The Quick Report

10 Movie Musicals (For People Who Hate Musicals)

Musicals are a different breed of film since they have singing as a form of talking and telling a story. Not everyone loves musicals, which is understandable! Here are 10 movie musicals for people who hate musicals. Give ’em a shot!

Jersey Boys (2014)

Jersey Boys
Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures

Jersey Boys will have you saying “Oh what a night!” The story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons takes center stage in this musical. Don’t like it when people are talking and then all of a sudden start singing? You won’t get that with this musical – most of the songs are performances that flow perfectly into the story.

South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut (1999)

South Park
Photo by Paramount Pictures

This musical is not for those who clutch their pearls easily, because there is a lot of crude humor in South Park: Bigger, Longer, and Uncut. The crude humor aside, it takes the South Park kids to a profanity-laden Canadian movie that then leads them to start an almost world-ending war.

West Side Story (2021)

West Side Story
Photo by Amblin Entertainment and TSG Entertainment

Get ready to snap your fingers when watching this musical! West Side Story is set in the 1950s and is a more modern version of Romeo and Juliet. It is also a grittier version of the Shakespeare love story.

Sing Street (2016)

Sing Street
Photo by The Weinstein Company

Sing Street is a coming-of-age musical that includes a love story. Now, this might be a turn-off to some, but give it a chance! The 1980s setting combined with the music makes for a nostalgic getaway.

Phantom of the Paradise (1974)

Phantom of the Paradise
Photo by Harbor Productions

Phantom of the Paradise can only be described as being extremely weird. It combines quite a few horror movies into its story and yet is also a musical! If you are into things that are a lot at once, then definitely give this movie a chance.

Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog (2008)

Dr. Horrible's Sing-Along Blog
Photo by Amy Opoka and Mutant Enemy Productions

If you want to be entertained in less than an hour, then this is the musical for you! Dr. Horrible’s Sing-Along Blog is the story of a superhero and a supervillain who are vying for attention from the same girl. A love story combined with superheroes and supervillains? What’s not to like?

Little Shop of Horrors (1986)

Little Shop of Horrors
Photo by Warner Bros. Pictures

Little Shop of Horrors wasn’t originally a musical, but when music was added to the 1986 film, it brought a bit of pizazz that was missing. Another horror musical, it follows the story of a person-eating plant that sings its way into our hearts. The special effects are pretty good for a 1980s movie, too!

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Singin’ in the Rain (1952)

Singin' in the Rain
Photo by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer

This is the one “typical” musical added to this list (there always needs to be one). Singin’ in the Rain takes viewers back to the time of Silent films and when the transition to talking films finally happens. And you can’t forget the amazing dancing done by Gene Kelly, Donald O’Connor, and Debbie Reynolds!

O Brother, Where Art Thou (2000)

O Brother Where Art Thou
Photo by Touchstone Pictures

Now this film is not a typical musical at all, because it technically isn’t a musical, but it has musical aspects to it so we are counting it. Who wouldn’t want to watch a story of three escaped convicts going on a quest for hidden treasure, all with the law on their tail? The best part of this not-technically-a-musical (even though it has musical aspects throughout the film) is that it mirrors Homer’s Odyssey, but shows the story in a more modern light.

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Repo! The Genetic Opera (2008)

Repo! The Genetic Opera
Photo by Twisted Pictures

Repo! The Genetic Opera is one of the darkest musicals on this list due to the graphic violence that it has throughout. This falls under the category of horror musical and if you are not a horror fan, then this is not for you. The story follows a society that needs organ transplants and a corporation that will repossess the organs if they are not properly paid for. Dark stuff, indeed!

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