Were you a theater kid growing up? Are you still a theater kid, even as an adult? If you know the definition of an “11 o’clock number” and understand the thrill of expressing emotions through song, then this list is for you. Musicals are a celebration of the moments in life when you just need to sing, or jump into an impressive dance break (or both simultaneously). And fortunately, we’ve got a whole songbook’s worth of musical shows and movies to add to your queue. What are you waiting for? The lights are down, the curtain is up, it’s time for the show.

13: The Musical

Growing up is a struggle, to say the least. And that push-pull of childhood and adolescence is on full display as Evan Goldman (Eli Golden) comes of age in Jason Robert Brown’s 13: The Musical. Evan and his mom (Debra Messing) move from the bright lights of the Big Apple to middle of nowhere Indiana just as he’s about to have his bar mitzvah under the tutelage of Josh Peck’s rabbi. (And for the record, he’s not just a rabbi. He’s a cool rabbi.) The early runs of the show featured the likes of teenage Ariana Grande, Tinashe and Elizabeth Gillies and, similarly, the film adaptation features a full crop of fresh faces navigating the choppy middle school waters of popularity, loyalty and learning that being yourself is really what makes you stand out.

13: The Musical

2022

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Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend is a four-season long gift for musical theater fans. The story follows Rebecca Bunch (Rachel Bloom) on her journey of self-love and happiness. She kicks off the series working a cushy gig at a Manhattan law firm, but she still feels blue despite her success. After she runs into a former flame, she decides to uproot her life and move to West Covina, California for a fresh start in life and love. The entire series examines the tropes of rom-coms with a sharp analytical eye, and that comes through especially in the original (and catchy!) songs written by Bloom, Adam Schlesinger and Jack Dolgen that are performed in every episode. The show may see Bunch start off as a presumed “crazy ex-girlfriend,” but as the theme song points out, “the situation's a lot more nuanced than that.”

Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

2015

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Diana: The Musical

So, you already breezed through The Crown and watched all of Harry & Meghan? Well, to satiate that royal curiosity, Diana: The Musical is here to further cement your adoration of the Princess of Wales. This special presentation of the musical, which celebrates Diana’s life and legacy, was filmed live from the stage before it opened on Broadway last year. Plus, if you’re an Emily in Paris fan, keep your eye on the actor who plays Prince Charles, Roe Hartrampf — he played Doug, Emily Cooper’s (Lily Collins) Chicago boyfriend in Season 1. Wearing a revenge dress or Harvard jumper of your own while watching is optional, but encouraged.

Diana: The Musical

2021

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La La Land

This one’s for the fools who dream of coming to Los Angeles for another day of sun and a chance at making it big. Damien Chazelle’s La La Land is a love letter to the “City of Stars,” spotlighting two hopefuls whose love for their art, and each other, makes them both shine bright. The musical romance stars Emma Stone as aspiring actor Mia, in a role that won her her first Academy Award, and Ryan Gosling as Sebastian, a musician who yearns to open his own jazz club one day. Fair warning: This movie will definitely make you want to go visit the Griffith Observatory.

La La Land

2016

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Leo

Musicals aren’t exclusively for humans, and in this comedy where class pets have big emotions, it only makes sense to pass the mic to Leo, a 74-year-old lizard on the verge of a midlife crisis. But once he makes the decision to explore his identity outside the confines of his terrarium, Leo unexpectedly becomes his students’ emotional support animal. This is a musical journey through the formative final year of elementary school — as seen through the eyes of a lizard. Leo stars Adam Sandler, who co-wrote the film alongside Robert Smigel and Paul Sado. The film’s also a family affair — Sandler’s wife, Jackie, and his daughters, Sunny and Sadie, voice characters in the film.

Leo

2023

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The Prom

Who needs one fairy godmother when you can have four?The Prom spotlights a foursome of Broadway has-beens desperate to resurrect their careers (played by Meryl Streep, Nicole Kidman, James Corden and Andrew Rannells). Their solution? Makeover their images by heading to small-town Indiana to rally behind a lesbian teen, Emma (Jo Ellen Pellman), after the local PTA decides to cancel prom rather than let her attend with her girlfriend. Watch these egotistical stars learn the power of doing a good deed in this film adaptation of the Tony-nominated 2018 Broadway show, directed for the screen by Ryan Murphy and also starring Keegan-Michael Key, Kerry Washington and West Side Story Oscar winner Ariana DeBose. And, never forget Andrew Rannells’ tried and true line, “We are from Broadway.”

The Prom

2020

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Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical

Who says you can’t turn your dreams into reality? That’s exactly the mission of Matilda Wormwood (Alisha Weir) in the film adaptation of the beloved stage production based on the Roald Dahl story. She’s trapped at home with her horrendous, neglectful parents (Stephen Graham and Andrea Riseborough) and at Crunchem Hall under the fearsome thumb of headmistress Miss Trunchbull (brought to life by an indomitable Emma Thompson). Matilda’s only saving graces are her kind teacher Miss Honey (Lashana Lynch), her fellow classmates, and her imagination, which give her more power than she ever would have thought possible. So slice yourself a piece of chocolate cake to enjoy with this new movie-musical incarnation as you dance along to “Revolting Children” with TikTok’s Red Beret Girl.

Roald Dahl's Matilda The Musical

2022

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tick, tick...BOOM!

“Stop the clock” and “take time out” to watch Lin-Manuel Miranda’s film adaptation of Jonathan Larson’s semi-autobiographical musical, Tick, Tick… Boom! starring Andrew Garfield as the seminal playwright. The musical (which Larson wrote before the phenomenon that was Rent) sees Jonathan (Garfield) balk at the idea that he’s turning 30 in 1990 with, in his eyes, not much to show for it. Of course, his loved ones and friends at the Moondance Diner would disagree. But this is a story of a young composer wanting to make a name for himself, unsure of where he fits into the scheme of it all –– on the Great White Way, in love and in life. Sound familiar? “Come to your senses,” grab the roommate you shared a shoebox apartment with in your 20s and cozy up with a musical that will inspire you to chase your own big dreams. (P.S.: Try to keep your jaw from dropping from all the cameos during a certain “Sunday” diner scene.)

tick, tick...BOOM!

2021

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