It's been an unusually rough year for movie musicals, with Paul Rudd and Nick Jonas' "Power Ballad" and the live-action "Moana" both bombing at the box office. There's a glimmer of respite this week with John M. Chu’s 2025 movie adaptation of the Broadway musical, "Wicked: For Good," landing on Netflix on July 20. But let's be real: All the best songs are in the first half of "Wicked," and "For Good" was always going to be stuck playing second fiddle.
That's reflected on Rotten Tomatoes, where "Wicked" (which you can catch on Peacock) earned an 88% critics score while "For Good" drags behind at 66%. However, it's worth noting that both have comparable audience scores: 95% and 92%, respectively. There are plenty of better musicals to be found on Netflix, if you ask me, so I figured now was the perfect time to shout them out.
If you’re looking for something to sing along to, tap your feet to, or maybe just something to lift your mood in these dark times, here are the best musicals on Netflix to watch right now.
'Merrily We Roll Along' (2025)
In my perfect world, all hit Broadway musicals would get the "Hamilton" treatment and eventually make their way to streaming, but until that glorious day, I never tire of getting an excuse to shout out the rare few that do. Directed by Maria Friedman, the acclaimed Broadway revival of “Merrily We Roll Along” stars Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe, and Lindsay Mendez and won four Tony Awards.
Spanning three decades, “Merrily We Roll Along” follows composer Franklin Shepard (Groff), writer Mary (Mendez), and lyricist Charley (Radcliffe), a trio of friends whose relationship is put to the test over the years. Originally debuting in 1981, the musical is considered to be among Stephen Sondheim’s finest works. A film adaptation that's been in the works for over two decades is currently in the works, but until it arrives (sometime around 2040), this version is more than worthy of your time.
Watch "Merrily We Roll Along" on Netflix now
'Matilda: The Musical' (2022)
As much nostalgia as I have for Danny DeVito’s 1996 "Matilda" adaptation, the 2022 musical version, based on the hit stage production, is somehow even better. Alisha Weir shines as Matilda, a precocious young girl with telekinetic powers who feels completely out of place in her neglectful family. After she's sent to a dreary school ruled by the terrifying tyrant Miss Trunchbull (Emma Thompson), Matilda inspires her classmates to revolt with the help of the kind-hearted Miss Honey (Lashana Lynch).
Featuring a score packed with catchy, uplifting songs by Tim Minchin, "Matilda the Musical" bursts with energy thanks to Matthew Warchus' direction. Returning after helming the stage production, Warchus preserves the darker edge and mischievous spirit of Dahl's beloved story while delivering a colorful, crowd-pleasing musical that's just as enchanting for adults as it is for younger viewers.
Watch "Matilda: The Musical" on Netflix now
'The Portrait' (2017)
I adore a movie musical adaptation that goes all out, and "The Portrait" does just that, embracing the spirit of Golden Age Hollywood. Set in the Philippines on the brink of World War II, it's a sweeping musical drama that follows two unmarried, broke sisters (Joanna Ampil and Rachel Alejandro) who face desperate times after their father, a celebrated painter and party host, can no longer work.
To pay the bills, they take in a shady lodger Tony Javier (Paulo Avelino) and hope that their father's final masterpiece may be the answers to their troubles. Ampil and Alejandro deliver powerful performances as the sisters, whose conviction is put to the test as they cling to the belief that their father's portrait is worth far more than any fortune it could fetch. Clearly made with utmost dedication and care, "The Portrait" impresses with its meticulous production design and polished technical craftsmanship, making every frame feel larger than life.
Watch "The Portrait" on Netflix now
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