If there's one category of film that constantly gets overlooked, it would have to be the musical. Singing and dancing has always been a huge part of show business, but in modern times, the musical is often thought of as nothing but a mere distraction from the more "serious" art of drama. Musicals even have to share their Golden Globe Best Picture category with comedies (another shat upon genre), so they don't interfere with the dramatic Best Picture nominees, i.e. the real Best Pictures. But it's time musicals got more respect, and that might happen, given the number of musicals coming to theaters in 2016 and early 2017.
The musicals coming up are quite diverse, meaning there's something for pretty much every fan of the genre. There are several upcoming animated musicals from new and different studios, some ambitious live action musicals starring some big name actors, and Disney, still riding high from Frozen, has apparently decided that Broadway-influenced musical films aren't just for the '90s, with both live action and animated musicals in the works. So keep an eye (or an ear) out for these melodic movies, which will be serenading their way into theaters over the next year.
1. Trolls — Nov. 4, 2016
The cast is pure musical talent, from Justin Timberlake to Gwen Stefani to Anna Kendrick.
2. Moana — Nov. 23, 2016
A new Disney princess, and a musical to boot? Sign me up.
3. La La Land — Dec. 2, 2016
Fans have seen Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone in a bunch of movies together before, but never singing to each other!
4. Sing — Dec. 21, 2016
What do people love? 3D animated movies starring animals and singing competitions featuring popular pop songs. This movie combines those two things.
5. Basmati Blues — Sometime In 2016
No release date has been confirmed for this Brie Larson vehicle, which sees her go to India to try and sell genitically-modified rice.
6. Beauty And The Beast — Mar. 17, 2017
One of the Mouse House's most acclaimed and cherished animated classics gets the live action treatment, with Emma Watson as Belle. This is going to be huge.
7. Charming — Sometime In 2017
Another movie that's lacking a release date, this animated fairy tale mashup uncovers that Cinderella, Snow White, and Sleeping Beauty are all engaged to the same guy, Prince Charming. Demi Lovato stars as Lenore, the woman who leads them to the truth.
Bonus: Live TV Musicals
In case going to the movies isn't your bag, there are two big TV musicals coming up. Fox's live remake of The Rocky Horror Picture Show airs on Oct. 20, 2016, and NBC gives Hairspray the live reboot treatment with Hairspray Live! on Dec. 7, 2016.
So warm up your pipes and get ready for some sing-alongs, because it looks musicals are finally en vogue again!
Images: 20th Century Fox
