10 Movies That Will Have You Singing And Dancing

There’s something about the holiday season that just naturally lends itself to show tunes. Whether it’s the sense of togetherness, the air of celebration, or the atmospheric lighting, we just seem more open to the charms of people warbling their inner emotions. This holiday season is no exception, as we ready ourselves for the arrival of Into The Woods and Annie – the former being an adaptation of a stage production, and the latter being a remake of a film adaptation of a stage production. This really highlights what is best about movie musicals – their larger-than-life theatricality. Bold production design, fantastic costumes and incredible voices belting out memorable ditties. Even in the world of animation, this genre goes that extra mile to create an immersive experience. The movie musicals that instantly spring to mind – The Wizard Of Oz, The Sound Of Music, Snow White And The Seven Dwarfs, Singin’ In The Rain – they have all spent years firmly lodged in the cultural consciousness, with well-known songs that everyone can sing along to. They provide the perfect backdrop for partaking in holiday season traditions and fun. Gentle, dreamy musicals need not apply. Experimental endeavours can come back in the spring. What we’re looking for here is end-to-end toe-tappers to get us jiving round the tree and joining in the chorus. While they may not all be suitable for children, what we have here are ten movies that will have you singing and dancing. Bugsy Malone (1976) This British musical gangster film was written and directed by Alan Parker, in his feature length debut. It is set in prohibition era Chicago and features a cast made up entirely of child actors dramatizing the exploits of Al Capone and Bugs Moran, under the guise of fictional characters. Presented in a light and family friendly manner, the gangsters use splurge guns that shoot custard as ammunition, and to receive a shot from one is to be left “finished,” or “washed up.” Much of the action takes place at a speakeasy – Fat Sam’s Grand Slam – including some of the biggest musical numbers, with the score written by Paul Williams. Earning many awards nominations, Bugsy Malone is justifiably and regularly included in lists that detail the ‘Greatest Movies Of All Time,’ and features early but remarkable performances from Scott Baio, Jodie Foster, Dexter Fletcher and Bonnie Langford. The Lion King (1994) Disney has a long history of delivering successful animated musicals, but The Lion King is undoubtedly one of their best, thanks to the music of Hans Zimmer and the lyrical work of Elton John and Tim Rice. The film is directed by Roger Allers and Rob Minkoff, with a script written by Linda Woolverton, Irene Mecchi and Jonathan Roberts. It depicts the almost Shakespearean tale of a young lion set to succeed his father as king. When he is led to believe that he was responsible for the patriarch’s early demise, however, he exiles himself – only to discover, once grown, that his dastardly uncle was behind the plot to gain control of the kingdom. Winning Academy Awards for musical achievement, the songs of The Lion King are among the most loved of Disney’s back catalogue – not least the bouncy and rousing renditions of "I Just Can’t Wait To Be King," "Hakuna Matata" and "Circle Of Life." Its popularity is such, that it spawned its own stage production, which has become one of the most successful in the history of Broadway. Chicago (2002) Adapted from the satirical stage play, Chicago comes from screenwriter Bill Condon and director Rob Marshall, and presents a production design that goes to great lengths to emulate its theatrical origins. With themes that take a humorous look at celebrity, corruption and scandal in the titular city during the 1920s, the film follows two women jailed for murder – one a performer, and one with ambitions to be the same. Catherine Zeta-Jones and Renee Zellweger lead a cast that features Richard Gere, Dominic West, John C Reilly, Colm Feore, Queen Latifah, and Christine Baranski, and helped the film collect an astonishing 79 award nominations - 49 of which led to an awards win. Six of those wins were for Academy Awards, including Best Picture. With music by John Kander and lyrics by Fred Ebb, this film version of Chicago delivers a barrage of rip-roaring, jazz based musical numbers - highlights of which include Zeta-Jones leading the furious "Cell Block Tango," John C, Reilly’s heart-rending yet toe-tapping "Mister Cellophane," and "Nowadays" featuring the two leads. Mary Poppins (1964) Of all the truly classic movie musicals, Mary Poppins is perhaps the most toe-tapping. Directed by Robert Stevenson from a screenplay by Bill Walsh and Don DaGradi, the film is loosely based on a book series by P.L. Travers about a magical English nanny. Produced by Walt Disney with a mixture of animation and live-action, the making of the film was dramatized in Saving Mr Banks, starring Tom Hanks and Emma Thompson. But it is Julie Andrews that breathes life into the titular character of Mary Poppins, in a performance that won her a Best Actress Academy Award. Emanating an almost unsurpassable warmth and love, she anchors a fantasy film filled with humour, heart, memorable tunes, and a brilliant supporting turn from Dick Van Dyke. From the infectious "Step In Time," the marvellous "Sister Suffragette," to the joyous "Let’s Go Fly A Kite" – a spoonful of sugar is not required for this particular brand of medicine. It’s all rather….supercalifragilisticexpialidocious. Moulin Rouge! (2001) Baz Luhrmann’s triumphant jukebox musical is a sumptuous display of passion and a celebration of a deep and abiding belief in true love. Starring Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor as the star-crossed, secret lovers of cabaret venue, the Moulin Rouge - she is a celebrated courtesan, while he is a struggling writer. Events and ill-intentioned individuals conspire to keep them apart, as he becomes ever more desperate, and she suffers disastrously deteriorating health. The supporting cast features Jim Broadbent, Richard Roxburgh and John Leguizamo – all performing roof-raising musical numbers amid a range of award-winning production design. It is the music that carries this film, however. Delivered with fiery emotion – particularly by the two leads – the entire troupe dance their way through hits such as "Lady Marmalade," "Material Girl," "Diamonds Are A Girl’s Best Friend" and "The Show Must Go On." Nowhere else in the history of cinema will you find a scene in which Jim Broadbent and Richard Roxburgh turn "Like A Virgin" into a sinister and disturbing plan of action. The highlight, however, is "The Elephant Medley" – so called, because it is a heartfelt mash-up of 12 famous songs, mixed with original lyrics, performed atop a giant elephant-shaped construction – leading to an explosive finale. The success of Moulin Rouge! is in the way its musical choices bond us to the characters, giving us the overwhelming urge to sing and dance along with those onscreen. Little Shop Of Horrors (1986) As a film adaptation of an off-Broadway musical comedy, which itself was an adaptation of a low-budget Roger Corman movie, Little Shop Of Horrors is a leading light in the musical horror comedy genre. The film is directed by Frank Oz, from a screenplay by Howard Ashman, and stars Rick Moranis as perennially overlooked florist, Seymour Krelborn, and Ellen Greene as his insecure colleague, Audrey, who is trapped in an abusive relationship with a sadistic dentist. Their uncomfortable status quo is shaken when a strange and unusual plant that Seymour purchased during a solar eclipse turns out to have a very particular thirst. In addition to being joyously funny, its soundtrack – by the creators of the stage play, Alan Menken and Howard Ashman – is a show tunes fan’s dream. Distinctive songs driven by important emotional points and character introductions feature a specific rock’n’roll vibe, built upon by an omnipresent chorus line, guiding us through the story. With appearances by Vincent Gardenia, James Belushi, John Candy, Christopher Guest, Bill Murray and Miriam Margolyes, every musical number is a success. The jewel in the crown, however, is the unparalleled delivery of "Dentist!" by an energetic Steve Martin in the role of Orin Scrivello, D.D.S. The Jungle Book (1967) A film that needs little introduction, The Jungle Book and its bouncy musical numbers have long since entered entertainment legend. Inspired by Rudyard Kipling’s classic tale, this children’s story deviates boldly from its source, but in a way that creates an opportunity for some truly brilliant musical interludes. Directed by Wolfgang Reitherman, The Jungle Book was the last film to be produced by Walt Disney, who died before its release. Focusing on a child, raised by wolves in the jungle, the story follows him as he is convinced by his friends (a bear and a panther) to return to humankind before the evil tiger Shere Khan arrives to kill him. Though there is the constant threat of peril, many of the most memorable songs of the film create the sense of fun and innocence that explains the character of the child, named Mowgli. The voice work of the cast – in particular Phil Harris as Baloo, and Louis Prima as King Louie – comes into its own during these sequences, with specific highlights being "The Bare Necessities" and "King Of The Swingers." The Blues Brothers (1980) Based on characters from their Saturday Night Live sketches, The Blues Brothers is the creation of Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi – with John Landis in the director’s chair, and co-writing the script with Aykroyd. The film follows brothers Jake and Elwood Blues on what is essentially a road-trip, and features performances from world class artists including Aretha Franklin, Ray Charles, James Brown and John Lee Hooker. It also boasts non-musical support from Carrie Fisher, John Candy and Henry Gibson, among others. As a recent parolee, Jake Blues (Belushi) and his brother Elwood (Aykroyd) embark on “a mission from God,” attempting to save their former home – a Catholic orphanage – from closure. In order to raise money, they endeavour to get the band back together and stage a concert. In the process, they find themselves pursued by a scorned woman, a group of neo-Nazis, a vengeful Country and Western band, and the police. While The Blues Brothers is a showcase for the formidable talents of Aykroyd and Belushi, it is also a musical that does not miss a beat – including storming renditions of "Shake A Tail Feather," "Sweet Home Chicago" and, most famously, "Everybody Needs Somebody To Love." Grease (1978) Though disturbingly misogynistic, it cannot be denied that Grease is one of the most legendary movie musicals, thanks to its catchy and memorable soundtrack. Directed by Randall Kleiser, and written by Bronte Woodard and Allan Carr, the film is based on the stage production of the same name, which was created by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey. The musical contributions of Jacobs and Casey remain within the motion picture score by Michael Gibson. With musical numbers reflecting the 1950s high school setting, the story of two young lovers from differing social groups stars John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John and Stockard Channing, among others. Highlights, which have become famous in their own right, include "Summer Nights," "Greased Lightnin'’’ and "‘You’re The One That I Want." The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) While many musical movies boast legendary status, few have achieved the level of cult following enjoyed by The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Based on the original stage production written by Richard O’Brien, the film adaptation was written by O’Brien and Jim Sharman, who also directed the endeavour. The story is a glorious homage to horror B movies, and features Tim Curry, Susan Sarandon and Barry Bostwick in iconic roles, as well as O’Brien and the stage cast in supporting parts. Focusing on a newly-engaged couple (Sarandon and Bostwick), the film finds them having car trouble on a dark and rainy night, leading them to wander to a nearby castle to find a telephone. On arrival, they discover an Annual Transylvanian Convention led by Dr. Frank N. Furter – “a sweet transvestite from Transexual, Transylvania.” Murder, mayhem, re-animation, seduction and sexual awakenings ensue. With huge musical numbers such as "Hot Patootie – Bless My Soul," "Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch-a, Touch Me," and the infamous "Time Warp," The Rocky Horror Picture Show has enjoyed endless theatrical screenings – particularly midnight events – during which audience members arrive in costume and sing along in joyous fashion. Tickets for such evenings almost always sell out, making The Rocky Horror Picture Show perhaps the ultimate in movies that will have you singing and dancing.