There is a certain ethereal appeal to the grandiosity and thrill of musical stage productions. While there is no replacing it, well-executed on-screen adaptations or films of musicals sure have their own charm. Not to mention, their box-office performances speak for themselves. The latest sensation to join the ranks of the highest-grossing musical adaptations in films is, of course, Wicked (2024).
This enchanting Jon M Chu title broke its third box office record, surpassing Mamma Mia! (2008) to become the highest-grossing film adaptation of a Broadway musical. But the Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo-starrer isn’t alone in its success.
From classic tales like West Side Story (1961) and Jesus Christ Superstar (1973) to modern hits like Les Misérables (2012) and In The Heights (2021), the magic of musical theatre has often been successfully transported to the big screen, with impressive box office results.
While some adaptations, such as the Taylor Swift-starrer Cats (2019), did not perform well at the box office failing to resonate with audiences, others have become cinematic classics in their own right. The likes of Chicago (2002), and Grease (1978) have not only delighted fans of the original stage productions but also attracted new audiences and achieved significant commercial success.
In this piece, we will explore films that became the top-grossing musical adaptations of all time. Additionally, we’ll look into what makes them such landmark titles in the musical genre.
These films are the highest-grossing musical screen adaptations of all time
1 /7
Directed by: Jon M Chu
Cast: Ariana Grande, Cynthia Erivo, Jonathan Bailey, Michelle Yeoh, Jeff Goldblum
IMDb rating: 7.8/10
Box office numbers: USD 709 million approximately
Synopsis: In the magical Land of Oz, two unlikely friends, Elphaba (Erivo), a misunderstood young woman, and Glinda (Grande), a popular young woman gilded by ambition forge a profound bond at Shiz University. As their lives take different paths, Elphaba’s determination to remain true to herself has unexpected consequences.
About the film: Wicked is based on the 1995 novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West by American author Gregory Maguire. It offers a compassionate backstory for the Wicked Witch of the West, the fictional character from the 1990s classic The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum.
One of the highest-grossing movies of 2024, the film broke box-office records, grossing USD 164 million in its opening weekend. The film’s sequel, Wicked: For Good, is currently in production and slated to release in November 2025.
2 /7
Directed by: Phyllida Lloyd
Cast: Meryl Streep, Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård
IMDb rating: 6.5/10
Box office numbers: USD 611 million
Synopsis: In the picturesque Greek island of Kalokairi, Sophie Sheridan (Seyfried) is a young bride-to-be on a mission to discover her father’s identity. Unbeknownst to her mother, Donna (Streep), Sophie invites three potential fathers — Sam (Brosnan), Harry (Firth), and Bill (Skarsgård) — to her wedding, sparking an unpredictable celebration.
About the film: Mamma Mia! is a joyous, melodious adaptation of the beloved stage musical by British playwright Catherine Johnson, featuring an all-star cast and the timeless hits of ABBA. While some may find the singing voices a bit rough around the edges, the film’s campy charm and infectious energy make it a guilty pleasure that’s hard to resist.
Interestingly, the film’s opening weekend coincided with the release of The Dark Knight, but Mamma Mia! managed to rake in an impressive USD 144 million. Its success paved the way for a sequel, Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again (2018) which hit theatres a decade later.
3 /7
Directed by: Tom Hooper
Cast: Hugh Jackman, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne, Amanda Seyfried, Helena Bonham Carter
IMDb rating: 7.5/10
Box office numbers: USD 442 million
Synopsis: In 19th century France, Jean Valjean (Jackman), a former prisoner seeks redemption after being freed by the ruthless inspector Javert (Crowe). Valjean breaks parole and reinvents himself as a respected mayor and factory owner, but Javert’s relentless pursuit forces him to flee. Valjean also becomes the guardian of Cosette (Seyfried), the daughter of the ill-fated Fantine (Hathaway), and together they navigate the treacherous landscape of revolutionary France.
About the film: The ambitious adaptation of the beloved musical from the 1980s won widespread critical acclaim, earning eight Academy Award nominations and winning three, including Best Supporting Actress for Anne Hathaway‘s heart-wrenching performance as Fantine. With its impressive ensemble cast, stunning production design, and iconic musical numbers, Les Misérables went on to become one of the highest-grossing musical adaptations of all time.
4 /7
Directed by: Randal Kleiser
Cast: John Travolta, Olivia Newton-John, Stockard Channing, Jeff Conaway, Eve Arden, Frankie Avalon, Joan Blondell, Edd Byrnes, Sid Caesar, Sha Na Na
IMDb rating: 7.2/10
Box office numbers: USD 396.3 million
Synopsis: In the summer of 1958 in California, romance brews between Danny Zuko (Travolta), the leader of the T-Birds, and Sandy Olsson (Newton-John), a sweet Australian girl. Attending the same high school, Rydell High, Danny is part of a group of black leather jacket-wearing greasers, while Sandy hangs out with the Pink Ladies, a group of fashionable girls led by the sassy Betty Rizzo (Channing). As the two navigate their relationships with their respective cliques, they struggle to reconcile their love for each other with their social reputations at stake.
About the film: Grease is a classic musical adaptation based on the 1972 stage musical of the same name. The film is heavy on serving up nostalgic 1950s kitsch and quirks. Although Grease received mixed reviews at the time of its release, it has since become a cult classic, spawning a sequel, Grease 2 (1982), and inspiring various spin-offs, including a prequel Paramount+ TV series, Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies (2023), and another prequel film, Summer Lovin’, is currently in development.
5 /7
Directed by: Rob Marshall
Cast: Renée Zellweger, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, John C. Reilly, Lucy Liu, Colm Feore
IMDb rating: 7.2/10
Box office numbers: USD 306.8 million
Synopsis: Nightclub sensation Velma Kelly (Zeta-Jones) ends up killing her husband when she learns about his affair with her own sister. Velma hires Chicago’s smartest lawyer, Billy Flynn (Gere), to defend her case. However, when struggling chanteuse Roxie Hart (Zellweger) also winds up in prison for the murder of her lover, Billy takes on her case as well, turning her into a media sensation. The two women create a riot as they compete for fame and acquittal.
About the film: Chicago is a rousing spectacle peppered with stunning dance numbers, elaborate costumes, and impressive production design. However, it also provides a surprising level of depth and humour, thanks to its talented cast and clever script. Chicago won six Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Actress in a Supporting Role (Zeta-Jones), and helped launch the revival of musical adaptations as a genre on the big screen in the 2000s.
6 /7
Directed by: Rob Marshall
Cast: Meryl Streep, Emily Blunt, James Corden, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Johnny Depp
IMDb rating: 5.9/10
Box office numbers: USD 212.9 million
Synopsis: A childless baker (Corden) and his wife (Blunt) embark on a journey into the woods to reverse a witch’s (Streep) curse. To break the spell and fulfil their wish, they must gather a series of magical items — a milk-white cow, hair as yellow as corn, a blood-red cape, and a slipper of gold — crossing paths with fairy-tale characters, including Cinderella, Little Red Riding Hood and Rapunzel.
About the film: This movie is an adaptation of Stephen Sondheim’s classic play and is also inspired by the Grimm Brothers’ beloved tales of Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Rapunzel. While the film’s darker final act received criticism, its talented cast, particularly Streep and Blunt, received widespread praise.
Bringing together the worlds of Hollywood and Broadway, the film was a commercial success, garnering three Academy Award nominations, including Best Supporting Actress for Streep, and three Golden Globe nominations, including Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy.
7 /7
Directed by: Adam Shankman
Cast: Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken, Amanda Bynes, James Marsden, Brittany Snow, Zac Efron, Elijah Kelley, Allison Janney
IMDb rating: 6.7/10
Box office collection: USD 203.6 million
Synopsis: In 1960s Baltimore, Tracy Turnblad (Blonsky), a plus-sized teen, follows her passion for dance and music. When Tracy lands a spot on “The Corny Collins Show,” she becomes an overnight sensation and a trendsetter. With her newfound fame, Tracy decides to challenge the show’s racial segregation and integrate inclusivity into the show.
About the film: Based on the 2002 Broadway musical of the same name, which was inspired by John Waters’s 1988 film, Hairspray is a high-energy musical romp with contagious songs and plenty of heart. The film received widespread critical acclaim for its performances and social commentary. It was also a commercial success, breaking the record for the highest-grossing opening weekend for a movie musical until it was surpassed by Mamma Mia! in 2008.