The horror musical is a niche genre in and of itself due to the fact that the horror and musical genres appeal to people with very specific tastes, making the horror musical an even more specific taste that not every audience member has. Common aspects of horror musicals include gothic tones in the setting and, with few exceptions, gore.
These aspects of horror would not initially seem to go well with the musical genre in which people break into song, but the followings of specific horror musicals prove the contrary. These musicals are well-received enough to gain a cult following and receive high ratings among fans in spite of their tendency toward the campier side of the horror genre. Here is a look at the best horror musicals, as ranked by IMDb.
The Happiness of the Katakuris (2001) - 7.1
This is a Japanese comedy horror musical chronicling Masao Katakuri, played by Kenji Sawada, and his family as they try to rebuild their failed lives by renovating a house near the base of Mount Fuji into a bed and breakfast. Their customers are few and far between, with each customer ultimately dying in some manner while under the Katakuri’s care.
To prevent the loss of what little business they have, they hide the bodies. A US Naval officer named Richard Sagawa, played by Kiyoshiro Imawano, investigates the disappearances, but the film ends on a cliffhanger just after Sagawa finds a lead.
Cannibal! The Musical (1993) - 7.1
Cannibal! The Musical was originally called Alferd Packer: The Musical. It starts out at Alferd Packer’s trial for cannibalism, and he sets the record straight by telling his side of the story to a reporter. The musical then, through a flashback, chronicles Packer and his journey from Utah to Colorado, in which his traveling companions die and are eaten.
This musical stars Trey Parker as Packer (credited as Juan Schwartz), Toddy Walters as Polly Pry, and Matt Stone as James Humphrey. Parker directed and co-wrote the musical with Stone, both of whom moved on to create South Park and The Book of Mormon Musical.
Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007) - 7.3
This 2007 film adaptation was directed by Tim Burton and stars Johnny Depp as the titular character and Helena Bonham Carter as Mrs. Lovett. This musical chronicles Sweeney Todd, formerly known as Benjamin Barker, his return to Fleet Street, and his quest for revenge against Judge Turpin for framing and banishing him and taking his wife and daughter away.
This film is not the first time Depp or Carter have been in a Tim Burton musical, but it is the first time that their vocals were heavily featured in the soundtrack.
The Phantom Of The Opera (2004) - 7.3
This film is an adaptation of the stage musical, which is an adaptation of the novel by Gaston Leroux. The film stars Gerard Butler as the Phantom, Emmy Rossum as Christine, and Patrick Wilson as Raoul. The musical is about an opera theatre at the height of its popularity but with what is rumored to be a ghost or a phantom living in the catacombs and terrorizing the actors.
More specifically, the musical chronicles Christine befriending the Phantom, who falls in love with her. She does not reciprocate, however, as she has feelings for her childhood friend Raoul.
Corpse Bride (2005) - 7.3
Corpse Bride is another Tim Burton musical featuring Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, however, their vocals are not as prominently featured as they are in Sweeney Todd. The film is about Victor Van Dort (Depp), who is engaged to Victoria Everglot (Emily Watson). Both families arranged the marriage hoping to gain social and financial status, unaware that the other family also has nothing.
Victor, when practicing his vows, unknowingly says the vows to a corpse named Emily (Carter), and afterward has to work to reunite himself with Victoria, with the intention of leaving Emily but meanwhile uncovering a conspiracy involving Emily’s death.
Phantom Of The Paradise (1974) - 7.4
This musical film is a loose adaptation of the novels The Phantom of the Opera and The Picture of Dorian Gray, and the play Faust. It takes place in 1974 and tells the story of composer Winslow Leach, who sells his music to the producer Swan, who then exploits Leach’s abilities for his own gain at The Paradise, a new concert hall. Winslow becomes disfigured and befriends the singer Phoenix, with whom he falls in love.
Much like the two novels and some versions of the play, off of which this film is based, the musical ends in tragedy for the main character.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975) - 7.4
This film is based on the stage production of The Rocky Horror Show, which was originally produced in 1973. Richard O’Brien and Jim Sharman were involved in the production of both the play and the film, which follows the newly engaged Brad (Barry Bostwick in the film) and Janet (Susan Sarandon in the film) as they become trapped in a mysterious castle housing a mad scientist, Dr. Frank-N-Furter (Tim Curry in the play and the film) and his comrades.
This musical is an original take on Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein, adding cross-dressing, overtly queer characters, and a catchy soundtrack to the mix.
The Legend Of Beaver Dam (2010) - 7.9
“The Legend of Beaver Dam” is a short film written and directed by Jerome Sable. It is a rock horror musical about a group of kids telling ghost stories around a campfire and one of the stories awakens a monster named Stumpy Sam, played by Rick Miller. The students, including the main character, Danny Zigwitz, played by L.J. Benet, have fight the monster to survive.
The film gets gory, following traditional tropes of slasher films, while also incorporating tropes from campfire stories, such as saying a monster’s name three times in order for it to appear.
The Nightmare Before Christmas (1993) - 8.0
The third Tim Burton musical to make the list, The Nightmare Before Christmas is more lighthearted than others on this list, but still has creepy overtones and monsters, making it worthy of inclusion on this list. Jack Skellington, the Pumpkin King in Halloween Town and a literal skeleton, becomes bored and seeks something new for his own excitement.
He discovers Christmas Land and takes it upon himself to host Christmas for all the world that year. In doing so, he creates many problems that he must fix with the help of Santa Claus.
Buffy The Vampire Slayer: Once More, With Feeling (2001) - 9.8
Buffy the Vampire Slayer is not a musical show, with the exception of this episode in the sixth season. The episode is about a demon who compels the citizens of Sunnydale to break into song and reveal secrets. These revealed secrets cause tension among the Scooby Gang, who ultimately separate. Some of whom only temporarily separate like Giles (Anthony Stewart Head) and Buffy (Sarah Michelle Gellar), while others separate permanently, like Willow (Alyson Hannigan) and Tara (Amber Benson).
Buffy ultimately has to face her new responsibilities of taking care of her sister (played by Michelle Trachtenburg) on her own, which in turn helps her defeat the demon (played by Hinton Battle).
Next: The 10 Highest-Grossing Movie Musicals Of All Time (According To Box Office Mojo)
