Think musicals are all jazz hands and happy endings? Think again. Kristy and Jeff pull back the curtain on movie musicals that hit every note — from campy cult sequels and chaotic rock operas to soulful folk tales and parody perfection. It’s a cinematic sing-along for anyone who’s ever belted out a showtune in the shower. 

🎬 Welcome back to The Film Library, a Kanopy podcast where we spotlight hidden gems, cult favorites, and movies that linger in your mind long after the credits roll — no film degree required. 

This week, hosts Kristy Puchko (Entertainment Editor at Mashable) and Jeff Rauseo (film lover, karaoke enthusiast, and part-time jazz-hand practitioner) dive into the dazzling, unpredictable world of movie musicals. From the rebellious to the romantic — and the downright ridiculous — they’ve curated a lineup that proves this genre is anything but one-note. 

Jeff starts the show on a high note with Grease 2, the gloriously campy sequel that deserves more love, before diving into the punk-rock chaos of Her Smell and the psychedelic Beatles fantasia Across the Universe. 

Kristy counters with a trio of wild showstoppers: Mel Brooks’ original The Producers (a biting Broadway satire that started it all), the Coen brothers’ bittersweet folk odyssey Inside Llewyn Davis, and Weird: The Al Yankovic Story, a hilariously off-key biopic that turns parody into pure art. 

Together, they explore why musicals keep us coming back — the emotion, the excess, and the thrill of stories that can only be told through song. Whether it’s Michelle Pfeiffer bowling in heels, Oscar Isaac singing through heartbreak, or Daniel Radcliffe shredding on accordion, this episode celebrates the strange and spectacular side of the musical. 

So, tune up your vocal cords, warm up those jazz hands, and stream these toe-tapping treasures on Kanopy — no stage fright required. 

 

🎤 Big feelings. Bold voices. Zero tuition required. 

Follow Kristy on Instagram @thekristypuchko and Letterboxd @kristypuchko.   

  

Follow Jeff on Instagram, TikTok, and Letterboxd @jeffrauseo.   

  

Follow Kanopy on Letterboxd to see the full episode list.  

Stream the films we mention for free at kanopy.com with a library card or university ID from a participating institution.