10 Highest-Grossing Musicals of All Time, Ranked By How Good They Are

When people think about the most successful movies ever made, science fiction and, specifically, superhero films usually come to mind. Movies like Avatar and the Star Wars series are truly best experienced in a movie theater – it feels like you’re missing out if you don’t see them on the biggest screen possible. These films are key to keeping the movie theater business thriving. And when it comes to superhero blockbusters like The Dark Knight and The Avengers, they consistently attract huge and diverse audiences week after week.

You might be surprised to learn that, when accounting for inflation, some of the most successful movies of all time are musicals. The two Wicked films are prime examples. Here’s a list of the ten highest-grossing musicals in U.S. movie history, with their earnings adjusted to today’s dollars (as of 2025).

10) The Rocky Horror Picture Show ($516 Million Adjusted)

Is The Rocky Horror Picture Show a good movie? That’s debatable, and even many of its fans might say it isn’t. However, it’s definitely the most iconic cult film ever made. It originally came out in 1975 and wasn’t a hit, but incredibly, it’s been playing in theaters ever since – for over 50 years! It still holds midnight screenings where audiences participate and have a fantastic time.

Ultimately, this cult classic film is best remembered for launching Tim Curry’s career. His portrayal of the alien scientist Dr. Frank-N-Furter was a truly iconic, star-making performance, filled with incredible charisma. It was his first movie role, and many fans still consider it his finest – or at the very least, his most significant.

Stream The Rocky Horror Picture Show on Hulu.

9) The Lion King (2019) ($565 Million Adjusted)

The 1994 film The Lion King deeply affected audiences with its emotional story and the tragic death of Mufasa during the stampede. It’s telling that the 2019 remake, despite recreating the same scene, doesn’t have the same impact. This highlights how CGI can feel more distant than traditional animation. Hand-drawn animation pulls you into the story, while CGI feels like it’s trying to come to you. Even with James Earl Jones reprising his role as Mufasa, his death doesn’t resonate as strongly because the digitally created lions, while visually realistic, lack emotional depth.

Whether Jon Favreau’s The Lion King is a complete disappointment is up for debate. While the voice actors do a good job and the visual effects are initially striking, the film feels like an unnecessary remake of a story that was already told flawlessly.

Stream The Lion King on Disney+.

8) Beauty and the Beast (2017) ($533 Million Adjusted)

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast was a landmark film for the studio. It made history as the first animated movie to be nominated for the Best Picture Oscar, and continues to be a beloved musical decades later, celebrated for its meaningful story and beautiful traditional animation.

The 2017 remake is okay – it’s more captivating than the live-action Lion King, but it reinforces the idea that classic Disney films don’t always benefit from being remade. Something feels lost in translation. That said, the casting choices were strong, particularly Luke Evans as Gaston and Ian McKellen as Cogsworth.

Stream Beauty and the Beast on Disney+.

7) Grease ($722 Million Adjusted)

Although Grease hasn’t held up perfectly over time, it remains a significant and well-loved movie musical. However, its outdated portrayal of relationships between men and women led us to rank it lower on our list.

Despite being set in the 1950s, the film remains delightful and authentically portrays the era. John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John share fantastic chemistry, and many of the songs were—and still are—huge hits. It’s a film with a lasting appeal, though some of the lyrics might raise eyebrows today.

Stream Grease for free on Kanopy.

6) Wicked ($475 Million Adjusted)

Jon M. Chu’s Wicked is a beautifully filmed and well-acted adaptation of the popular 2003 stage musical, with standout performances from Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo. Like the original musical, it offers a fresh perspective on The Wizard of Oz that will change how you see the classic film – and this is even truer for those familiar with Wicked: For Good.

While some might feel the movie is a bit lengthy, its captivating musical numbers and natural performances – especially from the lead actors and Jonathan Bailey and Ethan Slater – keep you engaged. Wicked was a huge commercial success, earning five times its production cost worldwide, and is sure to be enjoyed by families for years to come.

Stream Wicked on Prime Video.

5) The Bells of St. Mary’s ($588 Million Adjusted)

As a classic film lover, I always find myself drawn back to The Bells of St. Mary’s. What really makes it special is the incredible chemistry between Bing Crosby and Ingrid Bergman – you can just feel it on screen! But it’s more than just that; the movie effortlessly blends humor with genuinely heartwarming moments that remind you of the best in people. It’s a truly charming film.

The film holds up remarkably well, as the tension between traditional and modern views within Christianity remains relevant today. Ultimately, it’s a Christmas movie that reminds us of a time when people with differing beliefs could find common ground.

Stream The Bells of St. Mary’s for free with ads on The Roku Channel.

4) West Side Story (1961) ($525 Million Adjusted)

The original West Side Story was a much bigger hit than Steven Spielberg’s recent version, and for good reason. It’s a stunning and moving update of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet, set in a modern, vibrant world.

West Side Story skillfully addresses important and difficult themes with a surprisingly uplifting tone. Leonard Bernstein’s fantastic music is woven throughout the story, preventing it from becoming overly bleak. While the production does feature instances of brownface, it avoids turning characters into stereotypes.

Stream West Side Story on Prime Video.

3) My Fair Lady ($563 Million Adjusted)

Thanks to its stunning costumes, Audrey Hepburn’s unforgettable performance, and the memorable music by Lerner & Loewe, My Fair Lady remains a beloved classic musical. Because the film deals with issues of social class, its themes continue to resonate even today.

The film was the second-highest-grossing movie of 1964 and appealed to a wide range of viewers. Some see it as a critique of class differences, while others believe it supports them. However, if you interpret it as a criticism of those attitudes, it’s one of the most delightfully entertaining musicals ever made.

2) Mary Poppins ($733 Million Adjusted)

Disney’s Mary Poppins is a truly enchanting and innovative film from the 1960s. It brilliantly combines live actors with animation, creating a movie that still feels delightful to watch.

Even after 60 years, the making of Mary Poppins is remarkably well-crafted. However, the film truly succeeds because of its two leads. Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke were perfect choices, each bringing a genuine warmth and humanity to their characters that continues to make the movie so enjoyable.

Stream Mary Poppins on Disney+.

1) The Sound of Music ($1.335 Billion Adjusted)

Many people assume The Wizard of Oz is the most successful musical film ever made, but surprisingly, it wasn’t a hit when it first came out in 1939. It only became profitable after a re-release in 1949. The actual highest-grossing musical movie is the 1965 film The Sound of Music. It’s the third highest-grossing film domestically, behind only Gone with the Wind and Star Wars: A New Hope.

It’s wonderfully convenient that this film is also a truly exceptional musical – it currently ranks number one on our list! The classic music by Rodgers & Hammerstein, combined with stunning visuals and a flawless performance from Julie Andrews, creates a story that beautifully balances serious themes like World War II and Nazism with the simple joys of life.

Stream The Sound of Music on Hulu.

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2025-12-08 00:12