Highest Grossing Musicals

by Helen Earnshaw | 24 June 2014

Walking On Sunshine

The musical is one of the most popular and success film genres at the big screen.

Over the years, we have been treated to some feel good films, and that is set to continue with Walking On Sunshine.

We take a look at some of the films that have performed well at the box office.

- Mamma Mia! - $609 million

Mamma Mia hit the big screen back in 2008, and is based on the hit West End & Broadway show of the same name, and set to a backdrop of some of Abba's biggest songs.

The movie marked the feature film directorial debut for Phyllida Lloyd, in what would be her first collaboration with Meryl Streep.

Streep led an all-star cast, as Amanda Seyfried, Pierce Brosnan, Colin Firth, Stellan Skarsgård, Dominic Cooper, and Julie Walters were all on board.

Mamma Mia was a big screen phenomenon in 2008; as it went on to gross in excess of $609 million at the global box office: making it the most successful musical of all time.

Mamma Mia went on to be the sixth highest grossing film at the UK box office, behind Skyfall, Avatar, Titanic, Toy Story 3, and Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2.

- Les Miserables - $441 million

Les Miserables is one of the more recent musicals, as the hit show was once again brought to the big screen.

The movie marked the return of Tom Hooper to the director's chair, in what was his first film since the success of The King's Speech.

He brought together a terrific cast as Hugh Jackman, Amanda Seyfried, Russell Crowe, Anne Hathaway, and Eddie Redmayne were just some of the names on board.

Les Miserables was a box office success as it grossed in excess of $441 million at the global box office.

It scooped three major Golden Globes, and was nominated for eight Oscars: Anne Hathaway would scoop Best Supporting Actress. It would be the first musical to be nominated for Best Picture since Chicago in 2003.

- Grease - $394 million

It was back in 1978 when Grease hit the big screen, and yet it remains one of the most loved films in this genre.

The movie was based on the Warren Casey and Jim Jacobs' musical of the same name, and saw John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John in the central roles of Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson.

This was one of Travolta's early roles, which, along with Carrie and Saturday Night Fever, established him as a major star and leading man. This was also just the third feature film role of Newton-John.

Grease was a critical hit and an instant box office smash, taking over $394 million. It was the most successful musical of all time, at the time.

- Enchanted - $340 million

Enchanted was released back in 2007, and was a mix of live action and animation.

Directed by Kevin Lima, the movie follows Giselle, a Disney princess who finds herself in New York. With the help of cynical NY attorney, she must find her true love and her way back home.

Amy Adams takes on the central role in the film, which allowed her to show off her rather good singing skills.

She is joined on the cast list by Patrick Dempsey, James Marsden, Susan Sarandon, and Timothy Spall.

Enchanted was one of the most fun-filled movies of 2007, and went on to gross over $340 million at the global box office.

- Chicago - $306 million

It has been eleven years since Renee Zellweger teamed up with Catherine Zeta Jones for Chicago, but it is a musical that remains as possible as ever.

Directed by Rob Marshall, the movie was based the hit stage show, which explored the themes of celebrity and corruption in Chicago.

Zellweger took on the role of Roxie Hart and Zeta Jones played Velma Kelly, alongside Richard Gere, Queen Latifah, and Dominic West.

We well as being a box office success; the movie was nominated for twelve Oscars, winning six: including Best Picture and Best Supporting Actress.

- Hairspray - $202 million

Hairspray hit the big screen for the first time back in 1988, but was brought back by Adam Shankman in 2007.

The movie was based on the 2002 Broadway musical of the same name, and was the first time that Shankman had tackled the musical genre.

Hairspray followed slightly overweight teenager Tracy Turnblad, who wants nothing more than to dance on the local TV show.

Hairspray was the breakthrough performance from Nikki Blonsky - who played Tracy - while John Travolta, Michelle Pfeiffer, James Marsden, Christopher Walken, and Zac Efron were just some of the other names on board.

Hairspray was one of my favourite films of 2007, and was also one of the most fun.