A modern take on the classic Hollywood musical, La La Land captured hearts worldwide with its story of two aspiring artists – a jazz pianist (Ryan Gosling) and an actress (Emma Stone) – pursuing their dreams in Los Angeles. Directed by Damien Chazelle, the film features original songs and grand dance numbers reminiscent of musicals from the Golden Age, while telling a contemporary story about balancing ambition and love. It's a visually stunning and emotionally resonant film that celebrates the magic of musicals and the bittersweet reality of chasing your passions. It won numerous awards, including six Oscars.

Based on Jason Robert Brown's acclaimed Off-Broadway musical, The Last Five Years tells the story of a relationship between a rising novelist and a struggling actress, told from two different perspectives: his from the beginning of the relationship to the end, and hers from the end to the beginning. This unique structure makes for a poignant and often heartbreaking narrative. Starring Anna Kendrick and Jeremy Jordan, the film is almost entirely sung-through, showcasing the challenging and beautiful score. It's a focused, character-driven musical drama that explores love and loss in a non-linear fashion.

Once is a refreshingly intimate and realistic musical drama that stands apart from typical Hollywood productions. Filmed on the streets of Dublin with a low budget, it tells the story of a struggling Irish street musician (played by Glen Hansard of The Frames) and a Czech immigrant flower seller (played by Markéta Irglová), who connect through their shared love of music. The songs were written and performed by the lead actors themselves (who are both musicians), and they are woven naturally into the narrative, often performed live on screen. It won an Academy Award for Best Original Song ('Falling Slowly') and is a beautiful, heartfelt film about collaboration and connection.

Bringing everyone's favorite puppets back to the big screen, The Muppets is a heartwarming and hilarious musical comedy. When a new Muppet fan and his human friends discover the old Muppet Studios are in danger of being demolished, they set out to reunite Kermit and the gang to put on a telethon to save the day. Featuring classic Muppet songs, catchy new tunes by Bret McKenzie (of Flight of the Conchords!), and a host of celebrity cameos, the film captures the anarchic spirit and genuine charm of the original Muppet show. It's pure, family-friendly fun with a message about chasing your dreams and the importance of togetherness.

Across the Universe is a visually inventive and musically joyful film that uses the timeless songs of The Beatles to tell a story set against the backdrop of the 1960s counterculture and Vietnam War protests. Directed by Julie Taymor (known for her work on Broadway's The Lion King), the film features a young cast performing over 30 Beatles tracks, often with creative and surreal visual sequences accompanying the music. While not a narrative musical in the traditional sense, its unique structure, beautiful visuals, and the power of The Beatles' catalog make it a compelling and often moving cinematic experience for music lovers.

Andrew Lloyd Webber's iconic musical comes to the screen in this lavish adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera. Set in the Paris Opera House, it tells the story of a disfigured musical genius who haunts the opera and becomes obsessed with a young soprano. While perhaps more traditional and less quirky than Dr. Horrible, it shares a similar theatricality and features grand, dramatic songs that are instantly recognizable. Directed by Joel Schumacher, the film brings the opulent sets and costumes of the stage production to life, offering a dark, romantic, and tragic tale told through soaring melodies and dramatic performances.

For a dose of pure, unadulterated musical comedy genius, look to Mel Brooks' The Producers. This film is based on the hit Broadway musical, which was itself based on Brooks' own 1967 film. It tells the story of a down-on-his-luck Broadway producer and his timid accountant who scheme to get rich by overselling shares of a production designed to flop – 'Springtime for Hitler,' a tasteless musical tribute to Nazis. Of course, things don't go according to plan. Starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick, with Uma Thurman and Will Ferrell, the film is packed with hilarious songs, rapid-fire jokes, and Brooks' signature irreverent humor. It's a love letter to (and satire of) Broadway.

Tim Burton's stop-motion masterpiece, The Nightmare Before Christmas, is a visually stunning musical that perfectly blends holiday cheer with gothic spookiness. Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King of Halloween Town, is bored with scaring people and discovers the joy of Christmas Town, deciding to take over the holiday himself, with chaotic results. Directed by Henry Selick and featuring songs by Danny Elfman, the film is a feast for the eyes and ears. Its unique aesthetic, memorable characters, and catchy-yet-creepy songs have cemented its status as a beloved cult classic, celebrated year-round, not just during the holidays.

If you enjoyed the darker elements and theatricality of Dr. Horrible, Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street offers a masterclass in musical macabre. Directed by Tim Burton, this film adaptation stars Johnny Depp as the titular barber seeking revenge in Victorian London, alongside Helena Bonham Carter as his accomplice, Mrs. Lovett, who finds a rather unique use for his victims. Sondheim's score is complex, haunting, and brilliant, weaving intricate melodies with dark, witty lyrics. While perhaps less overtly comedic than Dr. Horrible, its blend of grand tragedy, dark humor, and a compelling, sung-through narrative makes it a powerful and unforgettable musical experience.

From the minds of Trey Parker and Matt Stone (before South Park!), comes Cannibal! The Musical, a low-budget, high-energy, and utterly ridiculous dark comedy musical based on the true story of Alferd Packer, the only person convicted of cannibalism in American history. Made while Parker was still in college, the film revels in its amateurish charm, silly songs, and deliberately over-the-top gore. It's a prime example of cult filmmaking, full of inside jokes, historical inaccuracies played for laughs, and a genuine sense of anarchic fun. If you appreciate humor that's both juvenile and surprisingly clever, and don't mind a bit of blood with your show tunes, this is a must-see.

Get ready for a singing, man-eating plant! Little Shop of Horrors is a fantastic dark comedy musical that originated as a Roger Corman B-movie before becoming a successful stage musical and then this delightful film adaptation. Directed by Frank Oz (yes, the voice of Yoda and Miss Piggy!), it stars Rick Moranis as Seymour, a timid florist who discovers a peculiar plant that feeds on blood. The songs by Alan Menken and Howard Ashman (the duo behind The Little Mermaid and Beauty and the Beast) are incredibly catchy and hilarious, and the film features a host of cameos, including Steve Martin as a sadistic dentist and Bill Murray in a truly bizarre role. It's charming, funny, and just the right amount of twisted.

For a musical with immense heart, killer rock anthems, and a truly unforgettable protagonist, look no further than Hedwig and the Angry Inch. Adapted from the Off-Broadway hit, this film tells the story of Hedwig, an East German singer who underwent a botched sex change operation and is now touring the country with her band, following her former lover who stole her songs and found fame. John Cameron Mitchell not only directs but gives an electrifying performance as Hedwig. The music is raw, powerful glam rock, and the story is a poignant, funny, and ultimately hopeful exploration of identity, love, and finding your other half. It's a critically acclaimed gem with a fiercely loyal following.

A cornerstone of cult cinema and musical madness, The Rocky Horror Picture Show is an absolute must-see for anyone who enjoyed Dr. Horrible's blend of quirky characters and catchy tunes. This isn't just a movie; it's an experience. Following a strait-laced couple who stumble upon the bizarre mansion of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, a 'sweet transvestite from Transsexual, Transylvania,' the film is packed with iconic songs like 'Time Warp' and 'Sweet Transvestite.' Its enduring legacy is tied to audience participation screenings, where viewers dress up, shout lines, and interact with the film. It's campy, boundary-pushing, and utterly unique – a true original that proves musicals don't have to be traditional.

If you're craving something truly different and delightfully macabre after Dr. Horrible, step right up to the opera house of the future! Repo! The Genetic Opera is a rock opera unlike any other, set in a dystopian world where organ transplants are common but come with a deadly catch: fail to pay, and your organs are repossessed by brutal 'repo men.' This film boasts an incredible cast, including Anthony Head (yes, Giles from Buffy!), Sarah Brightman, and Paul Sorvino, all delivering their lines entirely through song. It's gory, it's gothic, and its soundtrack is incredibly catchy, blending rock, industrial, and operatic styles. It started as a stage play and retains that raw, theatrical energy. Prepare yourself for a wild, bloody, and strangely moving ride that's become a genuine cult phenomenon.