When I saw the “Wicked” movie for the first time, I sobbed my eyes out. I cried again during my second watch (apologies to my boyfriend who had to listen to my sniffles) I have always felt a strong connection to the story. Growing up, my parents would play “One Short Day” on car rides into New York City. I would run around my house singing “Popular.” My best friend and I pretended to be Glinda and Elphaba and would perform rousing renditions of “What is This Feeling.” For years I had begged my parents to take me to see the musical on Broadway and when I turned 12, they finally did.
Seeing the movie on the big screen made me feel like a little kid again. I was all smiles from the second the overture started. I couldn’t help but wonder how this Broadway musical turned major motion picture would do with non-theater kid audiences. With a box office record of $460,849,795 worldwide that is only growing, “Wicked” has truly surprised me. If you have found yourself unable to get “Defying Gravity” out of your head, here are some more movie musicals for you to check out.
“Cabaret” (1972)
After watching “Wicked,” many people have turned to the iconic 1939 film “The Wizard of Oz.” “Cabaret” is truly its opposite but stars the daughter of Judy Garland (Dorothy herself!), the incomparable Liza Minelli. Taking place in Berlin’s Kit Kat Klub, Cabaret tells the story of performer Sally Bowles and her relationship with writer Brian Roberts as World War II looms. Lead by the club’s emcee who is the sort of master of ceremonies, the film slinks more and more into a disillusioned dreamworld. The direction of the film by choreographer Bob Fosse is dazzling and each song has you hooked to the screen. A fun fact for readers, Joel Grey who plays the emcee in the film also played the Wizard in the original Broadway cast of “Wicked”! You can find Cabaret on Tubi for free or pay on Amazon Prime Video and Apple TV.
“Little Shop of Horrors” (1986)
Featuring another very green lead character, “Little Shop of Horrors” is a true 1980s masterpiece of a movie musical. The very shy flower shop assistant Seymour discovers a very “strange and unusual” plant in which he names Audrey II. Audrey II brings a lot of business to the shop, but at a cost. The plant has an appetite for human flesh and blood. With a thrilling score by Alan Menken and fantastic, lived-in performances by Rick Moranis, Ellen Greene and Steve Martin, at just over 90 minutes, it is the perfect post “Wicked” watch. For those who loved the opening number “No One Mourns the Wicked,” let me introduce to you my favorite opener “Skid Row (Downtown).” This film can be found on Apple TV and Amazon Prime Video for $3.99 and YouTube Premium with a subscription.
“Tick, Tick… Boom!” (2021)
This movie musical was a surprise hit after being released on Netflix. The film follows Jonathan Larson, a very promising theatrical composer who is on the verge of greatness but is not there quite yet. Based on a true story and written by Larson himself, “Tick, Tick… Boom!” is a love letter to theatre itself. If you loved the surprise cameos (spoiler alert) by Kristen Chenoweth and Idina Menzel in “One Short Day,” you will love musical number “Sunday” in which Broadway cameos fill the screen. From Renee Elise Goldsberry of “Hamilton” to Adam Pascal of “Rent”, the number is the truest tribute to the theater community. Andrew Garfield shines as Jonathan Larson and its ending leaves you with much to think about, just like “Wicked.” You can watch this film with a Netflix subscription.
“All That Jazz” (1979)
“All That Jazz” is what a movie musical should be. It is over the top, it is a fever dream, it is glitzy and it is complex. We follow Joe, a famous director and choreographer (modeled off of the film’s director Bob Fosse) as he is choosing dancers for his next show and also who he wants to spend the night with. He works tirelessly on his routines and slowly goes insane. This film shows the grind of the performer and the artist. For those wondering why Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo were constantly crying, watch this film. Like Joe, the pair poured their whole selves into creating art, evoking powerful emotions. I would know, I ugly cried after my eighth-grade performance of “The Little Mermaid.” I was Andrina (she was a mersister). “All That Jazz” can be found for free on Tubi.
“West Side Story” (1961)
It seems there are a million versions of Romeo and Juliet out. From Broadway’s “And Juliet” to the animated film “Gnomeo and Juliet,” we can’t get enough of the tragedy. “West Side Story,” in my opinion, is the absolute best adaptation. Verona is now 1950’s Manhattan and the families are two rival gangs — the Jets and the Sharks. Romeo and Juliet are now Maria and Tony. With a buzzing, sing out loud score by Leonard Bernstein and Stephen Sondheim, your heart will be stolen and ripped in half during this film. It is the classic tale of love at first sight gone wrong, perhaps a similar situation to our very complicated Elphaba and Fiyero. Watch this before you see “Wicked Part Two.” This film can be found on MAX and MGM+ with a subscription.
“Singin’ in the Rain” (1952)
This movie musical is the mother to all movie musicals. As silent films move to “talkies,” Hollywood is having trouble adapting. Star Lina Lamont cannot sing, cannot act and cannot be nice to save her life. That’s where Don Lockwood and Kathy Selden come in. Kathy is hired to record over her voice and Don spars with Lamont over the course of the film. For fans of “Dancing Through Life,” I give you “Moses Supposes.” It is a tap number with so much charisma it has you wondering if the performers Donald O’Connor and Gene Kelly are real. It is a classic for a reason and the first film every musical lover should watch! Singin’ in the Rain is streaming on MAX with a subscription and featured on streaming services Hulu and YouTube with a premium membership.
