The movie musical has been established as its own film genre for the longest time. The marriage between beautiful pictures on a screen with an equally stunning soundtrack leaves a lasting impression on an audience that cannot be beat. Honestly, we have all experienced the euphoria of having songs stuck in our heads after seeing a musical on the big screen, whether it be from our childhoods or instant classics from today. In fact, musical movies have created some of the greatest moments in movie history and their appeal to a vast demographic is unmatched.
Of course, blessing our eyes and our ears is a tall order for filmmakers. However, after the long history of movie musicals in entertainment, knowing what works (in terms of money, of course) is set in stone. From the likes of animated classics from Disney to more modern live-action musicals like Bohemian Rhapsody and The Sound of Music, the popularity of these films translates directly into a big paycheck. If you want to see if your favorites have made the cut, we have put together a list of the 12 highest-grossing musical movies of all time.
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12 Sing (2016) — $634.2M
Illumination Entertainment
Musicals and animation pretty much go hand in hand these days, and when you mix fun and cute animals with an ultra-talented and stacked cast, you get the 2016 movie Sing. When the koala Buster Moon, played by Matthew McConaughey, is faced with the task to save his beloved theater, he comes up with the idea to host a singing competition. This opens the door for some great performances from the likes of Tori Kelly, Seth MacFarlane, Taron Egerton, Scarlett Johansson, and Reese Witherspoon, to name a few. Grossing $634.2 million, this one will have you up on your feet, ready to dance in no time.
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11 Moana (2016) — $643.3M
Walt Disney Pictures
The evolution of the “Disney Princess” in society today can be seen in the extraordinary story in Moana. In 2016, audiences were introduced to Moana as she braves the ocean to restore the heart of Te Fiti and save her family back home. This action-packed adventure and inspiring tale of bravery and perseverance is accompanied by an equally incredible soundtrack. This musical movie has grossed a massive $643.3 million.
10 My Fair Lady (1964) — $652.6M (Adjusted for Inflation)
Warner Bros.
It’s time to include more of a throwback on this list! When we think about old Hollywood, leaving out the queen Audrey Hepburn is a crime against humanity. My Fair Lady is a musical romance film from 1964 that follows Henry Higgins (Rex Harrison) as he tries to transform a working-class girl into someone who can pass in a high-class environment. With the numbers adjusted for inflation, My Fair Lady has amassed a whopping $652.6 million.
9 Bohemian Rhapsody (2018) — $903.7M
20th Century Fox
You can’t really make a movie about Freddie Mercury and Queen without it being a musical. Bohemian Rhapsody hit movie screens in 2018 and chronicled the life and career of Freddie Mercury and the band Queen. The movie, which included some classics from the band in the soundtrack, cemented Rami Malek as an elite actor with his portrayal of the late rock star. If you have not already seen this movie, it is certain to not disappoint, especially considering it grossed $903.7 million.
8 The Jungle Book (2016) — $966.6M
We all know about with the live-action remake genre of Disney movies. When the 2016 live-action remake of The Jungle Book came out, most of us were already familiar with Mowgli’s adventurous story in the jungle. However, bringing a new light to this beloved classic fit perfectly in the film world. The movie, which grossed $966.6 million, included some recognizable songs, such as “The Bare Necessities” and “I Wanna Be Like You.”
7 The Lion King (1994) — $968.5M
Hakuna Matata! It means no worries, for the rest of your days. The Lion King has to be one of the most popular musicals to come from Disney and as a franchise. Indeed, The Lion King has gone beyond just a favorite movie from our childhoods. From the emotional impact of Mufasa’s death to found family dynamics with Timon and Pumba, the story of The Lion King remains a part of cinematic history to this day, and the original animated version from 1994 has made $968.5 million!
6 Aladdin (2019) — $1.05B
The Disney portion of this list is far from over. Aladdin, 100% a tried and true Disney classic, had its live-action remake come out in 2019. The casting, which included Mena Massoud as Aladdin, Naomi Scott as Jasmine, and Will Smith as Genie, brought new life into this fan favorite in not just the portrayal of the characters but in the music as well. If you are interested in checking this one out, which grossed a whopping $1.05 billion, time to become a part of a whole new world!
5 Beauty and the Beast (2017) — $1.26B
Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures
The original animated Beauty and the Beast came out in 1991 and, 26 years later, the live action movie starring Emma Watson and Dan Stevens was released. Also called Beauty and the Beast, this remake stays true to the original in not just the plot and overall aesthetic of the movie, but the inclusion of the songs we all know and love. Also, to supplement that, this musical also released some original music that enhance the story even further. It grossed an incredible $1.26 billion!
4 Frozen (2013) — $1.29B
We will never “Let It Go”! Frozen, as a movie and franchise, has become an empire that brought Disney to a whole new level that we never knew it could reach. A story of love between sisters, one an ice queen and the other a fun-loving princess, became a defining classic for children all over the world. Therefore, the fact that this movie broke right through the billion-dollar ceiling with a gross of $1.29 billion is expected, to say the least.
3 The Sound of Music (1965) — $1.36B (Adjusted for Inflation)
Let’s take a small step away from the Disney movies. The Sound of Music, credited by many to be one of the greatest musicals, and even one of the greatest films of all time, brought in a fitting $1.36 billion (adjusted for inflation). Julie Andrews personified a character that people of all ages clung onto even after all these years, singing some of the greatest tunes that none of us will ever forget.
2 Frozen 2 (2019) — $1.45B
It is very rare that we see a sequel, not a remake, surpass the hype and popularity of the first film in the franchise. However, Frozen 2 absolutely did just that. The film grossed $1.45 billion and followed Anna and Elsa as they navigate the unknowns of their past. Full of heartfelt family moments, love, and great songs here and there, Frozen 2 elevated the already successful franchise. It’s the perfect time to walk straight “Into The Unknown” if you haven’t already seen this movie.
1 The Lion King (2019) — $1.66B
At the top of our list, we have The Lion King — again? The live-action Lion King movie has made an unbelievable $1.66 billion. Yes, you heard that right. When this film was announced, the debate on it being an actual “live-action” movie began. Of course, using real animals is not possible for a movie like this, given their unpredictable nature and the obvious fact that they cannot talk. However, despite this riveting debate, the movie was visually stunning and is definitely worth a watch.
