Top 10 Animated Movies that Deserve a Real Life Musical

Set against the backdrop of the Incan empire, “Groove” follows Emperor Kuzco, a spoiled egocentric, who’s transformed into a llama by his former advisor. Voiced by David Spade, Kuzco is one of the funniest characters in the Disney canon, making this film a certified comedy classic. But did you know it was supposed to be a full-blown musical? Originally titled “Kingdom of the Sun”, the film was pitched to follow in the steps of predecessors like “The Lion King”. Eventually, those plans were scrapped and the production received a head-to-toe makeover. While fans are forever grateful that everything turned out the way it did, you can’t deny there’s plenty of untapped musical comedy potential that would make an onstage adaptation a massive hit.

Musical theatre icon Stephen Schwartz is one of the most prolific Broadway composers of our time. With credits like “Wicked”, “Pippin” and “Godspell” under his belt, he has also created the score for Disney’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” and “Pocahontas”. The latter is inspired by a real-life Native American woman of the Powhatan People, born as Amonute, later known as Matoaka, and nicknamed Pocahontas. The film has become well-known for its songs like “Just Around the Riverbend” and “Colors of the Wind '', although the movie diverts very far from her actual real life and story. If an onstage version of the picture ever gets made, some updated research and Indigenous creatives at the helm would make the already strong score even more impactful.

Yes, it’s true, felines haven’t always received the warmest reception when it comes to movie musicals. However, Warner Brother’s late 90s cartoon, “Cats Don’t Dance” is an exception. The story follows Danny, a singing cat, who trades in his humble small-town life to follow his dreams of fame to Hollywood. With dazzling tunes written by Randy Newman, it’s a loving homage to the glitz, glamour and hardships of show business and is legendary performer Gene Kelly’s final film. The eye-popping opening title sequence only proves it deserves the onstage treatment. Nearly 25 years since its premiere, it’s about time this underrated gem trades in the bright lights of Hollywood for the bright lights of Broadway.

Inspired by a Russian-Jewish folktale from the 19th Century, “Corpse Bride” follows the creepy tale of Victor, a soon to be groom, who accidentally marries a deceased bride, Emily, after she rises from her grave. Co-directed by Mike Johnson and Tim Burton, the film is influenced by German Expressionism and features Burton frequent collaborators, Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter. While the material is undoubtedly dark and doesn’t exactly scream “musical” Danny Elfman’s score is hauntingly beautiful, creating a rich and immersive viewing experience that’s just begging to be put onstage. We’re keeping our bones crossed that if it ever gets to the stage, someone remembers to turn the ghost light on after the curtain falls.

There’s no denying that Moana is one of the strongest and most heroic Disney heroines in recent memory. This epic story of a young girl tasked to save her community from a curse is full of stunning visuals, a magical score and an engaging plot. Following in the footsteps of other 3D animated films like “Frozen” and “Shrek”, “Moana” deserves its own theatrical experience. Sure, fitting an entire ocean onstage might be ambitious but it’s worth a shot. And with one of the film's songwriters, Broadway titan Lin-Manuel Miranda, working behind the scenes, it would be a surefire hit.

After decades of adapting fairy tales, “Rapunzel” finally received the Disney touch in 2010. The story about an extremely long-haired maiden, held captive in a tower by a witch, was updated to feature a much more active and fierce female protagonist. Voiced by singer-turned actress, Mandy Moore as Rapunzel and Zachary Levi as her sidekick, Flynn Ryder, the film features a memorable score with a variety of songs that range from the utterly romantic “I See The Light” to the side-splitting “I’ve Got a Dream”. Scored by music icon, Alan Menken, a condensed version was adapted to play aboard the Disney Cruise Line in 2015. Based on that success, it’s only a matter of time before “Tangled” docks at The Great White Way.

One of the last films to employ the traditional Disney animation style, “The Princess and The Frog”, became an instant animated classic when it debuted on-screen in 2009. The cast is led by Tony Award-winning actress and “Dreamgirls” alumni, Anika Noni Rose. In the Disney version, the audience is transported to 1920’s New Orleans, where Tiana, a hard-working waitress with aspirations to own a restaurant, undergoes an amphibian transformation and hops into an unexpected adventure. Receiving Oscar nominations for its showstoppers “Almost There” and “Down in New Orleans”, the Randy Newman score is in the perfect shape to transition from movie musical to stage musical.

Ever since this film debuted in 1993, Jack Skellington has become the face of All Hallows Eve. Conceived by Tim Burton, "Nightmare" follows Jack, Halloween Town’s Pumpkin King, as he faces a mid-after-life crisis that results in him spiralling into a full-blown obsession after discovering Christmas. The stop motion animated film is a cult classic, amassing a devoted fan base around the world. With a cerebral score and lyrics by Danny Elfman, the weird and strange imagined world of “Nightmare” is the perfect material to take from the cinema to the theatre. From the sets to the costumes, every aspect of a real-life musical would send shivers down the spines of theatregoers.

In the early 2000s, "The Road To El Dorado", became a favourite of the millennial generation. The movie stars Kevin Kline and Kenneth Branagh as a pair of con-artists, Miguel and Tulio, who discover a map to the legendary city El Dorado. The film’s score is chock full of music powerhouses including Elton John, Tim Rice, Hans Zimmer and John Powell. The nostalgia hits hard with this one and with an updated score, “El Dorado” has the perfect amount of musicality, comedy and adventure to make it Broadway’s next smash hit.

Before we unveil our top pick, here are a few honorable mentions.

“Shrek 2” (2004)
The Original “Shrek” Was Turned Into a Hit Broadway Musical in 2008

“Barbie as the Princess and the Pauper” (2004)
Barbie Straight to DVD/Streaming Musicals Are Underrated

“A Goofy Movie” (1995)
A 90s Kids Dream Come True, Full of Fun Songs& a Relatable Story

“Soul” (2020)
A Gorgeous Score with an Insightful Story

“The Aristocats” (1970)
A Fun, Lively Score That Would Appeal to Both Adult & Child Audiences

There are plenty of emotionally charged Disney movies to choose from but when it comes to tugging on our heartstrings, “Coco” takes the cake. In the film, a music-obsessed boy, Miguel, ventures into the Land of the Dead to discover the truth behind his family’s disdain for music. What makes it the perfect source material for a musical is that the music is such an integral part of the story that it becomes its own character. Along with startling twists and jaw-dropping visuals, this exploration of loss and grief is exactly the poignant content that theatre needs. One thing’s for sure, if “Coco” does ever get to Broadway, there won’t be a dry eye in the house.