7 Best Musical Episodes in Non-Musical TV Shows

I’ve noticed how some TV shows really make music a huge part of who they are, like Crazy Ex-Girlfriend and Pushing Daisies – singing just felt built into those shows. But what really gets me is when a show that normally doesn’t sing suddenly does a musical episode. It’s such a risk! The actors are used to doing drama or comedy, and then they have to suddenly express themselves through song. It’s a big change and it’s always fascinating to see if it works.

It’s become less common for TV shows to include musical episodes. This is largely because the industry has shifted from shows with many episodes per season to shorter, more focused seasons designed for binge-watching. Traditionally, longer seasons allowed show creators the freedom to try things like musical episodes without disrupting the main storyline. Now, streaming services prioritize a fast-paced, consistent plot, and don’t see standalone episodes as a worthwhile use of time within a shorter season. This is unfortunate, because the best musical episodes demonstrate how taking creative risks can actually make a good show even better.

7) The Flash – “Duet” (Season 3, Episode 17)

The CW’s ‘Arrowverse’ achieved one of its most memorable moments with a unique crossover event that cleverly showcased the musical talents of its lead actors. In a special episode of The Flash called “Duet,” the villain Music Meister (Darren Criss) puts The Flash (Grant Gustin) and Supergirl (Melissa Benoist) into a dream world inspired by classic Hollywood musicals. To wake up, they have to act their way through a musical, complete with 1940s-style songs and dance numbers centered around a gangster storyline. What made this episode work so well was how the musical performances mirrored the characters’ feelings about love and their relationships with Iris West and Mon-El. The original songs, like “Runnin’ Home to You” and “Super Friend,” added emotional depth and proved that musicals can be a powerful way to develop characters even in a superhero show.

6) Batman: The Brave and the Bold – “Mayhem of the Music Meister!” (Season 1, Episode 24)

“Mayhem of the Music Meister!” is widely considered the peak of Batman: The Brave and the Bold, largely because of its embrace of the over-the-top fun found in older comic books. The episode introduces the Music Meister (voiced by Neil Patrick Harris), a villain who can control minds with his singing, turning Gotham City into a giant musical production. Because it’s animated, the episode features incredibly creative scenes – from tap-dancing in prison to epic, operatic superhero fights – that wouldn’t be possible in a live-action movie. The songs are cleverly written, poking fun at both musical theater and superhero stories. Diedrich Bader’s Batman is the perfect straight man, reacting to the craziness around him and making the whole thing even funnier as he’s forced to participate in the Music Meister’s wild show.

5) Community – “Regional Holiday Music” (Season 3, Episode 10)

The Community episode “Regional Holiday Music” brilliantly parodies the TV show Glee within the quirky setting of Greendale Community College. The story centers on Abed (Danny Pudi) trying to create a cheerful Christmas for his friends after the glee club gets into legal trouble. What starts as a holiday special quickly becomes a clever psychological thriller, portraying the catchy appeal of musical numbers as a contagious force that gradually affects everyone. Each song cleverly flips the usual personalities of the characters – for example, turning the cynical Jeff Winger (Joel McHale) into a rock star and presenting Annie Edison (Alison Brie) in an unexpectedly childlike way. This episode stands out because it uses music to comment on the often-fake happiness seen on TV, all while keeping the show’s signature self-aware humor. The original songs are also remarkably well-made, successfully imitating the polished sound and look of the shows they’re poking fun at.

4) Scrubs – “My Musical” (Season 6, Episode 6)

While hospital dramas aren’t usually known for musical numbers, the TV show Scrubs cleverly explained its detour into song and dance in the episode “My Musical.” The story revolves around a patient, Patti Miller, who has a rare condition that makes her hear everything as a Broadway production. This allows the show to stay realistic while the main characters, J.D. and Christopher Turk, break into energetic musical numbers that revisit past conflicts. The songs themselves are varied and well-made, from funny R&B tunes like “Guy Love” to a big finale featuring the entire hospital. The episode works so well because the songs feel connected to the characters’ everyday work stresses, keeping the humor consistent with the show’s overall style.

3) Futurama – “The Devil’s Hands Are Idle Playthings” (Season 4, Episode 18)

Originally intended as the last episode of the popular animated series Futurama, “The Devil’s Hands Are Idle Playthings” features Fry (voiced by Billy West) making a deal with the Robot Devil (voiced by Dan Castellaneta) to become a talented musician. The episode culminates in a complete opera where the characters express the ongoing romantic feelings between Fry and Turanga Leela (voiced by Katey Sagal) through song. This musical installment is notable for its complex and well-crafted music, which perfectly blends with the storyline. The lyrics are full of the show’s characteristic humor, and the opera sequence is visually stunning, highlighting the emotional weight of the situation. The episode ends with a touching, simple tune played on a holophonor, providing a bittersweet and heartfelt conclusion.

2) Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – “Subspace Rhapsody” (Season 2, Episode 9)

In a first for the franchise in over sixty years, Star Trek: Strange New Worlds presented a full-fledged musical episode that skillfully blended science fiction with Broadway-style performance. Titled “Subspace Rhapsody,” the episode centers around a tear in space-time that causes the crew of the Enterprise to unexpectedly burst into song, revealing their deepest feelings and hidden struggles. The episode is a technical marvel, showcasing a range of musical genres tailored to each character – from the pop-influenced sounds of Nyota Uhura (Celia Rose Gooding) to the heartfelt expressions of Christopher Pike (Anson Mount). What makes it work is that the songs aren’t just for entertainment; they help move the characters’ stories forward, pushing La’an Noonien-Singh (Christina Chong) and others to deal with long-held secrets. By grounding the musical numbers in the show’s science fiction world, Strange New Worlds manages to embrace the fun and silliness of the musical format while staying true to the spirit of Star Trek.

1) Buffy the Vampire Slayer – “Once More, with Feeling” (Season 6, Episode 7)

Even after over twenty years, the Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode “Once More, with Feeling” is still considered the best example of a non-musical TV episode ever made. Created by Joss Whedon, the episode centers around a demon who forces everyone in Sunnydale to break into song—literally, until they explode. What makes it so good is that the singing isn’t just for fun; it allows the characters to finally express long-held secrets and feelings, especially Buffy’s (Sarah Michelle Gellar) struggles after being brought back to life. The episode features a wide range of musical styles, from rock and disco to gentle lullabies, all carefully chosen to reflect what each character is going through. It’s a remarkable success because it’s more than just a gimmick; it’s a crucial moment that significantly impacts the season’s overall story.

What TV show had the best musical episode, in your opinion? Share your thoughts in the comments and join the discussion on the ComicBook Forum!

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2026-01-23 00:15