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

By Kimberley Spinney

Lin-Manuel Miranda is Alexander Hamilton and Phillipa Soo is Eliza Hamilton in HAMILTON, the filmed version of the original Broadway production.
Lin-Manuel Miranda is Alexander Hamilton and Phillipa Soo is Eliza Hamilton in HAMILTON, the filmed version of the original Broadway production. /
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Best movie musicals: West Side Story

West Side Story is a retelling of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet. Released in 1961 and set in modern-day New York City, this is the story of Tony and Maria (our modern Romeo and Juliet). With two opposing gangs set to go head-to-head for control of their territory, these two find themselves on opposite sides of their family’s desire for control.

And while this might be based on a classic tragedy, West Side Story is a brilliant look at gang life. The choreography is amazing throughout this musical, and of course, the music is everything.

While this musical is over 50 years old, it still stands the test of time because of its sheer beauty and ability to reimagine the story of Romeo and Juliet in a way that makes sense to modern-day audiences. And with numbers like “America” and “I Feel Pretty,” there feels like more to this story than just two-star crossed lovers.

Taking a classic work by Shakespeare and transforming it into a musical might seem like the wrong thing to do, but when done like this, it is a work of art separate from its origins. And how can you not appreciate that?

This might be one of my favorite movie musicals just for the fact that it made Shakespeare something I enjoyed rather than tolerated. Plus, Natalie Wood and Rita Moreno were amazing in their roles, which certainly helped to bring this story to life.

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