The Five Best Modern Movie Musical Adaptions

We explore the five best movie musical adaptions/remakes, which capture the characters and charm of their original productions, whilst successfully modernising and expanding the stories and music

Amanda Bynes and Nikki Blonsky in 'Hairspray' (CREDIT: New Line Cinema)

by Jack Linsdell

Movie musicals are the type of light-hearted, toe-tapping, extravaganzas we need right now. In fact, nothing better qualifies them as our best source of entertainment in such an uncertain time as this. And, I for one, love my musicals as much as I do my action-thrillers, which is why I've decided to highlight the five best modern movie musicals. that are adaptions of existing stage plays, or remakes of older films. Yes, this excludes original musicals like The Greatest Showman or La La Land, and of course, my list is not going to be your list because...where would the fun in that be? 

ANNIE (2014)

Director: Will Gluck

Box Office: $133 million

Budget: $65 million

Annie is a fine example of how to modernise an old-school musical for a new, and younger, generation, whilst maintaining the essence of the story, characters and style of the original production. Produced by Will Smith (who along with 2010's The Karate Kid, seems to have a knack for producing top-quality remakes of classic 80's films), this family-musical remake updates the story to the modern era, and does so in such a clever way, it clearly distinguishes itself from being a generic "the original told in the exact same way but with new stars" remake movie (think Mary Poppins Returns). Including a killer cast of Cameron Diaz (in one of her better career performances), Rose Byrne, Bobby Cannavale, Jamie Foxx, and the very talented Quvenenzhane Wallis (who received a Golden Globe nomination for her work in the film), Annie successfully updates the classic story about the girl in the orphanage for a new generation to enjoy, whilst creating a toe-tapping, uplifting musical for all the family to enjoy. Not only that, but the Will Gluck-directed flick makes a point to be more inclusive, and therefore more reflective of modern society, by diversifying it's cast - Foxx and Wallis get top billing, which again deserves merit. The songs are given a much-needed update by artist Sia, and her husband Greg Kurstin, becoming more toe-tapping, uplifting, contemporary pop tracks, that fit better with the music of modern musicals. Yes, some "lovers" of the original maybe a bit disappointed with this remake, but Annie is not only a very good musical for all the family to enjoy, but it serves as a good example of how to successfully update a classic musical production that first appeared on Broadway in 1977. 

MAMMA MIA (2008)

Director: Phyllida Lloyd 

Box Office: $615 million

Budget: $55 million

When you merge the songs of ABBA, with a successful stage play that has grossed $4 billion worldwide since 1999, and Hollywood stars like Meryl Streep and Colin Firth, should we be surprised that Mamma Mia: The Movie was the big hit it was? The short answer is no. But, despite getting a somewhat unjustified but understandable reputation as being a "corny chick-flick", Phyllida Lloyd's Mamma Mia: The Movie is one of those films that becomes like a naughty treat. Of course it's soundtrack is full of danceable and catchy hits (because it's ABBA, duh), but the way the songs are modernised even further, makes this one of the best movie musical soundtracks of all time. Unlike it's "had the right idea but botched it" sequel Mamma Mia: Here We Go Again, this 2008 original flick has the charm, emotion and engaging characters of the the hit Broadway production, yet with new actors in the roles here, and jazzy new music (not to mention glorious and stunning tropical locations), becomes a truly escapist bit of musical fun, popularised by a new audience. It's less of a modern adaption than some of the other films mentioned here, if only because the original production was already quite "modern" anyway. Still, Mamma Mia is a charming adaption of a Broadway musical, and shows that sometimes, there's nothing wrong with being a bit corny. 

FOOTLOOSE (2011)

Director: Craig Brewer

Box Office: $63 million

Budget: $24 million

Julianne Hough is a delight in everything she does. And, although Kevin Bacon's 1984 musical-drama is a firm classic of the genre, she leads Craig Brewer's Footloose remake with the charm, passion and talent as she does every role she takes on. The film follows a young man (played by Kenny Wormald) who moves from Boston to a small town, where he protests the ban there against dancing. It's a very original and excellent little story (as was the 1984 original), but it's updated to a modern-day setting to excellent effect, again, providing a new audience with the chance to connect with these charming characters. I suppose Footloose is the American Billy Elliot storyline, but none-the-less, acting as an excellent dichotomy of toxic masculinity, and doing so within the confines of a family-rated, relatively uplifting musical is a safe way to present such topical messages to a younger audience. Indeed, this modern adaption has the caveat of having greater dance numbers than it's original (for obvious reasons), and they really are impressive - the sort you come to expect from a big-budget, shown in theatres musical - which is a real selling point to this 2011 remake. Footloose also stars Dennis Quaid and Andie MacDowell, and is well worth a watch for those who loved the original, or who have never seen it. 

ROCK OF AGES (2012)

Director: Adam Shankman

Box Office: $59.5 million

Budget: $75 million

Rock of Ages is an excellent period-set jukebox musical. Julianne Hough delightfully leads this one too, alongside a to-die-for cast of very talented actors including Tom Cruise, Malin Akerman, Catherine Zeta Jones, Paul Giamatti, Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin, Diego Boneta and Mary J. Blige. Successfully bringing the rock-n-roll hits of the 1980s to the attention of a younger, modern day audience, Adam Shankman's Rock of Ages, is truly a very cleverly done, unique and uplifting period musical movie adaption. Although the way in which it seamlessly blends together classic songs into a coherent, character-driven, poignant narrative is mainly the credit of Chris D'Arienzo (who wrote the original Broadway show, and returns here as a co-writer), how the movie manages to blend in political subtext, with lots of humour and some exceptionally-staged dance/musical numbers, is all it's own merit. Although far from a hit (some would say a critical and commercial disappointment), with a mere $59.4 million global gross on a standard musical $75 million budget, Rock of Ages is a severely underseen and underappreciated movie musical, that just so happens to be one of the best modern musical adaptions ever made. In the words of one it's hit songs, Rock of Ages will make you wanna rock. 

HAIRSPRAY (2007)

Director: Adam Shankman

Box Office: $203 million

Budget: $75 million

Adam Shankman's Hairspray is quite frankly the best movie musical ever. There, I've said it. Yes, the Rock of Ages director seems to have a talent for adapting Broadway musicals into successful movie adaptions, albeit that this one is considered a commercial hit with $203 million worldwide on a $75 million budget. Not only does he direct the hell out of Hairspray, but he also acts as the movie's sole choreographer, which is impressive when you consider the amount of dancing in this movie - Shankman is one hell of a talent when it comes to musicals, and I'm most excited for his upcoming Disenchanted remake for Disney. Another period-set musical that explores 1960s America (where racial segregation was still in place), and touches upon the themes of acceptance, body image, race, love, family and following your dreams, Hairspray is probably the best musical story ever written. However, what this 2007 Christopher Walken/Michelle Pfeiffer/Allison Janney/John Travolta/James Marsden/Brittany Snow/Amanda Bynes/Zac Efron/Nikki Blonsky-starring musical flick can take credit for is producing one hell of a soundtrack, filled and modernised by original songwriter Marc Shaiman with many catchy, relatable and danceable tracks. Not to mention it's closer in style to Les Miserables than Aladdin in terms of the proportion of songs to conventional dialogue-driven scenes, something that the Leslie Dixon-penned adaption gets even more credit for, considering that the story is almost completely told visually and through the music and dance numbers. Hairspray is a feel good film, one whose third act twist (if you've not aware of the story) is surprising, creating a genuinely tense final act. Not to mention the finale with 'You Can't Stop The Beat', one of the best written musical tracks ever. It surmounts itself as the film to watch in these difficult times, because when the credits roll, you will feel inspired and uplifted in a way only a good modern movie musical can do to you.