Musicals are built on beauty and chaos because they don’t wait for a perfect moment. They create one. A character might be mid-breakdown, mid-celebration, or just walking down the street, and suddenly the world bends to their story and bursts into melody. It’s not just storytelling, but storytelling turned inside out, where emotions are too big for words alone. The songs decorate the plot, drive the character arcs, and make a movie unforgettable.
But let’s be honest. Most musicals have their dips. A transitional ballad here, a comic relief number there, and a song that feels more like a detour than a narrative device. But some rare musicals stand out because every single track is 10/10.
With Wicked: For Good flying into theaters real soon and promising to close one of the most beloved musical adaptations of the decade, it’s the perfect time to celebrate the elite bunch. Here are 8 perfect musicals where every song is a 10/10.
8
‘Mary Poppins’ (1964)
In Edwardian London, the Banks family is in disarray. Mr. Banks is a rigid banker, Mrs. Banks is a distracted suffragette, and their two children, Jane and Michael, are in desperate need of attention and care. Enter Mary Poppins, a mysterious and magical nanny who arrives via umbrella to restore order, not through discipline, but through wonder. With her friend Bert, she takes the children on whimsical adventures, including jumping into chalk paintings, floating on laughter, and dancing on rooftops.
There’s a reason Mary Poppins swept five Oscars and became a generational touchstone, and it’s that the music is truly enchanting. “A Spoonful of Sugar” is as catchy as it is clever, while “Feed the Birds” delivers an unexpected gut punch. “Chim Chim Cher-ee” won Best Original Song, and “Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious” is still a shorthand for whimsy. The Sherman Brothers crafted a score that is musically rich and narratively essential, making sure each song drives the story forward.
7
‘The Greatest Showman’ (2017)
Loosely inspired by the life of P.T. Barnum, The Greatest Showman follows the rise of a visionary who turns a ragtag group of outcasts into a dazzling spectacle. After losing his job, Barnum dreams up a circus that celebrates trapeze artists, bearded ladies, and performers that society has cast aside. As the show gains fame, Barnum’s ambition grows, leading him to court high society and the opera world. But in chasing stardom, he risks losing the very people who made his dream possible.
The Greatest Showman is a story of belonging, reinvention, and the cost of chasing a bigger applause. Every track in the movie is a banger. “This Is Me” became an anthem of self-acceptance, earning a Golden Globe and an Oscar nod. “Rewrite the Stars” is a swoon-worthy duet with real aerial choreography, while “The Greatest Show” and “Come Alive” explode with energy. The album topped the charts worldwide, and the movie, despite its 56% Rotten Tomatoes score and mixed reviews, became a sleeper hit through word-of-mouth and streaming.
6
‘Singin’ in the Rain’ (1952)
Set during Hollywood’s transition from films to talkies, Singin’ in the Rain centers on Don Lockwood, a matinee idol whose career is threatened when sound revolutionizes the industry. To save his latest movie, Don and his best friend Cosmo Brown team up with aspiring actress Kathy Selden to dub over his shrill-voiced co-star Lina Lamont. All of it leads to a backstage comedy full of romance and showbiz satire.
The plot is light but clever, serving as a love letter to the golden age of Hollywood and the chaos that came with technological change. But what’s interesting is that there is not a single skip in this Technicolor masterpiece. “Good Morning” is a trio that still feels fresh, “Make ’Em Laugh” is a slapstick clinic by Donald O’Connor, and of course, the title number, which finds Gene Kelly dancing through a downpour, is one of the most iconic scenes in movie history. To add, Kelly’s athleticism, Debbie Reynolds’ charm, and O’Connor’s comedic timing make every song land.
5
‘La La Land’ (2016)
In a dreamy, pastel-hued Los Angeles, La La Land tells the story of two artists chasing their ambitions. Mia is an aspiring actress stuck in a cycle of failed auditions, and Sebastian is a jazz pianist determined to open his own club. Their paths cross in traffic, at parties, and eventually in love, as they push each other to pursue their passions. But as success inches closer, their relationship suffers from the weight of compromise and timing.
Damien Chazelle’s modern musical is both a tribute to old Hollywood and a bittersweet meditation on what it means to choose between love and dreams. It’s an emotional story, and the soundtrack echoes just that. “City of Stars” won the Oscar, but it’s the full suite, comprising “Another Day of Sun,” “Audition (The Fools Who Dream),” “A Lovely Night” that makes the movie feel like a mixtape of hope and heartbreak. Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling aren’t Broadway belters, but their raw performances led the movie to earn six Academy Awards.
4
‘Chicago’ (2002)
Adapted from the 1975 Broadway musical of the same name, Chicago follows the story of Roxie Hart, a housewife with dreams of vaudeville fame, who murders her lover and lands in jail. There she meets Velma Kelly, a nightclub star also accused of murder. Both women vie for the attention of slick lawyer Billy Flynn, who spins their crimes into media gold, turning the courtroom into a stage and burying the truth under sequins and smoke.
Directed by Rob Marshall, the movie transforms the Bob Fosse stage musical into a razzle-dazzle spectacle of ambition, manipulation, and fame. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renée Zellweger bring sharp contrast, while Richard Gere’s Flynn oozes charm. The musical sequences are cleverly staged as fantasy performances, with “Cell Block Tango” turning confessions into choreography and “Razzle Dazzle” being the cynical showstopper. Chicago won six Oscars and revived interest in movie musicals in the 2000s.
3
‘The Sound of Music’ (1965)
The Sound of Music is set against the looming backdrop of World War II, and it tells the story of Maria, a young nun-in-training, who is sent to be the governess for the seven children of Captain Georg von Trapp, a widowed naval officer. Her warmth and love of music slowly thaw the captain’s stern heart and bring joy back into the household. But as Maria and the captain fall in love, the family must confront the rise of Nazism in Austria and flee to safety.
Rodgers and Hammerstein’s score is simply perfect. “Do-Re-Mi,” “My Favorite Things,” “Edelweiss,” and “Climb Ev’ry Mountain” aren’t just catchy songs. They are emotionally resonant and rich with messages about love, resilience, and the healing power of music. Julie Andrews’ voice is crystalline, and her performance as Maria is endlessly warm. The movie won five Academy Awards, including Best Picture, and remains one of the highest-grossing musicals of all time.
2
‘West Side Story’ (1961)
Inspired by Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet and set in the streets of 1950s New York, West Side Story follows two rival gangs, The Jets, a white American gang, and the Sharks, a Puerto Rican group, as they are locked in a bitter turf war. Between all the chaos, Tony, a former Jet, falls in love with Maria, the sister of Shark leader Bernardo. Their romance sparks hope but also escalates the violence around them, leading to a series of devastating turns that challenge the possibility of peace.
Directed by Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins, West Side Story reimagines a world where love and violence dance side by side. From the opening finger snaps of the “Prologue” to the aching final notes of “Somewhere,” it delivers a soundtrack that is both musically daring and emotionally explosive. Leonard Bernstein’s score, Stephen Sondheim’s lyrics, and Rita Moreno’s fiery performance in “America,” all drove it to take home 10 Academy Awards and turned it into a towering achievement in the history of musicals.
1
‘Wicked’ (2024)
Wicked: dives into the untold story of Elphaba, the misunderstood young woman who would become the Wicked Witch of the West. Set in the magical land of Oz before Dorothy’s arrival, it follows Elphaba’s early days at Shiz University, where she meets the bubbly and ambitious Glinda. Though polar opposites, the two form a complicated friendship that’s tested by power and prejudice. As Elphaba begins to question the Wizard’s regime and her own place in the world, she is forced to make a tough choice.
Wicked: Part One honors Stephen Schwartz’s legendary score, setting the stage for a sweeping two-part saga of identity, rebellion, and sisterhood. “Defying Gravity” is an undeniable showstopper because Cynthia Erivo’s performance reportedly brought audiences to their feet. “Popular” is a comedic gem, “I’m Not That Girl” aches with heartbreak, and “What Is This Feeling?” captures the duo’s early friction with bite. Ariana Grande’s Glinda is a revelation, too. Moreover, the production design and faithfulness to the source material ensured Wicked was a massive commercial success.