5 Musicals to Watch on Netflix!

If you love musical theatre but don’t have easy access to a Broadway show, don’t worry, Netflix is making Broadway accessible for everyone. Today, we will be talking about 5 musicals you can stream on Netflix.

Roald Dahl’s Matilda: The Musical

Based on Minchin’s West End stage show and Roald Dahl’s 1988 children’s novel, the film follows Matilda, played by Alisha Weir. She leads the student revolution against the horrible headteacher, Miss Trunchbull, played by Emma Thompson. The film began streaming in the US on December 25th, 2022; however, in Ireland and the UK, it won’t release on Netflix until the summer of 2023.

The Netflix film created a new song for the last four minutes of the musical called “Still Holding My Hand.” which is not in the original musical adaptation, but the creative team felt it would show how Miss Honey and Matilda have been there for each other the entire time. It is a perfect ending to a beautiful story.

Fans of the show, even adults, have fallen in love with the movie musical, and maybe it is because the original movie came out in theaters in 1996, and this brings back a nostalgic vibe. Fans are so happy with the show that they took to social media to speak about the film.

Tick, Tick… BOOM!

This film began streaming on November 19th, 2021 but had a limited release in theaters on November 12th, 2021. Some of the celebrities who starred in the film include Andrew Garfield as Jon, Alexandra Shipp as Susan, Vanessa Hudgens as Karessa, and Bradley Whitford as Stephen Sondheim.

The movie is directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the creator of the iconic shows Hamilton and In the Heights. This time Miranda directed the film adaptation of the autobiographical musical by Johnathan Larson, and many theatre lovers know Larson as the man behind the hit musical Rent. The synopsis of the movie on Netflix says, “On the brink of turning 30, a promising theater composer navigates love, friendship, and the pressure to create something great before time runs out.”

When the film came out, creators were covering the songs, lipsyncing to parts, and reviewing the film as a whole. Fans on Twitter were calling it one of Netflix’s best films yet. It is safe to say Garfield won the hearts of many, and to throw another swooning fact at you, Garfield learned how to sing and play the piano for this role. It paid off, Andrew.

@joshywashyreviews Why tick, tick… BOOM! is GREAT! #fyp #ticktickboom #andrewgarfield #vanessahudgens #netflix #musical #film #review #joshywashyreviews #3090 #therapy ♬ 30/90 – Andrew Garfield & Joshua Henry & Vanessa Hudgens & Robin de Jesús & Alexandra Shipp & Mj Rodriguez

Diana: The Musical

This is a very unique musical on Netflix because it was an actual recording of the show and the first time most people were able to see it. The bio-musical was recorded in an empty theatre and premiered on October 1st, 2021. The musical was set to open on Broadway on March 31st, 2020, but due to COVID-19, the show and all of Broadway were put to a halt. The show gives a unique perspective; it is as if the viewers at home are in the theatre themselves.

The on-stage show stars Jeanna de Waal as Diana, Roe Hartrampf as Prince Charles, Erin Davie as Camilla Parker Bowles, and Judy Kaye as Queen Elizabeth. The production “explores Princess Diana and her life in the royal family from her first meeting with Charles to her untimely death.”

While the show has received mixed reviews, that did not stop fans of the musical from showing their support and appreciation. People found themselves singing along to the soundtrack and belting out over de Waal’s vocals. If you love Princess Diana, be sure to add this to your watch list.

@cararosedipietro it HITS EVERY TIME ib: @Peter Parker’s gf #dianathemusical #broadway #theatretiktok #musictheatre #theatrekid #nycactor ♬ original sound – Cara Rose DiPietro

The Prom

This film adaptation comes full of A-listers. We have Meryl Streep as Dee Dee Allen, James Corden as Barry Glickman, and Nicole Kidman as Angie Dickinson, Andrew Rannells as Trent Oliver, and Ariana DeBose and Jo Ellen Pellman as Alyssa and Emma. After seeing the Tony-nominated show on Broadway, Ryan Murphy, creator of shows like Glee and American Horror Story, knew he wanted to make a movie adaptation.

The story follows four broadway celebrities who need some good deeds in their lives to place them back into the spotlight. They come together to help Emma Nolan, who wants to take her closeted girlfriend to the prom, but can’t because of the conservative PTA in her small Indiana town. What Emma doesn’t know is that these Broadway stars only see Emma as a project rather than a friend.

The Prom started streaming on December 11th, 2020, which was fairly quick after the stage production celebrated its opening night on Broadway on November 15th, 2018. Fans have so much love for this storyline, whether on Broadway or on screen.

@liamjalba 💖💖💖💖💖#theprom #prom #netflix #foryou #fyp #viral #trending #xyzbca #musical #nostalgia #throwback #dance #dancer #dancing ♬ You Happened – Caitlin Kinnunen & The Prom Ensemble

13: The Musical

The musical film is based on Jason Robert Brown’s stage production of 13, which ran on Broadway in 2008. The original Broadway show starred big named celebrities such as Ariana Grande and Liz Gillies before they knew they would be on Victorious. The movie is very different from the stage production, as it takes out 10 of the original songs but adds three new ones. The film began streaming on August 12th, 2022.

The film stars Eli Golden as Evan Goldman, Debra Messing as Jessica Goldman, and Josh Peck as Rabbi Shapiro. The story follows 13-year-old Evan Goldman as he moves from big-time New York City to a small town in Indiana after his parent’s divorce. Evan is faced with trying to fit into a new school and meeting new friends while also preparing for his pending Bar Mitzvah.

The film and stage adaptation honor the fact that kids can entertain a full audience on Broadway and can also lead a Netflix movie. Many appreciate this coming-of-age musical because it follows people through one of the most vulnerable stages of their life.

Are there any movie musicals that you have watched over the years on Netflix? Did we miss any of your favorites?