When musicals are brought to the big screen, studios tend to attach at least one or two big names to the project to entice audiences. The addition of a celebrity usually draws in viewers who may not normally seek out musicals. For some fans, the idea of a beloved star singing their heart out can be moving or, at the very least, wildly entertaining.
But sometimes studios choose actors who will interest the masses but aren't very good singers. While some actors add enough personality to their performances to offset their vocal inexperience, others seem like they are entirely out of their element. These performances can still be endearing, but sometimes they are just pitchy enough to warrant a wince from fans.
10 Ralph Fiennes Can't Quite Keep Up With Amick Byram
The Prince Of Egypt
Ralph Fiennes provides a passionate and intimidating performance as Ramses in The Prince of Egypt, but his starring role takes a bit of a backseat when he sings "The Plagues." The duet with Amick Byram, reveals Fiennes's talents as an actor far surpass his musical abilities.
While Byram's voice flows beautifully, most of Fiennes's lines are half-spoken rather than sung. Although it's clear his strengths as a performer don't pertain to singing, his style actually fits surprisingly well with the intense and dramatic nature of the song. Fiennes may not win any awards with his vocals, but his tone enhances the dark imagery of the nine plagues and makes them all the more terrifying.
9 Emma Stone's Vocals Are A Little Shaky
La La Land
There's no doubt Emma Stone is a talented actor, with her performance as Mia in La La Land even winning her an Academy Award for Best Actress. Despite being an incredibly dynamic performer, it feels like Stone is outside her comfort zone during the film's more musical moments.
While Emma Stone can carry a tune, her voice lacks any real power. This becomes most noticeable in her dramatic solo "Audition (The Fools Who Dream)." Her vocals lack the emphasis of the bittersweet lyrics, but her passionate acting still provides plenty of emotion to carry the number the rest of the way.
8 Meryl Streep Has Grown As A Singer
Mamma Mia
Meryl Streep dazzles audiences as the Witch in Into the Woods, but the multi-award-winning actor actually has more humble musical beginnings in Mamma Mia. Streep is by no means an awful singer, but her confidence in her ability seems far lower than it does in the Disney musical adaptation.
Meryl Streep's vocal inconsistency becomes prevalent in songs like "Money, Money, Money" and "The Winner Takes It All." Streep's range as an actor continues to impress, but her singing voice is a bit shaky, revealing her lack of a musical theater background. Even so, she has grown tremendously as a singer, and her energetic portrayal of Donna manages to make up for any of her musical uncertainties.
7 Gerard Butler's Performance Isn't Entirely Opera Level
The Phantom Of The Opera
There's no question Gerard Butler commands the proper intensity of the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera, but his occasionally pitchy vocals can sometimes detract from his performance. Butler's voice, while undoubtedly moving, is also inconsistent when he sings.
For instance, in his solo "The Music Of the Night," his soft-spoken lines are gentle and beautiful, but when he reaches the climax of the piece, he seems to lose the melody and comes across as loud rather than in tune. While there is plenty of feeling behind Gerard Butler's words, it's also difficult to believe his character is training Christine to sing when he sounds a bit off-key himself.
6 Dwayne Johnson's Fun Performance Makes Up For His Vocals
Moana
Dwayne Johnson has made it no secret that he isn't the best singer in the world, even going as far as to troll his own musical abilities at the 2017 Academy Awards. While his talents may lie elsewhere, his performance in Moana is so wildly entertaining that he makes up for it.
Maui's song "You're Welcome" is a bit rough on the ears when Dwayne Johnson hits those high notes, but the chauvinistic style plays right to the actor's strengths. There is so much personality rooted into every line that it's challenging for viewers to keep from tapping their feet along to the melody. The bridge of the song is especially catchy, with Johnson's quick banter matching the snappy tempo beat for beat.
5 Christopher Walken's Solo Is Bizarre And Entertaining
The Jungle Book 2016
While Christopher Walken as The Jungle Book's King Louie is a peculiar casting choice, his role shines with his performance of "I Wanna Be Like You," even if Walken can't really carry a tune. His intimidating and bizarrely hilarious portrayal of the eccentric orangutan, matched with his stilted singing voice, is incredibly fun to watch.
Although Christopher Walken isn't classically trained as a singer, his unique voice and comedic timing overtake any pitchy parts of his performance. His song leaves audiences with a one-of-a-kind take on a beloved Disney song.
4 Maya Rudolph's Voice Isn't Merry Enough To Carry A Christmas Story: Live
Maya Rudolph is a renowned comedian with a diverse portfolio, so it's understandable if musical abilities aren't at the top of her strengths. Her performance as Mother Parker in A Christmas Story: Live is chock-full of wit and personality, but her singing abilities leave much to be desired.
Her performance of "What A Mother Does" is pretty rough, as she struggles to find a consistent melody. In Maya Rudolph's defense, performing in a live television musical is no easy feat, even for professionally trained singers. Although the performance can be shaky, Rudolph still carries enough charm to win audiences over as Ralphie's mother.
3 John Leguizamo's Voice Definitely Sticks Out
Encanto
With a talented vocal cast in Disney's Encanto, John Leguizamo's singing definitely sticks out like a sore thumb in the musical adventure. While his role as Bruno is mostly used for comedy, the actor's shortcomings as a singer are particularly apparent in the song "All of You."
Although his part in the musical number has a quick-tempo, it becomes glaringly noticeable that John Leguizamo isn't a Broadway performer when he tries to replicate a line reminiscent of Idina Menzel's "Let It Go." Despite this reality, his vocals are a brief undercurrent to an otherwise enjoyable performance.
2 Emma Watson's Voice Can't Hold A Candle To Paige O'Hara
Beauty And The Beast (2017)
While fans of Beauty and the Beast agree Emma Watson is a perfect casting choice to play Belle, she doesn't embody the same musical presence as Paige O'Hara's portrayal from the animated version. Watson is a pleasantly delightful actor who carries a kind intelligence best suited for Belle, but her musical moments are where she falls short.
Upon her introduction in "Belle," and later, during her solo in "Belle's Reprise," Emma Watson's vocals are layered with heavy auto-tune. The sound is distracting, and it prevents audiences from being fully immersed in the magical fairytale. Without a confident voice to sing about her character's strife, Watson serves as a passable Belle with maybe just a little less fairytale magic than the 1994 version.
1 Russell Crowe Is An Incredible Actor But A Mediocre Singer
Les Misérables
Russell Crowe is an established actor with incredible range, but regrettably, his best talents don't extend to musicals. In Les Misérables, Crowe's vocal range as Inspector Javert is limited, with many fans saying he sounds like he's droning in most of his numbers.
Russell Crowe's limitations as a singer become most noticeable in his grander songs, such as "Stars." The solo lacks the power and proper tone needed, paling in comparison to its Broadway rendition. While Crowe continues to exemplify stellar emotion with his acting, he is limited in a role where almost all of his dialogue is conveyed through song.