30 Best Musicals and Movies about Music of the 2020s (So Far) You Absolutely Have to See

There is something special about stories that sing. The 2020s have delivered a flood of films and shows where songs drive the plot, lift the emotion, and leave you humming the rest of the day. Some are full on musicals that sweep you up with big numbers. Others are music centered dramas and documentaries that open a window into the lives of artists and the power of performance.

This list gathers the standouts so far. It mixes splashy studio musicals with intimate indies, rousing biopics with inventive concert films, and a few series that live and breathe in rehearsal rooms and on tour buses. Whether you want joy, catharsis, or a behind the scenes rush, these picks hit the right notes.

‘West Side Story’ (2021)

Steven Spielberg breathes fresh life into a classic with style, muscle, and heart. The choreography fills every frame and the camera glides like a dance partner, turning a familiar tale into something vivid and immediate. You feel the rivalry, the romance, and the city moving underfoot.

The vocals soar and the orchestrations pop with detail. It honors the original while letting new voices and careful character work shine. By the final number you feel swept up in the momentum of a story that still sings.

‘tick, tick… BOOM!’ (2021)

‘Tick Tick Boom’ captures the rush and ache of chasing an artistic dream. Andrew Garfield delivers a tender, electric performance as Jonathan Larson, and the film lets you hear the creative pulse inside his head.

The staging keeps shifting in clever ways that mirror a restless mind. Songs land with warmth and bite, and the movie leaves you inspired to keep going, even when the clock feels loud.

‘In the Heights’ (2021)

Set over a sweltering summer, ‘In the Heights’ blends street level storytelling with giddy set pieces. The community comes through in every lyric and every block party.

Numbers spill across stoops, pools, and subways with easy joy. It is a celebration of home, hope, and the small choices that shape a life, and it makes everyday dreams feel like showstoppers.

‘The Color Purple’ (2023)

This musical reimagining brings roaring vocals and a deep well of feeling. The performances are generous and grounded, and the music turns resilience into a communal force.

Every song builds character as much as melody. The film invites you to witness pain, healing, and triumph, and it leaves a lasting glow that feels earned.

‘Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical’ (2022)

‘Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical’ bursts with mischief, rhythm, and a rebel spirit. The classroom chaos is choreographed with wit, and the young cast lights up the screen.

The songs have snap and heart. By the time the big anthems land, you feel the push to stand up, speak out, and spin your own story.

‘Wonka’ (2023)

‘Wonka’ is a warm origin story wrapped in catchy tunes and old school charm. It leans into wonder and kindness, letting music and imagination do the heavy lifting.

The numbers sparkle without losing a gentle tone. It is a sweet treat that invites you to believe in delightful long shots and the joy of sharing them.

‘Mean Girls’ (2024)

The Plastics sing and scheme with pop hooks to spare. ‘Mean Girls’ turns iconic lines into playful earworms while keeping its satirical bite.

The production balances glossy fun with a real look at friendship and identity. It is breezy, quotable, and a lively way to revisit a beloved story.

‘Cyrano’ (2021)

‘Cyrano’ wraps romance and longing in lilting melodies. Peter Dinklage brings a tender soul to the title role, and the music lets quiet feelings bloom.

Lush settings and intimate staging make the love triangle feel close and human. The songs float, the emotions swell, and the result is a gentle heartbreaker.

‘Annette’ (2021)

‘Annette’ is a wild rock opera that swings between dreamy and unsettling. Sparks crafts songs that buzz with irony and desire, and the film leans into theatrical fantasy.

It asks you to surrender to its strange rhythm. If you do, you get a singular tale of fame, love, and the cost of spectacle, told with fearless imagination.

‘Hamilton’ (2020)

The filmed performance of ‘Hamilton’ puts you in the best seat in the house. The camera respects the stagecraft while giving you crisp detail on faces and footwork.

The blend of hip hop, R and B, and show tune tradition still feels electric. It is a master class in storytelling through music and a gift for anyone who never caught it live.

‘The Prom’ (2020)

‘The Prom’ is bright and sincere, with theatrical showpieces that double as acts of allyship. The cast leans into the humor while keeping the heart steady.

Songs celebrate being seen and accepted. It is candy colored fun with an open heart that makes room for everyone at the dance.

‘Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga’ (2020)

This affectionate comedy nails the joy and chaos of a beloved music event. ‘Eurovision Song Contest: The Story of Fire Saga’ delivers big ballads, glitter, and heartfelt underdogs.

The soundtrack is packed with instant earworms. It pokes fun while honoring how much these songs mean to fans, which is why it feels so warm.

‘Elvis’ (2022)

‘Elvis’ moves with a feverish groove that mirrors its subject. The performances channel raw charisma, and the musical sequences crackle.

The movie explores the magnetism of a star and the pressures that shadow fame. It is grand, stylish, and alive with rhythm.

‘Tár’ (2022)

‘Tár’ is a sleek character study set inside the rarefied world of classical music. The rehearsals, recordings, and power dynamics create a charged atmosphere.

Every scene listens closely to silence and sound. The film invites you to parse genius, control, and the echo of choices, and it does so with cool precision.

‘Maestro’ (2023)

‘Maestro’ traces a partnership built on music and devotion. The concert scenes feel intimate, and the quiet moments ring with candor.

It avoids simple myth making. Instead it lets the artistry and the relationships speak for themselves, which makes the crescendos hit even harder.

‘Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ (2022)

This biopic celebrates a voice that defined eras. ‘I Wanna Dance with Somebody’ delivers the thrill of performance along with a look at the person behind the hits.

The set pieces let classic songs breathe. It is a loving salute that invites both old and new fans to sing along.

‘Back to Black’ (2024)

‘Back to Black’ follows a singular talent with a tender touch. It focuses on creativity and the pull of a voice that felt both timeless and new.

The performances make familiar songs feel personal again. It is reflective, melancholy, and respectful of the craft at its center.

‘Flora and Son’ (2023)

‘Flora and Son’ finds music in small apartments and late night lessons. It shows how a guitar and a bit of patience can change the tone of a life.

The songs are simple in the best way. They carry humor and hope, turning everyday moments into little concerts of connection.

‘CODA’ (2021)

‘CODA’ is a moving story about finding your own sound while loving your family fiercely. The singing scenes feel honest and unforced, as if pulled from real rehearsals.

It earns every lump in the throat. By the end, the spotlight feels like a bridge rather than a divide, which is a beautiful note to hit.

‘Vivo’ (2021)

‘Vivo’ is a sweet animated adventure powered by rhythm and friendship. The tunes bounce along with bright energy and clever wordplay.

The journey celebrates memory and the way songs keep people close. It is gently funny and full of heart.

‘Encanto’ (2021)

‘Encanto’ fills the screen with color and melody. Each character gets a musical moment that unfolds like a secret finally spoken.

The songs stick with you because they speak to pressures and gifts that many people know well. It is joyful and deeply empathetic.

‘Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile’ (2022)

‘Lyle Lyle Crocodile’ is a cozy crowd pleaser that finds warmth in unexpected friendship. The numbers are catchy and inviting.

The movie embraces kindness and the courage to be seen. It is the sort of musical that leaves families smiling on the walk home.

‘Metal Lords’ (2022)

‘Metal Lords’ treats teenage dreams of starting a band with real affection. It captures the thrill of loud practice sessions and the courage it takes to step on stage.

The friendships feel messy and true. It is funny, heartfelt, and a reminder that finding your sound can also mean finding your people.

‘The High Note’ (2020)

‘The High Note’ glides through the world of pop stardom and the grind that keeps it going. It has glossy performances and a smart ear for behind the scenes work.

At its core is a story about ambition and mentorship. The music is polished, the jokes land, and the emotions feel easy to believe.

‘Daisy Jones & The Six’ (2023)

This series plays like a long lost album come to life. ‘Daisy Jones & The Six’ nails the chemistry of collaboration and the friction that fuels great songs.

The original tracks are catchy and textured. Studio scenes, tours, and fights all feel authentic, which makes the final echoes stick.

‘We Are Lady Parts’ (2021–2024)

‘We Are Lady Parts’ is sharp, funny, and bursting with punk spirit. The band at its center is both chaotic and charming, and their songs carry teeth and tenderness.

The show balances comedy with real questions about identity and belonging. Rehearsals and gigs become the places where courage grows.

‘The Beatles: Get Back’ (2021)

This docuseries is a time machine that drops you into creative work as it happens. ‘The Beatles: Get Back’ watches ideas turn into songs in real time.

It is patient and revealing. You see jokes, tensions, and breakthroughs, and you leave with a deeper love for collaboration.

‘Summer of Soul’ (2021)

‘Summer of Soul’ uncovers a festival that deserved the world’s attention. The performances radiate joy and cultural force.

The film connects the stage to a larger moment. It celebrates artists and a community that found strength in music, and it does so with grace.

‘TAYLOR SWIFT | THE ERAS TOUR’ (2023)

This concert film captures the scale and intimacy of a global event. ‘Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour’ invites you to experience the roar of a stadium and the quiet of a verse.

The set list flows like a story. It is a feast for fans and a showcase of how a songwriter can command a crowd with feeling and craft.

‘Moonage Daydream’ (2022)

‘Moonage Daydream’ is a dazzling immersion into a visionary mind. The editing moves like a mixtape, letting images and songs fuse into one experience.

It avoids simple biography and aims for mood and revelation. By the end you feel less like you learned facts and more like you visited an artist’s inner galaxy.

Share your favorite picks from this list and the titles we missed in the comments so we can keep the conversation going.