It's Glee vs. High School Musical in the battle of the hormone-fueled singing dramas, and there can only be one winner - here's why Troy Bolton and the gang come out on top. Released as a Disney channel exclusive in 2006, High School Musical saw Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens sing and dance their way through teenage troubles alongside their eclectic group of classmates. Directed by Kenny Ortega, High School Musical defied expectations to become a cultural phenomenon, and after a sequel proved even more successful, the franchise moved to the big screen for its senior year in High School Musical 3.

Glee debuted on Fox in 2009, and although creator, Ryan Murphy, maintains that he was unfamiliar with High School Musical at the time, there are obvious similarities between the two. Both are centered around high school performing arts groups that bring together pupils from all walks of life - geeks, jocks, performers, etc - and use that as a platform to explore wider issues. And, of course, both casts are never far away from bursting into song, regardless of how inappropriate the situation might be. Despite the parallels, Glee and High School Musical are very different stories, with Ryan Murphy's TV series taking a more realistic look at teenage life and focusing heavily on the dramatic aspects. But since both came out relatively close to each other, it's only natural to compare High School Musical with the William McKinley Glee club.

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High School Musical immediately gains the edge in this heated contest by virtue of having 3 soundtracks stuffed with original songs, many of which have become classics. From "Breaking Free" and "We're All In This Together" to "Scream" and "Can I Have This Dance?" High School Musical's arsenal of hits encompasses a variety of tones and genres in a modern style. Glee largely sticks to cover versions during its 6 season run, and the original songs that do feature haven't enjoyed anywhere near the same impact as High School Musical's. As any performer can attest, it's harder to win over a crowd with your own material than tried-and-tested classics, so High School Musical's ambition and success with fresh tunes must be applauded.

Troy and Gabriella dance on the roof in High School Musical 3

The Wildcats also have a clear edge in terms of choreography. Glee contains some beautifully choreographed numbers, with the likes of "Jump" and the "Singing In The Ring/Umbrella" mashup immediately springing to mind. But it's hard to compete with the work of Kenny Ortega, who was hired to choreograph and direct Michael Jackson's This Is It tour until the singer's tragic passing. While Glee sometimes benefits from higher production values, Ortega's High School Musical choreography brings an organic energy to each song, so whether it's 2 people performing or 200, the movement never stops. "Can I Have This Dance?" and "Get Your Head In The Game" are stone cold classics, and the fact that many High School Musical fans can still remember the moves to "We're All In This Together" speaks volumes.

Compared to High School Musical, the world of Glee is far more mature, delving into issues such as teenage pregnancy, homophobia, infidelity, and body image. But with so many colors on the palette, it's only natural that not all of them come out clearly. Glee can't always decide whether it's an irreverent, quirky musical, or an edgy high school drama tackling real life issues. Just like one of Glee's trademark mashups, bringing together these two disparate styles can sometimes work wonderfully, and on other occasions fall flat. The tone becomes especially muddied when Glee follows its original cast into their adult lives, moving away from the school setting.

There are no such problems in the land of High School Musical, which knows exactly what it is and embraces that spirit at all times. Each of the High School Musical entries puts a Disney-sponsored airbrush on teenage life. The biggest dilemma Troy Bolton faces is which suit to wear to the prom, whereas Glee's Finn is faced with a pregnant partner who slept with his best friend. High School Musical might be blissfully ignorant of real-world issues, but that complete dedication to whimsical fantasy is the franchise's greatest strength, making High School Musical the perfect escape.

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