Planning to write the next hit musical? If you dream of becoming the next Lin-Manuel Miranda, it’s a good idea to brush up on your knowledge of classic musicals before you put pen to paper. We’re here to inspire you with this rundown of the most famous musicals of all time, from Broadway to TV and film. You’ll be singing—and hopefully writing—by the end of this post!

Musical Movies

1. West Side Story

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by West Side Story (@westsidestorymovie)

West Side Story is a modern retelling of the Romeo and Juliet narrative.

When it comes to classic musicals, you don’t get much more famous than West Side Story. Set in 1957 in New York City, this twist on a Romeo and Juliet love story has been adapted into two musical films. The 1961 original holds the record for most Academy Awards for a musical, and the 2021 Steven Spielberg adaptation has already scooped up a handful of nominations for this year’s award season.

2. Singin’ in the Rain

Ask any musical theater lover, and the 1952 film Singin’ in the Rain, starring Gene Kelly and Debbie Reynolds, is likely on their list of best musical comedies of all time. The story follows three 1920s Hollywood actors as they transition from the days of silent films to “talkies.” Although it only saw limited success when it was first released, the movie was one of the first 25 films to be placed into the Library of Congress’ National Film Registry in 1989.

3. Guys and Dolls

The 1955 Guys and Dolls movie was based on the original 1950 Broadway musical and features legendary entertainers Marlon Brando, Jean Simmons, Frank Sinatra, and Vivian Blaine. The movie follows the overlapping stories of two men at the center of a gambling bet and the women that they fall in love with, all set within Depression-era New York.

4. The Sound of Music

*Source:* ***instagram***
Julia Andrews and Christopher Plummer are famous for their roles in The Sound of Music.

Based on the true story of the Von Trapp family, The Sound of Music is one of the most beloved musical dramas of the 20th century. From its iconic songs to heartstopping moments, the film is consistently nominated for “best musical movies” awards. The Sound of Music has earned over $2 billion, putting it in the top 10 highest-grossing movies of all time.

5. Brigadoon

Another Gene Kelly classic, Brigadoon is about two American tourists who, while visiting the Scottish highlands, discover a village that only appears for one day in every 100 years. The 1954 film is based on the original Broadway production from 1947.

6. Grease

Nothing says late 1970s more than John Travolta and his slicked-back hair. The movie was based on the 1971 theater show and co-stars Olivia Newton-John. Danny and Sandy’s love story earned the film the title of the highest-grossing musical movie ever at the time of its release, and the soundtrack became the second best-selling album of the year in 1978.

7. A Star Is Born

While you might be more familiar with the 2018 film starring Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga, A Star Is Born has had three other movie lives before. The 1976 film starred Barbra Streisand, and the 1954 version had Judy Garland playing the lead. But all of these would have never existed without the 1937 original, launching the idea of a musical movie that follows the story of a wannabe actress and a has-been movie star who helps to launch her career.

8. Moulin Rouge!

The 2001 Baz Luhrmann movie, starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor, is full of drama and catchy songs. Moulin Rouge! charts the love story of Christian and Satine as they navigate life as entertainers in 1900 Bohemian Paris. The juxtaposition of MTV-style pop music and early 20th-century cabaret songs makes this movie a great study for any aspiring musical writer.

9. Stormy Weather

The 1943 musical film Stormy Weather is considered to be one of the best on-camera exhibitions of African American theatrical performers in an era where Hollywood’s diversity was practically nonexistent. The movie is loosely based on the life of leading man Bill “Bojangles” Robinson and his journey into the creative arts.

10. Mary Poppins

The only Disney film to have earned a Best Picture Oscar nomination during Walt Disney’s lifetime, Mary Poppins remains one of the most loved musical films for all ages. The story of a dysfunctional London family and the out-of-the-ordinary nanny they employ was the highest-grossing film of 1964 and won Julie Andrews the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1965.

Learn to Write Musical Theater Stories

Creative Writing Masterclass: Start Writing Your Own Stories

Take the Class

Broadway Musicals

11. Hamilton

When it comes to musical plays, the dramatic arrival of Hamilton onto the Broadway stage is a story that will be told in creative communities for decades to come. It’s hard to find someone who hasn’t heard of the hit musical these days, and its unique blend of rap, R&B, and hip hop to tell the story of the Founding Fathers is unlike any other show in history.

12. Hello, Dolly!

Everyone loves an unconventional love story, and the musical show Hello, Dolly! delivers just that. The show follows the tale of matchmaker Dolly as she travels to Yonkers to find a partner for wealthy Horace Vandergelder. The show was made into a 1969 film which ended up with three Academy Awards, including Best Score of a Musical Picture.

13. The Book of Mormon

You wouldn’t think that a look into the beliefs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints would become a hilarious musical comedy. But when you have the creators of South Park and Avenue Q behind the music and script, success was almost inevitable. The show has grossed over $500 million worldwide and is one of the longest-running Broadway and West End shows.

14. Dream Girls

Following the story of three young women from Chicago who dream of becoming music superstars, Dream Girls is one of the few musicals to feature a predominantly Black cast. It’s been nominated for countless Tony Awards and was adapted into a 2006 feature film starring Beyonce, Jennifer Hudson, Jamie Foxx, and Eddie Murphy.

15. Les Misérables

While the music of Les Misérables is as haunting and tear-inducing as the title of the show suggests, the world’s second longest-running musical drama is still a favorite of many theater-going audiences across the globe. The story is set in early 19th century France and follows the narrative of former convict Jean Valjean and his pursuit by police inspector Javert, all against the backdrop of France’s 1832 Paris uprising.

16. Shuffle Along

Shuffle Along was the first all-Black Broadway show (both in cast and crew), originally produced in 1921 and credited as inspiring the 1920s and 1930s Harlem Renaissance. The 2016 adaptation focused largely on the challenges the original production team faced and the lasting impact the show had on race and Broadway.

17. The Producers

Written and originally produced by Mel Brooks, The Producers was adapted into a stage show following the success of the 1967 film. The plot follows two theater producers who try to get rich by overselling interest in a terrible Broadway play, only for the show to become an outstanding success. The musical won a record-breaking 12 Tony Awards, and the film was remade in 2005.

18. Porgy and Bess

Porgy and Bess was one of many musical plays to launch in the 1930s and was adapted from a 1925 novel. The opera-musical was first performed in Boston with music by George Gershwin, before moving to Broadway in 1935. It tells the story of a disabled Black beggar, Porgy, and his attempts to rescue Bess from her lover and a drug dealer in the slums of Charleston.

19. Chicago

One of the most famous musicals still on Broadway today is Chicago, a look at 1920s crime in the city and the rise of the celebrity criminal. Originally a 1926 play, the musical was launched in 1975 and returned to Broadway in 1996, making it the longest-running musical revival and American musical in Broadway history.

20. My Fair Lady

While most of us may be more familiar with the 1964 Audrey Hepburn film, the My Fair Lady musical started life in 1956 as an adaptation of George Bernard Shaw’s 1913 book, Pygmalion. Julie Andrews starred as Eliza Doolittle, the Cockney flower girl who takes speech lessons from Henry Higgins, in the original production. The show won six Tony Awards and has seen numerous revivals in theaters across the world.

Musical TV Shows

21. Glee

Any musical-obsessed Millennial probably watched Glee at some point in their teenage years. The comedy-drama musical TV show ran from 2009 to 2015 and followed New Directions, a high school glee club, as they competed in show choir and dealt with the ever-present drama that teenage life brings. The first season alone was nominated for 19 Emmys, four Golden Globes, and countless other awards.

22. Schmigadoon

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by CineFelo (@cinefelo)

Musical tv show Schmigadoon is a hilarious new comedy for fans of classic musicals.

A new arrival on the musical tv show scene has been Apple TV original Schmigadoon. As an homage to musicals of the 1940s and 1950s, the show follows two New York doctors who stumble upon a magical town that’s perpetually stuck in a musical while on a backpacking trip. You’ll see appearances from musical theater legends like Kristin Chenoweth and soon be tapping your toes to the catchy showtune soundtrack.

23. Galavant

Galavant was a musical fantasy comedy tv show, described by stars of the show as “the child of Monty Python and The Princess Bride.” Across the two seasons, episodes follow a knight, Galavant, looking for his happily ever after, all while trying to defeat the evil King Richard. The twists and turns of his journey are all accompanied by musical numbers and hilarious choreography.

24. Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist

Another recent musical comedy show to grace our screens is Zoey’s Extraordinary Playlist. Featuring a star-studded cast, the show tells the story of a software developer, Zoey, who realizes that she can hear the innermost thoughts of other people in the form of songs.

25. Encore!

Encore! is one for those who love nostalgia. The reality show, hosted by Kristen Bell and Will Gluck, reunites casts of high school musicals to have them re-perform their shows, often decades later (the oldest reunion was a 1975 cast of Anything Goes!). It’s heart-warming and a great weekend-afternoon watch for fans of musical theater.

26. Smash

Another great musical TV show was Smash, a fictional look at a New York community theater and their attempt to create a new Broadway musical. The show ran from 2012 to 2013 and received the Primetime Emmy Award for Outstanding Choreography. It was also nominated for a Golden Globe and Grammy Award.

27. Fosse/Verdon

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Fosse/Verdon (@fosseverdonfx)

Fosse/Verdon follows the intertwining lives of choreographer Bob Fosse and his partner, dancer Gwen Verdon.

Fosse/Verdon is a biographical miniseries that looks at the romantic and creative lives of director-choreographer Bob Fosse and dancer Gwen Verdon. Starring Sam Rockwell and Michelle Williams, the show received 17 Emmy nominations, with Williams receiving the Emmy and Golden Globe for Best Actress.

28. Rise

Looking at the true-life story of drama teacher Lou Volpe, Rise was inspired by the 2013 book Drama High. The show follows the dramatized tale of the theater program at Harry S Truman High School in Pennsylvania and the teacher who dreams of reinventing their drama productions.

29. Soundtrack

Soundtrack, although canceled after one season, was a dramatic look at the relationships within an extended family, with songs and choreography used throughout to highlight their emotions. Each episode focuses on two characters only, with various musical numbers depicting their thoughts and feelings.

30. High School Musical: The Musical: The Series

Inspired by the original High School Musical films, this Disney+ show is a mockumentary-style musical drama that follows a group of teenagers looking to stage a production of High School Musical: The Musical. Subsequent seasons have the high schoolers putting on different shows, all with the help of their enthusiastic teacher.

It’s Time to Make a Little Music

Now that you know a little more about some of the world’s most famous musicals, it’s time to start flexing those musical muscles and start writing your own.

And if you’re still waiting for inspiration to strike, you now have plenty of shows to watch in the meantime!

Find Your Creative Spark!

Creativity in Action: 10 Challenges to Make Ideas Happen

Take the Class