This article was last updated on July 9th, 2023.
The history of musical films is as old as the history of cinema itself (or at least, we suppose, as the “talkies”). While film adaptations of Broadway musicals might not be as popular as the Marvel Cinematic Universe, they remain beloved to many enthusiastic fans.
It’s no surprise that in the age of streaming, major entertainment companies have tried to reach out to fans of musical theater. Whether it’s musical films or filmed stage productions of Broadway hits, you’ll find many different options when it comes to streaming musicals online.
Here we've compiled a list of the best streaming services for musicals.
Take note that the availability of shows and movies mentioned in this article may change over time and will vary based on your region.
Contents
Musicals Streaming on Disney+
There remains a major overlap between fans of musical theater and fans of Disney. Of course, Disney has produced many hit Broadway adaptations of their iconic animated films like Beauty and the Beast and The Lion King. There also remains a revolving door between Broadway and the Disney’s animation studio when it comes to big name composers like Lin-Manuel Miranda and Alan Menken.
The House of Mouse provides a number of popular musical films on its streaming service Disney+, even going so far as to have a special “Collections” page for musicals. You’ll find Disney animated musical classics like Aladdin and Sleeping Beauty in addition to modern musicals and classic films.
Broadway fans should also check out the filmed concert special Disney’s Broadway Hits at Royal Albert Hall and fan-favorite musical TV shows like Glee and High School Musical: The Musical: The Series.
Musicals streaming on Disney+ include:
- Hamilton
- The Greatest Showman
- Newsies
- Into the Woods
- Trevor the Musical
- West Side Story (2021)
- Hello Dolly!
Musicals Streaming on BroadwayHD
The leading streaming service that is specifically dedicated to Broadway shows is BroadwayHD. This streaming service focuses on providing filmed Broadway productions. While the app is a little more choppy than Netflix or Disney+, it’s one of the best ways to get access to some of the musicals that are hard to find elsewhere.
BroadwayHD includes a variety of content including filmed musical productions, stage plays (particularly Shakespeare), concert specials with Broadway stars like Andrew Rannells and Stephanie Block, ballet, and some musical films.
Musicals included on BroadwayHD include:
- Kinky Boots
- Falsettos
- Miss Saigon
- Cats
- Billy Elliot
- The Phantom of the Opera at Royal Albert Hall (and it's sequel Love Never Dies)
Musicals Streaming on Netflix
You can find virtually any genre of movie or show on Netflix, including musicals.
Netflix has produced some high profile musical films of its own and even debuted a filmed production of Diana: The Musical before it hit Broadway (although the reviews were mixed at best). Another Netflix Original that seems a bit out of left field is the Christian jukebox musical called A Week Away featuring Christian singers like Amy Grant and Steven Curtis Chapman.
Netflix's library of non-original content has continued to shrink as the years have gone on, but usually at least a handful of musical films from outside studios stream on Netflix at any given time.
- tick…tick…Boom!
- Les Misérables
- Matilda the Musical
- The Prom
- 13 the Musical
- Dolly Parton's Christmas on the Square
Musicals Streaming on Max
The streaming service formerly known as HBO Max has a rotating selection of musical films. The classics from their Turner Classic Movies collection in particular stand out for those interested in old-timey tunes from the Golden Age of cinema (even if TCM's future is in flux post-corporate merger).
Broadway fans may take interest in the recent HBO documentary Spring Awakening: Those You’ve Known, which brought together the musical’s original cast for a reunion concert.
Unfortunately, there is no longer a dedicated “Music” section in the new Max app like there was with HBO Max, so you’ll need to depend on either the search bar or the recommendation algorithm to filter out the musicals.
Musicals streaming on Max include:
- Little Shop of Horrors
- In the Heights
- Dear Evan Hansen
- Singin' in the Rain
- Cats (2019)
- Across the Universe
Musicals Streaming with Broadway On Demand
Broadway on Demand offers filmed recordings of Broadway productions, including musicals. Rather than offer offer a recurring subscription, however, their musicals are available for rental à la carte.
In addition to their on-demand rentals, Broadway on Demand has a 24/7 streaming channel that you can watch for free on Sling Freestream, Local Now, DistroTV, FreebieTV, FreeCast, and Streamstak.
Here are some of the shows they offer at the time of publication:
- Allegiance
- Bandstand
- Pride & Prejudice: A New Musical
- Anna Karenina
- Memphis
- Jekyll & Hyde: The Musical
Honorable Mentions
There’s some other streaming services that have notable titles for those who enjoy streaming musicals online.
- Apple TV+ offers the Christmas comedy musical Spirited, a filmed recording of Come From Away, and the satirical comedy series Schmigadoon!
- Hulu has Burlesque, the cult favorite TV series Galavant, Searchlight Picture’s Once, and the original musical series Up Here
- Prime Video has 2021’s jukebox rendition of Cinderella, the musical drama Annette, and the charming coming-of-age musical Everybody’s Talking About Jaime
- Paramount+’s pickings are slim. They recently removed their original show Grease: Rise of the Pink Ladies but they do feature SpongeBob the Musical.
- The Roku Channel offers a professional recording of Heathers: The Musical
