For regular musical theatre-goers, this year certainly hasn’t been the kindest towards you or the industry. But just because you can’t go and enjoy them live right now, doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy them at all!
Here’s a list of 12 of the best musicals available for you to stream, rent or buy all from the comfort of your sofa!
Funny Girl (1968)
One of Barbra Streisand’s well-known films is this classic musical which follows the high-spirited and gorgeous Fanny Brice (Barbra Streisand) as she works her way up to fame and stardom on Broadway in New York City.
Cherished for her vocal and comedic entertainer talents by the renowned theater impresario and manager Florenz Ziegfeld Jr (Walter Pidgeon), Fanny is at the peak of her career. While fighting for fame on Broadway, Fanny’s relationship with her suave, money-hungry husband Nick Arnstein (Omar Sharif), is tested.
Funny Girl (1968) is now available to watch on Netflix, Sky Go, and Now TV! Also available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Microsoft, YouTube, Google Play Movies, iTunes, TalkTalk Tv, and Rakuten TV!
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) (18)
This might be a classic musical, but there’s certainly no feel-good about this Tim Burton adaptation as he once again teams up with Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. This version of Sweeny Todd is a musical which you’ll only really want to watch if you have the stomach for it.
After spending years convicted for a crime he didn’t commit, Benjamin Barker, now Sweeney Todd (Johnny Depp), returns home to London but finds his wife dead and his daughter staying with the horribly manipulative Judge Turpin (Alan Rickman). Fuelled by anger, Sweeney goes on a killing spree across London with the help of the crooked and untrustworthy pie shop owner, Mrs. Lovett (Helena Bohman Carter).
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) is now available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Microsoft, YouTube, Google Play Movies, iTunes, Rakuten TV, and the Sky Store!
West Side Story (1961)
This all-time stage classic is a tragic musical in which modern day Romeo and Juliet are involved in New York street gangs, characters Maria (Natalie Wood) and Tony (Richard Beymer) are the forbidden lovers of this story. On the rough streets of the upper west side, two gangs fight for control of the territory. The situation becomes toxic when a gang member falls in love with a rival’s sister.
West Side Story (1961) is available to stream now on Netflix and Amazon Prime. Also available to rent or buy from iTunes, Amazon Video, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Microsoft, VUDU, Redbox, and AMC Demand.
The Sound of Music (1965)
Probably the most-famous and most-watched musical of all-time, The Sound of Music follows the story of free-spirited Maria (Dame Julie Andrews), a failed nun, who is sent away by The Mother Superior ( Peggy Wood) to govern a retired Naval Captain’s seven children. When arriving at the house she soon discovers that she is the latest in a long line of governesses scared away by the rowdy children. All personal conflicts that follow soon become overshadowed by looming world events, as the story is set against the background of World War II.
The Sound of Music (1965) is now available to watch on Disney+ and to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Microsoft, YouTube, Google Play Movies, iTunes, Rakuten TV, and the Sky Store!
Billy Elliot (2000)
One of the best feel-good musicals in the modern era, Billy Elliot (Jamie Bell), is a coal miner’s son living in 1980s Northern England. He has his life transformed forever when he stumbles across a ballet class practicing at his weekly boxing grounds. At just 11 years old, Billy carries a raw talent for dance that instructor Mrs. Wilkinson (Julie Walters) cannot leave uncharted.
Billy Elliot (2000) is now available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Talk Talk Tv, Microsoft, YouTube, Rakuten TV, Google Play Movies, iTunes, and the Sky Store!
There’s also a release of Billy Elliot: The Musical Live which was filmed and broadcast from London’s West End in 2014. That’s also available to rent and buy right now on the same platforms.
Les Misérables (2012)
Based on the classic novel and broadway show of the same name, Les Misérables is a romance-drama that follows the story of Jean Valjean (Hugh Jackman), a prisoner who breaks parole, and the police officer Javert (Russell Crowe) who desperately seeks to hunt him down. Valjean tries to help a penniless factory worker named Fantine (Anne Hathaway), by saving her daughter who is being held captive by innkeepers. The story is set in post-revolutionary France against the background of the June Rebellion.
Les Misérables is now available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Microsoft, YouTube, Google Play Movies, iTunes, Rakuten TV, and the Sky Store!
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975)
Two lovers, Brad (Barry Knapp Bostwick) and Janet (Susan Sarandon) become trapped in an eerie mansion owned by eccentric transvestite scientist, Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry). Through quirky dances and foot-tapping rock songs, the lovers meet an array of the mansion’s bizarre residents, from the creepy butler to Frank-N-Furter’s newest experiment, Rocky!
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) is now available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Microsoft, YouTube, Google Play Movies, iTunes, and the Sky Store!
The Phantom of the Opera (2004)
Based on the classical stage performance, The Phantom of the Opera follows the tragic story of a resentful man, disfigured since birth, known only as The Phantom (Gerard Butler). The Phantom resides below the Paris Opera House until he falls in love with the beautiful chorus singer, Christine (Emmy Rossum). In the midst of his obsession, The Phantom privately tutors Christine, while wreaking havoc amongst the rest of the opera house. The story spirals when Christine is reunited with her childhood sweetheart Raoul (Patrick Wilson) and the two fall in love.
The Phantom of the Opera (2004) is now available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Rakuten TV, and the Sky Store!
Hairspray (2007)
Comedy-drama musical set in the early 1960s, teenagers Tracy Turnblad (Nikki Blonsky) and her friend Penny Pingleton (Amanda Bynes) are crazed Corny Collins followers. When a chance to dance on the show is up for grabs, Tracy can’t let the opportunity pass. Not only does her dancing skills attract Corny Collins, but also the attention of popular teen idol, Link Larkin (Zac Efron). Tracy has to fight for her place to dance as the show’s manager, Velma Von Tussle (Michelle Pfeiffer) seeks to banish Tracy.
Hairspray (2007) is now available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, iTunes, and Rakuten TV!
Chicago (2002)
Comedy-drama Chicago has it’s two leading characters in a fight for fame, publicity, and Chicago’s smoothest lawyer. Velma (Catherine Zeta-Jones), a nightclub star, and wannabe icon Roxie (Renée Zellweger) both wind up on death row together and quickly develop a rivalry, competing for fame in hopes it will save them from their impending fate.
Chicago (2002) is now available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Microsoft, YouTube, Google Play Movies, iTunes, and the Sky Store!
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Starring Nicole Kidman as Satine, the star courtesan of glamorous cabaret nightclub, Moulin Rouge, is in the midst of her career when she finds herself the troubling love interest of young poet Christian (Ewan McGregor). The Moulin Rouge’s owner, Harold Zidler makes the decision to invest in a wealthy Duke to help with the club’s finances, however, the Duke will only pay if Satine is his. Fueled by passion, desire, and jealousy the three become trapped in a tragic, and possibly deadly love triangle.
Moulin Rouge! (2001) is now available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Microsoft, YouTube, Google Play Movies, iTunes, and the Sky Store!
Funny Face (1957)
The story revolves around bookshop sales-girl Jo Stockton (Audrey Hepburn) who is suddenly offered a modeling contract by famous fashion photographer Dick Avery (Fred Astaire) for her unique appearance. Jo grudgingly accepts the offer, only because it includes a trip to Paris. Eventually, her arrogant attitude towards this field of work eases, and Jo begins to fall in love with modeling and the company.
Funny Face (1957) is now available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Microsoft, YouTube, Google Play Movies, iTunes, Rakuten TV, and the Sky Store!
