If you're wondering whether we decided on March being the month we would recommend musicals simply because "March" and "musical" both start with the letter M, you might be right. But really, is it ever a bad time to talk about our favourite rom-coms with great songs? Another reason could be that March is when spring starts, and spring rhymes with sing... maybe just don't think too hard about it when you could be dancing along with these films ;)
If you notice that we’ve missed any of your top rom-com musicals, we are never opposed to having another musical month. Send us your thoughts and forgotten favs on Instagram!
High School Musical
Disney+
High School Musical was obviously going to make this list. Fight us. Zac Efron and Vanessa Hudgens set the gauntlet for effortlessly cute star-crossed lovers across the quintessential jock, nerd, and theatre kid tropes. The songs are so catchy, the cast’s chemistry made me, Alexa, swoon as a 7-year-old, and Troy Bolton really set the bar for soft-boy athletes. It absolutely set unrealistic expectations for high school, which led to at least a little resentment, but it’s worth it for the romantic way I spent my youth hoping someone would burst into song whenever I went to a cafeteria. If you haven’t seen it, I recommend it with my whole heart.
- Alexa
La La Land
Netflix
I’m not one to watch musicals, however, La La Land is the second-best musical I have ever watched, with the first being High School Musical. I remember watching the trailer and thinking that it was a sad but sweet love story between two incredibly good-looking people. While this movie brings all of that, its vibrant colours and use of musical score to set the scene makes you feel like you're experiencing their feelings better than a worded script ever could. It took me a while to bring myself to watch this movie since I usually don't choose to watch musicals, but it blew me away and surpassed my expectations.
- Ruiying
Eurovision
Netflix
The road to fame isn’t easy. Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga follows Lars (Will Ferrell) and Sigrit (Rachel McAdams), a pair of singers from Iceland who, against all odds, try to win the iconic Eurovision competition. Featuring lots of corny songs, a friends-to-lovers subplot, and a fun twist, Eurovision brings the classic Will Ferrell comedy charm. Although there's way more comedy than romance, Eurovision is the perfect movie to watch when you want to relax!
- Demetra
Moulin Rouge!
Criterion on Demand
Enter the glittery and frenetic Moulin Rouge - a dancehall, a brothel, an escape. It’s Paris in 1899 and a young bohemian poet, Christian (Ewan McGregor), who believes in the ideals of “true, beauty, freedom, and love,” moves to the Montmartre neighbourhood. He meets a group of like-minded bohemians and as they produce the play “Spectacular Spectacular,” he falls tragically in love with Satine (Nicole Kidman) a beautiful courtesan and the “sparkling diamond” of the Moulin Rouge. However, an evil duke covets Satine and is determined to have her. Satine loves Christian, but reality is determined to catch up with them - can love truly conquer all? The soundtrack is fantastic, truly making it a movie worth watching and re-watching. One of the most beautiful messages in the movie is captured by the quote: “The greatest thing you’ll ever learn is to love and be loved in return.”
- Emma
Enchanted
Disney+
Enchanted is like a big quilt that’s patches are made from Disney classics such as Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty. While it holds so much resemblance to those classic movies, Enchanted is wickedly funny and has humour that spans all ages. Even more, it juxtaposes perfect movie-screen love with what real-life love is. This princess movie is a fusion of animation and real life, but instead of having helpful chipmunks, there are pigeons. (Hello, Toronto!) This is a film that demonstrates that Disney is capable of making a movie about modern dilemmas with traditional values spiced up with a Disney twist.
- Ruiying
Hairspray
Netflix, Criterion on Demand
What do we want? Zac Efron with a curl in his hair. When do we want it? In 1962, or in 2007’s version of 1962. Look, I love musicals, I love 1960s fashion, I love Amanda Bynes (#FreeAmandaBynes) and Queen Latifah and Michelle Pfeiffer. And the film tackles a number of important issues like body inclusivity and civil rights, all wrapped up in a fun, bubbly, candy-coated packaging. Hairspray is a good time, but is it a good time to a fault? Do you think it’s a good idea to discuss these topics but make it ~fun~? It’s a topic a number of people have called attention to all over the internet. What do you think?
- Macy
Pitch Perfect
Amazon Prime Video
This movie is so good, they did it 3 times. If you love the “unlikely group of misfits band together for a common cause” trope + the “two people from rival teams fall in love” trope, Pitch Perfect is a two-for-one sale for you. A university student, played by Anna Kendrick, joins an acapella group and challenges the group’s views on female beauty and power. She engages uniqueness and boldness in how she directs and empowers the group during the acapella competition. Oh! Lol! And Rebel Wilson’s comedy and romance with Adam Devine is what makes this movie a classic. Ridiculous, cute and empowering. Just watch it, pitch!
- Janelle
Burlesque
Netflix
The glamour of this movie is truly wonderful. Christina Aguilera kills it in her leading role, while Cher absolutely steals every scene. The cast is star-packed and extremely entertaining (McDreamy makes his own appearance, while Kristen Bell plays an entertaining mean girl). The choreography is fun and captivating, but the singing keeps your attention! I can’t imagine a better fit than Christina for this. Admittedly, this is not much of a romantic comedy, but hey, there’s some love in here, and you’ll likely leave with a lot of love for the movie!
- Alexa
Cinderella (1997)
Disney+
No matter how many versions of this story you’ve seen before, Cinderella (1997) is one you don’t want to miss! It’s a fun, wonderfully over-the-top musical adaptation of the classic fairy tale. Cinderella is filled with whimsical sets, (sometimes ridiculously) colourful costumes, and pretty questionable special effects. Most importantly, the cast is fantastic, and with Brandy and Whitney Houston playing Cinderella and her fairy godmother, it’s a no-brainer that the musical numbers are top-notch.
- Kate
Grease
Netflix, Criterion on Demand, Amazon Prime
Wop baba lumop a wap bam boom! Adored and recognized as a classic across generations, Grease is the ultimate homage to the imagery of colourful, doowop singing, diner hopping, soda drinking, carefree youth that is synonymous with the 1950s. However, Grease also acknowledges the darker, more questionable aspect of 50s teen culture, that of the greaser, the “bad boy” represented by Danny Zuko; a softer, more laid-back version of Marlon Brando’s iconic character Johnny in The Wild One (1953). The dark, yet sensitive, romantic nature of Danny, and this promise of adventure, is the hook that captivates virginal Sandy and leads her into a whirlwind high school romance that celebrates all its highs and lows through tunes like “Summer Nights,” “Sandy,” “Hopelessly Devoted to You,” and “You’re the One That I Want.” For all the film’s joviality, there are, however, instances of sexism and questions surrounding consent. During the number, “Summer Nights', Danny’s gang of greasers are inquisitive if Sandy “put up a fight” during their summer romance. There are also scenes of slut-shaming regarding Rizzo’s enjoyment of being around, and going out with boys, and even virginity shaming in the number, “Look at Me, I'm Sandra Dee.” Despite these occurrences, the romance wins out; the personas of the bad boy greaser (Danny), and the ingénue (Sandy) clash together, creating a push and pull dynamic between the two until Sandy forfeits her girlish persona and transforms into a fiery, grown-up vixen who may even be more worthy of the greaser title than Danny himself! Featuring memorable side characters like Frenchie, Kenickie, Rizzo, and a cameo performance by Frankie Avalon, Grease will not only have you rooting for Danny and Sandy’s romance, but it will have you singing along to the film’s numbers, and make you feel like a part of the eccentric community that is Rydell High.
- Monica
Mamma Mia!
Crave (with Starz)
Can you imagine if Mamma Mia! didn’t make the list? Chaos, amazing ABBA songs, beautiful Greece... what more could you ask for? There’s something so lovely about this film, primarily driven by love stories decades in the past, and how it really comes down to the love between a mom and a daughter. Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Colin Firth, and Pierce Brosnan rein among an absolutely talented cast. The choreography is fun, the music is iconic, and the love stories are heartwarming! And, really, what list would this be without Colin Firth on it somewhere?
- Alexa
Tangled
Disney+
Tangled is part of the reason I (Alexa) started this club. The way “I See the Light” pulls at my heartstrings made me angry that this movie is not as valued as it could be. Who wouldn’t love strong, creative, and passionate Rapunzel? Mandy Moore’s voice is so pretty and lovely in her role. And Flynn, voiced by Zachary Levi, is the best iteration Disney has done of a bad boy in a princess movie. If you haven’t seen it, you’re missing out on one of the most romantic and aesthetically-pleasing romance scenes ever. Go, get on it!
- Alexa
Honourable Mentions
Our honourable mentions are not quite rom-coms, but they are wonderful musical dramas that are well worth your time!
Dreamgirls
Criterion on Demand, Amazon Prime Video
If you love Motown music, this is the movie for you! It begins in 1960s Detroit and follows the rise to fame of the “Dreamettes” (a girl group paralleling The Supremes) - starring three friends Effie (Jennifer Hudson), Deena (Beyonce Knowles), and Lorrell (Anika Noni Rose). A car salesman named Curtis (Jamie Foxx), soon to become their manager, spots them at a show and gets them a gig singing backup for Jimmy “Thunder” Early (Eddie Murphy). Curtis starts record label Rainbow Records to get a shot at success, as white artists were stealing songs for the pop charts from black artists on the R&B charts (based on Berry Gordy Jr founding Motown Records). Tensions arise in the group as they try to cross into the pop charts in order to reach a wider audience… and the price of fame is steep. This movie isn’t a rom-com, as much of the drama stems from group tensions on the road to fame (also Curtis ends up being a sleazy ho), but you should watch for the incredible musical numbers! The cast is amazing, and Beyonce and Jennifer Hudson absolutely KILL IT.
- Emma
A Star is Born
Netflix, Criterion on Demand
CW: drug abuse and su*c*de
A Star Is Born didn’t make it to our main list due to its more serious tone, but it’s a film that’s well worth the watch. In this musical romantic drama, aspiring singer-songwriter Ally (Lady Gaga) meets established country rock star Jackson Maine (Bradley Cooper) who pulls her into the limelight alongside him and gets her to share her songs with the world. As Ally’s fame grows and the two fall in love, Jackson struggles with addictions that threaten to ruin both of their careers and their relationship. With incredible original songs (like the Academy Award-winning “Shallow”), A Star is Born is a gut-wrenching look at love in the face of fame, ambition, and addiction.
- Kate
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