1. Phantom of the Opera(2004):
This has to be my favorite musical ever! I have always loved this movie and really wish that I could see it in person. I have watched the Broadway version on Netflix, I think it's still there if you want to check it out. I love the music the most out of any of the musicals on this list which is why it is number 1. I can't get over how beautiful and haunting some of them are.
2. Into the Woods(1991 & 2015):
Into the Woods comes in at a very close second on this list for two reasons. This was one of the musicals that we put on in High School and it was by far everyone's favorite. We based our production off of the original Broadway version. This used to be on Netflix but sadly they took it off. When Disney announced that they were doing a movie, I was super excited. They changed some parts and deleted a song, but overall it followed the story pretty closely. I love the Grimm Fairy tales just as much as the Disney versions, but the dark undertones are much more interesting.
3. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street(2007):
This musical I love more for the acting and the story than the actual songs. Johnny Depp and Helena Botham Carter are perfect together, as usual. Anything Tim Burton automatically intrigues me. There were so many famous people in this movie that you wouldn't really expect. The blood is a little much and pretty fake looking but it kind of gives it a sort of demonic charm. You know it's fake and kind of gross, but you can't look away.
4. Rent(2005):
RENT is one of the musicals where I haven't watched it in years yet I remember all of the songs. My friends and I watched this one all the time back in high school. We just couldn't get enough of it. I actually did see this one live. The original Broadway performance is much different, it's raunchier and a little dirty.
5. Chicago(2002):
This one is pretty awesome in a few different ways. The songs are great, some of the more memorable for me. I also live near Chicago, so to have something set where I live was pretty cool. I have also seen the books about the real women on death row. I have yet to read it but the fact that there is some truth to this musical makes it a little bit cooler.
6. Wicked(2003):
This is another musical that I actually saw in person. I was blown away by the set design and the music. I don't think I saw the version with Idina Menzel or Kristin Chenowith though, I would have to dig out my play bill from somewhere in my room. I went and saw this in High School with my theater class and it was great. I think it was our first year with the new teacher so it was great to see a real production before we got started with our own.
7. The Producers(2005):
I just recently saw this movie within the past year or so, thanks Netflix! This may be the funniest musical that I have ever seen. The actors are fantastic, Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick are perfect together. They really play off of each others' acting abilities so well. The songs are hilarious and the other actors are wonderful. The story is pretty controversial being about Hitler and all but it's Mel Brooks so he knows how to play that line of being offensive or not.
8. The Lion King(1997):
This was the first musical that I ever saw live. Disney has a way of making everything they do spectacular and engaging. You feel a part of the world going on around you and you don't even feel like you are in the theater anymore. The set pieces and costumes where like nothing I had ever seen before. The soundtrack has always been amazing, but to hear it live was just special.
9. Cry-Baby(1990):
This really isn't the greatest music ever but I still love it. Johnny Depp is one of my favorite actors, so I try to watch a lot of his stuff. That's why he is a major player in three movies on this list! His singing voice isn't actually that bad in this movie. It does get better once he's in Sweeney Todd and Into the Woods though. This is just one of those obscure movies that not a lot of people have seen but I really love.
10. The Music Man(1962):
This was the first music that I ever was a part of in High School. It was the first with our new teacher and it was much better than anything that we had done before. None of us had ever heard of the musical before so we all watched the movie. I don't remember the movie all that well but a lot of the songs were pretty catchy.After this performance our high school got a lot more respect in the theater department, with the public and the school.
So there you go, a list of my favorite movie/musicals. I have included pretty much all of the performances that I have seen live. I think the only one I missed was Monty Python's Spamalot, which I remember liking at the time but can't recall any of it now. I wish that I had more time to see musicals and plays in Chicago. There are always things that I want to see. In Chicago alone there are at least 3 that I would love to see. My goal is to see Phantom of the Opera some day. I will always love the theater and that whole world, hopefully I'm able to go back soon!
