Some of Hollywood’s most celebrated musicals made their debuts in the ‘70s, with films like Grease and Cabaret making a major splash in the cinema. The decade was jam-packed with catchy musical numbers, feel-good films, and adored characters that remain beloved by fans across the world to this day, with the musicals constantly attracting a new passionate audience as the traditional elements of the genre made way for more psychedelic, liberated movies with pop music elements. Tim Curry dazzled moviegoers with his sensational portrayal of the wildly eccentric transvestite Dr. Frank-N-Furter in the cult classic smash hit The Rocky Horror Picture Show, while the great Gene Wilder helped bring Roald Dahl’s whimsical novel to life in 1971’s Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory.
Cinema and music lovers alike are mourning the sad passing of famed actress and singer Olivia Newton-John, who skyrocketed to fame with her brilliant portrayal of good girl Sandy Olsson in the musical masterpiece Grease, famously sharing the screen with John Travolta’s greaser Danny Zuko, before headlining her own musical in 1980 with Xanadu. Kermit the Frog embarked on a life-changing adventure when he headed to Tinseltown in the beloved film The Muppet Movie, meeting his well-known pals along the way. It’s clear that the ’70s were a very different time for musicals compared to the prior era. These are some of the best movie musicals of the 1970s.
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9 The Rocky Horror Picture Show
20th Century Fox
Touting a dazzling ensemble cast led by Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon, and Barry Bostwick, the 1975 comedy horror musical The Rocky Horror Picture Show follows the newly engaged Janet Weiss and Brad Majors as they seek refuge from a rainstorm at a mysterious mansion owned by the eccentric transvestite scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter. Featuring memorable musical numbers like “Dammit Janet” and “The Time Warp,” the beloved cult classic has since gone on to become a fan-favorite film for Halloween and is widely regarded as one of the greatest musicals of all time. The Rocky Horror Picture Show is also considered the longest-running release in film history, with the parody tribute to horror B movies and the sci-fi genre constantly attracting new audiences each year with its seemingly endless presence in movie theaters.
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8 Jesus Christ Superstar
Universal Pictures
Based on the rock opera of the same name, the 1973 musical drama Jesus Christ Superstar chronicles the final days of Christ’s life as witnessed through the eyes of his betrayer Judas, with Ted Neeley portraying the eponymous historical figure and Carl Anderson his ally-turned-traitor. The Golden Globe-nominated picture is a Passion narrative that heavily focuses on the conflict between Christ and Judas while also slyly addressing sociopolitical issues of the time like the Vietnam War and the civil rights movement. Director Norman Jewison presented the musical to Pope Paul VI before its worldwide release, with the Catholic Church leader having expressed, “Mr. Jewison, not only do I appreciate your beautiful rock opera film, I believe it will bring more people around the world to Christianity, than anything ever has before.”
7 Grease
Paramount Pictures
John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John appeared as star-crossed lovers in the iconic 1978 romantic comedy musical Grease, centering on the blossoming relationship between greaser Danny Zuko and good-girl exchange student Sandy Olsson in 1958 as they reconnect at Rydell High after their summer romance. Jam-packed with toe-tapping songs like “Summer Nights,” “Greased Lightnin,” and “You’re the One That I Want,” the adored musical went on to be a hit with both critics and audiences and was the highest-grossing musical film ever at the time of its release. Newton-John’s performance of the heartfelt ballad “Hopelessly Devoted to You” went on to earn an Academy Award nomination and peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard Hot 100, becoming a staple for the late and great actress.
6 Fiddler on the Roof
United Artists
Norman Jewison’s Academy Award-winning 1971 epic historical musical Fiddler on the Roof follows the poor Jewish milkman Tevye in the Ukrainian village Anatevka in pre-revolutionary Russia, as he faces the task of marrying off his daughters with the help of a local matchmaker. Adapted from the sensational Broadway show, the film was a massive success and was lauded by critics for its faithfulness to its subject source, brilliant direction, and exceptional performances, with the musical going on to win three Oscars. In their glowing review, Variety wrote of the picture: “Sentimental in a theatrical way, romantic in the old-fashioned way, nostalgic of immigration days, affirmative of human decency, loyalty, bravery and folk humor.”
5 The Muppet Movie
Associated Film Distribution
Kermit the Frog, Miss Piggy, and the rest of the misfit Muppets headed to the big screen with the 1979 road comedy musical The Muppet Movie, depicting the beloved characters’ origin story as Kermit sets off to make it in Hollywood while making new, colorful friends along the way. The picture marked the transition of the Muppets from television to film and included the gang singing fun and notable songs like the Oscar-nominated “Rainbow Connection,” “Movin’ Right Along,” and “America,” with the popular soundtrack nabbing performers Jim Henson and Paul Williams the Grammy Award for Best Album for Children. Endlessly charming, The Muppet Movie went on to spawn multiple feature length films and television shows, and remains a cherished cinema great.
4 Cabaret
20th Century Studios
Liza Minnelli delivered a superb, Oscar-winning performance when she starred in the critically-lauded 1972 musical drama Cabaret, in which the talented lady portrays American cabaret singer Sally Bowles, who finds herself in the middle of a passionate love triangle in Berlin in the midst of the rise of the Nazi party in the Weimer Republic.
Loosely based on the Broadway musical of the same name but adapted with filmmaker Bob Fosse’s typical dark brilliance, the outstanding film marked Minnelli’s first opportunity to sing on screen, famously belting numbers like “Maybe This Time,” “Cabaret,” and “Mein Herr” in the dazzling role. For the career-defining role, Minnelli drew inspiration from Jazz Age icon Louise Brooks and Louise Glaum, adopting the former’s distinct Lulu makeup and helmet-like coiffure to embody the character of Sally.
3 All That Jazz
Bob Fosse (king of the ’70s musical) directed and co-wrote the 1979 musical drama All That Jazz, a semi-autobiographical fantasy of the choreographer/director’s life and career that features Roy Scheider as the drug-using lothario dancer Joe Gideon. The premise of the Academy Award-winning film heavily reflects Fosse’s own personal struggles and health issues at the time, as he collaborated on revered stage musicals like Lenny and Chicago. The engaging, hallucinogenic, brilliantly edited musical won the prestigious Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival where it premiered to rave reviews from critics, with The New York Times calling it “an uproarious display of brilliance, nerve, dance, maudlin confessions, inside jokes and, especially, ego.”
2 Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory
Warner Bros.
Adapted from Roald Dahl’s cherished children’s novel of the same name, the 1971 fantasy musical Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory tells the captivating story of a poor paperboy named Charlie Bucket who is given the chance of a lifetime when he finds a coveted Golden Ticket that allows him to visit the wondrous titular factory. Gene Wilder delivered a lauded and celebrated performance as the oddball owner of the Wonka Chocolate Factory Willy Wonka, with the revered actor singing the number “Pure Imagination” in the vibrant picture. With other beloved hit tunes like “The Candy Man” and “Oompa Loompa,” Willy Wonka & the Chocolate Factory went on to achieve cult status and is often considered Wilder’s most adored role.
1 Hair
United Artists
Miloš Forman directed the 1979 anti-war dramedy musical Hair, which is set during the Vietnam War and focuses on draftee and Oklahoma farm hand Claude Hooper Bukowski as he befriends a group of hippies on his journey to the army induction center, becoming exposed to drugs and unorthodox romantic liaisons. Starring Treat Williams, John Savage, and Beverly D’Angelo, the lauded adaptation garnered praise for its spirited performances and musical numbers like its titular tune and songs like “Aquarius” and “Good Morning Starshine,” and in their review The Washington Post wrote, “The surprising added ingredient is art, a particularly cinematic and choreographic artistry that gives the film the simplicity and strength of a story ballet.”
