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Best Movie Musicals of the 1990s
BY SOPHIE COLLINS
March 22 , 2022
The ’90s redefined the movie musical in a lot of ways, from animated classics to television spectacles, and these are some of the best.
Musical theater is truly spectacular, and when it’s put on the screen, makes for some emotional and occasionally heartbreaking stories. But most of all, they can create beautiful cinema. There have been an array of amazing musical movies given to us over the years, and the 90s also seemed to delve into animation, bringing us a magical atmosphere and drama to the screen.
As the 90s was a brilliant and magical time for musical movies, there are obviously a bevy of films which are great but aren’t included here (Nightmare Before Christmas, Anastasia, That Thing You Do, Selena, Everyone Says I Love You, and films which are difficult to classify as pure musicals, like The Doors, Velvet Goldmine, Buena Vista Social Club, or Singles). That being said, let’s try to narrow it down and take a look at some of the best movie musicals from the 1990s.
7 Beauty and the Beast (1991)
The 90s rendition of the classic love story, Beauty and the Beast, is based on the 1756 fairytale (and a loose remake of the gorgeous Jean Cocteau film). Of course, as all of those princesses out there know, the story follows the relationship between a beast (voiced by Robby Benson), a prince that was cursed into a horrendous beast due to his arrogant personality, and Belle (voiced by Paige O’Hara), a young and beautiful woman who becomes imprisoned by the beast in his castle.
Belle soon becomes aware that in order for the beast’s curse to be lifted, they must learn to love each other before the final petal falls from the enchanted rose. If they fail, the beast remains a beast for the rest of time. It is possibly one of the most classic love stories ever made, with a valuable lesson to be learned too. This particular rendition became Disney’s first ever animated film to be made into a Broadway musical. There has since been a 2017 live action version, and a Gaston and LeFou prequel has been confirmed.
6 The Lion King (1994)
Another animated musical film from Disney, The Lion King, was a classic in 1994. In a beautiful and heartbreaking story following Simba, a young, fierce lion on a mission to impress his father, Mufasa, King of the Pride Lands, we watch one of the most tragic moments in any kids’ movie as Simba’s uncle, Scar, kills Mufasa in order to steal the throne. As Simba believes he is responsible for his father’s death, he grows up in the care of outcasts, Timon and Pumbaa, but eventually knows he must confront Scar and take his rightful place as King.
This musical movie was so successful that it led to the Broadway adaptation in 1997 and The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride a year later in 1998. Now, it is one of the most well known musicals of all time, largely thanks to the excellent Oscar-winning Disney songs from Elton John, and there was even a recent live-action remake in 2019, with a prequel being teased.
5 Evita (1996)
Following on from the 1978 original musical, Evita was created into a drama film starring Madonna. This tragic and emotional story follows Eva Perón as she turns her life around from poverty to become an Argentinian actress. As she also becomes the wife of the president, we watch the journey, growth, and political career of a powerful and inspirational young woman until her very young and tragic death.
Evita is a beautiful and heartbreaking story, based on such an inherently passionate person and told with such authenticity that it’s no wonder it turned into a truly beautiful and dramatic musical. It even received many awards and nominations, including a Best Original Song Oscar for “You Must Love Me,” and Madonna even won herself Best Actress at the Golden Globes.
4 Annie (1999)
This 90s rendition of the brilliant musical Annie was its second and arguably best film adaptation. This made-for-TV movie version was full of brilliant acting, and even won two Emmy Awards. The story is set in 1933 New York City during the Great Depression; we’re introduced to Annie, a young girl who was given to an orphanage as a baby, and the only thing she has of her parents is a note saying they promised they’d come back for her, along with half a heart-shaped locket.
As she longingly waits for her parents, she is eventually rescued by Mr. Warbucks, who quickly begins to like Annie and decides to help her find her parents. Although, she sadly learns of their death years ago, and so Mr. Warbucks decides to adopt Annie and let her become part of his family. The original Broadway production opened in 1977, but this rendition of Annie is heartwarming, loving, and definitely a feel-good musical with endearing character representations.
3 The Commitments (1991)
The Commitments is an underrated 1991 musical comedy film that is actually based on the novel of the same name from 1987. We follow Jimmy Rabbitte, a young musician in search of a group of working-class children to form a band called The Commitments. Although, their band is formed entirely of white musicians who don’t have much experience of soul music; nevertheless, they are determined to learn and they have too much talent to throw away. But as they grow and become popular, will fame and the pressure of a big show stand in the way of their friendship? The Commitments is funny, light-hearted, and full of energy and spectacular music. The music was even created into two soundtracks and the film won four BAFTA awards in 1992.
2 Gypsy (1993)
Gypsy is a story based on the autobiography of Gypsy-Rose Lee and was originally a stage musical. The 1993 made-for-TV rendition of Gypsy tells the story of a stripper and her relationship to her bossy mother. Rose Hovick desperately hopes for her daughter, June, to become the burlesque star she never got to be, but despite those high aspirations, June decides to rebel against her mother. When Rose thinks her dreams are over, June’s sister, Louise, though quite a shy and timid girl, steps into the spotlight and transforms herself into the most legendary burlesque star, Gypsy Rose Lee. This iconic musical with an incredible performance from the great Bette Midler (and an extremely young Elisabeth Moss) is fun, energetic, and makes us all want to join burlesque.
1 Aladdin (1992)
Almost anyone who grew up in the 80s or 90s has seen and fell in love with the classic story of Aladdin; who wouldn’t want to have a go at flying that magic carpet, or rubbing the magic lamp? We all feel sorry for poor young Aladdin, who survives off stolen food from the market, until his dreams comes true and he meets the gorgeous Princess Jasmine. Unfortunately, she is being forced into an arranged marriage by her father and dreams of escaping. Wondering how he could ever win over the Princess, he finds himself in a spot of luck when he comes across a magical lamp in the Cave of Wonders, leading to a legendary voice acting performance from Robin Williams as the genie.
The fun, upbeat, loveable genie who wishes for freedom comes to grant Aladdin three wishes. But they’re in troube, as there is someone who has nasty plans for Aladdin and the lamp. A delightful and heart-felt love story with a great cast of characters, Aladdin is one of those movies that is just easy and enjoyable to watch, with one of the best soundtracks, and has Jasmine has now become a classic, much-loved Disney Princess.
