There is nothing quite like experiencing the awkward charm of high school: school sports, class dramas, cliques, and a whole lot of confusion. Maybe that is why so many high school musicals hold a special place in our hearts, they offer comfort during some of the most important years of our lives.
So we have decided to help you relive some of the most iconic high school musicals of the modern age in all of their glory. Conflict, drama, sweetness, and amazing lessons, these shows have it all!
Strap in as we count down some of the most legendary high school musicals of all time.
Coming at #7 Legally Blonde
Nothing like one of the most iconic stories about overcoming yourself to start our list. The story follows Elle Woods, a young, bright sorority girl who, in an attempt to get her boyfriend back, enrolls in Harvard University’s Law School, only to find her true passion in life.
Elle’s life at school starts a little grim, with many not taking her seriously and some teachers going so far as to dismiss her attributions in the classrooms. However, through a lot of dedication, she manages to become the lawyer of Brooke Windham, a prominent fitness instructor who has been accused of murder. By staying true to herself in the courtroom, Elle manages to have Brooke exonerated, proving herself to her teachers and ex-boyfriend.
This beautiful story has everything, from drama to romance to comedy, that will enchant your audience. Use our Courthouse Exterior and Wimpole Street theatrical backdrops to bring the story to life and bring a new charm to Elle’s incredible story.
At #6 is Mean Girls
To continue this list, we have another classic tale about becoming a better version of yourself. Mean Girls follows Cady, a girl who just moved from Africa to Chicago and is trying her best to fit in. On her first day of high school, she meets Janis and Damian, two outcasts who immediately take her in and introduce her to The Plastics, a group of mean girls formed by Regina George, the ringleader, Gretchen, and Karen.
After Regina takes an interest in Cady, Damian and Janis use this as an opportunity to get inside Regina’s group. Cady also falls for Aaron Sammuels, Regina’s ex-boyfriend. As they become closer, Cady can see through Regina’s antics, but also feels compelled to follow along and quickly becomes obsessed with taking her status.
When Regina finds out about Cady’s tricks to make her look bad, she immediately takes revenge, which prompts the teachers to arrange an assembly to discuss everything and help the girls be more understanding of each other and themselves. At the Spring Fling, Cady is elected queen but decides to make things right and give a piece of the crown to every other candidate, including Regina, setting their differences aside to accept each other.
Use our Shopping Mall and Cafeteria backdrop to bring the magnetic classic to life.
Our #5 spot is for The Descendants
This modern Disney story took the world by storm with its creative storytelling and catchy songs. This tale follows Carlos, Jay, Evie, and Mal, children and infamous villains from some Disney classics. As Ben, son of Belle and Beast, prepares to be crowned king, he decides to grant four children from the Isle of the Lost the right to live in the kingdom.
When Carlo, Jay, Evie, and Mal are selected, their parents scheme a plan to be freed from their entrapments. The kids arrive at Auradon Preparatory and begin working to free their parents. However, they become close with the students and learn to appreciate their kindness. Mal in particular falls for Ben and becomes confused between pleasing her mother and betraying Ben.
On the day of Ben’s coronation, the kids try to carry out the plan to steal the Fairy Godmother’s wand to undo the shield that keeps the villains trapped on the island. After Maleficent makes it out through a small fissure in the barrier, the kids confront her and defeat her, saving the day and proving they have chosen to be good.
Bring this touching story to life by using the Red Night Ornate Palace and the Dungeon theatrical backdrops.
At #4 we have Footloose
No other story will get you moving like this one. It tells the tale of Ren McCommack and his mother Ethel, who, after moving to a small town in Utah, experience the difficulties of being an outsider and finding passion in dancing.
Ren enrolls in high school, where he meets new friends. He also meets Ariel, the reverend’s daughter, at church, and quickly becomes enchanted by her. Both Ariel’s boyfriend and father find this to be a nuisance, and the reverend forbids her from seeing him again. However, Ariel and Ren disobey the order and cross the state line. They head to a bar to dance since it’s forbidden within the town’s perimeters. Ariel confides in Ren that the reason why her father is so apprehensive is that her brother died in a car crash after a night of drinking and dancing.
Nevertheless, Ren continues dancing and encouraging others to do the same, despite the townsfolk’s harsh reaction. With Ariel’s help, he advocates for revoking the anti-dancing law and gives a speech where he reflects on all the good things dancing can bring. But no matter how touching his words are, the council decides to keep the strict anti-dancing laws. Disappointed but not deterred, Ren and his friends decide to have their prom beyond the county lines, where they dance the night away.
Create the most amazing production by also integrating our School Hallway backdrop.
#3 is non-other than Grease
The classic of classics. No other high school musical reflects its spirit quite like this one. It revolves around Danny Zuko and Sandy Olsson, who, after spending the summer of 1958 together, fall into a push-and-pull for the ages.
Danny and Sandy meet again at Rydell High School, where Sandy has been transferred for her senior year. They both have fond memories of their time together at the beach and happily describe their summer to their friends. And while Danny can admit he feels attracted to Sandy, all their friends make fun of her good-girl image.
After many ups and downs, Sandy and Danny have a date at the drive-in theatre, where she flees when he is about to kiss her. Ultimately, they reconcile after he wins Thunder Road and she gets a makeover with the help of her friends. Both the greasers and the Pink Girls vow to always be there for each other.
To bring this amazing tale to life, use our Daytime Carnival, Jukebox, Peggy Sue 50s Diner, and Retro backdrops and recreate some of the most iconic scenes.
Charting at #2 is Hairspray
Another classic to continue down the line. The lovely and inspiring story takes place in 1962 in Baltimore, where Tracy Turnblad, an overweight teenage girl, dreams of becoming a dancer on The Corny Collins Show.
Tracy’s dream grows closer to reality when she and her friend Penny sneak out to a record hop hosted by Corny Collins. Even though the show is segregated, she manages to impress Motormouth Maybelle Stubbs, one of the hosts of Negro Day, and win the contest, but not without also winning some enemies along the way.
After being invited by Corny herself to audition for her program, she becomes a part of the show. She also falls in love with Link Larkin, a fellow dancer and local heartthrob. Inspired by her friend and good nature, Tracy uses her fame to advocate for racial integration, which eventually ends up getting her into reform school after being arrested for rioting.
After she’s crowned Miss Auto Show 1963, Amber, the reigning queen, tries to steal Tracy’s crown, but with the help of her friends, Tracy keeps her crown and gets to celebrate as Corny announces the show has been integrated.
Use our Small Town City Street and Daytime New York backdrops to bring your story to the next level.
And of course, #1 is High School Musical
One of the most beloved musicals of the modern era, this beautiful story has charm like no other and is sure to make your audience swoon. It tells the story of Gabriella and Troy as they navigate high school and pursue their dreams.
After meeting at a New Year’s Eve party, Troy and Gabriella share a moment during karaoke and quickly develop a connection. Troy heads back to East High School, where he is the captain of the basketball team. After finding a newly transferred Gabriella at the school, Troy shows her around, angering Sharpay Evans, who is also attracted to Troy. Troy and Gabriella bond over singing and audition for the musical together.
When they make it to the callback sheet, many of their friends are shocked and insist they must keep the status quo. They plan to separate Troy and Gabriella so that they can focus on basketball and the scholastic decathlon competition, respectively.
After they stage a fake scenario in the locker room and trick Gabriella into thinking Troy doesn’t care about her, they realize how much this means to them both and help them make it in time for the callback audition. They perform together as the whole auditorium starts clapping for them, understanding that you can break free from the status quo and fully embrace yourself.
All these stories are filled with rich messages, iconic moments, catchy songs, and unforgettable dance numbers. And whether you are still in high school or not, there is much to be learnt from them.
