10 Best Movie Musicals of the 80s

First up on our list of the best movie musicals of the 80s was Blake Edwards‘ gender-bending musical comedy Victor/Victoria. Julie Andrews starred as Victoria Grant, a soprano who found fame as a woman posing as a male impersonating a female in 1930s Paris.

The film tackled identity and sexuality with surprising depth. Andrews delivered a knockout performance, matched by James Garner as a gangster questioning his own preferences. Additionally, the jazzy score perfectly fit the era, with showstoppers like “Le Jazz Hot” letting Andrews flex her legendary pipes. Of course, lavish sets and costumes completed the package.

Victor/Victoria proved that 80s musicals could be smart, provocative, and wildly entertaining. Its exploration of gender feels remarkably current, especially for the 80s, earning its place as a one of the best movie musicals of the decade.

Next, John Waters shook up the musical genre with Hairspray. This campy movie musical celebrated 1960s Baltimore while simultaneously tackling serious issues. The story followed Tracy Turnblad, a teen dreaming of TV stardom and fighting segregation.

Ricki Lake dazzled in her debut as Tracy. Meanwhile, Divine stole scenes as Tracy’s mother Edna. Even Sonny Bono made an appearance! The movie addressed racism and body image head-on.

In terms of music, the soundtrack mixed period hits with catchy originals. Hairspray didn’t top charts initially. However, it quickly gained cult status. Its influence grew, inspiring a Broadway hit and a remake. Ultimately, Hairspray proved 80s musicals could still surprise and challenge audiences

Another one of the best musicals was Flashdance, a hit movie musical that captured the spirit of the 1980s. It told the story of Alex, a young woman who worked as a welder but dreamed of becoming a ballet dancer.

The soundtrack was hugely popular, with songs like “Flashdance… What a Feeling” and “Maniac” topping the charts. People loved the energetic dance routines, especially the famous “water scene“.

Notably, Flashdance‘s style influenced 1980s fashion too. Many people copied Alex’s look, wearing off-the-shoulder sweatshirts and legwarmers. While some critics didn’t like it, the movie was a big hit with audiences. It inspired other dance movies in the 80s and remains a classic of the decade.

Pink Floyd-The Wall was a unique and intense musical film. It was based on Pink Floyd’s concept album of the same name and directed by Alan Parker. The movie told the story of Pink, a rock star who built a mental “wall” to shut out the world.

Unlike typical musicals, The Wall didn’t have much dialogue. Instead, it used Pink Floyd‘s music and striking visuals to tell its story. The film mixed live-action scenes with wild animated sequences created by Gerald Scarfe.

The movie dealt with heavy themes like war, fame, and mental breakdown. Its dark tone and surreal imagery made it very different from other musicals of the time. Songs like “Another Brick in the Wall (Part 2)” and “Comfortably Numb” became even more powerful with the added visuals.

Although not an inital hit, over time, many people came to see the movie it as a masterpiece. It pushed the boundaries of what a musical film could be and influenced many music videos that came after it.

Next, The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas brought the popular Broadway show to the big screen. It starred Dolly Parton and Burt Reynolds in a funny, lighthearted story about a famous Texas brothel called the Chicken Ranch.

The movie mixed comedy with catchy country and western songs. Dolly Parton played Miss Mona, the kind-hearted lady who ran the Chicken Ranch. Burt Reynolds was the local sheriff who protected the place. Not shockingly, their romance was at the heart of the story. The film’s best-known song was Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You,” which became a big hit. Other fun musical numbers included “A Lil’ Ole Bitty Pissant Country Place” and “The Sidestep.”

While the movie dealt with adult themes, it kept things fairly tame and focused more on laughs than scandal. Some people thought that the movie musical rendition wasn’t as good as the stage show, but many viewers enjoyed its mix of humor, music, and star power. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas wasn’t as flashy as some other 80s musicals, but it showed that country music could work well in movie musicals too.

Of course, we couldn’t forget to include Dirty Dancing. Set in a 1963 Catskills resort, the film blends nostalgia with sexual awakening, all accompanied by an unforgettable and iconic soundtrack.

Jennifer Grey and Patrick Swayze sizzled on screen. Their chemistry drove the story of class differences and personal growth. Additionally, Emile Ardolino directed sensual dance numbers set to a killer soundtrack. “(I’ve Had) The Time of My Life” became the film’s Oscar-winning anthem.

Despite its low budget, Dirty Dancing exploded at the box office. It spawned a devoted fanbase and proved dance-focused musicals could still captivate audiences. The famous lift scene became one of the greatest dance scenes in movie history. More importantly, the film showed that sometimes, simple stories resonate most powerfully.

Up next, one of my personal favorites from this list of classic 80s soundtracks, Fame. This movie musical brought the excitement of a performing arts high school to the big screen. The movie followed a group of talented students as they sang, danced, and acted their way through four years at New York City’s High School of Performing Arts.

Alan Parker packed the film with catchy songs and impressive dance numbers. The most famous scene showed students dancing in the street, stopping traffic with their moves. The titular song “Fame” became a huge hit, as people loved its upbeat message about working hard to achieve your dreams.

Fame stood out because it didn’t shy away from tough topics. It showed the students dealing with real issues like poverty, self-doubt, and the pressure to succeed. This mix of fun musical moments and serious drama made the movie feel much more real than many other musicals. The movie was so popular that it led to a TV series, which ran for several years.

Next, Frank Oz brought Little Shop of Horrors, a quirky off-Broadway hit, to life on the big screen. The result was a delightfully dark comedy musical about a man-eating plant.

Rick Moranis starred as Seymour, a nerdy florist who discovered an unusual plant. This bloodthirsty flora, voiced by Levi Stubbs, promised fame and fortune, but needed human flesh to survive. Ellen Greene reprised her stage role as Audrey, Seymour’s co-worker and crush. Her rendition of “Suddenly Seymour” became an instant musical theater classic. Steve Martin‘s turn as a sadistic dentist stole every scene he was in.

The film’s catchy doo-wop score added to the musical effect of the movie. The film’s puppetry brought Audrey II to life. It blended practical effects with the musical numbers.

Little Shop of Horrors proved that Broadway adaptations could also work on screen. It retained its theatrical roots while embracing cinematic possibilities. The result was a unique entry to the many musical movies from the 80s.

Next on our list of the best movie musicals of the 80s was Purple Rain. This album wasn’t just for a movie – it was one of Prince‘s biggest hits.

The music of this iconic movie musical started off strong with “Let’s Go Crazy“, a song that got the audience moving right away. Prince and his band mixed different styles of music in new and exciting ways.

The titular song “Purple Rain” became one of Prince’s most famous. People loved its big guitar solo and emotional lyrics. Another popular track, “When Doves Cry“, stood out because it didn’t use any bass guitar, giving it a unique sound. Each song in the album went with a different part of the movie. “The Beautiful Ones” truly showed how well Prince could sing. And of course, “I Would Die 4 U” was fast and fun to dance to.

Purple Rain dominated the box office. As one of the best artists of his time, Prince’s movie musical was truly something special that people still remember from the 80s.

We end our list with the film that had everyone cutting loose. Footloose capped off the first half of the 80s with a bang, proving that the movie musical could still dominate pop culture.

Kevin Bacon danced his way into cinema history as Ren McCormack, the new kid determined to bring dancing back to a town that banned it. Director Herbert Ross crafted a film that was equal parts drama and dance party, of course, backed by a soundtrack that topped charts.

What set Footloose apart is how it weaved its infectious energy into a story about freedom, rebellion, and the generation gap. But let’s be real – the audience was here for the dancing. From Ren’s angry warehouse dance solo to the explosion of joy in the finale, Footloose delivered. It reminded us why we fell in love with movie musicals in the first place: the excitement of music and movement coming together on screen.

While Footloose might not be the most profound film on this list, it’s arguably the most fun. For this reason, it was a fitting end to our journey through 80s musicals. It is truly a film that embraced the decade while delivering a timeless story of youth, music, and dance.

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