Movie musicals hook audiences with dazzling dance numbers, upbeat and memorable songs, and outstanding and memorable costuming. Outfits that are etched in fans' minds whenever they think of certain movie titles. This even applies to Disney animated movies with Cinderella's iconic blue ball gown.
Just as some famed outfits shined bright under Broadway's stage lights, they also translated well on the big screen. Maybe even more so. Everyone can recall Dorothy's plaid dress and red slippers that are even memorialized in a museum for safekeeping. With so many movie muscles to choose from, there are a select few that have made history as being the best.
Belle's Yellow Gown (Beauty & The Beast)
Belle would become the Disney princess best known for her intellect and seeing the kind heart of the dangerous Beast. The character has two main outfits in the 1991 animated movie. She's often seen in her blue dress and puggy sleeves shirt along with her white apron.
Belle really dazzled audiences when she appears in a gorgeous canary yellow ball gown. A dress fit for a princess and it even impressed Beast. The dress became iconic as it littered costume stores and young kids clamored to be Belle for Halloween and birthdays.
Overcoat And Hat (Mary Poppins)
Every child who watched Mary Poppins in 1964 wanted a nanny with special magical abilities. The film became an instant classic as Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews) changes the lives of the Bank family. Beyond the hit musical numbers and dances, Poppins's outfits became memorable.
It was sophisticated, well put together but with a dash of whimsical. Her light navy overcoat had line detailing matched with a white blouse and red bowtie. To add some flare she wore a hat embellished with flowers and cherries. She wore different versions of this outfit in the movie. Many also remember her famous lace dress and red corset.
Angel's Santa Coat and Bobed Hairstyle (Rent)
Rent became a hit musical on Broadway in 1996 depicting the lives of a group of friends in the East Village during the epidemic of HIV and AIDS. The musical was later turned into a movie in 2005 with the original cast. Fans can't help but remember the lavish outfit worn by Angel (Wilson Jermaine Heredia).
The same outfit was used on stage and screen. Angel's character was always the most exuberant and fun and it showed. Seeing as the movie takes place near Christmas, Angel wears a Santa-inspired coat with red velvet and furry white trim. For some added contrast, they wore zebra print leggings and a belt. Angel also became well known for their black bob hairstyle.
Hair and Pinstripe Pants (Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street)
Sweeney Todd (Johnny Depp) embodied the gothic style in the 2007 movie Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Based on the Broadway musical, the movie was dark, gritty, and eery. The movie's aesthetics shined in the main characters' outfits. Fans did enjoy Todd's black and white bathing suit and white suit but his most iconic was his daily attire.
A barber hellbent on revenge in London still has to look the part. He often wore black pinstripe dress pants with a textured button-up vest. Todd also often wore his leather holster on his thigh. What made the character's outfit so memorable was his outrageous hair. It was wild, frizzy, unkempt, and with a patch of white.
All That Jazz Dress (Chicago)
Chicago was all about two dames who find themselves tagged as murderers. The movie was inspired by the 1975 stage musical of the same name. It kept many of the original stories' key moments and outfits, one of them being the dance number, "All That Jazz," performed by Velma (Catherine Zeta-Jones).
The scene birthed a famous and iconic outfit of the 1920s. Seeing as the time period was known for 'flapper' fashion, Velma dazzled on stage in a black dress adorned with beads. Beads that would move continuously with every step. That's not to mention her famous short dark bob and bangs.
The Ball Gown (The King And I)
The King and I is an underrated movie musical from 1956 that is a must-watch. It has everything from a secret romance to issues of politics. A widowed school teacher, Anna (Deborah Kerr), moves to Bangkok to become the teacher of the King's children.
While the movie moved hearts, they were also impressed by her ball gown. In the film, she convinces the King to hold a banquet for British visitors. Her ball gown is lavish, big, and a beautiful dirty grey/pink color. It has puffy off-the-shoulder sleeves and a tight bodice. It puts other princess gowns to shame.
Dr. Frank-N-Furter Sexy Outfit (Rocky Horror Picture Show)
When it comes to some of musical movies' most iconic outfits and characters, Tim Curry's Dr. Frank-N-Furter hits the top of the list. The Rocky Horror Picture Show takes audiences on a wild ride as an ordinary couple finds themselves at a hotel hosting their Annual Transylvanian Convention.
Full of exuberant individuals, Dr.Frank takes it up a notch in his musical number. Disrobing, he reveals a scandalous outfit. A sparkly tie-up halter top with matching gloves and a garter belt. He also didn't forget the fishnet thig-highs, pearl necklace, and red lipstick. His look was eery yet tantalizing to see on screen.
Sandy's 'Bad Girl' Look (Grease)
The famed movie musical Grease has been classic for years. Between the hit musical numbers, Danny Zuko (John Travolta), and the storyline, it only heightened the popularity of the outfits. The movie takes place when 'greasers' were the norm. A common depiction of a bad boy with leather jackets, oil-slicked hair, and a white t-shirt.
The movie had more than a handful of famous outfits but none topped Sandy's (Olivia Newton-John) drastic change in the final scene. She goes from innocent to jaw-dropping vixen. She enters the carnival in tight vinyl pants, a black off-the-shoulder top, and red slip-on heels as well as a teased curly hairstyle. As everyone's jaws dropped, so did the audiences'.
Tracy And Her Mom's Pink Dresses (Hairspray)
While Hairspray from 2007 was based on the Broadway musical from 2002, the Broadway version was then inspired by the original movie in 1988. The newer version made certain outfits even more popular amongst fans. Tracy (Nikki Blonsky) and her mom go get a makeover at the only plus-sized store in town.
The musical number is uplifting as Tracy helps her mom break out of her shell and embrace her beauty. With a new spirit comes a new look and two matching outfits for a mother and daughter. Both wore sparkly pink dresses. Tracys' was a sleeveless version while her mother's was scooped neck with a cinched waist.
Dorothy's Plaid Dress And Red Slippers (The Wizard Of Oz)
There isn't a more popular classic outfit than Dorothy's (Judy Garland) in The Wizard of Oz from 1939. Every Halloween someone dresses up like her or her faithful companions. Dorothy's look was innocent and sweet as she wore a blue plaid dress with a simple high neck blouse. Her braided pigtails with blue ribbons were an added touch.
There was one piece of her outfit that would be remembered for years. Her sparkly ruby slippers once belonging to the Wicked Witch of the East. With three taps of her heels and saying "There's no place like home," Dorothy awakens in her bedroom. The shoe became so popular in movie history that they were even stolen once.