Musical Movies for the Family

Musicals use songs and dance to tell stories, which makes them ideal for families who like to join in.

Classic Musicals

• The Wizard of Oz (1939): A journey filled with memorable songs and colorful characters.
• Singin’ in the Rain (1952): Dazzling dance numbers and a funny look at early Hollywood.
• Mary Poppins (1964): Songs and fantasy with a magical nanny.
• The Sound of Music (1965): A family story set in the mountains, full of songs.
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968): A flying car and an inventive family adventure.

Animated Musicals

Many animated films are musicals. Songs help characters share feelings and move the story along, and they are often easy for children to remember.

Modern Animated Musicals

• The Lion King (1994): Songs by Elton John and Tim Rice and a score by Hans Zimmer.
• Frozen (2013): A story about two sisters and the song Let It Go.
• Moana (2016): A Pacific adventure with songs co-written by Lin-Manuel Miranda.
• Coco (2017): A family story about music and memory in Mexican tradition.
• Encanto (2021): A magical family and songs that became widely popular.

These films are good for children who like to sing along.

Musicals From Other Cultures

Musical films are made all over the world. Many Indian films combine songs and dance as a regular part of storytelling, and families who enjoy singing along may like to try one with subtitles. Listening to music from other traditions is a lovely way to introduce children to different languages and instruments.

How Musicals Work

In a musical, a character sings when words alone aren’t enough. A song might introduce a hero, reveal a dream, or show a big change in the story.

Make It a Sing-Along

• Turn on subtitles so everyone can follow the words.
• Create simple props, such as paper microphones.
• Hold a family talent show afterwards.
• Choose a favorite song and learn it together.

Discuss the Songs

Ask children which song they liked best and what it told them about a character.

Singing together is a lovely way to enjoy a film.