27 best movie musicals of all-time: Hamilton, Wizard of Oz and more

Best movie musicals: Cabaret

You can’t have a list of the best movie musicals and not include Cabaret. Not only does it star the incomparable Liza Minnelli, but it was directed by the legendary Bob Fosse. Seriously, these two names alone are enough to make this a must-watch musical.

Set in 1931 Berlin, Cabaret is a story of one woman’s desire to live her life on her own terms, even as the world around her continues to change (and not in a positive way). While the focus is on the two main characters of this movie, Sally and Brian, there is enough back story to allow viewers to watch the rise of the Nazi party.

And even our main characters are influenced by this change in Berlin. While there seem to be no happy endings in Cabaret, there are still moments that are hard to forget. In fact, not only do we get to see Minnelli prove her acting and singing chops, but we also see a movie released in 1972 that addresses two men having relations with each other in the 1930s. There is something to be said for this aspect of the storytelling when you think about when this movie is set and when it was made.

While the musical moments are uniquely done in Cabaret, the one song that stands out for me is “Maybe This Time.” With Liza Minnelli’s voice and the beauty of these lyrics, it is hard not to fall in love with this song. There is so much heartbreak and hope to be found in “Maybe This Time,” and it delivers that punch to the gut that makes it more than just a classic, but also a stand out moment.