a musical movie in 1982. The most recent 2014 Annie remake is a modern take starring Quvenzhané Wallis and Jamie Foxx.
Where to Stream Other Broadway Musical Movie Adaptations
Little Shop of Horrors (1986) | Rated: PG-13 | YouTubeTV
Chicago (2002) | Rated: PG-13 | Paramount+ or Hulu
Rent (2005) | Rated: PG-13 | Rent on Multiple Streaming Platforms
Mama Mia! (2008) | Rated: PG-13 | Peacock or Max or Hulu
Hairspray (2007) | Rated: PG | Rent on Multiple Streaming Platforms
Les Misérables (2012) | Rated: PG-13 | Peacock
Beauty and the Beast (2017) | Rated: PG | Disney+
Hamilton Stage Production (2020) | Rated: PG-13 | Disney+
In the Heights (2021) | Rated: PG-13 | Max or Hulu or Prime Video
Tick, Tick… Boom! (2021) | Rated: PG-13 | Netflix
The Color Purple (2023) | Rated: PG-13 | Max or Hulu
Best Animated Musicals for Kids
There are so many Disney animated movies that are considered musicals. In recent years, Disney has come back with live-action movies of our childhood favorites, like The Little Mermaid and Aladdin. As an adult, it has been fun to relive the stories I grew up with, and now I get to experience them alongside my own kids. I don’t know about you, but since I’ve become a parent, I’ve fully embraced my love for animated musicals, and the Disney ones aren’t the only musicals I love singing along with. Others include Oscar-winning Anastasia and Golden Globe nominee The Book of Life.
Aladdin (1992) | Rated: G | Disney+
An American Tail (1986) | Rated: G | Rent on Multiple Platforms
Anastasia (1997) | Rated: G | Disney+
Beauty and the Beast (1991) | Rated: G | Disney+
Coco (2017) | Rated: PG | Disney+
Encanto (2021) | Rated: PG | Disney+
Frozen (2013) | Rated: PG | Disney+
Frozen II (2019) | Rated PG | Disney+
Happy Feet (2006) | Rated: PG | Prime Video
Hercules (1997) | Rated: G | Disney+
Leap! (2017) | Rated: PG | Prime Video and Tubi
The Lion King (1994) | Rated: G | Disney+
The Little Mermaid (1989) | Rated: G | Disney+
Moana (2016) | Rated: PG | Disney+
Mulan (1998) | Rated: G | Disney+
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) | Rated: PG | Disney+
The Princess and the Frog (2009) | Rated: G | Disney+
Sing (2016) | Rated: PG | Peacock or Netflix
Tangled (2010) | Rated: PG | Disney+
Trolls (2016) | Rated: PG | Peacock
Vivo (2021) | Rated: PG | Netflix
Christmas Musical Movies
There are also the Christmas musical movies that have become part of the family holiday traditions. Whether it is cozying up with White Christmas or having The Polar Express on in the background during your holiday cookie exchange, Christmas musical movies will be tied to your family memories.
White Christmas (1954) | Unrated | AMC+ or Prime Video
Babes in Toyland (1961) | Rated: G | Prime Video
A Muppet Christmas Carol (1992) | Rated: G | Disney+
How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) | Rated: PG | Sling TV
The Polar Express (2004) | Rated: G | Hulu or Max
Jingle Jangle (2020) | Rated: PG | Netflix
Spirited (2022) | Rated: PG-13 | AppleTV
Enhance Your Musical Movie Experiences
We’ve reviewed all the musicals, but how do you get the most cinematic experience right at home? The best way to watch musical movies is by streaming them in HD. That also means enhancing the audio with a surround sound system because, let’s be honest, it’s like a concert after all. And if you’re watching with friends, make it even better by organizing your own musical-themed watch parties—subtitles on for ample sing-along enjoyment. This robust list of musical movies will surely hold you over until Wicked Part 2 finally hits theaters. Currently warming up my vocals now.
Patty Schepel, Editorial Assistant
As the editorial assistant, Patty works with The Everymom’s team on pitches, creating original articles, updating existing content, photo sourcing, writing shopping product descriptions, inputting freelance articles, and more. When she’s not working, you can find her spending time with her family, training for half marathons—she ran one 16 weeks pregnant—traveling, cooking, reading a rom-com, and keeping her sourdough starter, Rose, alive.
Kathy Sisson, Senior Editor
A mom of two, Kathy is passionately committed to sharing the honest, helpful—and often humorous—stories of motherhood, as she navigates her own everyday adventures of work, marriage, and parenting. She honed her creative and strategic skills at advertising agencies in Detroit and Chicago, before pivoting from marketing to editorial. Now instead of telling brand stories, she’s sharing her own, with articles published across popular parenting sites—including hundreds of stories on The Everymom.