Musicals have had a tough run lately. Studios have been known to use clever (and sneaky) tactics to hide the fact that their movies are musicals entirely. Remember Wonka? But despite the negative stigma that the genre has carried in recent years, Wicked has defied the odds (and gravity) to become a box-office sensation and genuine crowd-pleaser. That’s great for Wicked and is a strong sign for musicals in general, but living in the giant shadow that Wicked cast are a slew of musicals that are arguably better than the Jon M. Chu directed hit.
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5. Spermageddon
Directed by Tommy Wirkola and Rasmus A. Sivertsen
A Norwegian animated musical about… sperm. Spermageddon is like a Pixar film for adults. Overflowing with puns and jokes related to the human anatomy, Spermageddon is one of the most unique and unforgettable musicals of the decade. Comprised to two concurrent storylines audiences follow a young teenage couple who choose to have sex for the first time, and a group of sperm as they go on an adventure to find the egg. It’s as wild and silly as it sounds.
4. Piece by Piece
Directed by Chris Sanders
Why is the biography of Pharrell Williams brought to the screen in the animated style of Legos? I don’t know, but the end result is effectively charming. With toe-tapping musical numbers Piece by Piece is a jukebox musical featuring some of Williams’ most iconic songs.
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3. The End
Directed by Joshua Oppenheimer
Apocalyptic movies have been around for as long as cinema has existed. Audiences have a fascination with the end of the world, and the subject gives filmmakers a nearly endless amount of creative freedom to craft something new and unique each time. That’s exactly what directed Joshua Oppenheimer did with The End, brining a quirky and musically infused sensibility to the apocalypse. Though some of the cast struggles musically, the end result is endearing and unforgettable.
2. Better Man
Directed by Michael Gracey
Much like Piece by Piece put a unique spin on the often cliche-riddled genre of musical bio-pics, Better Man made the puzzling choice to tell the story of British pop star Robbie Williams with a CGI monkey standing in for the singer. And some how… it worked. The CGI animation looks phenomenal, the music is fantastic and the story manages to remain emotionally relevant despite the fact that the lead character is a singing monkey.
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1. Emilia Pérez
Credits: Zoe Saldaña in Emilia Pérez / Netflix
Directed by Jacques Audiard
Emilia Pérez has managed to be a massive success for Netflix despite its confusing mashup of genres, styles and subject matter. Part crime-thriller, part sentimental redemption story and all musical, Emilia Pérez features fantastic performances and an incredibly unique visual style that make it standout in a year filled with fantastic musicals.
There were plenty of great movies this year, and many of them were musicals. Although Wicked has garnered the most attention and claim from mainstream audiences, it’s arguably not the best musical of the year. What do you think? Did your favorite movie make the list? Let us know in the comments.
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