The Greatest Showman (2017)

The Greatest Showman is a 2017 American biographical musical film directed by Michael Gracey, a fictionalized account of the rise of P.T. Barnum and the creation of what would become the Barnum & Bailey Circus. Hugh Jackman stars as Barnum, an ambitious showman from humble origins who assembles a troupe of unique performers — including a bearded lady, a giant, conjoined twins, and an acrobat — creating a spectacle that challenges society's definition of entertainment and acceptance while he chases respectability and the approval of the upper class.

The Greatest Showman received mixed-to-negative reviews upon release, with critics noting the sanitized portrayal of Barnum (who was historically far more exploitative than depicted) and the thin dramatic narrative. However, the film's original songs, written by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul fresh off their La La Land and Dear Evan Hansen successes, were a revelation — "This Is Me," an empowerment anthem performed by Keala Settle as the bearded lady, won the Golden Globe for Best Original Song and received an Academy Award nomination, while "The Greatest Show," "Rewrite the Stars," and "A Million Dreams" became massive streaming hits. The soundtrack album spent multiple weeks at number one worldwide and has sold over 10 million copies.

The Greatest Showman earned $435 million worldwide on a $84 million budget, with extraordinarily long theatrical legs driven by repeat viewership and word-of-mouth.