Best Musicals of 2012

They say that music soothes the savage beast. In fact, some people believe that songs are the gateway to a person's soul, or possibly their true self. But what is it about music that makes us feel as if we need to express ourselves through song? Is it because of the catchy lyrics? The memorable tunes? The persona of the performers themselves? Or maybe it's a combination of things? Whatever the case may be, music has always been popular throughout our history.

That's why I'm proud to present the hub preview for all you musical lovers out there. If you've ever watched a musical like the "Wizard of Oz", "Sound of Music", "West Side Story" and etc, but you're yearning to see more musicals that'll make you want to sing to while enjoying a heartfelt story, then look no further than this hub, as I have just the list of films for you to check out in 2012.

Although some of these movies, you might have noticed were in my best comedies of 2012 hub, but as I said before in that one, each preview hub is designed to help assist all readers in whatever tastes of films they may have. Meaning, I can't assume that everyone that reads this hub will go onto to read "Best comedies of 2012" by me, and vice versa.

Also, some of these movies will have trailers, while others don't because they're not out yet. However, I will be updating this hub throughout the month, so stay tuned for more details as they're released. And, be sure to check your local listings, as release dates are subject to change.

Director: Tom Hooper

Writers: Alain Boublil, Herbert Kretzmer, William Nicholson, Victor Hugo

Cast: Anne Hathaway, Hugh Jackman, Helena Bonham Carter, Russell Crowe, Sacha Baron Cohen, Eddie Redmayne, Aaron Tveit

Synopsis: Prisoner 24601, Jean Valjean, is released from prison and breaks parole to create a new life for himself while evading the grip of the persistent Inspector Javert. Set in early 19th-century France, the story reaches resolution against the background of the July Revolution of 1832.

Release Date: December 7, 2012

Director: Adam Shankman

Writers: Chris D'Arienzo, Michael Arndt, Allan Loeb, Justin Theroux, Jordan Roberts

Cast: Tom Cruise, Julianne Hough, Paul Giamatti, Malin Akerman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Russell Brand, Alec Baldwin, Bryan Cranston, Diego Boneta, Will Forte

Synopsis: Set in 1987 Los Angeles, Drew and Sherrie are two young people chasing their dreams in the big city. When they meet, it's love at first sight, though their romance will face a series of challenges.

Release Date: June 1, 2012

Director: Dan St. Pierre

Writers: Adam Balsam, Randi Barnes, Roger S. Baum, Barry Glasser

Voice Cast: Lea Michele, Hugh Dancy, Patrick Stewart, Dan Aykroyd, Kelsey Grammer, James Belushi, Oliver Platt, Megan Hilty, Martin Short, Betsy Roth, Tacey Adams, Michael Krawic

Synopsis: Back in Kansas, Dorothy Gale decides to return to Oz in order to help her friends.

Release Date: TBA 2012

Directors: Gary Trousdale, Kirk Wise

Writers: Linda Woolverton, Roger Allers, Brenda Chapman, Burny Mattinson, Brian Pimental, Joe Ranft, Kelly Asbury, Chris Sanders, Kevin Harkey, Bruce Woodside, Tom Ellery, Robert Lence, Jeanne-Marie Leprince de Beaumont

Voice Cast: Paige O'Hara, Robby Benson, Richard White, Jerry Orbach, David Ogden Stiers, Angela Lansbury, Bradley Pierce, Rex Everhart, Jesse Corti, Hal Smith, Jo Anne Worley, Mary Kay Bergman, Brian Cummings, Alvin Epstein, Alec Murphy, Tony Jay, Kimmy Robertson, Kath Soucie, Frank Welker

Synopsis: Belle, whose father is imprisoned by the Beast, offers herself instead and discovers her captor to be an enchanted prince.

Release Date: January 13, 2012

Director: Todd Graff

Writer: Todd Graff

Cast: Dolly Parton, Queen Latifah, Keke Palmer, Courtney B. Vance, Kris Kristofferson, Jeremy Jordan, Judd Lormand, Chloe Bailey, Steve Warren, Cait Johnson, David Dwyer, Katie Kneeland, Melody Johnson, Jonathan Hart

Synopsis: "Joyful Noise" is the story of a small town choir out to win a national competition despite overwhelming odds. A story of faith and determination by the choir leaders (Queen Latifah and Dolly Parton) and the young talent who give their all to win god's praise and beat the competition for the grand prize.

Release Date: January 13, 2012

Director: Salim Akil

Writer: Mara Brock Akil

Cast: Whitney Houston, Derek Luke, Mike Epps, Carmen Ejogo, Omari Hardwick, Michael Beach, Jordin Sparks, Tika Sumpter, Cee-Lo, Brittany Perry-Russell, Brely Evans, Linda Boston, Tiffani Elise Edwards, Sidi Henderson, Debra Port

Synopsis: Three sisters form a successful singing group and must deal with the fallout of fame and drugs.

Release Date: August 10, 2012

Director: Arthur Allan Seidelman

Writers: Brooke Halpin, Frank Thurmond

Cast: N/A

Synopsis: "A Magical Mystery Tour" is the story of Trevor's infatuation with The Beatles, taking him on a wild, unpredictable ride, as he adopts a new Beatlemania identity. Driven to escape from a tumultuous relationship with his father, his Beatle obsession rips apart his already dysfunctional family and derails his pursuit of true love. Can he end his 'magical mystery tour' and face reality?

Release Date: August 22, 2012

Director: Jay Stern

Writers: Jay Stern, M. Sweeney Lawless

Cast: Paul Herbig, Marian Brock, Craig Wichman, Ramona Floyd, Derek Lively, Mary Micari, Victor Varnado, Marcus Slabine, Roger Hendricks Simon, Wendy Herlich, Marian Sinclair, Victor Bell, Dale Goodson, Paul Sinclair, James Prendergast

Synopsis: N/A

Release Date: February 15, 2012