Sexiest Movie Musicals Ever

BY: Zak Wojnar

The story of Queen’s Freddie Mercury is being brought to the big screen with Bohemian Rhapsody, a musical odyssey through the life and times of one of the greatest rock and roll frontmen of all time. Though certainly not without some troubling controversy, the film is highly anticipated, and it got us thinking about some of our other favorite movies. So let’s peruse PROVOKR’s Picks for the ten sexiest movie musicals of all time.

Bohemian Rhapsody

While it remains to be seen if Bohemian Rhapsody will address Freddie Mercury‘s bisexuality and losing battle with AIDS (which is bizarrely downplayed in the film’s marketing as “A life-threatening disease“), we’re still hyped for the music biopic. Queen was a totally unprecedented musical phenomenon, and there’s never been another band like them. Rami Malek (Mr. Robot, Until Dawn) seems like perfect casting for the charismatic rock God, so here’s hoping director Dexter Fletcher (who took over following the firing of Bryan Singer) can do justice to the true story of Freddie Mercury.

Moulin Rogue

The third film from director Baz Luhrmann (following Strictly Ballroom and Romeo + Juliet), 2001’s Moulin Rouge is a visual spectacle without compare. Nicole Kidman is one of the sexiest actors of all time, and she’s absolutely electrifying in this film, as is her steamy co-star, Ewan McGregor. The anachronistic medleys of contemporary pop hits, rock and roll classics, and timeless showtunes remains fresh and inviting to this day, and the film itself is no slouch, having been nominated for eight Oscars, and winning two, for Art Direction and – naturally – Costume Design.

Cabaret

When it comes to raw sex appeal, few can match the vivacious energy of Liza Minnelli in 1972’s Cabaret, directed by the great Bob Fosse. Based on the 1966 Broadway show about the years leading up to World War II, Cabaret was controversial for its frank depiction of hedonism, bisexuality, and other mature themes. While often energetic and uplifting, Cabaret also carries a grim aura of foreboding doom brought on by its melancholic juxtaposition of the rise of Nazi fascists who would ultimately destroy the small slice of paradise personified by the Kit Kat Klub.

The Last Five Years

The Last Five Years is an underrated classic. Any movie starring the beautiful Anna Kendrick is an instant candidate for any “Sexiest Movies” list. I mean, just look at her! She’s the perfect mix of cute and sexy. Every girl wants to be her girlfriend, and every guy wants to be her boyfriend. Her co-star, Jeremy Jordan, is also a total cutie pie, and he can currently be seen on The CW‘s Supergirl.

The Last Five Years is a musical rom-com, but that’s a reductive assessment. While energetic and wistful, the film is also dramatic and elevated by grounded characters and a heartfelt story which is way smarter than its genre peers. If you missed it the first time around (and most did), it’s definitely worth a look.

Purple Rain

It is a well-known fact that Prince was short. However, there’s a reason for this. The truth is, five feet, three inches is the maximum height one can be while still being comprised of 100% sex molecules. This is a scientific fact. You can look it up.

Prince was never really a movie star, but he did star in the cult hit, Purple Rain, a passion project for the singer. Directed by Albert Magnoli, the musical is set in Minneapolis – where else? – and follows “The Kid,” (Prince) as he balances his budding career as a young musician with his fractured relationship with his parents. Drama, romance, and “Sex Shooter” ensues.

The Rocky Horror Picture Show

Male? Female? Gay? Straight? Tim Curry, as Doctor Frank N. Furter was all of the above. The Rocky Horror Picture Show is a classic story about a mad scientist from space who attempts to create the perfect physical specimen with which to have sex. Along the way, Susan Sarandon gets horny, Meat Loaf rides a motorcycle and gets chopped to bits, and all hell breaks loose. Rocky Horror is, to use its own language, a “Wild and Untamed Thing.” It’s a cornerstone of so many subcultures, from drag queens to bisexuals, theater geeks, classic rock aficionados, and the particularly rabid Charles Gray fandom.

Dreamgirls

Inspired by the rise of Motown in the 1960s, Dreamgirls is a beautiful film about stardom, friendship, and awesome 60s hair. While Beyonce had starred in several films before this, Dreamgirls was the movie that turned her into a veritable movie star, a true triple threat like Madonna, Jennifer Lopez, and Ann Margret. Even so, the true breakout stars were Jennifer Hudson, who blew the house down with her triumphant performance and amazing singing voice, and, interestingly enough, Eddie Murphy. His star had faded hard by 2006, and his Oscar-nominated performance was considered a huge shot of adrenaline to his floundering career. His next film after Dreamgirls was Norbit, but the less said about that stinker, the better.

West Side Story

West Side Story is basically Romeo and Juliet set in 1950s New York with the dueling families replaced by rival teenage gangs. This 1961 film is widely regarded as one of the greatest movies of all time, and its cast is unmatched. Natalie Wood is intoxicating as Maria, Rita Moreno will always be the ultimate sassy sex goddess, and Russ Tamblyn is dangerously charismatic as the leader of the Italian gang

The story of star-crossed love caught between racial violence between The Jets and The Sharks, West Side Story is full of amazing songs, sweet dance moves, and a timeless script. Steven Spielberg certainly has his work cut out for him if he proceeds with his long-gestating remake, which is currently in development.

La La Land

There was a lot of backlash against La La Land due to a perceived feud with Moonlight (which was entirely the product of fans pitting the two movies against each other for absolutely no reason), which reached its apex at the infamous Oscars ceremony when the musical was accidentally named Best Picture, even though the award went to the other movie. No, La La Land isn’t a social commentary on young black gays in the Miami ghetto discovering their sexual awakening, but that doesn’t mean it’s not an amazing film. They are both great movies. Just because you like one doesn’t mean the other is bad. Deal with it.

A love story set across the backdrop of struggling artists in California, La La Land is a tribute to classic musicals from the Golden Age of Hollywood, with catchy songs, jolly vibes, fleeting romance, and a sincere appreciation of jazz, the genre which forms the backbone of pop music.

Phantom of the Opera

Director Joel Schumacher gets a bad wrap due to his work on the legendarily terrible Batman & Robin, but he’s actually a very talented artist, with movies like Falling Down, Flatliners, Phone Booth, and the classic cult comedy, D.C. Cab.

One of his sexiest movies, however, is the 2004 adaptation of The Phantom of the Opera. Boasting an all-star cast of Gerard Butler, Emmy Rossum, Patrick Wilson, and Minnie Driver, this version of The Phantom is faithful to the original musical while also carving out its own visual identity. Though clearly inspired by the success of the aforementioned Moulin Rouge, Schumacher gives his film its own look and feel. Don’t skip this one!