Before he directed his feature debut, Whiplash, Damien Chazelle wrote the script for La La Land, his contemporary tribute to Golden Age musicals. However, he had a tough time getting studio executives to consider making the movie. Musicals, in the traditional sense, went out of fashion in the 1960s, so to resurrect that genre in the 21st century was considered to be too big a risk.
But after Whiplash earned him some clout in Hollywood, Chazelle was able to get La La Land made. Upon its release, it was quickly praised by critics and danced its way to Oscar glory (for the most part). Here are 10 Modern Musicals To Watch If You Like La La Land.
The Greatest Showman (2017)
Although it glorifies the actions of P.T. Barnum, a man who, for all intents and purposes, was basically a monster, The Greatest Showman is a delightful musical romp. If you accept that it’s a fictionalized account of Barnum’s efforts that makes him look like a hero, you’ll have a good time.
Hugh Jackman is riveting in the lead role. He’s one of the few Hollywood actors to take roles in musicals who can actually sing, unlike his Les Misérables cohort, Russell Crowe. Jackman’s Greatest Showman co-stars, including Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Zendaya, and Rebecca Ferguson, all provide strong support, while first-time director Michael Gracey has spectacular vision.
Hairspray (2007)
In 1988, John Waters released a cult comedy called Hairspray that was much tamer and broader than his previous films. In 2002, that movie was adapted into a Broadway musical of the same name. And in 2007, that Broadway musical was adapted back into a movie.
At the end of that long and complicated process, Adam Shankman helmed this delightful tale of accepting people for who they are during a tumultuous, prejudice-driven time for American society. While it’s fun to see Zac Efron playing an Elvis-inspired greaser, or John Travolta playing a woman, it’s Nikki Blonsky who shines here as the relatable lead, Tracy Turnblad.
Chicago (2002)
Built around celebrity scandals and corruption in its titular city during the Jazz Age, the 2002 film adaptation of the stage musical Chicago was unanimously praised by critics when it was first released. Out of 13 Oscar nominations, it landed six awards, including Best Picture (the first musical to win this award since 1968’s Oliver!) and Best Supporting Actress for Catherine Zeta-Jones.
In the stage production, the musical numbers were presented as vaudeville acts, and director Rob Marshall found a way to translate this style faithfully to the screen by depicting each musical number as a dream sequence inside murderess Roxie Hart's (Renée Zellweger) head.
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)
Tim Burton’s Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street has very little in common with Damien Chazelle’s La La Land, but they are both modern Hollywood blockbuster musicals complete with catchy songs and actors doing their own singing. Johnny Depp stars as a barber in Victorian England who cuts a deal with a baker played by Helena Bonham Carter.
He’ll slit his customers’ throats with the razor and then send them down a chute into her kitchen, where she’ll bake them into pies. It may not sound like the kind of story that suits a musical, but that’s where Burton’s unique filmmaking style comes in.
Mamma Mia! (2008)
Based on the Broadway-bound jukebox musical of the same name, Mamma Mia! is a treat for ABBA fans. All of the band’s most popular hits — from “Dancing Queen” to “The Winner Takes It All” to, and of course, “Mamma Mia” — appear on the soundtrack. The tracks are sung by the actors themselves, and while some (Amanda Seyfried) are better than others (Pierce Brosnan), it’s always fun to see A-list stars belt out a couple of ABBA songs.
The movie was followed by a belated 2018 sequel, appropriately titled Here We Go Again, which recaptured enough of the original’s magic to please fans.
Rocketman (2019)
Having salvaged Bohemian Rhapsody after Bryan Singer’s sordid past came back to haunt him, Dexter Fletcher really got a chance to shine with Rocketman, an Elton John biopic blending reality and fantasy that he was able to envision from the beginning.
Taron Egerton is compelling as always in the role of John, and the movie deftly balances beautifully staged musical numbers with serious dramatic moments. Bohemian Rhapsody got more attention from the media, but Rocketman is the finer film, and will probably be viewed as such when we fondly look back on the musical biopic trend in a few years’ time.
Pitch Perfect (2012)
The movie that made a cappella cool, Pitch Perfect stars Anna Kendrick as a precious musician whose stuffed-shirt dad forces her to join the Barden Bellas, an all-female a cappella group on campus. The soundtrack features a cappella covers of chart-topping hits from such artists as Rihanna, Kelly Clarkson, and Nicki Minaj.
You come for the music, but stay for the characters, who are instantly endearing and likable. Pitch Perfect is also notable for kickstarting the career of Rebel Wilson, whose performance as “Fat Amy” in this movie — paired with her supporting role in Bridesmaids, a year earlier — made her a star overnight.
Enchanted (2007)
A brilliant satire of Disney movies, Enchanted tells the story of a ditzy princess (Amy Adams) who lives in an idealized animated world and gets transported to the real world. Enchanted doesn’t get a lot of attention as a musical, as its parody of Disney movies took over the conversation surrounding the film, but Parks and Recreation’s Jerry and Ben both agree that the most underrated thing about Enchanted is the score.
A sequel called Disenchanted has been in development for over a decade now, with production getting halted at every turn. Unfortunately, it seems like we’ll never get to see it. But at least we still have the original.
Dreamgirls (2006)
Although it technically tells the fictional story of The Dreamettes and their deal at Rainbow Records, Dreamgirls’ script was heavily inspired by The Supremes and their deal at Motown Records. In this sense, it’s what the academics call a “film à clef,” a movie that tells a fictional story that borrows a lot of elements from true events.
With its pastiche of Motown’s music, Dreamgirls’ soundtrack has a really great R&B/soul sound. The film features incredible performances from such heavyweights as Jamie Foxx, Beyoncé Knowles, Jennifer Hudson (who won an Oscar), Eddie Murphy (who was nominated for an Oscar), and Danny Glover.
A Star is Born (2018)
Bradley Cooper’s intention with his directorial debut, a modernized remake of A Star is Born starring himself alongside Lady Gaga, was to craft a movie that felt epic and cinematic, without losing sight of its intimate love story. He succeeded admirably.
It’s the tale of Jackson Maine, a jaded country singer, who gets a new lease on life when he discovers a promising young singer, Ally, and shepherds her career as they fall in love. There are plenty of scenes where Jack and Ally perform in front of thousands of people, but Cooper always shoots those scenes from their perspective. It’s a beautiful movie, with equally beautiful original music.