The Most Dazzling Movie Musicals Set in Paris

For a place that's been named the 'City of Lights,' it's only natural that Paris is as grand as ever. The city boasts a ton of grand structures, palatial attractions, stunning monuments, and, of course, serves as France's lap of luxury. It's not surprising that so many are fascinated with Paris beyond the fact that it's the French capital. The city has a cinematic charm to it, making it a great setting for countless films, even those of musical variety. Over the years, Hollywood and beyond have created many movie musicals set in Paris. Here are some of the most dazzling you'll ever get to watch.

An American in Paris (1951)

As a movie that won the Oscar for Best Film, the 1951 classic family-friendly flick, 'An American in Paris,' more than deserves to start this list. Gene Kelly and Leslie Caron star in this cinematic masterpiece, full of gorgeous Parisian scenes, amazing dance numbers, and even some animated magic mixed in as well. It tells the story of Jerry Mulligan (played by Gene Kelly), a former American soldier who moves to the French capital to become a painter. As he settles down in the city, he meets and falls in love with Lise Bouvier (played by Leslie Caron), his friend's girlfriend. A whirlwind romance full of music and dance ensues! Source: Movieclips Classic Trailers YouTube Channel

Gigi (1958)

Speaking of Leslie Caron, the legendary French actress starred in another Oscar-winning movie musical set in Paris seven years later, the 1958 classic, 'Gigi.' Based on a play by Collete, it tells the story of the titular Gigi (played by Caron) who is sent to her great-aunt's home in Paris at the height of La Belle Époque to be trained as a courtesan. Gigi detests the idea of love and marriage and prefers to spend her time playing with her friend, Gaston Lachaille (played by Louis Jourdan), who she looks up to as an older brother. Gaston, on the other hand, regarded as one of the most eligible bachelors in Parisian high society, find himself falling in love with Gigi. Source: Movieclips Classic Trailers YouTube Channel

Funny Face (1957)

If there's one Hollywood movie star that Paris has fallen in love with, it's Audrey Hepburn. Many of the screen icon's most famous works are set in the French capital, not the least of which was her first singing role in the 1957 rom-com musical, 'Funny Face.' In it, she plays Jo Stockton, a humble but headstrong bookshop keeper who is whisked away to Paris by the editorial crew of the famous fashion magazine, 'Quality,' particularly its editor-in-chief, Maggie Prescott (played by Kay Thompson), and its head photographer, Dick Avery (played by Fred Astaire). Though she agrees to go to Paris so she can meet her philosophical idols, she became the muse of an haute couture house and dons fabulous dresses throughout the movie. Source: EverythingAudrey.com YouTube Channel

The Hunchback of Notre Dame (1996)

Based on Victor Hugo's tragic French classic novel, the popular 1996 Disney film, 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame,' is one of the very few movie musicals set in Medieval Paris. Set in 1482, the only known Paris hotspot shown in the film is its central setting, the Notre Dame church (which still stands in the 4th arrondissement of Paris). It's in this historic site where the titular protagonist, Quasimodo (played by Tom Hulce) belts out many iconic songs from the film. From 'Out There' to 'Heaven's Light,' the movie added a lot more memorable tunes to Disney's ever-growing repertoire. Not to mention the most controversial of them all, Claude Frollo's (played by Tony Jay) heated number, 'Hellfire.' Source: Movieclips Classic Trailers YouTube Channel

Anastasia (1997)

Although the 1997 animated movie musical, 'Anastasia,' starts out in Russia since it tells a fictionalized tale of Anastasia Romanov, one of the country's last princesses, its second half is set in 1920s Paris. In fact, a ton of the city's famous sights are featured in the film, particularly in the dazzling musical number, 'Paris Holds the Key (To Your Heart).' They range from the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triomphe to even the house of Chanel on Rue Cambon. Not to mention that in one of the climactic scenes, where Anastasia (played by Meg Ryan) faces the antagonist, Rasputin (played by Christopher Lloyd) in a battle on Pont Alexandre III. Source: Movieclips YouTube Channel

Moulin Rouge! (2001)

As far as 'dazzling musicals' go, no list is complete without Baz Lurhmann's 2001 Oscar-winning jukebox musical film, 'Moulin Rouge!' Set in the famous Parisian cabaret at the turn of the 20th century, it tells the tragic love story of a celebrated dancer and courtesan, Satine (played by Nicole Kidman), and a penniless writer, Christian (played by Ewan McGregor). The latter, taken with the former's beauty as she sparkles in her opening number, 'Diamonds Are a Girl's Best Friend,' woos her with his poetry and musicality. Satine, on the other hand, thinking he was the duke she's supposed to 'entertain,' falls in love. And this, when all was revealed, their ill-fated romance begins. Source: Movieclips Classic Trailers YouTube Channel

Les Miserables (2012)

Argubaly the most celebrated musical, both on stage and on screen, is 'Les Misérables.' The original 1985 West End production was already a massic success so it's only natural that its 2012 movie adaptation would gain massive popularity as well. It also helps that the movie, directed by Tom Hooper, gathered an all-star cast with the likes of Hugh Jackman, Anne Hathaway, Russel Crowe, Eddie Redmayne, Helena Bonham-Carter, and more. With such stars lending their talents in this almost operatic-like rendition of the classic Victor Hugo story, it's no surprise it got a lot of awards and accolades. Source: DanceOn YouTube Channel

Paris has always had a certain musicality to it and these dazzling Hollywood-made musicals further prove it! You might want to watch these famous films in order to see Paris in a totally different and cinematic light!

Where's a great place in Paris to stream and watch these fabulous movie musicals? In your luxury home here, of course!