A great movie musical can truly stand the test of time, although that’s only if audiences actually want the movie to be a musical, unlike what happened with the highly divisive release ofJoker: Folie à Deux. Thecommercial failure ofJoker: Folie à Deuxproved that not all viewers will respond well to a musical movie sequel and that this is a major risk with a significant chance of backfiring. With this in mind, it’s interesting to note the movies that would benefit from the musical sequel and imagine how they could successfully carry forward the series' legacy.
Thebest movie musicalshave earned their way into the hearts of viewers who connect deeply with over-the-top theatrical narrative, beautiful renditions of heartwarming ballads, and magnificently choreographed dance routines of awe-inspiring wonder. Turning a non-musical movie into a musical for its sequel won’t work with every release, but if they could pull it off, they might just be spectacular. While studios may be wary of musicals after thelackluster response to theJokersequel,these movie musical ideas all have the power to be something great.
10Deadpool (2016)
A Deadpool musical could satirize the divisive response to Joker: Folie à Deux
TheDeadpoolfranchise has never been unafraid to poke fun at the conventions of the superhero genre, as Ryan Reynolds' incredible characterization of Wade Wilson’s impeccable wit has made him a firm favorite among his Marvel counterparts. With two sequels already made, asDeadpool 2andDeadpool & Wolverinecontinued to take the character in hilarious new directions. This is one of the few superhero franchises that could get away with a musical sequel.
Not only would it be hilarious to see Reynolds show off his musical chops, as he previously did in the Christmas musical comedySpiritedin 2022, but it would also be a logical next step for the character. AsDeadpool has continuously satirized other superhero movies, making aDeadpoolsequel a musical would be a knowing reference to the backlash againstJoker: Folie à Deuxand a unique way to comment on the divisive nature of the Todd Phillips film. If done right, aDeadpoolmusical sequel would be the perfect antidote to the disappointment ofJoker: Folie à Deux.
Deadpool
Cast
The Merc With The Mouth gets his very own film in Deadpool, an action-adventure comedy movie starring Ryan Reynolds as the titular hero. When mercenary Wade Wilson discovers he has an aggressive type of cancer that threatens to cut his life short, he decides to take a shady offer from a businessman who promises to cure him. Tortured and left for dead, the treatment makes Wade immortal - and a little bit twisted - as he seeks out his tormentors for revenge.
9Planet of the Apes (1968)
A Planet of the Apes musical would be a bold new direction for the franchise
There have been countless instances ofThe Simpsonspredicting the future, but one famous fake movie that has yet to come true was thePlanet of the Apesmusical starring Troy McClure, featured in the Season 7 episode “A Fish Called Selma.” While this may sound ridiculous initially, upon further reflection, it genuinely could work. The campy satire of the 1960s version was already packed with tongue-in-cheek humor, and a modern callback to the early films in the form of a musical sequel would be a lot of fun.
Rather than featuring the state-of-the-art CGI of the recent reboot series, this musical sequel could harken back to the earlier days of the franchise and feature real people in ape costumes as itcontinued the story of Dr. Zira and Dr. Cornelius and their encounter with the intelligent human astronaut George Taylor. While monkey-based musicals may sound outrageous, the recent Robbie Williams biopicBetter Man, which replaced the Take That singer with a motion-captured chimpanzee, proved that it could work.
8Punch-Drunk Love (2002)
A Punch-Drunk Love musical sequel would be an effective way to continue the story
Although director Paul Thomas Anderson has avoided making sequels to any of his acclaimed movies, one unique idea for a sequel would be a musical follow-up toPunch-Drunk Love. This unconventional rom-com starring Adam Sandler told the story ofthe lonely and socially awkward bathroom supply salesman Barry Egan, whose love for his sister’s co-worker Lena was jeopardized when he becomes the victim of extortion. With an incredible score by Jon Brion and the effective use of “He Needs Me” from Robert Altman’sPopeyemusical movie, a song-filled sequel toPunch-Drunk Lovecould work very well.
The movie world created by Anderson already has a kind of heightened realism that would lend itself well to a musical sequel. As a deeply emotional and surreal film, a sequel focusing on Barry and Lena’s continued relationship could lean into the dreamlike nature of the original movie, as music could add the anxiety, anger, and love that Barry feels in a way traditional dialogue cannot. Anderson has always played with movie conventions and tone, and aPunch-Drunk Lovemusical sequel feels like a natural progression to his cinematic tendencies.
Punch-Drunk Love
Punch-Drunk Love is a 2002 rom-com starring Adam Sandler, Emily Watson, and Philip Seymour Hoffman. Sandler stars as Barry Egan, the only boy in a group of eight siblings who his sisters always pick on. Despite being successful in life, Barry is lonely and decides to call a phone-sex hotline. But that makes things complicated with his sister’s friend Lena who he thinks has a crush on him.
7The Simpsons Movie (2007)
A Simpsons musical movie could stop this sequel feeling like an extended episode of the show
The Simpsons Moviewas a hit with critics and audiences alike and felt like a real cinematic event that paid homage to the longstanding legacy of Springfield’s most infamous family. While this movie featured memorable musical moments such as Homer’s spider-pig song or Green Day doing their own rendition ofThe Simpsonstheme tune, a sequel could lean into the show’s musical history and, in the process, differentiate it from feeling like an extended episode of the still-airing TV show.
The Simpsonshave never shied away from featuring music in the TV show, so it makes logical sense that heightened expectations of a movie sequel could give itself over fully to being a musical. This certainly wouldn’t be unprecedented, asThe Bob’s Burgers Moviefrom 2022 did just that and featured many incredible songs. Having already been responsible for classic songs like “Do the Bartman,” “See My Vest,” and “We Put the Spring in Springfield,”aSimpsonsmovie musical could be the perfect way to finally conclude the longest-running animated comedy of all time.
The Simpsons Movie
Based on the long-running animated sitcom of the same name, The Simpsons Movie followed Homer, Marge, Lisa, Bart, and Maggie as their hometown of Springfield is quarantined by the EPA due to Homer irresponsibly polluting the town’s lake. The film stars the entire main cast of The Simpsons and includes famous guest stars like Albert Brooks, Tom Hanks, and the members of the band Green Day.
6Groundhog Day (1993)
Groundhog Day has already shown its musical potential with a Broadway show
The fantasy comedyGroundhog Dayhas become so iconic that the phrase itself has entered the popular lexicon as shorthand for endlessly repetitive circumstances. Telling the story of Bill Murray as a cynical weatherman forced to relive the same day over and over again,Groundhog Daywas a comedic triumph that was made even better due to its hilariously original premise. The movie has already shown its musical potential as aBroadway show with music and lyrics by Tim Minchin, which opened to great success in 2017.
Now that the musical potential of this story has been proved, it would be a great time for Bill Murray to reprise his role in a movie musical sequel that sees Phil Connors once again caught in an endless time loop. Having already faced this predicament before, there’s endless potential for catchy songs that capture the horror, hilarity, and hopelessness of his unfortunate circumstances.Groundhog Dayalready had many fantastical elements, so a musical sequel would feel like a natural progression for the series.
Groundhog Day
In Groundhog Day, the arrogant weatherman Phil Connors (Bill Murray) finds himself living the exact same day over and over for what feels like an eternity. To cope with his curse, he learns a variety of skills in the town of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania, and tries to earn the heart of his colleague Rita Hanson (Andie MacDowell) while he adapts to the time loop.
5Shrek (2001)
A Shrek musical sequel would be a natural progression for this animated franchise
From the iconic opening music of Smash Mouth’s “All-Star” to the Fairy Godmother’s unmatched performance of “Holding Out for a Hero,” theShrekfranchise has never shied away from musical endeavors. However,Shrekhas never fully embraced its musical styling with an outright musical. This would be a natural progression for the series, and if it could capture the heights of the best musical moments of previous installments, it could ensure its place as the best sequel in the entire series.
A stage show titledShrek the Musicalpremiered in Seattle in 2008, opened with a successful run on Broadway in 2010, toured in America, and a revamped West End version opened in 2011.
The lastShrekfeature film wasShrek Forever Afterin 2010, and after such a long break, audiences will be excited to return to the swamp for the release ofShrek 5in 2026. Coming out a quarter of a century after the first movie,the fifthShrekshould break from convention to be a fully fledged musical. This would signal both the excitement of having such an iconic franchise back again and differentiate it from the previous movies in a natural and exciting way.
Shrek
A solitary ogre named Shrek embarks on a quest to rescue Princess Fiona from a dragon-guarded castle. Accompanied by Donkey Shrek sets out to fulfill a bargain with Lord Farquaad.
4Home Alone (1990)
A Home Alone musical sequel could be a chaotic triumph
Home Alonehas maintained its place as an undisputed holiday classic for over three decades, and its beloved sequel,Home Alone 2: Lost in New York, was an equally effective follow-up. While these first two films made a star out of Macaulay Culkin and have become annual viewing for countless families, the same cannot be said for the rest of the franchise. In the years since, theHome Aloneseries has had several lackluster sequels that simply retread the same premise of the original to disappointing diminishing returns.
One way to inject some energy back into theHome Aloneseries would be with a musical sequel, as the chaotic action of its carefully laid traps would lend itself wonderfully to theatrical song and dance numbers. Macaulay Culkin could even return to reprise his role as an older Kevin McCallister, as he’s already showcased his musical talents with his comedy rock band, The Pizza Underground. There are so many directions that a legacy sequel ofHome Alonecould go, as a cunning nephew of Kevin’s could reveal himself to be equally talented at stopping the bad guys through song.
Home Alone
Home Alone tells the story of Kevin McAllister, an eight-year-old who is left behind in his Chicago home when his family flies to Paris for the holidays. Not only must Kevin keep himself safe while his mother flies back across the world, but he must protect his home from the Wet Bandits - serial burglars who are targeting the McAllister House. Kevin must use every trick in the book to keep the Wet Bandits from stealing Christmas before his mother returns.
3Kill Bill (2003/2004)
A third volume of Kill Bill could embrace musical stylings the same way the original did with kung fu
The intricate choreography of martial arts cinema and movie musicals has plenty in common, as the intense battles of sword-fighting scenes require many of the same skills as an over-the-top dance number. For this reason, it would be incredible if Quentin Tarantino finally decided to return for a third volume ofKill Billwith a kung fu musical the likes of which the world has never seen before. Uma Thurman already showed off her dance skills as she boogied with John Travolta inPulp Fiction, so this wouldn’t be an unprecedented development in the Tarantino-verse.
The back-to-back releases ofKill Bill Vol.1andVol. 2in 2003 and 2004 already blended many genres as they paid tribute to kung fu, Western, and action movies. With a world categorized by a heightened sense of reality, this long-awaited sequel could benefit from some exciting musical numbers as it continued the story of the Bride and her now grown-up daughter.This would be new territory for Tarantino, but if anyone could pull it off, it would be him.
Kill Bill: Vol. 1
Kill Bill: Vol. 1 follows an assassin as she seeks revenge after being betrayed by her former employer, Bill, and fellow assassins. Released in 2003, the film initiates a violent journey of vengeance directed by Quentin Tarantino and stars Uma Thurman as the central character known as The Bride.
2Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World (2010)
A Scott Pilgrim musical sequel would fit right in with the original’s aesthetic
WhileScott Pilgrim vs. the Worldmay have bombed at the box office, it’s also earned its place among the most enduring cult classics of the 2010s. From directing visionary Edgar Wright and starring a perfectly cast Michael Cera, this quirky rom-com had a unique aesthetic that embraced a video game sensibility with an idiosyncratic sense of humor. With plenty of music, as the characters took part in a battle of the bands competition, a great idea for a sequel would be to embrace its musical nature and become a fully fledged musical movie.
AScott Pilgrimmusical sequel could give more time over to Scott’s role as the bass player for the unsuccessful indie garage band Sex Bob-Omb. It would also be fascinating to hear more from Scott’s ex-girlfriend Envy Adams’ rock group, The Clash at Demonhead, or even Crash and the Boys, the band behind the “I’m So Sad, So Very, Very, Sad” and “We Hate You, Please Die.” With a movie world already populated by several rock bands,aScott Pilgrimmusical feels like a no-brainer.
Scott Pilgrim vs. the World
Based on Lee O’Malley’s Scott Pilgrim series of graphic novels, Scott Pilgrim vs. the World follows the titular slacker musician (Michael Cera) as he strives to earn a record deal by winning the Battle of the Bands organized by music mogul Gideon Graves (Jason Schwartzman). After meeting and falling in love with Ramona Flowers (Mary Elizabeth Winstead), Scott learns that he must also defeat her seven evil exes. Chris Evans, Aubrey Plaza, Brandon Routh, Kieran Culkin, Anna Kendrick, and Brie Larson round out the film’s star-studded and quirky ensemble.
1The Princess Bride (1987)
The Princess Bride lends itself perfectly to a movie musical sequel
Out of all the non-musical movies in the world that lend themselves to a musical sequel, none work better thanThe Princess Bride. With an incredible mix of comedy, fantasy, and romance,The Princess Bridewas a thrilling fantasy adventure and a cult favorite from director Rob Reiner. As a delightfully postmodern fairytale,The Princess Bride’sunique mix of swashbuckling adventure, heartfelt romance, and damsel-in-distress narrative could only be improved by the inclusion of catchy musical numbers and toe-tapping dance sequences.
As one of the best films of the 1980s, ifThe Princess Bridewere to return for a long-awaited sequel, a musical follow-up would be the perfect way to develop it. It seems the musical potential of this story has already been considered, as Disney Theatrical Productions announced a stage musical version in 2013 (viaBroadway), although that project has yet to premiere. While audiences are excitedly awaiting that stage show, a musical movie sequel could help fill the gap and please fans who have been waiting decades for more fromThe Princess Bride.
The Princess Bride
Based on the 1973 novel by William Goldman, The Princess Bride is a comical fantasy adventure film that tells a swashbuckling tale of a hero and a princess, read to a young, sick boy in bed by his grandfather. The story itself follows farmhand Westley, who embarks on an epic journey to save his beloved princess from an evil prince as he meets strange but reliable companions along the way.
