The High School Musical 3 trailer is out, Disney’s Camp Rock enjoyed a successful debut, and musical movies are becoming Hollywood mainstream again. But this is by no means a new or cutting-edge movie genre.

The Hollywood musical celebrated its heyday in the 1960s, when all the biggest stars were singing and dancing as well as acting. But as years passed, they began to fall by the wayside, cropping up irregularly in-between standard comedies and dramas. New projects, like the remake of My Fair Lady that I’ve already summarily rejected, are in the till…and there’s no doubt more new musical movies to come.

But before we accept these newcomers, let’s take the time to give a bow to the old. What are the Best 5 Musical Movies of all time, in one humble blogger’s opinion? I’m so glad you asked, because it just so happens I’ve prepared a list.

Moulin Rogue (2001)
I know I’m supposed to be a die-hard fan of the classics and I hate remakes to boot (Hollywood also made movies out of Moulin Rogue in 1952 and 1934), but I just cannot help myself. It’s far too easy to fall in love with Ewan McGregor and moreover, this is the film that made me stop hating Nicole Kidman. The music, the cast, the costumes - this one has it all in abundance, even the heart-rendering tragic ending.

The Sound of Music (1965)
Julie Andrews and singing nuns. Christopher Plummer and too many children. Nazis! Even if you haven’t seen the movie, you’ve heard the songs - that’s some serious success. This timeless classic is re-run every single year. Not many flicks have this kind of staying power.

The King and I (1956)
Okay yes, this is yet another remake - but Yul Brenner in the cast makes absolutely everything okay. Deborah Kerr was never more gorgeous or sang more beautifully than in this role, which would become one of her most famous. Brenner as the King of Siam absolutely and utterly makes this movie - a true can’t miss for any lover of music and film. A surprisingly well-thought-out blend of American, English and European culture, this film even takes a hard look at the many forms of slavery while it soothes the soul with lighthearted tunes. This film is fantastic, tuneful, wonderful to see in every way….et cetera, et cetera, et cetera.

My Fair Lady (1964)
You knew it was coming. Even Rex Harrison alone would have made this film fantastic. Throw in Audrey Hepburn, and you’ve got an Oscar-winning hit. This marvelous Cinderella story isn’t quite the end-all, be-all of all musical movies…but it’s darn close. It’s no longer a question - this one is truly lover-ly.

Grease (1978)
This flick is also high-ranking on my list of high school movies, but when it comes to musicals this is the absolute pinnacle. Grease stands alone as the greatest musical ever penned by the hand of man, and it is perfect in every single way. Every song is designed to get your feet tapping and your mouth singing along almost before you know what’s happening, and if you can’t be drawn in by the romance between the bad boy and the good girl you just can’t be wooed. Every member of the cast is perfect, but I truly believe the lovely Stockard Channing held it all together as the unapologetic bad girl (and her solo is by far my favorite number in the whole thing). Every moment of this musical is exceptional, and that’s what makes Grease the greatest of all time.

And though it did not make the Top 5 list, I feel the need to shout out for at least one more much-overlooked hit - The Music Man (1962). How good is the music in this movie? So good that the biggest rock band in the world (without exception) recorded one of the songs. That’s right, the 1963 Beatles hit “Til There Was You” came from this flick. And that’s not all - it’s about a conman, a spinsterish old maid and four enemies who are miraculously turned into a barbershop quartet. Interested yet? You should be.