jukebox musical

American  

[jook-boks myoo-zi-kuhl] / ˈdʒukˌbɒks ˌmju zɪ kəl /

noun

1. a musical that uses songs that are not original to the play or movie and are integrated into the plot.

   This jukebox musical tells the tale of an uptight little town that comes alive to the tune of more than two dozen Elvis hits.

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Etymology

Origin of jukebox musical

First recorded in 1980–85

Example Sentences

So instead, Jackson’s family — who largely backed the film — producer Graham King and director Antoine Fuqua opted to refocus the film more squarely on his music, effectively turning it into a jukebox musical.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 26, 2026

This good-time jukebox musical relies as much on its wit as on its catalog of pop hits.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 18, 2025

In fact, “Better Man” might work better on the London stage as a jukebox musical than in cinemas.

From Salon • Jan. 10, 2025

Variety's critic Owen Gleiberman added the film was a "cracked jukebox musical - but it doesn’t let Joker be Joker enough".

From BBC • Sep. 5, 2024

A loosely autobiographical jukebox musical of songs by Alicia Keys, “Hell’s Kitchen” takes place in the 1990s, in the Manhattan neighborhood of the title.

From New York Times • May 14, 2024