These are not all traditional "musicals." I have also included movies for which music is a central concern or element, like biographies of or fictional stories about musicians. After each title is a note describing the type of music featured in the movie and other explanations where appropriate, in addition to my star rating for the film.
(NOTE: Dates covered are mid-1983 through 1996. I didn't start using stars until late 1989, so ratings for movies older than that have been added after the fact. Also, I did not write as many reviews as Siskel & Ebert. These are definitely NOT the only musical movies, or the best musical movies, to come out during this period; they're just the ones I have reviews for.)
ALADDIN. Traditional musical, but animated. ![]()
AMADEUS. Classical; fictionalized biography of Mozart. ![]()
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST. Traditional musical, but animated. ![]()
DOORS, THE. Rock. ![]()
EDDIE AND THE CRUISERS. Rock; fictional band. ![]()
FABULOUS BAKER BOYS, THE. Pop standards, lounge music. ![]()
HEARTBREAK HOTEL. Rock; fictionalized episode about Elvis. ![]()
LA BAMBA. 1950's rock.
LITTLE MERMAID, THE. Traditional musical, but animated. ![]()
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, THE. Traditional musical in form, if not in content. ![]()
MR. HOLLAND'S OPUS. Variety of types of music; story of high school band director. ![]()
NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS. Traditional musical, but animated. ![]()
SISTER ACT. Oldies girl-group rock. ![]()
STAYING ALIVE. Disco dancing, Broadway music (original, Saturday Night Fever, was better). ![]()
SWEET DREAMS. Country; biography of Patsy Cline. ![]()
TAP. Dancing (tap, of course) ![]()
UNFAITHFULLY YOURS. Classical; story of symphony musicians. ![]()
WHITE KNIGHTS. Ballet.
![]()