“Wicked” has been a global phenomenon, racking up a worldwide box office of $469 million. In addition to delighting fans with its stellar performances and musical numbers, it’s also put the spotlight back on the musical genre. If your trips to Oz are already in the double digits, we can help you pace yourself by taking a short break to enjoy some other great musicals. Before you head back to the theater for “Wicked” sing-along screenings, check out our our roundup of Black movie musicals to watch if you loved “Wicked.”
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‘Hairspray’ - Prime Video, Google Play, AppleTV, YouTube
The story of Black dancers fighting to be featured on a local TV show includes some spectacular musical numbers and fun performances from its young cast, but as usual, we’re here to support Queen Latifah as she once again proves she can do anything.
‘Across the Universe’ - MGM+
We know “Across the Universe” is considered a Black movie. However, it features soulful versions of The Beatles classics. Director Julie Taymor uses unconventional storytelling methods to chronicle the lives of a group of friends during the Vietnam War. If you like unique visuals, this will intrigue you.
‘Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella’ - Disney+
If you’re looking for strong heroines who know their own mind and just want to be their authentic selves, Brandy’s groundbreaking Cinderella is always a great choice. For bonus watch, you can see her and Paolo Montalban revive their roles in this year’s “Descendants: The Rise of Red,” which is also on Disney+.
‘The Wiz’ - Prime Video, Google Play, AppleTV, YouTube
Yes, Diana Ross is a little too old to be Dorothy, but everything else about this film adaptation is inspired, particularly Mabel King as Evillene.
‘Dreamgirls’ - Paramount+
If you liked the complex relationship between Elphaba and Glinda, then following the ups and downs of The Dreams will definitely captivate you. And there’s plenty of powerhouse voices to blow you away.
‘Chicago’ - Prime Video, Google Play, AppleTV, YouTube
As fantastic as all the musical numbers are, we’re really here for Queen Latifah’s spectacular performance as Matron Mama Morton. This is where the rest of the world discovered how amazingly talented she is. Something we’ve known for decades.
‘Hamilton’ - Disney+
Sure, this filmed version of the Broadway production may not technically qualify as a movie, but we’ll never pass up a chance to shoutout Lin-Manuel Miranda’s game changing musical. Especially Daveed Diggs’ Tony winning performance as Lafayette/Thomas Jefferson.
‘Fame’ (1980) - Prime Video, Google Play, AppleTV, YouTube
If you were a kid in the ‘80s, you absolutely wanted to go to the Fame high school. They never had homework and broke into elaborate production numbers. There’s a reason people are constantly asking Debbie Allen to recite that speech.
‘The Little Mermaid’ - Disney+
We cannot overstate how impactful it was for young Black children around the world to see a signature Disney Princess played by a Black actress. She beautifully showed them that they were seen in their favorite fairy tales and stories. #RepresentationMatters.
‘The Five Heartbeats’ - Prime Video, Google Play, AppleTV, YouTube
We get a lot of stories about girl groups falling into the pitfalls of fame and fortune, but what makes “The Five Heartbeats” work so well is that it feels authentic. They are definitely a group straight out of Motown, which makes us feel like we really know them.
‘Stormy Weather’ - Prime Video, Google Play, AppleTV, YouTube
You’d be hard pressed to find a better musical moment than Lena Horne singing “Stormy Weather.” It’s the foundation that all these other Black movie musical moments, including Cynthia Erivo’s “Defying Gravity,” are built on.
‘The Greatest Showman’ - Disney+
“The Greatest Showman” is definitely a showcase for Hugh Jackman. However, Zendaya steals every scene she’s in as the circus’ high-flying trapeze artist and we want to know more about her character.
‘Purple Rain’ - Prime Video, Google Play, AppleTV, YouTube
In case you’ve been under a rock for 40 years, Prince’s brilliant “Purple Rain” isn’t known as a cinematic masterpiece. But the music is pure perfection. Every single song is a classic that still resonates today. Fair warning: It’s very adult.
‘Ray’ - Starz, Prime Video
Jamie Foxx disappears into his Oscar winning role as Ray Charles. As captivating as his acting is, it’s the musical numbers where the multi-hyphenate talent truly shines and makes this film unforgettable.
‘The Color Purple’ - Max
It’s impossible to think anyone can improve on the 1985 classic, but the film adaptation of the stage musical brings a new energy to the well-known story. There’s something so unapologetically Black about this version that we can’t help losing ourselves in it.
‘Rent’ - Prime Video, Google Play, AppleTV, YouTube
If you don’t melt into a puddle every time Jesse L. Martin sings in “Rent,” you might be a robot.
‘Sister Act’ - Disney+
You know we couldn’t talk about Black movie musicals without showing love to EGOT winner Whoopi Goldberg’s timeless classic. It’s hilarious, moving and the musical numbers are beautiful. “Sister Act” is the ultimate comfort movie.
‘Sister Act 2: Back in the Habit’ - Disney+
Sequels don’t usually hit as hard as the original, but “Sister Act 2" is just as much fun and the musical numbers are even more iconic the second time around. “Joyful Joyful” will always bring an instantaneous warm feeling of nostalgia.
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