10 Movies & Shows Like La La Land (2016)

Description: This classic musical shares La La Land's romantic Parisian influences and focus on struggling artists. Both feature spectacular dance sequences and a blend of jazz and classical music influences. The bittersweet romantic triangle plot also parallels La La Land's storyline.

Fact: Gene Kelly's 17-minute ballet sequence cost $500,000 (a huge sum at the time). The film won six Academy Awards including Best Picture. Vincente Minnelli directed both this and the 1958 film Gigi, which also shares similarities with La La Land.

Description: This iconic musical shares La La Land's exploration of Hollywood's transition periods (silent to sound films vs. traditional to modern Hollywood). Both feature dazzling musical numbers, romantic storylines, and a bittersweet tone about chasing dreams in show business.

Fact: The famous 'Singin' in the Rain' sequence was filmed while Gene Kelly had a 103°F fever. Debbie Reynolds had no dance experience before being cast - she trained intensely for months. The film was only modestly successful upon release but grew to become one of the most beloved musicals of all time.

Description: This musical shares La La Land's blend of romantic tragedy and spectacular dance sequences. Both explore themes of love against societal expectations, with jazz-influenced scores. The modern urban setting and focus on youthful passion create strong parallels.

Fact: The film won 10 Academy Awards, a record for a musical. Natalie Wood's singing was dubbed by Marni Nixon. The famous finger-snap sequence was improvised during rehearsals.

Description: While darker in tone, Cabaret shares La La Land's examination of artistic life and romantic entanglements. Both use musical numbers to comment on the story and characters' emotions. The films explore the tension between personal dreams and harsh realities.

Fact: Liza Minnelli's performance won her an Oscar at age

Description: Chicago shares La La Land's jazzy musical style and exploration of fame and ambition. Both films use musical numbers to express characters' inner emotions and fantasies. The themes of performance, illusion, and the price of success connect these two Oscar-winning musicals.

Fact: The film was in development for nearly 30 years before being made. Richard Gere learned to tap dance for his role as Billy Flynn. It was the first musical to win Best Picture since Oliver! in

Description: This musical shares La La Land's energetic dance numbers and themes of following artistic dreams. Both feature protagonists who challenge the status quo through performance. The films blend romance with social commentary, though Hairspray is more comedic in tone.

Fact: John Travolta's Edna Turnblad costume weighed about 40 pounds. The film features cameos from original 1988 cast members. Zac Efron's singing voice was digitally altered to sound higher for his 1960s-style numbers.

Description: Like La La Land, Once is a modern musical about struggling artists finding connection through music. Both films feature realistic portrayals of artistic passion and the sacrifices it demands, with bittersweet romantic elements. The musical numbers in both films feel organic to the story.

Fact: The lead actors (Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová) were real-life musicians who later formed the band The Swell Season. The film was shot in just 17 days on a micro-budget. The song 'Falling Slowly' won the Academy Award for Best Original Song.

Description: This musical shares La La Land's celebration of dreamers and spectacular musical numbers. Both films feature protagonists pursuing artistic visions against societal expectations, with themes of reinvention and the transformative power of performance.

Fact: Hugh Jackman worked on developing the project for seven years. The song 'This Is Me' won the Golden Globe for Best Original Song. Despite mixed reviews, it became a sleeper hit through strong word-of-mouth and soundtrack sales.

Description: Like La La Land, The Artist is a love letter to classic Hollywood and the magic of cinema. Both films explore themes of artistic ambition, love, and the struggle to adapt to changing times in the entertainment industry. The Artist, being a silent film, shares La La Land's emphasis on visual storytelling and expressive performances.

Fact: The Artist is the first silent film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture since

Description: Spielberg's remake maintains the original's connections to La La Land while adding contemporary relevance. Like La La Land, it blends classic musical traditions with modern filmmaking techniques. Both explore the tension between artistic dreams and harsh realities.

Fact: The first musical Spielberg ever directed. Rita Moreno (who won an Oscar for the 1961 version) appears in a new role. All actors did their own singing, unlike the original.