Top 5 Underrated Movie Musicals
When it comes to movie musicals, there are a few that everyone knows. For example, most people agree that The Sound of Music is a near-perfect film and that it’s probably best to give Cats a miss. If you’re wanting to dig deeper into the musical genre, there are some great movies out there waiting for you to discover them. Here are our Top 5 lesser-known movie musicals to enjoy with your family.
cinderella (1997) - G
This adaptation of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s classic stage musical Cinderella is finally getting the attention it deserves after coming to Disney+ last month. Starring Brandy Norwood in the title role and Whitney Houston (also the executive producer) as the Fairy Godmother, Cinderella is a lavish fairy tale spectacle. The diverse and star-studded cast delivers a simple story with a genuine heart, and colorful, over-the-top costumes and sets make the movie a visual treat. Cinderella is an example of Disney’s movie musical prowess at its finest.
The Prince of Egypt (1998)- PG
This DreamWorks animated musical features music and lyrics by the legendary Stephen Schwartz, so it’s no wonder that the movie has recently been adapted into a West End musical (with a potential post-pandemic move to Broadway). The Prince of Egypt is a dramatization of the book of Exodus (or rather, the first fourteen chapters of it). The story follows Moses from his birth into slavery in ancient Egypt, to his adoption into Pharaoh’s household, to his role in God’s plan to free the people of Israel. The movie takes some artistic liberties with the Biblical source material, but the beautiful animation, music, and script show that the film was crafted with great respect and care. The Prince of Egypt is a sweeping epic that serves as a great introduction to the Exodus story
Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory (1971)- G
Most people remember Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory for Gene Wilder’s expert comedy antics, but this movie also delivers plenty of entertainment through its wisecracking script, energetic songs, and creative visual storytelling. The story deviates pretty heavily from the original novel (something author Roald Dahl resented, although he consulted on the script for the film), but it’s difficult to complain when you’re on this colorful ride through a 1970s psychedelic chocolate factory.
High Society (1956) Not Rated
If you’re not familiar with this movie musical, I’ll tell you everything you need to know: High Society features Grace Kelly, Bing Crosby, Frank Sinatra, and Louis Armstrong in a Cole Porter musical retelling of the classic play and movie The Philadelphia Story. The original plot stays intact; socialite Tracy Lord (Grace Kelly) loses control of her lavish wedding weekend when her family estate is infiltrated by her ex-husband Dexter (Bing Crosby) and tabloid reporter Mike (Frank Sinatra). The musical remake adds in a jazz festival, snappy songs, brilliant technicolor, sumptuous costumes and sets, and moves the location to Rhode Island. High Society may not be strong on the story (its female characters are disappointingly stereotypical, characters fall in and out of love for no apparent reason, and a song features the brief, racist lyric “Indians on the Amazon”), but its charming music, cast, and production make it a hidden gem for fans of Golden Age movie musicals.
Charlotte’s Web (1973)- G
I’ll admit I may have a nostalgic bias about Charlotte’s Web since I grew up watching it after its hugely successful VHS re-release in the 1990s. E.B. White famously hated this adaptation of his 1952 novel, citing its overabundance of songs. It’s a fair criticism; amidst the catchy Sherman Brothers tunes are a handful of ballads with a drippy sentimentality that’s typical of 1970s family movies. But despite the movie’s tendency to sometimes veer into tween territory, Charlotte’s Web boasts some terrific voice actors (including Debbie Reynolds and Bewitched’s Agnes Moorehead), creative animation from Hanna-Barbera Productions, and a heartfelt dedication to the original novel.
