In The Heights: The 10 Best Musical Numbers From The Movie

The highly anticipated big-screen adaptation of the Broadway hit In The Heights has finally arrived and it is already beloved by both fans and critics. With music by the great Lin-Manuel Miranda and an accurate depiction of Hispanic culture in New York City, there’s a lot to love about this film.

Of course, given that it’s mostly two and a half hours of catchy songs, that’s the highlight of the movie. There are some impressive musical numbers that make up the best scenes, whether they’re emotionally gripping, visually stunning, feature great dancing, or are a blend of all of those aspects.

10 Finale

When a film has so many huge musical numbers, it can be difficult to truly stick the landing. The last song and dance should give the story a fitting ending with a great tune that everyone will remember. While “Finale” isn’t the best part of In The Heights, it does end things with a bang.

The plot delivers the big twist that Usnavi was never actually on a beach in the Dominican Republic while telling the story. He is still in Washington Heights with Vanessa as his wife. They dance in the streets as water from a fire hydrant showers them and their daughter while Usnavi notes that he has been home all along.

9 Alabanza

It’s easily the most emotional song of the movie. Following the passing of Abuela Claudia and her own great solo song about her experience coming to America, the entire neighborhood is clearly distraught. Usnavi sings about her at home before being joined by Nina, Sonny, Kevin, and a slew of other characters.

It leads to the block coming together to sing her praises. That includes walking down the street with candles, showing love to the woman who took them all under her wing and helped raise them. It doesn’t feature any dancing or big musical notes but it hits harder than most.

8 Champagne

The first scene involving Usnavi and Vanessa sees them mention cracking open a cold bottle of champagne together to celebrate Vanessa possibly getting her apartment. That comes back around near the end of the film when Usnavi and Daniella help her land the home she wants.

Vanessa comes to visit Usnavi the day before he’s supposed to leave for the Dominican Republic. The two sing “Champagne” as they struggle to open a bottle in a cute scene. The real kicker comes when Vanessa finally plants a kiss on Usnavi but sadly admits that she’s too late.

7 It Won’t Be Long Now

Although it takes longer than most other characters, Vanessa gets her big mostly solo number with “It Won’t Be Long Now.” She departs for lunch from her salon job and explains that she wants more out of life. Vanessa dresses up and heads downtown to try and get an apartment.

It’s a wonderful number that showcases how Vanessa is an independent woman on a mission. She shrugs off the advances of random guys and goes after what she wants. Although it doesn’t work out at first, it does in the end, and this is also the song where she agrees to go on a date with Usnavi.

6 The Club

Speaking of the date between Vanessa and Usnavi, it finally happens on the night of the blackout. The two head out for a night of dancing where Benny and Nina are also hanging out. It starts off adorably as Usnavi rambles due to being nervous while talking to his dream girl.

He tries to be too cool, stepping aside as other guys dance with Vanessa. Usnavi gets jealous and dances with a random woman before everyone joins in. As “The Club” track pumps up, the guys face off with the girls and there are some delightful dances before Usnavi messes up and misses his chance with Vanessa.

5 No Me Diga

While there is fun to be had with some of the film’s early musical numbers, the audience can’t help but enjoy “No Me Diga” a bit more. It’s a blast as Daniella, Carla, Cuca, Nina, and Vanessa are all part of this number in the salon where the characters gossip about the block.

There are hilarious bits like Daniella getting Vanessa to basically admit that she likes Usnavi to jokes about Benny and Nina’s romance. While the music is fun throughout, it does hit a sad note at the end when Nina says that she dropped out of college to the disappointment of everyone.

4 When The Sun Goes Down

The relationship between Benny and Nina is arguably the best in the story. While Usnavi and Vanessa are the focal point, Benny proves to be great for Nina, supporting her decisions, helping to explain her issues to her dad, and displaying affection for her at every turn.

Their final moments on screen together are glorious as Nina prepares to head back to Stanford. “When The Sun Goes Down” sees them agree to give it another real shot and though the song is great, the number is made better thanks to the filmmaking choice of having them dance on the walls of the building.

3 In The Heights

Days before the HBO Max release, the opening eight minutes of In The Heights was posted on YouTube. It gave audiences the preview they needed to know what this movie would be like. “In The Heights” introduces the main characters and sets the stage for the atmosphere of the block.

Usnavi opens the bodega and everyone from Vanessa to the salon ladies to Kevin Rosario arrives to start their days. The whole thing builds to a fantastic climax where the whole neighborhood dances in the streets. The choreography of the ensemble and cinematography makes this scene special.

2 96,000

Sonny gets excited when he learns that the bodega sold a winning lottery ticket worth $96,000. As the cast embarks on a trip to the pool, they all sing about what they would do if they won the money. Benny, Sonny, Usnavi, and Graffiti Pete sing their parts with the help of some cool special effects.

Once they reach the pool, it hits the next level thanks to a verse from Sonny and the inclusion of the salon girls. The song is trademark Lin-Manuel Miranda as it starts to blend the hip-hop style of Usnavi’s parts with the elements of Vanessa’s slower singing. Throw in the pool choreography and this is a spectacle.

1 Carnaval Del Barrio

Following Claudia’s death and the three-day blackout, the block is sad. Daniella chooses to get them fired up on her final day before moving by starting “Carnaval Del Barrio.” Everyone slowly joins her in both singing and dancing, giving audiences the perfect party atmosphere that the film needs but it’s even more than that.

The core romances are touched upon, as are Usnavi’s final days with everyone. Even Miranda’s Piragua Man joins in on the fun. “Carnaval Del Barrio” is a celebration of Hispanic cultures with Puerto Ricans, Dominicans, Mexicans, Cubans, and more displaying their pride in a way that also tells a great story within the film.

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