This post originally appeared on the DVD Netflix blog “Inside the Envelope.” That company folded in 2023, and the blog was shut down, but you might find some good stuff here.
It’s fun to binge-watch when there’s not much else to do, and sometimes, rather than just being the passive recipients of entertainment, we’d like to be active participants. Movie theaters figured that out years ago, hosting audience-participation events for films like The Rocky Horror Picture Show or The Room. Singalongs also became popular, especially for movies like Frozen and High School Musical. This served to socialize the act of movie going. Rather than sitting anonymously in the dark theater, audience members could actively share the experience with others.
This shared experience can be enjoyed at home, too, where you can have just as much fun (and maybe more) as at the theater events. Gather the family together, or anyone else in close proximity, and work your way through the following list of best musicals for singalongs. No need to worry about the words because there are websites that offer free lyrics for just about every movie you can think of.
The Music Man – 2003 TV-G)
In The Music Man, a con man forms a community band in this revival of the Broadway hit. You might have seen Martin Sheen perform “Ya Got Trouble” on the show Grace and Frankie (Netflix). To anyone who’s ever memorized those lengthy lyrics—Bravo! There are almost 20 songs to sing along with in The Music Man.
West Side Story – 1961 (NR)
Star-crossed lovers find themselves caught up in the midst of a street war in West Side Story. The songs range from poignant ballads like “Somewhere” to pulsing Latin beats in songs like “America.” Everyone will have fun with “Gee, Officer Krumpe” and find lots of reasons to reprise “I Feel Pretty” for months to come.
Oliver – 1968 (G)
Charles Dickens’ classic novel, Oliver Twist, comes alive as a young orphan learns the ins and outs of street life in this film adaptation. Many an elementary-school chorus has performed the songs in Oliver for their parents. Even if you haven’t seen the movie, you’re probably familiar with the phrase, “Please sir, I want some more.” You also might feel right at home as you sing along with “Consider Yourself.”
Phantom of the Opera – 2004 (PG-13)
The theme behind this novel—turned horror film—turned Broadway musical—and back to film as a musical is actually a tragic love story. The Phantom, a troubled, disfigured man living beneath the Paris opera house, falls in love with a budding opera ingenue and wreaks havoc along the way. You don’t have to be an opera star to sing along to this soundtrack.
Grease – 1978 (PG)
High school angst involving bad boy/good girl mixed up with class struggle sets the stage in Grease. You’ll find some ballads and plenty of songs that might end up with dancing taking place in front of the TV. Songs like “Greased Lightening,” “Summer Nights,” and “You’re the One That I Want” are just a few examples.
Rent – 2005 (PG-13)
To its credit, this film version adheres faithfully to the Tony Award winning musical, Rent. It even includes most of the stars who performed in the original production. This modern adaptation of the Puccini opera, La bohème, contains a serious (HIV/AIDS) subject, but along with its heart-wrenching moments, comes a message of hope. The music is first-rate and you might find someone dancing on the coffee table during “La Vie Boheme.”
The Sound of Music – 1965 (G)
No list of sing-along soundtracks can be complete without The Sound of Music. This classic contains many tunes that even if you don’t know the words to, you’re at least familiar with the melody. The whole family can enjoy this movie, even with the serious wartime undercurrent. And plus, there’s probably not a human alive who hasn’t heard, and even sung, “Do-Re-Mi.”
Les Miserables – 2012 (PG-13)
We should be very thankful that the 1,200-word novel has been adapted into a phenomenal musical theatre production and further into a film version that we can enjoy at home. As with any great musical, there’s the contrast of soft to booming and truthfully, as the song selection goes, there’s something for everyone. Examples are the quiet “Castle on a Cloud” and the rousing “Do You Hear the People Sing.” There’s also “Master of the House,” which is wicked and witty at the same time.
The Little Mermaid – 1989 (G)
It’s hard to believe The Little Mermaid is more than 30 years old, but children and their parents who watched it when they were small are still singing along with it today. A lot of the music is instrumental, but there are some real favorites in this film, such as “Part of Your World” and “Kiss the Girl.”
Mary Poppins – 2000 (NR)
Who doesn’t know Mary Poppins, the magical nanny who whips into shape a dysfunctional Edwardian family? Who isn’t familiar with the term, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious? The whole family will love the story and enjoy songs like, “A Spoon Full of Sugar” and Chim Chim Cher-ee.”
The Wizard of Oz – 1939 (G)
How nice that a movie made so long ago is still such a favorite. The Wizard of Oz doesn’t follow the classic Frank Baum novel exactly, but nobody cares about that. It tells the story of a girl who learns to appreciate what she has. Although the film is rated G, keep in mind that it can be frightening for small children. Otherwise, enjoy singing along to “Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead” and of course, “Somewhere over the Rainbow.”
Annie – 2014 (PG)
Several film and television adaptations have been made of the Broadway hit, Annie, and one of the best is the 2014 version with Jamie Foxx and Quvenzhanè Wallis. Delightfully updating the theme and the music, this version retains the flavor of the original story and enough of the original music to satisfy diehard Annie fans. The addition of songs, like “Opportunity” and “The City’s Yours,” earn this version its own solid credentials.
