20 Best Musicals that left us speechless by the end

Musicals combine the tale, emotions, and unforgettable melodies in a magical look. All musicals, be it about historical epic grandeur, vibrant modern tales, or timeless classics, always cast a spell on everyone in the audience. In all genres, from sweeping romance to tales of resilience, musicals deliver a blend of look and feel. With iconic performances, chart-topping soundtracks, and stories that linger long after the credits roll, these 20 musicals have not just entertained us but have also become cultural landmarks, each leaving us utterly speechless. Please note, this entire article is based on the writer's perspective. Reader's discretion is advised.

1. Les Misérables (2012)

Victor Hugo's century-old novel leaped off the page and took on life as Les Misérables, with Tom Hooper directing this live-singing cinema adaptation of the iconic stage play. Raw emotional performances were produced by Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, and Russell Crowe in it. "I Dreamed a Dream" earned Hathaway the Oscar, but only three awards, out of its eight nominations were received. Due to the method of live-singing technique in it, which brought about some immediacy during the performance scenes.

2. Hamilton (2020)

The movie, in the year 2020, captured the very best of Lin-Manuel Miranda's masterpiece as it played across homes in different parts of the world, full of high-energy performances and strong storytelling. Its compelling narrative about the rise and fall of Alexander Hamilton left people speechless, mainly because of the command with which Lin-Manuel Miranda acted and Leslie Odom Jr.'s portrayal of Aaron Burr. The heart-wrenching final duel and Burr's emotional "The Room Where It Happens" really resonated deeply, so this production will be an instant classic.

3. The Phantom of the Opera (2004)

Andrew Lloyd Webber's hauntingly beautiful musical Phantom of the Opera was adapted into a movie with Gerard Butler and Emmy Rossum as the lead actors. Joel Schumacher knew how to translate the grandeur of gothic romance to the big screen when it came to the Paris Opera House. The film is lavishly visual and memorable for its score, especially "The Music of the Night.". It has been one of the highest-grossing musical films despite mixed reviews. The stage production remains the longest-running show on Broadway, while the movie brought new audiences into its hypnotic spell.

4. Moulin Rouge! (2001)

Baz Luhrmann's Moulin Rouge! is a feasting of the senses, a whirlwind romance of a pop reimagining, starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor. The film is a bittersweet love story between a cabaret singer and a poet in 1899 Paris. Its groundbreaking soundtrack merged, in one cinema experience, classics such as Elton John's "Your Song," with energetic medleys that won over audiences everywhere. Its impact stayed on, with a Tony Award-winning stage adaptation. Daring visuals and heart-wrenching performances, Moulin Rouge! is a revolutionizing masterpiece in the musical genre.

5. West Side Story (1961/2021)

West Side Story defies time, whether the 1961 film is the classic that it has been or the glittering 2021 Steven Spielberg remake. The underpinnings of the tragic Shakespearean romance of the young lovers Maria and Tony unfold against the thoughts of gang rivalry. In the remake released in 2021, Rachel Zegler and Ariana DeBose used more cultural specifics to conclude their stories and win DeBose an Oscar. The timeless score, with such classics as "Somewhere" and "America," combined with groundbreaking direction, ensures that West Side Story remains a cultural touchstone, resonating with new generations.

6. The Greatest Showman (2017)

The Greatest Showman pays an effervescent tribute to the spirit of ambition and individuality. Being a poignant biography of P.T. Barnum by Hugh Jackman, there is a balance of its fictionalization with larger-than-life musical numbers. It included songs such as "This Is Me" and "The Greatest Show," which became anthems of self-empowerment, and topped the charts globally. Although critics attacked it for its historical inaccuracies, the movie's staying power lies in its message of strength in inclusivity. With its vibrant performances and visually stunning production, The Greatest Showman continues to inspire audiences worldwide.

7. Chicago (2002)

Chicago brought razzle-dazzle to the silver screen, winning six Oscars, among them Best Picture. The film, directed by Rob Marshall, was starring Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, and Richard Gere in a tale of ambition, crime, and celebrity. With such show-stopping numbers as "Cell Block Tango" and "All That Jazz," it revived the movie musical genre for modern audiences. Zeta-Jones's too-show-stopping acting was enough to snag her an Oscar, and the movie's innovative style of blending elements of reality with musical theatrical numbers redefined the benchmark for musical adaptations.

8. Into the Woods (2014)

Into the Woods brings Stephen Sondheim's complicated storytelling to life, and in it, you'll find some of the best-known faces of Hollywood. It tells the story of fairytale characters venturing into the woods to make their wishes come true, where desire, consequence, and morality take center stage. The conclusion is that this film peels off the mask of the fairy-tale ending, revealing to viewers a grim reality about life, and leaving everyone questioning the real price of getting what we want.

9. Rent (2005)

Rent, that revolutionary rock musical of Jonathan Larson, was adapted to the silver screen with most of its cast from its original Broadway show. Capturing a slice of New York bohemian life, the film is a struggle to survive in the loving darkness of the AIDS epidemic. Though scorned at first for losing some stage magic, it won back the hearts of fans because of its actual effort at authenticity. "Seasons of Love" remains an iconic song. The recent live television version only solidified its cultural importance, introducing Larson's groundbreaking work to new generations.

10. La La Land (2016)

La La Land carries the audience away with its colorful musical numbers and breathtaking cinematography, wrapped up by a bittersweet love story. Its unanticipated and gut-wrenching ending speechless everybody because it did not follow the typical narrative of "happily ever after." The final sequence of the movie stunned audiences with the dramatic depth of what could have been between aspiring actress Mia and the jazz musician Sebastian, portrayed by Ryan Gosling. Damien Chazelle chose to bring to the screen a realistic portrayal of dreams and sacrifice in the pursuit of love, giving La La Land a lasting, poignant impact.

11. Hairspray (2007)

The Hairspray is a lively, cheerful musical dealing with very important themes of segregation and body acceptance, but still retaining an irresistible charm. This movie is based on 1960s Baltimore and follows Tracy Turnblad, a teenager with big dreams who fights her way to place herself on the popular dance show of television and for racial integration. With a star-studded cast featuring Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta, Queen Latifah, and Zac Efron, the movie's electrifying performances and catchy tunes such as "You Can't Stop the Beat" proved an instant hit.

12. Evita (1996)

Starring Madonna in her most acclaimed role, Evita is the story of the rise and legacy of Eva Perón, Argentina's First Lady. Alan Parker directed this film, which brings Andrew Lloyd Webber's celebrated stage production to life with grandeur and emotional depth. The performance by Madonna, particularly in "Don't Cry for Me Argentina," earned praise and a Golden Globe. Political drama is wonderfully married with a show of scintillating music numbers as this movie casts an evocative glance at Perón's mixed legacy. Ambition and the price that goes with power have been etched in a masterpiece called Evita.

13. Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007)

Tim Burton's dark and twisted adaptation of the classic Sweeney Todd draws a viewer into the visually fantastic yet chilling film. Johnny Depp, with Helena Bonham Carter as his Mrs. Lovett, brings the gruesome, gothic mood to life. To reach the end and the final catastrophe of the characters is almost overwhelming in its sense of obsession and revenge. Gory, poetic scenes at the close leave an unmistakable impression that it is one of the most distressing yet attractive musicals put on film.

14. Cabaret (1972)

The pre-World War II Berlin of the Weimar Republic is all allure, decadence, and lurking dread in Cabaret. Sally Bowles is a troubled free spirit and is played heart-wrenchingly well by Liza Minnelli. The last song in Cabaret is "Cabaret." It assumes a new meaning here, dark, as Nazism threatens to dominate the hedonistic world that the characters had created. The haunting conclusion forces one into introspection about the fragility of personal freedom and the dangers of an alluring guise of escapism.

15. The Sound of Music (1965)

The Sound of Music has come to be something of a modern classic, savored for breathtaking landscapes, some of the greatest songs ever created, and one incredible performance: Julie Andrews. Where the music in the movie is uplifting, the story with Maria and the von Trapps heartwarming, it's the suspense of the final escape into the Austrian mountains that leaves a person speechless. The family's brave journey to freedom, along with the cinematography and the strong performance of Andrews, comes together in a final moment of triumph and hope that lingers long after the credits roll.

16. Dear Evan Hansen (2021)

The 2021 film adaptation of Dear Evan Hansen is based on the hit Broadway musical and revolves around loneliness, mental health, and the complexity of modern adolescence. Evan Hansen, portrayed by Ben Platt, adds emotional rawness, particularly in the final, gut-wrenching moment when Evan finally admits the truth. The film's ending is powerful in that it brings out the significance of honesty and connection, making the audience question the cost of the lies we tell to fit in and the profound effect of true vulnerability.

17. Billy Elliot: The Musical (2005)

Billy Elliot was a good capture of the hearts of audiences with its story, focussing on a working-class boy who went against expectations to pursue his dream ballet career. Billy's emotional depth in combination with the unforgettable music of Elton John resulted in a raw and moving experience. What left audiences wordless was this final ballet scene, in which Billy conquers personal and social barriers to find a place in society. The themes of hope and resilience that seem to run deeper than any line of script on the page now inspire people.

18. Wicked (2003)

Although a film version of Wicked is expected to be released in 2024, the Broadway musical has already made its mark on pop culture. It has redefined perspectives on good and evil by exploring the untold story of Oz's witches. Iconic songs like "Defying Gravity" are loved worldwide. Starring Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda, the movie is already creating buzz among fans. During its two-decade reign, Wicked became the highest-grossing musical ever, inspiring everything from novels to hundreds of stage productions worldwide.

19. Fiddler on the Roof (1971)

This film adaptation of the iconic musical brought to life Tevye's conflict with tradition. The movie, directed by Norman Jewison, depicts the Jewish shtetl experience in moving performances and dazzling cinematography. Songs like "If I Were a Rich Man" and "Tradition" are now culturally iconic. Three Oscars came back home to it, among which Best Cinematography is counted for the outstanding portrayal of the early 20th-century setting. A recent Broadway revival and discussions of a film remake show the story's enduring relevance, emphasizing family, faith, and resilience amidst change.

20. Annie (1982)

Annie in 1982 is the movie version of the adventures of the red-headed orphan on the big screen with lavish production and an iconic performance by Carol Burnett as Miss Hannigan. Although the film was criticized for straying far from its roots on stage, songs like "Tomorrow" and "Hard Knock Life" solidified its place as a family classic. Ever since, there have been some modernized versions of Annie such as the one in 2014 with Quvenzhané Wallis and Jamie Foxx. Its themes of optimism and resilience continue to ring true, and Annie will remain a treasured story for people of all ages.