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A Guide To Movie Musicals Streaming on Netflix

With Into the Woods in theaters Dec. 25, we know you're getting into the movie musical mood. Thankfully, there's plenty of song-and-dance goodness on Netflix to curb your Broadway appetite before then. From Grease to Rent, and even from-the-vault classics like Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, your favorite streaming website has enough flicks to keep you singing for days. Even weeks. Below, we explore 10 movie musical adaptations currently at your disposal. Fill your queue with these gems; we guarantee an almost instantaneous boost in mood (well, for the most part).

RENT (2005)

[caption id="attachment_449320" align="aligncenter" width="615"][Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures] [Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures][/caption]The music-heavy film (almost every word is sung) explores the lives and struggles —  including, duh, paying the rent— of a group of artists living in New York City's East Village during the AIDS epidemic. Six original Broadway cast members, including Idina Menzel, reprise their roles for the movie.

Evita (1996)

[caption id="attachment_449004" align="aligncenter" width="615"] [Photo Credit: Buena Vista Pictures][/caption]The 1996 musical stars Madonna (in perhaps her only critically acclaimed performance) as Eva Perón, who travels to Buenos Aires to become an actress. After succeeding, she becomes romantically involved with politician Juan Perón, eventually marrying him after he is elected president. The film explores the controversial first lady's life in detail and includes the quintessential song "Don't Cry for Me Argentina." Madonna won a Golden Globe for her performance.

Sarafina! (1992)

[caption id="attachment_449081" align="aligncenter" width="615"] [Photo Credit Miramax][/caption]The South African film revolves around students involved in the Soweto Riots who oppose Afrikaans becoming the instructing language in schools. Sarafina (Leleti Khumalo) inspires her peers to protest, particularly when her teacher Mary Masombuka (Whoopi Goldberg)  is thrown in jail. This one's a must-see. 

Annie (1982)

[caption id="attachment_449074" align="aligncenter" width="615"] [Photo Credit: Columbia Pictures][/caption] The classic story centers on Annie (Aileen Quinn), a New York City orphan who is whisked away from her home (and evil caretaker Miss Hannigan) by America's wealthiest billionaire, Oliver Warbucks (Albert Finney). Shenanigans ensue, all set to kitschy songs like "Tomorrow," "It's a Hard-Knock Life," and "Easy Street." The 2014 remake starring Jamie Foxx, Quvenzhané Wallis, and Cameron Diaz hits theaters today. 

Grease (1978)

[caption id="attachment_449079" align="aligncenter" width="615"] [Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures][/caption]The classic summertime cheese-fest divulges the high school drama of lovesick teens, notably Danny (John Travolta) and Sandy (Olivia Newton-John). With sing-a-long tunes, infectious energy, and a story that never gets old, Grease is a go-to feel-good flick that works every time. In fact, some might call it "the word."

The Producers (1968)

[caption id="attachment_449083" align="aligncenter" width="615"] [Photo Credit: MGM][/caption]The comedic romp tells the story of Max Bialystock (Zero Mostel), a has-been Broadway producer who is convinced by accountant Leo Bloom (Gene Wilder) to coax people to invest money into a film they intentionally want to flop. The movie was remade in 2005 (this time starring Nathan Lane and Matthew Broderick), but received a lukewarm response.

Babes in Toyland (1961)

[caption id="attachment_449075" align="aligncenter" width="615"] [Photo Credit: Walt Disney Productions][/caption]The operetta-based film tells the story of Tom the Piper's Son (Tommy Sands) who is about to wed Mary Contrary (Annette Funicello). However, the movie's antagonist Barnaby (Ray Bolger) hires two henchman to kill Tom and steal Mary's sheep. Now down on her luck, Mary is forced to marry Barnaby instead. However, here's the catch: The henchman actually didn't kill Tom, but sold him to a group of gypsies. He now has the opportunity to escape and reunite with Mary. It's quite the fun ride.

Funny Face (1957)

[caption id="attachment_449077" align="aligncenter" width="615"] [Photo Credit: Paramount Pictures][/caption]The swiftly-moving film stars Fred Astaire as Dick Avery, a fashion photographer sent off by his boss to find the next "fresh face." He quickly comes across Jo Stockton (Audrey Hepburn), and hijinks ensue. The film received four Academy Award nominations in 1958.

Gentlemen Prefer Blondes (1953)

[caption id="attachment_449078" align="aligncenter" width="615"] [Photo Credit: 20th Century Fox][/caption]In this sparkly adaptation, two singers (Marilyn Monroe and Jane Russell) travel to Paris with the pursuit to marry rich. Along the way, they are questioned by a private detective and dazzled by several male suitors. Monroe's iconic performance of "Diamonds are a Girl's Best Friend" remains one of her benchmark moments and has been the inspiration for several divas, notably Madonna in her 1985 "Material Girl" music video.

The Mikado (1939)

[caption id="attachment_449082" align="aligncenter" width="615"] [Photo Credit: General Film Distributors LTD][/caption]The 1939 flick, based on the opera of the same name, centers on newly-appointed executioner Ko-Ko (Martyn Green) who must successfully kill someone before the powerful Mikado appears the next month. The farcical film includes the well-known song "Three Little Maids From School Are We."

What movie-musicals do you want Netflix to add to instant-watch? Let us know in the comments.