Music can be a powerful thing, it can instill all sorts of feelings in us, whether it’s joy, sadness, excitement, love, happiness, or just makes us feel like we want to get up and dance. Some films have gone and used this to wonderful effect over the years, either by having a great soundtrack, having lots of music with the characters dancing to it, or by simply being a full-on musical movie – let’s take a look back at some of the best examples from the 80s….


12. Dirty Dancing

One of the most famous examples of this kind of movie, this is one of the go-to movies of the decade for people who want to have the music and dancing mixed together perfectly. Just please, whatever you do, don’t put Baby in the corner!

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11. Footloose

The other classic example of a dance movie done right, Footloose looks at the power that dancing can have, not just on individuals, but on a full society as well!

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10. Moonwalker

The film starring Michael Jackson is certainly different as it starts out with hit after hit before the actual film stars and then there is very little of the star’s music in it from that point. Two totally different halves of the film, which do you prefer?

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9. Little Shop of Horrors

The classic comedy-horror musical about flesh-eating plants from outer space and sadistic dentists! This film has some real toe-tappers in it and you just can’t help but sing along!

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8. Flashdance

Another of the dance movies that helped to inspire a generation, many people see this as Footloose and Dirty Dancing’s poor cousin, but it still has its charm and a legion of fans!

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7. Annie

The story of a young orphan girl who is taken in by a rich man, and how this changes her life and also causes seething jealousy in the woman who had previously ‘looked after her.’

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6. Labyrinth

Not a full-on musical, but this uses David Bowie’s music and voice to perfect effect and has a couple of great numbers and dances in it that really get you tapping your foot on that floor!

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5. Grease 2

This did not have the same effect as the original, which has gone down in history as one of the great musical movies. Grease 2 is very hit and miss, with some fans feeling it just doesn’t fit with the original – what do you think?

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4. Monty Python’s The Meaning of Life

An unusual one to have on the list, but Meaning of Life has some very good musical numbers in it, like Christmas in Heaven, and of course Every Sperm is Sacred! If you haven’t seen this, then I urge you to do so, you won’t be disappointed!

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3. An American Tail

Not a full-on animated musical, but it had one of the most famous songs of any film from the era with “Somewhere out there” which people were humming and singing for years after.

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2. The Little Mermaid

One of the classic Disney animated movies, and this had some truly unforgettable numbers in it, including Kiss the Girl and Under the Sea, two very different songs, but equally good in their own right… but not the Peter Andre one!

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1. The Blues Brothers

The ultimate musical film from the era? Quite possibly. This is one of the most unusual and enjoyable musical films of all time with some incredibly upbeat and enjoyable tunes that you simply can’t help but sing along to, especially if you’re on a mission from God!

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