Disney is known for their amazing musicals, here’s a list of the best Disney musical movies on Disney Plus including concerts and stage shows.
One of the most iconic parts of the Disney movie legacy is the music. Their movies are known for their amazing soundtracks and scores. The most popular music is from the incredible collection of Disney musical movies. These musicals date back to Disney’s first animated feature Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. Many of the soundtracks for the Disney Renaissance were converted into Broadway productions, like Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King.
Celebrity music artists like Sir Elton John, Phil Collins, and Carly Simon have composed the soundtracks for several Disney musical movies as well. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s popularity secured him several composing opportunities on contemporary movies.
All of the Disney musical movies on this list are currently streaming on Disney Plus. The list is divided into four categories: Animated Disney Musical Movies, Live-Action Disney Musical Movies, Disney Channel Original Musical Movies, Concert Movies, and Live Musical Movies and Documentaries.
Animated Disney Musical Movies
Some of the most popular Disney musical movies are the animated classics. This list includes contemporary animated movies, animated classics, direct-to-video sequels, and Disney musical movie anthologies.
Aladdin
A homeless young man finds a magic lamp and wishes to become a prince and win over Princess Jasmine. Aladdin is one of the movies from an era called the “Disney Renaissance.” These animated musicals released between 1989 and 1999 and were some of Disney’s most iconic films. The soundtrack was composed by Disney legend Alan Menken, who won an Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Original Score.
The Return of Jafar
A thief finds Jafar’s lamp and sets him free so he can take his revenge on Aladdin and his friends in this direct-to-video sequel. The soundtrack features songs from Menken’s original Aladdin soundtrack, as well as songs from various other composers, including Randy Peterson and Kevin Quinn.
Aladdin and the King of Thieves
Finally, this direct-to-video movie wraps up the Aladdin franchise. It’s inspired by the Arabian tale of the Forty Thieves, but Aladdin’s father is their leader. Randy Peterson and Kevin Quinn return to compose the majority of this soundtrack, the most notable is “Welcome to the Forty Thieves.”
Alice in Wonderland
A young girl follows a White Rabbit into the fantastical Wonderland, but she can’t seem to find her way out. This movie holds the Disney record for the most musical numbers. It has 19 different songs! The extensive soundtrack was a collaborative effort between Bob Hilliard and Sammy Fain, as well as others.
Anastasia
This animated musical wasn’t made by Disney Studios, but Disney bought 21st Century Fox in 2019 which makes it a Disney property. So it counts! The film tells a fictional story of Anastasia, the missing Romanov princess. Stephen Flaherty and Lynn Ahrens composed the iconic soundtrack. It was later adapted into a Broadway show due to the popularity of the soundtrack.
The Aristocats
Duchess and her kittens belong to a wealthy widow and live a life of luxury. After a kidnapping goes wrong the cats find themselves lost in the countryside. An alley cat finds them and helps them return home. Disney’s legendary Sherman Brothers composed several numbers for the soundtrack.
Bambi
A young deer learns about the joys and struggles of life in the forest. Frank Churchill is responsible for the soundtrack, including Disney hit “Little April Showers.”
Bambi 2
This direct-to-video film released over 60 years after the original movie. It is a “midquel” which is a term for a movie that tells a story from within the original movie. The soundtrack is a collaboration between multiple composers and artists, like Alison Kraus.
Beauty and the Beast (Belle’s Magical World + The Enchanted Christmas)
Another Disney Renaissance success, Beauty and the Beast is the story of a beautiful young woman who falls in love with a Beast. Alan Menken is the composer responsible for this masterpiece of a soundtrack. It also won an Academy Award and Golden Globe for Best Original Score, as well as Best Original Song. Disney converted the film into a Broadway musical in 1994 and it remains a huge success.
The Brave Little Toaster Goes to Mars
This direct-to-video animated classic is about a group of appliances who team up to rescue a baby from aliens. Van Dyke Parks composed the soundtrack for the adorable family film.
The Brave Little Toaster to the Rescue
Toaster and his appliance pals join together to save animals in a veterinary clinic from an evil scheme. This direct-to-video sequel to The Brave Little Toaster features a soundtrack by William Finn and Ellen Fitzhugh.
Brother Bear
A Native American hunter kills a bear in revenge, so he magically transforms into a bear himself. He meets a lost cub and the two form a bond, despite their differences. The great Phil Collins composed the soundtrack for this film and it is so much fun. Hits like “On My Way” are great for modern audiences.
Brother Bear 2
A direct-to-video sequel where the bear brothers help an old human friend. Phil Collins did not return for the sequel, but fellow music legend Melissa Etheridge composed the new soundtrack.
Cinderella
One of Disney’s most popular films, Cinderella is animated musical from 1950 based on the Grimm Brothers’ fairytale. Cinderella works as a servant for her cruel stepmother, until her fairy godmother helps her meet Prince Charming. Mack David, Jerry Livingston, and Al Hoffman composed the soundtrack, which includes iconic songs like “Bibbidi Bobbidi Boo” and “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes.”
Cinderella II – Dreams Come True
This direct-to-video sequel tells three stories about what happens to Cinderella and her friends after they move into the palace. The soundtrack includes songs from the original 1950s film, as well as a few new songs from various composers.
Cinderella III – A Twist in Time
The evil stepmother finds Fairy Godmother’s wand and uses it to rewind time. In this alternate timeline the prince chooses Anastasia as his bride, but Cinderella and her friends must stop the wedding. The soundtrack consists of songs from composers Alan Zachary and Michael Weiner.
Coco
This Disney-Pixar production celebrates Mexican culture as the main character journeys to the Land of the Dead to find a long lost musician relative. The film’s soundtrack incorporates a traditional Mexican music flare into its songs. Germaine Franco, Adrian Molina, Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez all contributed to the soundtrack and popular composer Michael Giacchino did the score.
Descendants: The Royal Wedding
A short animated sequel to Descendants 3 about Mal and Ben’s wedding. It was the final project featuring the original cast following the death of Cameron Boyce. It only features one song, “Feeling the Love.”
Dumbo
A young elephant is ridiculed by the other members of the circus for his abnormally large ears. But he learns that his ears actually give him the ability to fly. Frank Churchill (Bambi) and popular composer Oliver Wallace contributed songs to this soundtrack which includes classics like “Baby Mine.”
Encanto
The story of a magical Columbian family who uses their powers to help their town. However, one of the family members doesn’t have powers and feels ostrasized by everyone else. Lin-Manuel Miranda wrote the soundtrack and traveled to Columbia to study music there to use in the songs. The music of Encanto took modern audiences by storm and the songs became instant hits.
Fantasia
This wasn’t a singing musical movie, however, the film is mostly just music. It uses the music of famous composers like Beethoven, Bach, and Tchaikovsky to tell short animated stories.
Fantasia 2000
The 1999 sequel to the original Fantasia, Fantasia 2000 uses classical songs, and a more contemporary jazz piece, to tell different animated stories, while embracing different types of modern animation.
The Fox and the Hound
A fox named Tod and a hound dog named Copper become unlikely friends as young children. However, their differences tear their friendship apart as they mature. The soundtrack combines the work of multiple composers and includes the heartwrenching song “Best of Friends.”
The Fox and the Hound 2
This direct-to-video “midquel” goes back to Tod and Copper’s childhood. A dog band called the Singin’ Strays recruits Copper as their newest member, but the fame goes to his head. The movie features performances from country superstar Reba McIntire and Patrick Swayze. The soundtrack features songs written by various composers and performances from the stars.
Frozen
Princess Anna must find her sister to end the perpetual winter that plaques her kingdom with the help of an ice harvester and his reindeer. This 2013 animated movie was an instant classic for audiences of all ages. Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez wrote the incredible soundtrack featuring songs like “Let It Go” and “Love is An Open Door.” “Let It Go” won the Oscar for Best Original Song that year. The movie inspired a Broadway show which opened in 2018. It’s not surprising considering Broadway stars Idina Menzel, Jonathan Groff, and Josh Gad star in the film.
Frozen II
Anna and Elsa set out with their friends to solve a magical mystery that threatens their kingdom. This sequel was one of the highest grossing films of 2019. Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez returned to compose the sequel, which included different sylings of music, like an 80s power ballad. “Into the Unknown” was nominated for Best Original Song at the Golden Globes and Acadamy Awards.
Hercules
Let’s return to the Disney Renaissance with 1997’s Hercules. It’s the story of the demi-god son of Zeus and his journey to becoming a hero. The soundtrack is another Alan Menken masterpiece with gospel influences in pieces like “The Gospel Truth.” “Go the Distance” was nominated for Best Original Song at the Academy Awards and the Golden Globe.
Home on the Range
Three dairy cows set out on a quest to save their dairy farm from reposession. Alan Menken wrote the soundtrack for this film, which has country music influences.
The Hunchback of Notre Dame
It’s a Disney Renaissance film, which means Alan Menken wrote the soundtrack! The movie tells the story of Quasimodo, a disfigured man who is locked away in the Notre Dame belltower. It features one of Disney’s most vile villains, Frollo and his disturbing song “Hellfire.”
The Hunchback of Notre Dame II
In this direct-to-video sequel Quasimodo must protect Notre Dame’s bell from a scheming circus sorcerer with the help a new friend. Like many other non-theatric release sequels the soundtrack is a compilation of many different composers.
James and the Giant Peach
An orphaned boy flies with his bug friends from England to New York City inside a giant peach. The film is a blend of live-action and stop-motion animation based on Roald Dahl’s popular book of the same name. Randy Newman, known for the hit song “You’ve Got a Friend in Me” from Toy Story, composed the soundtrack.
The Jungle Book
Mowgli is a young boy found abandoned in the jungle. A wolf pack raises him until the presence of a fearsome tiger, Shere Khan, threatens the boy’s safety. A panther and a bear team up to get Mowgli to the safety of a human village. Disney legends, The Sherman Brothers composed the soundtrack for the film, except the hit “Bare Necessities,” which Terry Gilkyson wrote.
The Jungle Book 2
A direct-to-video sequel which released in 2003, almost 40 years after the original. Mowgli feels restless in the village so he sneaks out to be with his animal friends. However, Shere Khan waits in the jungle to get his revenge. The sequel’s soundtrack features the Sherman Brothers’ original songs and new songs composed by Lorraine Feather and Paul Grabowsky.
Lady and the Tramp
The classic tale of a wealthy young lady falling a boy from the wrong side of the tracks, except with dogs. Singer/songwriter Peggy Lee collaborated with Sonny Burke on the films soundtrack, including songs like “Bella Notte.”
Lady and the Tramp II: Scamp’s Adventure
Another direct-to-video sequel from the early 2000s. This film is about Scamp, Lady and the Tramp’s restless son who wants an adventurous life like his dad’s. The soundtrack features songs from the original soundtrack and new pieces by Melissa Manchester and Norman Gimbel.
The Lion King
One of Disney’s most well-known films, The Lion King is a loose retelling of Shakespeare’s Hamlet featuring animals of the African savanna. Alan Menken was unavailable to write the soundtrack, so Disney hired Sir Elton John to write with composer Tim Rice. The result was a legendary soundtrack that includes masterpieces like “Hakuna Matata” and “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” which won the Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Original Song. Disney on Broadway adapted the film into a successful Broadway production.
The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride
One of the most underrated Disney direct-to-video sequels. The movie is about Simba’s daughter Kiara and her forbidden romance with Kovu, a member of Scar’s old pride. It’s soundtrack features a mix of different songwriters and composers, but songs like “He Lives in You” and “One of Us” stand out.
The Lion King 1 1/2
This straight-to-video film is a mix between a prequel and a midquel. It includes Timon and Pumba’s origin story and retells The Lion King from their perspective. The soundtrack includes two original songs written by Tim Rice and Elton John that were cut from the original movie’s soundtrack.
The Little Mermaid
Back to Disney Renaissance movies composed by Alan Menken! This story, based on the Hans Christian Anderson fairytale, is about Ariel a headstrong mermaid who longs to live on land with humans. She makes a deal with a sea witch for legs in exchange for her voice. The incredible soundtrack features hits like “Kiss the Girl,” “Part of Your World, and “Under the Sea,” which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
The Little Mermaid II: Return to the Sea
Ariel and Eric’s daughter, Melody, longs for a life under the sea, but her parents are content on land. However, Ariel must return to the sea when Melody is kidnapped as part of an evil plot to overthrow King Triton. The soundtrack features new songs from Michael Silversher and Patty Silversher, as well as a few of Menken’s songs from the original movie.
The Little Mermaid: Ariel’s Beginning
A prequel to the original Little Mermaid. King Triton bans music from the kingdom following the death of his wife, but Ariel is determined to sing. The soundtrack features songs composed by Jeanine Tesori, who worked on many Disney sequels.
The Many Adventures of Winnie the Pooh
A 1977 trio of animated tales about everyone’s favorite bear and his friends in the Hundred Acre Wood. The Sherman Brothers composed the iconic soundtrack, full of fans’ favorite Winnie the Pooh songs.
Melody Time
A collection of animated stories paired with various music scores to create a musical anthology. The movie is similar to Fantasia, but with a wider array of music. It’s a 1948 “needledrop” soundtrack versus a Disney original. (Needledrop soundtracks use popular contemporary music in place of original pieces to help tell the story.)
Moana
The story of a young Polynesian woman who follows her dreams to become a wayfinder and save her people. Lin-Manuel Miranda collaborated with Samoan music artist Opetaia Foa’i on the soundtrack. This collaboration ensured the movie stayed true to its Polynesian roots.
Mulan
A Chinese woman poses as a man to save her father from military conscription. She goes on to become a hero of China. Matthew Wilder and David Zippel collaborated on the soundtrack, which includes the popular song “Reflection” and Donny Osmond’s “I’ll Make a Man Out of You.”
Mulan II
The direct-to-video sequel where Mulan and Shang go on a special mission for the Emperor that threatens their relationship. Popular Disney sequel composer Jeanine Tesori did the soundtrack.
Oliver and Company
Disney’s retelling of Charles Dickens’ Oliver Twist with dogs and cats as the stars fo the film. The soundtrack is a collaboration of many different composers, including Barry Manilow. The songs are even more amazing because they’re performed by legendary artists Billy Joel and Huey Lewis.
Peter Pan
The iconic animated 1953 film adaptation based on the works of J.M. Barrie. Wendy and her brothers travel with Peter Pan to Neverland where they meet the Lost Boys and Captain Hook. Popular Disney composers Sammy Fain (Alice In Wonderland), Frank Churchill (Bambi), and Oliver Wallace (Dumbo) collaborated on the soundtrack full of hits “You Can Fly” and “The Second Star to the Right.” Unfortunately, the soundtrack also features racist songs about Indigenous people.
Pinocchio
A lonely woodcarver longs for a family, so he wishes his latest puppet of a little boy was alive. His wish is granted, but Pinocchio must prove he is good in order to become human. The soundtrack by Ned Washington and Leigh Harline won two Acadamy Awards, including Best Original Song for “When You Wish Upon a Star.”
Pocahontas
This historically inaccurate portrayal of the life of Pocahontas and her relationship with John Smith is a Disney classic. Just because it isn’t true doesn’t mean it isn’t entertaining. Alan Menken composed the soundtrack and “Colors of the Wind” won the Oscar for Best Original Song.
Pocahontas II: Journey to a New World
The direct-to-video sequel is about Pocahontas and her trip to England with John Rolfe. The movie is probably why millennial women are obsessed with love triangles, though it is historically inaccurate. Alan Menken did not return for the sequel soundtrack.
Piglet’s Big Movie
Little Piglet journeys out on his own after feeling excluded by his friends. The Hundred Acre Wood friends have to use Piglet’s scrapbook as clues to find him. The soundtrack includes songs by the legendary Sherman Brothers and original pieces by Carly Simon.
Pooh’s Heffalump Movie
Roo gets separated from his friends when hunting for Heffalumps. He meets a young Heffalump named Lumpy and the two become friends, proving the two don’t need to be afraid of each other. Carly Simon returns to compose the music for another Pooh movie.
The Princess and the Frog
Tiana is a hardworking waitress in New Orleans who dreams of opening her own restaurant. She makes a wish and kisses a frog, but instead of getting a prince she turns into a frog too. This film stars Disney’s first black princess and is heavily influenced by New Orleans’ culture. Randy Newman (James and the Giant Peach) composed the soundtrack which features several jazz, blues, and gospel inspired tracks.
Robin Hood
An animated movie about the legendary outlaw with a cast of animals. Roger Miller composed the soundtrack including the popular song “Oo-De-Lally.”
Saludos Amigos
During the second World War, Walt Disney was hired as a good will ambassador to Latin America in an effort to ease tensions. The musical anthology included a live-action tour of Walt Disney’s animation studios and several animated shorts following Donald Duck and Goofy on adventures around South America. The soundtrack is a collaboration between several different composers.
Sleeping Beauty
A timeless Disney classic about a princess who is cursed by the evil Maleficent and falls into a deep sleep alongside her entire kingdom. George Bruns composed the soundtrack, with the exception of “Once Upon a Dream” which was written by Sammy Fain and Jack Lawrence.
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
Disney’s first animated feature retells the classic Grimm fairy tale about a beautiful princess who’s stepmother, the Evil Queen, wants to kill her. She seeks refuge with seven dwarfs in their isolated cottage. Frank Churchill (Bambi, Peter Pan) composed the soundtrack including hits like “Heigh Ho” and “Whistle While You Work.”
Soul
Joe is a middle school music teacher who loves jazz but his life hasn’t gone the way he expected. He journies to another realm to help someone find their passion and rediscovers his. The soundtrack features needledropping jazz numbers and original songs by Daveed Diggs and Curtis Mayfield.
The Sword in the Stone
One of Disney’s 1960s classics that adapts the origin story of King Arthur and his friendship with Merlin before he pulls Excalibur from the stone. The legendary Sherman Brothers composed the soundtrack.
Tangled
Disney’s animated adaptation of the classic Rapunzel fairytale. The story follows Rapunzel and a thief named Flynn Rider on a journey to discover who she really is. Alan Menken composed the iconic soundtrack including hits “I See the Light” and “When Will My Life Begin.”
Tangled: Before Ever After
A made-for-TV movie that serves as sequel to Tangled and a prequel for the animated Tangled television series. It’s about Rapunzel and Eugene adjusting to life in the palace. Surprisingly, Alan Menken returned to compose two new musical numbers for this sequel.
Tarzan
The story of an orphan raised by gorillas in the jungle. He starts to doubt his existence among the gorillas when a team of human explorers arrive. The iconic soundtrack was written by Phil Collins and features banger after banger. The hit “You’ll Be In My Heart” won an Oscar and Golden Globe for Best Original Song, and a Grammy for Best Song Written for a Motion Picture. The whole soundtrack also won the Grammy for Best Soundtrack Album.
Tarzan II
A midquel about Tarzan’s awkward adolescent years among the gorillas, when he first questions his identity. Phil Collins returned to write two new songs for the soundtrack despite it’s straight to homevideo release.
The Three Caballeros
Another musical anthology made as part of Walt Disney’s role as a good will ambassador to South America. It blends live-action and animation to tell stories about Donald Duck and his adventures with parrot Jose and rooster Panchito. The movie and soundtrack inspired a ride at Walt Disney World.
The Tigger Movie
Tigger decides he no longer wants to be the only Tigger, so he sets out on a journey to find his family. His friends in the Hundred Acre Wood go after him. The legendary Sherman Brothers returned to compose this Winnie the Pooh movie.
The Nightmare Before Christmas
A stop-motion animated movie about Jack Skellington, who wants to leave his life in Halloween Town and try out Christmas instead. The talented composer Danny Elfman composed the soundtrack for the movie. Many of the hits, like “This Is Halloween” and “What’s This” are now pop culture favorites.
Winnie the Pooh
Three stories about Pooh bear and his friends, like Eeyore, Owl, and more. Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez (Frozen) wrote the soundtrack, which also includes an original song written by Zooey Deschanel.
Winnie the Pooh: A Valentine for You
The Hundred Acre Wood friends are jealous when Christopher Robin makes a Valentine for a new friend. Michael and Patty Silversher (Little Mermaid 2) composed 3 new songs for the soundtrack.
Winnie the Pooh: Springtime With Roo
Rabbit wants to spring clean, but his friends would rather play in the spring sunshine. The soundtrack includes several different composers alongside the Sherman Brothers’ original Pooh theme song.
Live-Action Musicals on Disney Plus
These live-action Disney musical movies range from adaptations of the animated classics, to original stories. Some of the most popular musical movies like Mary Poppins, blend live-action and animation. This list also includes non Disney musical movies that are currently streaming on Disney Plus, like Hello Dolly.
Aladdin
In 2019 Disney released a live-action remake of Aladdin. The movie starred Will Smith as Genie, who put his spin on some of the classic songs. Alan Menken returned to compose a new song for Princess Jasmine and the score for the remake.
Beauty and the Beast
The live-action adaptation of Beauty and the Beast was released in 2017. Emma Watson played Belle alongside a cast of stars like Luke Evans, Josh Gad, Ewan McGregor, and Emma Thompson. The movie featured 3 new songs composed by Menken, who composed the original animated film, with lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice.
Bedknobs and Broomsticks
This unique musical from 1971 blends animation and live-action. It’s about a witch (Angela Landsbury) who decides to use her supernatural powers to defeat the Nazis during the Battle of Britain. She uses an enchanted bed to travel to Fantasy lands and stop the German troops. The legendary Sherman Brothers composed the soundtrack for this musical adventure.
Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen
Lindsay Lohan plays a teenager obsessed with becoming a famous stage actress. Her Broadway dreams are foiled when her parents move the family from New York City to small-town New Jersey. The soundtrack features a mix of original and pre-existing songs, including four songs performed by Lohan.
The Country Bears
This fun country music movie is about a young bear who wants to unite The Country Bears band after a feud tears them apart. It’s loosely based on the popular Disney World attraction that opened in 1971. The soundtrack is a mix of original music and other popular hits. John Hiatt wrote the majority of the original songs, but Elton John also contributed a song.
Enchanted
This fun fairytale is a princess story that comes to life. Giselle (Amy Adams) is an animated princess betrothed to a prince who finds herself in real-life New York City because of a curse. There she falls for a single dad (Patrick Dempsey) who needs some magic in his life. Alan Menken composed the score and musical numbers for the film so they grasp that classic Disney feel audiences love.
Disenchanted
Faced with the struggles of life with a new baby, teenage daughter, and busy work schedules, Giselle moves her family to the suburbs in hopes of reconnecting. Her desperation to make everything perfect transforms her into an evil stepmother. Alan Menken returned to compose the music for this Disney Plus Original sequel.
The Greatest Showman
A musical story about P.T. Barnum and his Barnum and Bailey circus. The film skips over a lot of the terrible things P.T. Barnum did to make him a compelling character. Hugh Jackman plays Barnum, alongside a musically gifted cast including Zac Efron, and Zendaya. Benj Pasek and Justin Paul collaborated on the spectacular soundtrack full of original songs.
Hannah Montana The Movie
Miley Stewart lives a double life as a normal teenager and a pop star. It’s a lot to juggle, so Miley’s dad takes the family back to Tennessee to reconnect with their roots. The soundtrack features original music from Rascal Flats, Taylor Swift, Billy Ray Cyrus, and Miley Cyrus. It includes many iconic Hannah Montana songs, as well as “The Climb” which was the lead single of the album.
High School Musical 3
This movie stands alone here because it was the only High School Musical film with a theatrical run. It was released in theaters in 2008 and concludes the High School Musical trilogy as the stars graduate from high school. The soundtrack features many different composers who came together to produce a fun and emotional musical.
Hocus Pocus
A classic Halloween movie from 1993 about three witch sisters who return after hundreds of years to steal youth from children. Hocus Pocus only features two musical numbers, but they are iconic. The first is a cover of “I Put a Spell On You” performed by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy. The second is “Sarah’s Theme” which is original to the film. The score for the movie was composed by John Debney and is instantly recognizable.
Hocus Pocus 2
The Sanderson Sisters return in this Disney Plus Original sequel. Like the first, this film features two original songs, “Garden of Magic” by James Horner and Mark Walsh, it’s performed twice in the movie by Hannah Waddingham and Sarah Jessica Parker. The second original song, “The Witches Are Back” was co-written by Elton John and performed by Bette Midler, Sarah Jessica Parker, and Kathy Najimy.
Into the Woods
In 2014 Disney brought the Broadway sensation Into the Woods to the movie screen. The legendary Stephen Sondheim (West Side Story & Sweeney Todd) wrote the music for the original play. In the movie, Sondheim’s songs are performed by a star-studded cast including Meryl Streep, Anna Kendrick, Chris Pine, Emily Blunt, and James Corden.
Lady and the Tramp
Disney continued their “live-action” remake trend with the 2019 rendition of Lady and the Tramp. The movie featured the original soundtrack from Peggy Lee and Sonny Burke, as well as a Janelle Monae song.
The Little Mermaid
This 2023 live-action remake of the animated classic altered the soundtrack from the original film. Alan Menken returned to collaborate with Lin-Manuel Miranda on three new original songs, as well as tweaks to the classic soundtrack. Halle Bailey gave a stunning performance as Ariel and young audiences enjoyed the rap stylings of Daveed Diggs as Sebastian and Awkwafina as Scuttle.
The Lizzie McGuire Movie
This movie may not technically be a musical, but the musical performance at the end by Hilary Duff pushes it there for me. It’s a movie ending for the Lizzie McGuire series on Disney Channel. The film follows Lizzie on an adventure to Rome where she meets an Italian popstar who invites her to sing with him. The film features three original songs that Hilary Duff performed, so it counts as a musical to me.
Mary Poppins
This may be Disney’s most popular musical ever. Mary Poppins, starring Julie Andrews and Dick Van Dyke, is a heartwarming tale of a family struggling to connect whose lives are changed when they hire a magical nanny. The Sherman Brothers created the legendary soundtrack, which includes Walt Disney’s favorite song “Feed the Birds.”
Mary Poppins Returns
In 2018 Disney released a sequel to the 1964 classic. Mary Poppins (Emily Blunt) returns to help the Banks children as adults. Michael’s wife is dead and he struggles to care for his 3 children, even with the help of his sister Jane. The movie even includes a special appearance by Dick van Dyke. Marc Shaiman wrote the soundtrack for the sequel using The Sherman Brothers as influences.
The Muppet Movie (The Original)
This movie follows Kermit the Frog on a cross-country adventure where he meets Miss Piggy, Fozzie Bear, Gonzo, and the band Electric Mayhem. It’s on origin story for the Muppets from 1979, starring Jim Henson as Kermit. The soundtrack was written by Paul Williams and Kenny Ascher, including the iconic “Rainbow Connection” sung by Kermit.
Muppet Treasure Island
Over the decades the Muppets released several musical movies retelling classic stories. In 1996, Muppet Treasure Island starring Tim Curry came out. It retold the story of Treasure Island, with Kermit and friends as the supporting cast. Hans Zimmer created the soundtrack while Barry Mann and Cynthia Weil wrote the original songs for the film.
Muppets Most Wanted
Ricky Gervais and Tina Fey join the Muppets in this action-packed movie about Kermit’s evil doppelganger whose thieving threatens the reputation of the Muppets. The movie features original songs by Bret McKenzie, classic Muppets tunes from the Muppet Show and early movies, as well as a few radio hits performed as covers by the cast.
The Muppets
Jason Segal joins his Muppet brother Walter on a quest to save Muppet Studio from destruction. First, they have to reunite the Muppets who haven’t seen each other in years. Bret McKenzie also wrote several original songs for this film, including “Man or Muppet” which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.
Newsies
This historical musical drama follows the New York City newsboy strike of 1899. It follows newsboy Jack Kelly (Christian Bale) and his friends as they fight for farer wages. Alan Menken composed the music for the film in collaboration with Jack Feldman’s lyrics. Kenny Ortega (High School Musical) directed and choreographed the film. It was adapted into a Broadway show and had an almost 10 year run in the US and abroad.
Pete’s Dragon
Another Disney animation and live-action hybrid film, Pete’s Dragon (1977) is about a boy named Pete who runs away from his abusive adopted family with his magical dragon best friend. Al Kasha and Joel Hirschhorn wrote the soundtrack including the iconic “Candle on the Water” which was nominated for an Academy Award that year.
Cinderella (Rodger’s & Hammersteins)
Seven years after the release of Disney’s animated feature Cinderella, Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein (South Pacific and The Sound of Music) wrote a musical adaptation of the story for television. Their version included different music, though the story remained the same as the classic fairytale. In 1997, Walt Disney Television released a television movie of the musical on The Wonderful World of Disney. The film was co-produced by Whitney Houston, who played Fairy Godmother, and starred R&B sensation Brandy Norwood as Cinderella. The film featured Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical numbers performed by Brandy, Houston, and Broadway and Hollywood sensations like Bernadette Peters and Jason Alexander.
Sharpay’s Fabulous Adventure
Ashley Tisdale returns to her iconic High Musical character in this fun direct-to-video spinoff. Sharpay is spotted by a talent scout and sent to New York City, but discovers the theater world is tougher than she thought.
Sister Act
A lounge singer (Whoopi Goldberg) witnesses a mob related murder and is sent into witness protection for her safety. Her new identity is a nun, where she livens things up for her new sisters in the convent. The soundtrack is needledrop soundtrack, which means the songs are not original, but selected to match the tone of the movie. Many of the numbers are performed by the cast of the movie. The film later inspired a Broadway Musical.
Sister Act II: Back in the Habit
Whoopi Goldberg’s Deloris returns to the convent to help the music program for troubled teens avoid closure. The soundtrack for the film is a needledrop album, similar to the first film.
Sneakerella
This gender-swapped Cinderella story is about a young man named El, an aspiring sneaker designer who falls for the daughter of a sneaker mogul. The film features an entirely new soundtrack written by several different composers. As a nod to the original Cinderella, the stars also perform a rendition of “A Dream Is A Wish Your Heart Makes.”
Trevor The Musical
Trevor struggles with bullies in 1981 as he figures out his life as a queer teen in high school. It was developed as an off-Broadway production in 2021 by Dan Collins and Julianne Wick Davis. A filmed version of the production was released on Disney+ in 2022.
West Side Story
Steven Spielberg directed a film adaptation of the popular Broadway musical in 2021, starring Ansel Elgort, Rachel Zegler, and Ariana DeBose. It’s a classic Romeo and Juliet story, but the feud is between two rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, in New York. The musical numbers in the film are the same songs written by Stephen Sondheim and Leonard Bernstein, with the addition of one number called La Borinqueña performed by the Sharks.
When Frank Met Carlitos
The movie is based on an Internet rumor that Frank Sinatra met Carlos Gardel. The Argentinian tango legend gave a young Sinatra advice and allegedly even coined his stage name, Frank Sinatra.
Hello, Dolly
This 1969 musical comedy stars Barbara Streisand as Dolly, a socialite widow who enjoys matchmaking. The score and musical numbers were written by Jerry Herman and earned him an Academy Award for Best Original Score. Disney incorporated the song “Put on Your Sunday Clothes” into their Pixar film Wall-E.
Disney Channel Original Musical Movies
Some of the most well-known Disney musical movies are actually Disney Channel made-for-TV movies. The most popular ones include High School Musical, The Cheetah Girls, and Descendants.
Camp Rock
A teenage girl named Mitchie (Demi Lovato) takes a job working in the kitchen at a music camp so she can enroll. There she meets pop sensation Shane Gray (Joe Jonas) and the two form a romantic connection. Multiple composers contributed to this iconic soundtrack and many Disney fans will recognize the songs.
Camp Rock 2 – The Final Jam
Mitchie and her friends, as well as Shane Gray and his brothers, reunite at Camp Rock to help save it from the competing camp across the lake. The soundtrack is less iconic than the original, but still a bop.
The Cheetah Girls
Four teen girls form a singing group called The Cheetah Girls. They dream of fame, but when their wish starts to come true their friendship is tested. This movie stars Raven-Symone, Adrienne Bailon, Sabrina Bryan, and Kiely Williams. This Disney Channel Original musical premiered in 2003 with iconic songs like “Cheetah Sisters” and “Cinderella.”
The Cheetah Girls 2
The Cheetah Girls enter a music competition in Barcelona, Spain. The group explores the city and follows their pop music dreams. This sequel was directed and choreographed by musical legend Kenny Ortega. The soundtrack is even more iconic than the original and this was Disney Channel’s top movie of the year.
The Cheetah Girls One World
Three of the Cheetah Girls, excluding Raven-Symone, travel to India to appear in a Bollywood film, but the director only wants one of them. The loss of Raven dimmed the reception for this movie and the soundtrack is less popular than the first two.
Descendants
Legendary director and choreographer Kenny Ortega returned to Disney Channel to direct a musical about the children of popular Disney characters. Dove Cameron, Sofia Carson, BooBoo Stewart, and Cameron Boyce play the four main villains, Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos. This movie took the Disney community by storm! It has an incredible collaborative soundtrack that is so much fun!
Descendants 2
Mal, Evie, Jay, and Carlos are back and trying their best to fit in at Auradon Prep. But there is a new villain kid out to ruin their happily ever after. This soundtrack is just as amazing as the original!
Descendants 3
A new villain steals Maleficent’s staff and uses it to curse Mal and all of her friends. They must work with the villains from the second movie to save the kingdom. Every Descendants soundtrack is fantastic. They are in constant rotation in our car.
Descendants: Rise of Red
While the original cast and director Kenny Ortega did not return to the franchise following the death of their friend and costar Cameron Boyce, Disney’s attempt at a spin-off was an overall success. The story follows Red (Kylie Cantrall), daughter of the Queen of Hearts (Rita Ora) on a time-traveling quest with Chloe (Malia Baker) daughter of Cinderella to save their parents. Brandy and Paolo Montalbon reunite as Cinderella and King Charming for the first time since 1997.
Freaky Friday
In 2018 Disney Channel released a musical rendition of the popular movie Freaky Friday. The made-for-TV movie was based on a Disney Theatrical Productions stage adaptation by Bridget Carpenter based on the 1972 book. Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey wrote the musical numbers for the movie.
High School Musical
This 2006 television musical took the world by storm and launched the careers of Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Corbin Bleu, and more. It’s a Romeo and Juliet-style story about two teens who are separated by their cliques. Kenny Ortega directed and choreographed the movie, and Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty (Anastasia) teamed up on the soundtrack. The success of the movie can be attributed to many different factors, but Ahrens and Flaherty’s soundtrack is a huge part of the success.
High School Musical 2
Due to the popularity of the first movie, Disney Channel produced a sequel the following year. The cast lands summer jobs at the same country club, but Troy gets sucked up in a scheme that involves his future. Kenny Ortega returned to direct the movie and Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty worked with other composers and writers on the soundtrack.
Lemonade Mouth
This Disney Channel movie was inspired by Mark Peter Hughes’s 2007 novel of the same name. It’s about five high school students who meet in detention and decide to form a rock band. The soundtrack was a joint effort between a dozen different composers.
Spin
Disney Channel blended the distinct sounds of South Asian culture and techno beats to tell the story of an Indian-American teen and her dreams of becoming a DJ. The soundtrack is a compilation of different artists.
Star Struck
A Midwestern girl visits LA where she meets a famous popstar. The two have a grand adventure, but he denies knowing her in the press the next day. The soundtrack features various writers and composers who all contributed to other Disney projects in the past.
Let It Shine
This Disney Channel movie is a modern retelling of Edmond Rostand’s 1897 play Cyrano de Bergerac. Cyrus is an aspiring rapper who writes romantic hip hop verses for the girl he likes, but his friend uses them to win her over instead. Popular Disney Channel director Paul Hoen directed the movie and pop composers Antonina Armato, Tim James, with Disney Channel composer Thomas Sturges, collaborated on most of the soundtrack.
Teen Beach Movie
A hilarious musical where two teens are transported by a wave to a 1960s beach town from their favorite movie Wet Side Story (a play on words for West Side Story). Disney fans will recognize Broadway star Jordan Fischer as a member of the supporting cast. The soundtrack features various writers and composers who all contributed to other Disney projects in the past.
Teen Beach 2
The surfers and bikers from the 1960s alternate reality in the first Teen Beach movie find themselves in the modern real world. Writers and composers from the first movie return for this soundtrack, alongside a few new songwriters including Sabrina Carpenter.
Z-O-M-B-I-E-S
In this Disney Channel musical romcom, the human students of Seabrook High School are forced to open their school to students from Zombietown. The Zombietown kids are actual zombies, so the students have a lot of differences to overcome. Paul Hoen (Let It Shine) directs the movie and the soundtrack features a plethora of composers and writers.
Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 2
The Zombies and Seabrook students have overcome their differences only to add werewolves to the mix at school. The soundtrack is comprised of songs written by a variety of composers from the usual Disney Channel arsenal.
Z-O-M-B-I-E-S 3
We’ve got teenagers, zombies, werewolves, and now aliens. The Zombies movies step up the supernatural beings with every sequel.
Concerts on Disney Plus
Disney Plus isn’t just a great platform for Disney musical movies, it also offers concert films of stars like Taylor Swift, Billie Eilish, and BTS.
BTS Permission to Dance on Stage-LA
This 2022 concert film documents the live performances of K-Pop sensation BTS at SoFi Stadium in Los Angeles in late 2021. It features hits like “DNA,” “Fake Love,” and “Permission to Dance.”
Encanto at the Hollywood Bowl
The stars of Encanto bring the animated musical to life in this live performance of the soundtrack at the Hollywood Bowl. The movie’s stars Stephanie Beatriz, Jessica Darrow, and Diane Guerrero, and more, perform their hit songs from the film.
Hannah Montana and Miley Cyrus: Best of Both Worlds Concert
This concert film documents live on-stage performances, and gives backstage peaks into Miley Cyrus’ 2007 tour. In keeping with the theme of the show Hannah Montana, Cyrus performs 2 sets as her two personalities. The Jonas Brothers open for her and the legendary Kenny Ortega works as her choreographer.
Happier Than Ever: A Love Letter to Los Angeles (Billy Eilish)
This concert film features performances of all 16 tracks on Billy Eilish’s second album “Happier Than Ever” at the Hollywood Bowl. The film is a blend of live-action and animation. The concert movie was filmed without a live audience due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Intertwined Live!
A live concert show based on the Disney+ Original Series “Intertwined.” It features original songs, covers of popular 90s hits, and songs from the Disney Channel movie “Freaky Friday.”
Jonas Brothers: The Concert Experience
A 2009 concert film and documentary of the Jonas Brothers’ “Burning Up” tour. The movie was released in theaters in 3D. It also features special guests Demi Lovato and Taylor Swift.
Just Love and a Thousand Songs
This performance film reunites members of the cast of Violetta, a Spanish language telenovela developed by Disney Channel Latin America. It features new versions of iconic songs from the series, as well as stories from fans.
Lang Lang Plays Disney
World-renowned pianist Lang Lang and the London Philharmonic Orchestra perform together in a one night only performance of Disney’s most legendary musical numbers.
Taylor Swift: The Eras Tour (Taylor’s Version)
The concert film documents the 3 LA performances at SoFi Stadium for Taylor Swift’s iconic eras tour. The movie includes 41 songs, though some songs and intermissions were cut to reduce the film to less than 3 hours.
Queen Rock Montreal
The footage for this concert movie was filmed in 1981 in Montreal. It was digitally remastered and released in theaters in 2024. It features Queen hits like “Bohemian Rhapsody,” “We Will Rock You,” “Under Pressure,” and more.
Disney’s Broadway Hits at London’s Royal Albert Hall
A celebration of Disney’s Broadway hits from musicals like “The Lion King,” “Beauty and the Beast,” and “Tarzan.”
John Williams in Tokyo
A concert film of John Williams’ 2023 performance with the Saito Kinen Orchestra at Suntory Hall in Tokyo, Japan. It includes Williams’ legendary scores from “Harry Potter,” “Schindler’s List,” and “E.T.”
Elton John Live: Farewell from Dodger Stadium
The concert film is a live stream of Elton John’s last concert at Dodger Stadium in LA. for his “Farewell Yellow Brick Road” tour. The setlist includes hits like “Bennie and the Jets,” “Tiny Dancer,” “Candle in the Wind,” and more.
Seventeen Tour “Follow” Again
Journey to Seoul for a K-Pop concert experience with the popular group Seventeen.
Live Musical Movies and Specials on Disney Plus
These Disney musical movies include live performances of some of the Disney classics, cast reunions, and documentaries about albums from Taylor Swift, Olivia Rodrigo, and members of BTS. There’s also an incredible documentary by Questlove on the Harlem Cultural Festival.
A Celebration of the Music from Coco
Join Benjamin Bratt, Eva Longoria, and more stars as they perform songs from the animated film Coco at the Hollywood Bowl with a 60 piece orchestra.
Beauty and the Beast A 30th Celebration
A star-studded cast pays tribute to the animated classic in this musical television special. H.E.R. plays Belle alongside Josh Groban as the Beast. Other celebrity stars include Martin Short, Shania Twain, Paige O’Hara (original Belle), and Alan Menken. The special was produced by Wicked director Jon M. Chu.
Cinderella The Reunion
Cast members from 1997 Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella reunite to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the television movie. The all-star cast for the special includes Brandy, Whoopi Goldberg, Jason Alexander, Bernadette Peters, and more.
Hamilton
This film is a live recording of the Broadway sensation Hamilton. It’s a biographical musical told through song and rap about Alexander Hamilton, the first Treasurer of the United States of America. This inventive show launched Lin-Manuel Miranda into super stardom and features Broadway stars like Jonathan Groff, Leslie Odom Jr., and Renée Elise Goldsberry.
Idina Menzel: Which Way to the Stage?
The film follows Broadway legend Idina Menzel on a nationwide tour culminating in a performance at Madison Square Garden in New York City. The film catalogs Menzel’s life, as well as the struggles of being a mother on tour, so it includes appearances from friends and family like Taye Diggs, Kristen Chenoweth, Kristen Bell, and more.
J-hope in the Box
This music documentary walks the audience through 200 days of j-hope’s life as he creates his first solo album and prepares to headline at Lollapalooza apart from BTS.
SUGA: Road to D-Day
Join SUGA (BTS) on a journey around the world as he searches for inspiration for his first solo album. He also meets with other artists like Halsey, Steve Aoki, and Anderson .Paak.
Olivia Rodrigo: Driving Home 2 U
This musical documentary is about a road trip from Salt Lake City to Los Angeles where Olivia Rodrigo and her band performed songs from her debut album “Sour.” The film includes musical performances and interviews where Rodrigo shares the inspiration behind some of her songs.
The Disney Holiday Singalong
Disney stars and popular musical artists like Josh Groban, Leslie Odom Jr., Ciarra, P!nk, and more join together to perform renditions of popular Christmas and Disney songs. Ryan Seacrest hosted the special as part of a series of singalongs meant to provide entertainment and joy during the COVID-19 shutdown. It is the only singalong still available for streaming.
Princess Remixed
Disney Channel stars perform renditions of popular Disney songs to celebrate the princesses and queens of Disney, with a special performance of “Starting Now” by Brandy.
The Little Mermaid Live!
Stars Auliʻi Cravalho (Moana), Queen Latifah, Shaggy, John Stamos, and Amber Riley join together in a live rendition of The Little Mermaid. The special was a blend of on-stage performances and scenes on a giant projection surface. It includes songs from the animated movie and Broadway musical.
Taylor Swift Folklore: The Long Pond Studio Sessions
This blend of documentary and concert takes place at Long Pond Studio in an isolated area of the Hudson Valley in New York. Taylor Swift performs all 17 tracks from her album Folklore and discusses the creative process behind the songs with her collaborators Jack Antonoff and Aaron Dessner.
Summer of Soul
Questlove makes his directorial debut with this documentary about the 1969 Harlem Cultural Festival. The film uses professional footage from the festival, which took place over the course of six Sundays, as well as interviews from attendees of the festival. It features performances from legends like Stevie Wonder, Nina Simone, Gladys Knight, and more.
Disney’s musical legacy is truly magical! Loved how Beauty and the Beast went from screen to stage. Who else grew up belting out “Hakuna Matata”? Any guesses on which new musical could be a future classic?
I wish Wish got more love because I truly love the songs from that movie!