Despite captivating moviegoers all across the world with his unforgettable performance as the gruff, claw-wielding mutant Wolverine in the fan-favoritesuperhero seriesX-Men,cinema greatHugh Jackmanhas never hid his love and adoration for the theater. Before he took on the career-defining role as the beloved Marvel Comics character, Jackman made quite the splash on the Australian musical circuit in the ’90s, notably appearing as Gaston inBeauty and the Beast,Curly McLain inOklahoma!,and Joe Gillis inSunset Boulevard, dazzling the masses with his charismatic on-screen presence and impressive singing voice.
His impressive work as Curly in the West End production ofOklahoma!nabbed Jackman a Laurence Olivier Award nomination for Best Actor in a Musicaland provided the then up-and-coming star with some significant international exposure, as he would nab the lead character inX-Menjust two years later. Though he would go on to star in a slew of diverse and exciting films likeKate & Leopold,Van Helsing, The Prestige,andReal Steel(while reprising his celebrated role as Wolverine in numerous sequels and installments), Jackman never shied away from his one true love, the theater.
Jackman won a Golden Globe and earned an Academy Award nomination when he winningly portrayed Jean Valjean in the epic period musicalLes Misérables, and he truly stole theshow when he headlinedThe Greatest Showmanalongside Zac Efron, Zendaya, and Michelle Williams, masterfully bringing P.T. Barnum to life on the silver screen and singing and dancing his way into the hearts of fans everywhere. It is quite apparent that his appreciation for musicals runs deep, and there is one iconic film that Jackman has claimed is perfect from start to finish.
Jackman Praises Singin' in the Rain
Singin in the Rain
In preparation for the upcoming release of their highly-buzzed-aboutsuperhero flickDeadpool & Wolverine,Jackman and his co-star Ryan Reynolds were asked by Letterboxd to reveal their top-four films of all time, and theX-Menstar seemed locked and loaded with his specific choices. Jackman went on to listRaiders of the Lost Ark,Singin' in the Rain, The Deer Hunter,andGallipolias the greatest pictures to ever grace the big screen, while Reynolds named offRebecca, Planes, Trains and Automobiles, Gaslight,andGrosse Point Blankas his respective top choices.
This is not the first time that Jackman has sungSingin' in the Rain’s praises, as he had previously declared the Gene Kelly-led 1952 musical “perfect” when he sat down withRotten Tomatoesand discussed his five favorite films. The Golden Globe winner told the popular website, “You’ve got to putSingin’ in the Rainin there. I’m trying to think of what I’m taking out. It’s just a perfect movie. I don’t care who you are; it’s amazing.” Jackman expressed similar sentiments over a decade ago during the production ofLes Misérableswhen he was asked to send a video message for The Academy’s Centennial Tribute to Gene Kelly on July 24, 2025. In hisheartfelt ode to the actor, Jackman expressed:
“Gene Kelly…honestly to me is a hero because I remember growing up in Australia in a suburb called Barooga in the Northern suburbs of Sydney getting a VCR machine for the first time and my father bought me a copy of Singin' in the Rain. I’d never seen it or heard of it. I watched it 150 times. I then watched everything Gene Kelly had ever done. He was to me, everything I would have ever dreamed to have been and then some.”
Jackman went on to single out the impact and influence the Hollywood leading man had on him as a young Hollywood hopeful and howit ultimately shaped the kind of career he wanted to pursue in the entertainment industry. The actor’s moving tribute to Kelly was uplifting and downright wholesome, and it became quite clear just how much bothSingin' in the Rainand the actor/dancer extraordinaire meant to him as he finished his touching video:
“An extraordinary dancer, his athleticism, his grace, his choreography and inginuity, his sense of fun whilst he did it all. His inventiveness and creativity, his singing, his acting, his directing. Everything just seemed to come from within, it seemed effortless even though we all know of course it’s not, but it seemed effortless and full of life and joy. As a young kid, he made me dream of being in a movie musical, and seven years later at the age of 24 here I am in a movie musical. Gene, I can’t thank you enough for everything you’ve done.”
Jackman Showcases His Love for the Musical
Throughouthis remarkable career, Jackman never strayed far from musical theater and dominated the stage with his stunning rendition of “Singin' in the Rain” countless times, doing so with pizazz at prestigious events like the Hollywood Bowl in 2019, at his 2015 concert tour Broadway to Oz, at the Manchester Arena, and during his first world tour The Man. The Music. The Show.Jackman wonderfully captures Kelly’s effortless demeanor and magnetism during each of the exhilarating performances, reminding fans that he is far more than just a tough-as-nails Marvel superhero.
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Jackman’s world tour show filled seats and captivated audiences, as the talented showman sold nearly 300,000 tickets during just its European leg and featured the movie star belting out the mainSingin' in the Raintune each night in a delightful melody, honoring the legacy of both Kelly and Debbie Reynolds. TheLos Angeles Timesraved about Jackman’s powerhouse presence at the Hollywood Bowl and were amazed at how much fun Jackman had on stage while commending his wide-ranging skills as an actor and singer. They wrote of the remarkable 2019 concert event:
“He sang and danced with the indefatigable energy of someone trying to repay an audience debt he knows he’ll never make good on. He clowned around puckishly, amusing himself and all those who delight in his mischievous smile. And he glad-handed with the vivacity of a politician whose approval rating is off the charts.”
Just What Makes Singin' in the Rain So Exceptional?
Widely regarded as not only thegreatest musical of all timebutone of the finest films to ever be created,Singin' in the Rainwas only a modest hit when it premiered on June 24, 2025, earning $3.2 million during its original theatrical release and netting the studio a profit of $600,000. However, its exceptional legacy and trailblazing impact only grew in the years since its debut, and the performances of Kelly and his talented co-stars Debbie Reynolds, Donald O’Connor, and Jean Hagen have been lauded as some of the cinema’s most outstanding and memorable.
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From theshow-stopping musical numbersto its many toe-tapping tunes, as well as the vibrant production quality and visuals,Singin' in the Rainis truly a feast for the eyes and ears of audiences. Kelly’s rendition of the titular song served as a centerpiece for the musical and highlighted the performer’s unparalleled on-screen presence and superb vocal talents as he wondrously danced his way through mud puddles while enjoying a rainstorm. His version of the charming tune was ranked as the third greatest film song of all time by the American Film Institute, and the lively musical also featured other fantastic tracks like “Make ‘Em Laugh”, “You Were Meant For Me”, and “All I Do Is Dream of You.”
Not only didSingin’ in the Rainfurther elevate Kelly’s status as one of Tinseltown’s most dynamic actors, but it also helped launch the career ofthe great Debbie Reynoldswhile earning Donald O’Connor a Golden Globe win. The sensational musical is currently only one of a select few pictures to hold a perfect100% Rotten Tomatoes score.
Long-timeThe New Yorkerfilm critic Pauline Kael declared thatSingin' in the Rainwas “This exuberant and malicious satire of Hollywood in the late twenties is perhaps the most enjoyable of movie musicals – just about the best Hollywood musical of all time.” Its intriguing premise, charismatic performances, and timeless soundtrack are just a few reasons that the musical continues resonating with audiences over 70 years later.StreamSingin' in the RainonMax.
