Musicals have always been a highlight of the big screen, as they mix music and drama seamlessly.
Over the last few years, we have seen the traditional musical mixed with the music biopics, which bring to life the music of some of the biggest artists.
This week sees Jersey Boys hit the big screen, as Clint Eastwood looks at the rise of Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons.
To celebrate the release of the film, we take a look at some of the best musicals to hit the big screen in the last decade.
- Ray (2005)
Ray Charles is one of music's most iconic stars, and in 2005, his story was brought to the big screen by director Taylor Hackford.
The movie explored the difficulty of his childhood as he lost his sight, his successful music career, as well as his fall from grace.
Jamie Foxx took on the role of Ray Charles, in what was to be the defining part of his career to date.
From start to finish, Foxx steals the show as he really gets under the skin of this extraordinarily talented musician.
Foxx would go on to dominate the awards circuit that year, culminating in him winning the Best Actor Oscar for his performance.
- Walk The Line (2006)
Another quality music biopic followed just a year later, as Joaquin Phoenix took on the role of Johnny Cash in Walk The Line.
Walk The Line was one of my favourite movies of 2006, and remains my favourite performance from Phoenix: he really does give an award worthy performance.
Directed by James Mongold, Walk The Line follows the rise and fall of Cash, along with his relationship with fellow singer June Carter.
It is the performances of the actors that ultimately make this movie so fantastic: Phoenix and Reese Witherspoon sizzle as Cash & Carter as they both show off their musical prowess with this project.
Both Phoenix & Witherspoon were nominated for Oscars, but it was Witherspoon who triumphed, scooped Best Actress.
- Once (2007)
One of the most acclaimed films of 2007 came in the form of Once: an Irish musical written and directed by John Carney.
Once follows a busker and an immigrant and their eventful week in Dublin, as they write, rehearse and record songs that tell their love story.
This may have been one of the simplest films that the big screen in 2007, but it really was one of the best.
It was old-fashioned, romantic, and charming, as the film explored themes of music and friendship in a really fresh and unique way.
The movie went on to win the Best Foreign Film at the Independent Spirit Awards and the Oscar for Best Original Song. A stage adaptation of the film has been met with critical acclaim in the last couple of years.
- Enchanted (2007)
There were a whole host of musicals that hit the big screen in 2007, and Enchanted was another not to miss.
Enchanted was a mix of animation and live action, as Amy Adams played princess Giselle who finds herself lost in New York. She wants to find her way home to Andalasia and be reunited with her true love.
Enchanted was a smart re-imagining of the fairytale that will have you laughing and singing along.
Adams really showed herself off as a comic leading lady, in a perfect over the top role performance, which is just terrific.
Enchanted was a movie that was both an homage as well as a self-parody of the standard Disney animation movies, as really was a film was a lot of fun.
- Hairspray (2007)
Another musical that I really enjoyed in the summer of 2007 was the fantastic Hairspray.
The movie was based on the hit Broadway musical of the same name and the 1988 comedy movie, and saw Adam Shankman back in the director's chair.
The movie followed teenager Tracy Turnblad, who teaches 1962 Baltimore a thing or two about integration after landing a spot on a local TV dance show.
A great cast was brought together for the film, as Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta, Queen Latifah, Michelle Pfeiffer & Zac Efron were just some of the names on board.
Hairspray is a fun and energetic musical that will have you singing and dancing along with them.
The movie does pay respect to the original film, while carving out its own identity at the same time.
- Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2008)
Johnny Depp turned his hand to the musical genre in 2008, as he took on the title role in Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street.
The movie was based on the Stephen Sondheim film, and saw Depp reunite with filmmaker Tim Burton.
The film follows Benjamin Barker as he sets up a barbershop in London, as he teams up with baker Mrs Lovett.
This is a dark and gothic movie that is a gruesome as it is funny - Depp and Helena Bonham Carter are on great for as Todd and Lovett.
Depp went on to be nominated for a Best Actor Oscar for his performance - he lost out to Daniel Day Lewis for There Will Be Blood.
Other musicals that we have enjoyed over the last ten years include Frozen, Mamma Mia, Les Miserables, and Dreamgirls.
Jersey Boys is released 20th June
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