9 Best Musical Movies Like Annie

Annie is a beloved musical film that was released in 1982 and directed by John Huston. The movie is based on the popular Broadway musical of the same name, which in turn was based on a comic strip from the early 20th century. The primary themes of Annie include hope, family, and the pursuit of happiness.

The story follows a young orphan named Annie who is living in a dreary orphanage run by the cruel Miss Hannigan. Annie’s life changes when she is chosen to spend the holidays with wealthy industrialist Oliver Warbucks. Warbucks takes a liking to Annie and decides to adopt her, but Annie’s past catches up with her when Miss Hannigan and her con artist brother try to take advantage of Warbucks.

Annie has remained popular over the years due to its catchy musical numbers, charming characters, and heartwarming story. The movie’s message of hope and the power of love to transform lives has resonated with audiences for generations. Additionally, the film’s themes of social inequality and the importance of family have made it a timeless classic that continues to be enjoyed by viewers of all ages.

One interesting fact about Annie is that the role of Annie was originally played by Aileen Quinn, who was chosen from over 8,000 girls who auditioned for the part. Another interesting fact is that Carol Burnett, who played Miss Hannigan, had to wear a back brace during filming due to a back injury.

Overall, Annie is a classic movie that has captivated audiences for decades. Its uplifting themes, memorable songs, and lovable characters have made it a timeless favorite that continues to be enjoyed by viewers of all ages.

If you loved Annie, there are plenty of other movies out there with similar themes and heartwarming stories. Here are 9 movies like Annie that you might enjoy:

1. Matilda (1996) – Based on the beloved children’s book by Roald Dahl, Matilda follows the story of a young girl with telekinetic powers who must overcome her neglectful parents and cruel headmistress.
2. The Sound of Music (1965) – This classic musical tells the story of a young nun who becomes the governess for a large family and helps them to rediscover the joy of music and love.
3. Little Orphan Annie (1932) – This is a classic film adaptation of the original comic strip that inspired the Broadway musical and the 1982 Annie movie.
4. The Secret Garden (1993) – Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, The Secret Garden follows the story of an orphaned girl who discovers a hidden garden and begins to heal from her past traumas.
5. Annie (2014) – This is a more recent adaptation of the classic musical, starring Quvenzhané Wallis as Annie and Jamie Foxx as Will Stacks.
6. Oliver! (1968) – Another classic musical based on a Charles Dickens novel, Oliver! tells the story of a young orphan boy who runs away from the workhouse and finds himself caught up in a gang of pickpockets.
7. A Little Princess (1995) – Based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, A Little Princess follows the story of a young girl who is sent to a strict boarding school after her father goes missing in World War I.
8. Mary Poppins (1964) – This beloved Disney musical follows the story of a magical nanny who helps to bring a dysfunctional family together and rediscover the joy of life.
9. Hugo (2011) – This Martin Scorsese film tells the story of a young orphan boy living in a train station in 1930s Paris who becomes involved in a mystery involving an automaton and the history of cinema.

These movies all have heartwarming stories, memorable characters, and themes of hope, family, and the power of love to transform lives, just like Annie.

1. Matilda (1996)

Matilda is a delightful family movie based on the beloved children’s book by Roald Dahl. The film follows the story of a young girl named Matilda Wormwood, who possesses incredible telekinetic powers. Matilda is a bright and intelligent girl, but her neglectful parents and cruel headmistress, Miss Trunchbull, make her life miserable. Despite their treatment of her, Matilda discovers that she has the power to stand up for herself and those around her.

Similar to Annie, Matilda is a story about an orphaned child who must overcome adversity to find a loving family. Matilda’s character is similar to Annie’s in that they are both smart and spunky young girls who refuse to let their circumstances hold them back. Both movies also have themes of friendship, hope, and the power of standing up for what’s right.

2. The Sound of Music (1965)

The Sound of Music is a beloved musical that has captured the hearts of audiences for generations. The film tells the story of Maria, a young woman who becomes the governess for the seven children of a strict Austrian widower named Captain von Trapp. Maria helps the family to rediscover the joy of music and love, and they must all work together to escape the Nazi regime that is taking over their country.

Similar to Annie, The Sound of Music is a story about the power of music to bring people together and overcome adversity. Both movies also have themes of family, friendship, and standing up for what’s right in the face of danger. The characters of Maria and Captain von Trapp are similar to Annie and Daddy Warbucks in that they form an unlikely bond and help each other to grow and overcome their past traumas.

3. Little Orphan Annie (1932)

Little Orphan Annie is a classic film adaptation of the original comic strip that inspired the Broadway musical and the 1982 Annie movie. The film follows the story of Annie, a plucky young orphan girl who is taken in by a wealthy industrialist named Oliver Warbucks. Annie helps to soften Warbucks’ heart and together they must overcome the obstacles posed by the scheming Miss Hannigan and her con artist brother.

Similar to Annie, Little Orphan Annie is a story about a young orphan girl who finds love and acceptance in an unlikely place. Both movies have themes of hope, family, and the power of standing up for what’s right. The character of Annie in both movies is similar in that she is a feisty and determined young girl who refuses to let her circumstances hold her back. The relationship between Annie and Warbucks in Little Orphan Annie is similar to the bond between Annie and Daddy Warbucks in the 1982 Annie movie.

4. The Secret Garden (1993)

The Secret Garden is a beautiful and enchanting movie based on the classic children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The film tells the story of Mary Lennox, a young orphan girl who is sent to live with her uncle in a mysterious old mansion on the Yorkshire moors. Mary discovers a hidden garden and begins to heal from the traumas of her past, aided by her new friends, Dickon and Colin.

Similar to Annie, The Secret Garden is a story about an orphaned child who must overcome adversity and find a sense of belonging in a new family. Both movies also have themes of friendship, hope, and the power of nature to heal and transform lives. Mary’s character is similar to Annie’s in that they are both strong-willed and independent young girls who refuse to be held back by their circumstances.

5. Annie (2014)

Annie is a modern retelling of the classic Broadway musical and 1982 movie of the same name. The film follows the story of Annie, a plucky young orphan girl who is taken in by a wealthy businessman named Will Stacks. Annie helps to soften Stacks’ heart and together they must overcome the obstacles posed by Stacks’ political opponent and Annie’s own desire to find her long-lost parents.

Similar to the original Annie movie, Annie (2014) is a story about a young orphan girl who finds love and acceptance in an unlikely place. Both movies have themes of hope, family, and the power of standing up for what’s right. The character of Annie in both movies is similar in that she is a spunky and resilient young girl who refuses to be held back by her circumstances.

6. Oliver! (1968)

Oliver! is a classic movie musical based on the Charles Dickens novel, “Oliver Twist.” The film follows the story of a young orphan boy named Oliver who runs away from the workhouse and becomes caught up in a gang of pickpockets led by the conniving Fagin. Oliver eventually finds a new family and a better life with the help of his friend, the Artful Dodger, and a kindly gentleman named Mr. Brownlow.

Similar to Annie, Oliver! is a story about an orphaned child who must navigate the harsh realities of the world and find a loving family. Both movies also have themes of friendship, hope, and the power of standing up for what’s right. The character of Oliver in Oliver! is similar to Annie in that he is a brave and resilient young person who refuses to be defeated by the challenges of his circumstances.

7. A Little Princess (1995)

A Little Princess is a beautiful and heartwarming movie based on the classic children’s novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett. The film tells the story of Sara Crewe, a young girl who is sent to a boarding school in London while her father goes off to fight in World War I. When her father is declared missing in action and presumed dead, Sara is forced to become a servant at the school, but she refuses to let go of her kind spirit and positive outlook on life.

Similar to Annie, A Little Princess is a story about a young girl who must navigate the harsh realities of the world and find hope and love in unlikely places. Both movies also have themes of resilience, friendship, and the power of imagination to transform lives. The character of Sara in A Little Princess is similar to Annie in that she is a strong-willed and independent young girl who refuses to let her circumstances defeat her.

8. Mary Poppins (1964)

Mary Poppins is a beloved classic movie musical about a magical nanny who comes to the aid of a dysfunctional family in London. Mary Poppins uses her special powers to teach the children and their father important life lessons, and helps them to find joy and happiness in their everyday lives.

Similar to Annie, Mary Poppins is a story about the transformative power of love and positivity in a family’s life. Both movies also have themes of imagination, magic, and the importance of childhood innocence. The character of Mary Poppins in the movie is similar to the character of Miss Hannigan in Annie, in that they are both strong and independent women who use their unique personalities to impact the lives of those around them.

9. Hugo (2011)

Hugo is a beautiful and visually stunning movie about a young orphan boy named Hugo Cabret, who lives in the walls of a Paris train station in the 1930s. Hugo’s obsession with fixing a mechanical automaton leads him on a journey to uncover the mystery of his past, and he discovers unexpected connections with the people around him.

Similar to Annie, Hugo is a story about a young orphan boy who is determined to uncover the secrets of his past and find a sense of belonging in the world. Both movies also have themes of perseverance, friendship, and the transformative power of curiosity and imagination. The character of Hugo in the movie is similar to Annie in that they are both brave and resilient young people who refuse to be defeated by the challenges of their circumstances.

Here are the IMDb ratings and Rotten Tomato scores for the following movies: