Summary
- Disney+ is a treasure trove of live-action musicals, showcasing classic Disney movies, remakes, and other fantastic hit musicals.
- Many of the musicals on Disney+ are kid-friendly, making it a great resource for parents to introduce their children to Disney classics.
- Musicals have a magical and inspiring quality that can lift your spirits, and Disney+ offers a wide variety of live-action musical films for those who love the genre.
Disney+ is a great place to turn to if you want to watch live-action musicals. Not only does it have the classic Disney movies and Disney remakes, but it also has other fantastic hit musicals. Sometimes, when you feel down, the only thing that can pick you back up again is watching people sing and dance. Come on, we can't be the only ones! As much as people make fun of this genre, watching a musical is magical and inspiring.
All but a few of the musicals on this list are kid-friendly, minus a few. And if you are a parent reading this list, consider it your duty to educate your children about some of these Disney classics. So whether you need a pick-me-up, a film to entertain the whole family, or just plain love musicals, Disney+ has got you covered with this variety of live-action musical films.
Hamilton (2020)
Directors: Thomas Kail | Run Time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Cast: Lin Manuel-Miranda, Leslie Odom Jr., Phillipa Soo, Renée Elise Goldsberry
Kicking off the list with one of the biggest shows to hit Broadway in the last decade is Hamilton. Back in 2015, when Hamilton opened on Broadway, you could get a ticket if you were lucky enough and willing to dish out enough Alexander Hamilton's ($10 bills). For the rest of us, we can be in "the room where it happens" thanks to the filmed version of the show. Hamilton follows the journey of one of America's most influential founding fathers...set to a rap and R&B soundtrack written by Lin Manuel-Miranda.Watch on Disney+
High School Musical (2006)
Director: Kenny Ortega | Run Time: 98 minutes
Cast: Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, Luca Grabeel, Corbin Bleu, Monique Coleman
Have you noticed that high school kids just love to sing and dance? Because we have! This romantic comedy shows the budding romance of Gabriella Montez (Vanessa Hudgens) and Troy Bolton (Zac Efron). The first High School Musical movie was the beginning of this popular Disney franchise, which spawned two sequels (High School Musical 2 and High School Musical 3: Senior Year) as well as a TV show (High School Musical: The Musical: The Series), and a direct-to-DVD movie (Sharpay's Fabulous Adventure).Watch on Disney+
Aladdin (2019)
Director: Guy Ritchie | Run Time: 128 minutes
Cast: Will Smith, Mena Massoud, Naomi Scott, Marwan Kenzari
The 2019 version of Aladdin is a live-action remake of the original animated Aladdin from 1992. Everyone's favorite street rat returns to the big screen in style. When Aladdin (Mena Massoud) takes Princess Jasmine (Naomi Scott) on his magic carpet ride he makes us wanna-be Disney Princesses fall in love with him all over again. The original music written by Alan Menken, Howard Ashman, and Tim Rice is included, plus an additional song by Pasek & Paul. Watch on Disney+
Into the Woods (2014)
Directors: Rob Marshall | Run Time: 124 minutes
Cast: Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick
Including a musical from the late, great Stephen Sondheim on this list is only fitting. Sondheim is a giant on Broadway, and he brings us tales of giants, wolves, witches, and princesses with Into the Woods. Based on the original musical which hit the Broadway stage in 1987, the Into the Woods film gives us a glimpse into the lives of different fairytale characters. Some are "good", some are "evil," and most are somewhere in between. Watch on Disney+
Mary Poppins (1964)
Directors: Robert Stevenson | Run Time: 139 minutes
Cast: Julie Andrews, Dick Van Dyke, David Tomlinson, Glynis Johns
The nanny that every child hoped for was Mary Poppins (Julie Andrews). She has charm, she has compassion, she has magic-what more could a kid ask for? After a slew of difficulties with other caretakers, Jane and Michael Banks (Karen Dotrice and Matthew Garber) finally found the nanny of their dreams in Mary Poppins. She arrives on an umbrella with a gust of wind, takes the children on adventures, and disappears just as mysteriously as she came. Watch on Disney+
Newsies (1992)
Director: Kenny Ortega | Run Time: 121 minutes
Cast: Christian Bale, Bill Pullman, Ann-Margret, Robert Duvall
Newsies taught us to seize the day! These inspiring little paper boys danced and sang their way into our hearts. They even inspired a musical that went to Broadway in 2011. The "newsies" sell newspapers, but when the prices increase, they go on strike...and they sing while doing so.Watch on Disney+
The Greatest Showman (2017)
Director: Michael Gracey | Run Time: 105 minutes
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Zac Efron, Michelle Williams, Rebecca Ferguson, Zendaya
The Greatest Showman tells the incredible story of P.T. Barnum (Hugh Jackman), who started Barnum & Bailey's Circus with James Anthony Bailey. The title of the film is a play on the claim that their circus was "The Greatest Show on Earth." Barnum has "a million dreams" that he wants to come true, including bringing together unusual people to form a circus. He struggles along the way to fulfill his dreams, trying to balance his family life and his career goals. Watch on Disney+
Camp Rock (2008)
Director: Matthew Diamond | Run Time: 99 minutes
Cast: Demi Lovato, Joe Jonas, Meaghan Martin, Maria Canals-Barrera
Pop star Demi Lovato plays the character of Mitchie Torres, a girl who has a great musical talent. However, her family struggles to pay for Camp Rock, and she and her mom must work in the kitchen. Mitchie is embarrassed by her circumstances and creates a web of lies as a cover story. Mitchie must learn to accept herself and be honest about who she is to her friends. The Jonas Brothers are also featured in Camp Rock, giving the film even more star power.Watch on Disney+
Cheetah Girls (2003)
Director: Alison Taylor | Run Time: 93 minutes
Cast: Raven-Symoné, Adrienne Bailon, Kiely Williams, Sabrina Bryan
Cheetah Girls is based on a book, which is interesting because the film relies so heavily on music and dance. The Cheetah Girls are four teenagers from Manhattan who form a singing group. Their goal is to be the first freshmen to win their school's talent show. However, once a famous alumnus from the school expressed interest in signing them to a record label, they set their sights higher. This creates drama among the group, but through the power of music, they can sort out their differences. Watch on Disney+
Bedknobs and Broomsticks (1971)
Director: Robert Stevenson | Run Time: 118 minutes
Cast: Angela Lansbury, David Tomlinson, Ian Weighill, Cindy O'Callaghan, Roy Snart
Bedknobs and Broomsticks is a musical fantasy film based on books by the author Mary Norton. In a unique mix, the film combines live-action and animation. Three children are evacuated from London during the Blitz of World War II and placed in Miss Eglantine Price's care (Angela Lansbury). It is revealed that Miss Price is in the process of learning to be a witch in order to cast spells to help the British in their war effort. Watch on Disney+