The musical movie genre lends itself to big, bombastic, larger-than-life performances that jump off the screen, but these films feature some over-the-top work from iconic actors. While the best original movie musicals started out on the silver screen, many great additions to the genre were adapted from stage musicals. Acting in a musical on stage is markedly different from working in film, as the performers have to communicate their thoughts and feelings to the audience members in the back of the theater. Since the same isn’t true for movies, some actors give performances that are a little too big.

Though movie musicals aren’t for everyone, and some viewers might not appreciate the spectacle of these performances, they’re often incredibly fun to watch. This genre shouldn’t be overlooked, as there are many movie musicals that have won Best Picture at the Oscars, cementing this niche of cinema as one to be taken seriously. As time progresses, these actors and their work in these films have been reevaluated and are typically remembered fondly. These projects are beloved by many critics and audience members.

8

Dick Van Dyke – Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (1968)

As Caractacus Potts

The beloved children’s fantasy movie Chitty Chitty Bang Bang features one of the greatest performers of his generation, Dick Van Dyke, as the inventive father, Caractacus Potts. Full of magic, adventure, and plenty of classic songs, Chitty Chitty Bang Bang sees Van Dyke put his characteristic spin on the role of Caractacus. While Van Dyke’s work as Bert in the classic 1964 movie Mary Poppins is just as memorable, he’s larger than life as Caractacus throughout Chitty Chitty Bang Bang.

Though Van Dyke isn’t doing an outlandish Cockney accent in Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, he gets to play with hilarious props and set pieces throughout the film. The fantastical world of the film lends itself to an oversized performance, so Van Dyke easily fits into the world of the story, even if the other actors are more understated. Though Chitty Chitty Bang Bang isn’t Van Dyke’s most iconic musical, it’s just as fun to revisit today.

7

Will Smith – Aladdin (2019)

As Genie

All the Disney live-action remake movies have faced challenges. Though many of them have been box-office hits, it’s difficult to compare them to the magic and nostalgia of the original animated projects. This was the case for the 2019 Aladdin, which starred Will Smith as the hilarious and heartfelt Genie. Unfortunately, Smith was never going to be able to avoid being compared to the first Genie, Robin Williams, whose performance is widely regarded as one of the best instances of voice work in history.

It’s likely that Smith was attempting to put his own spin on the role and differentiate himself from Williams, which was a good idea. However, this led to a performance that was on par with the spectacle of the film and is a bit over-the-top in retrospect. The visual effects are just as whopping as Smith’s work as the Genie, which likely led to the mixed critical response to the project. However, of all the live-action remakes, Aladdin does a decent job of staying true to the heart of the story.

6

Nicole Kidman – Moulin Rouge! (2001)

As Satine

Nicole Kidman is a fantastic actress and steps outside her comfort zone in the jukebox musical Moulin Rouge! directed by Baz Luhrmann. Like most projects by Luhrmann, Moulin Rouge! doesn’t hold back in terms of style, atmosphere, and drama, and so Kidman is required to do the same in her performance as Satine. Set in the highly romanticized time and place of Paris during the Belle Époque, Moulin Rouge! follows the doomed love story of Satine and Christian (Ewan McGregor), leaning into the melodrama and tragic romance of the tale.

Satine is a difficult role, as she’s caught in a dangerous love triangle and finds out she’s dying of tuberculosis early on in the story. Trying to capture this whirlwind of emotions while singing classic pop ballads would be a challenge for any actress, and while Kidman gives it her all, the nature of Moulin Rouge! requires a little sensationalizing. Despite this, it’s safe to say that most audiences won’t escape Moulin Rouge! without tearing up by the film’s conclusion.

5

John Travolta – Hairspray (2007)

As Edna Turnblad

The 2007 movie musical remake of Hairspray might have originally stemmed from John Waters’ 1988 cult classic, but it’s very different from this project. Still satirical and edgy, the 2007 Hairspray allows itself to be more genuine and mainstream than Waters’ project, and this is what has allowed it to have so much long-term appeal. John Travolta stars as Edna Turnblad, a role that’s traditionally done in drag, returning to his musical roots that started with projects like Saturday Night Fever and Grease​​​​​​.

Since there’s an inherent campiness to the project, it’s unsurprising that the actors are giving their all to their roles and doing more than might be necessary at times. Though it’s an over-the-top performance, it’s one of Travolta’s best in recent years, and it’s clear that he and the rest of the cast are having a lot of fun. Travolta attempts to recall the iconic performances of the actors who have played Edna on the stage and screen, and in trying to bring their spirits into the project, he does a little too much.

4

Austin Butler – Elvis (2022)

As Elvis Presley

Audiences will be hard-pressed to find a single aspect of Baz Luhrmann’s Elvis that isn’t over-the-top, as the filmmaker and actors took the story of the rock legend and made it as larger-than-life as his legacy. Austin Butler’s portrayal of Elvis has cemented his reputation as an actor, as it’s likely he will forever be connected with this film. From the accent to the clothes, Butler had to over-act throughout the movie’s runtime to make his voice and performance heard over the loud spectacle of the production choices.

Elvis is a music biopic that was a box-office success, and it’s easy to see why. Though there are emotional highs and lows throughout the story, watching Elvis is a lot like a roller-coaster ride that the audience can let themselves get lost in. There was no way that Butler would be able to give a quiet, thought-provoking performance, as the pace moves too quickly and the vivid visuals all beg for the audience’s attention. If Butler hadn’t played Elvis over the top, his work would’ve gotten lost in the colorful chaos.

3

Rami Malek – Bohemian Rhapsody (2018)

As Freddie Mercury

Music biopics are a tricky niche of the musical genre, as it’s almost impossible to get the balance right between impersonating the subject of the film and evoking their presence onscreen. With a person as iconic and theatrical as Freddie Mercury, Rami Malek had a tough job ahead of him, and not every aspect of his performance works. Though he won the Academy Award for Best Actor for Bohemian Rhapsody, it’s doubtlessly a polarizing portrayal of the pop singer.

Many of the more out-there choices that Malek makes throughout Bohemian Rhapsody were not necessarily the fault of the actor but the way that the movie went about telling Mercury’s story. It’s a layered tale, and balancing the music with the dramatic shifts in Mercury’s personal life made it difficult for both Malek and the audience to get a handle on the tone. Since Mercury has so many well-known expressions, styles, and affectations, this can sometimes overshadow the deeper emotional moments.

2

Shirley MacLaine – Sweet Charity (1969)

As Charity

Before Bob Fosse won the Oscar for Best Director for Cabaret and was later nominated for both Lenny and All That Jazz, he made his first strides as a filmmaker with the 1969 Sweet Charity. Known for his work on the stage as a prolific choreographer, Fosse had directed the musical on Broadway and brought it to life onscreen, starring Shirley MacLaine as Charity. Time has been kind to Sweet Charity, revealing how innovative the film was, but MacLaine’s performance is a little out there, even by today’s standards.

Charity is a big part for any actress, and her undying optimism can easily grate on the audience. However, this is the purpose of her character and a facet of the plot. As Sweet Charity progresses, the outlandish narrative of the story and MacLaine’s commitment to the scale of the role can be a lot to handle. Despite this, it’s easy to forgive some of MacLaine’s melodramatic moments, as this is what the role calls for on stage, and it’s clear that Sweet Charity exists in a world of magical realism.

1

Gene Kelly – What A Way To Go! (1964)

As Pinky Benson

The campy cult classic movie musical What a Way to Go! is fondly remembered today for its tongue-in-cheek jabs at the film industry and gorgeous sets and costumes. However, when it first premiered, reviews were mixed, as there isn’t a single aspect of the project that couldn’t be considered over-the-top. Following Louisa (Shirley MacLaine) as she chronicles the stories of her unlucky string of husbands who all end up ᴅᴇᴀᴅ, Gene Kelly appears as one of her last romances, Pinky.

Kelly is one of the great movie musical performers, known for his iconic dancing skills and incredible work as a choreographer. As an actor, Kelly would sometimes lean into ham territory, as seen in What a Way to Go!, but this is part of the reason we love him. Pinky is an outrageous part and requires the actor to be larger-than-life, but Kelly takes this to the next level at times. Though this performance leaps off the screen, it sets him apart in What a Way to Go! and reminds us how much he contributed to the musical​​​​​​​ genre.