Music bingo › Musical bingo

Musical bingo: from The Lion King to Les Miserables

Musical numbers are written to stick after a single listen, and that is exactly what makes them perfect for music bingo. Even people who never set foot in a theatre know Circle of Life, Memory and half of Grease by heart.

You paste a playlist of musical numbers from Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music or Deezer, or type the list yourself. We spread the songs across unique bingo cards and the Bingo Master plays the recognisable part of every number.

Scan the QR code with your phone, or tap a button if you are reading this on mobile.

From The Lion King to Les Miserables

Build the list around the big titles: The Lion King and Mamma Mia for recognition, Grease for the sing-alongs and Les Miserables for the goosebumps. Add Wicked, Cats and The Greatest Showman and you easily reach the roughly 55 songs you need for half an hour.

Mixing film and stage versions

Many musicals became more famous through their film version than on stage. For a bingo that only helps: pick the version your group knows for each song. For Mamma Mia that is often the film; for Les Miserables it differs per generation.

For musical lovers and everyone around them

This theme works for a theatre group or musical society, but just as well at a family party: children know the Disney numbers, their parents know Grease and Mamma Mia. Save a big finale such as One Day More or You Can't Stop the Beat for the full card.

Example songs for this theme

For inspiration: these are songs that tend to work well with this theme. You are not tied to any of them — you build your own list, so use them, extend them or ignore them completely.

• Circle of Life — The Lion King
• Hakuna Matata — The Lion King
• Can You Feel the Love Tonight — The Lion King
• Do You Hear the People Sing? — Les Miserables
• I Dreamed a Dream — Les Miserables
• One Day More — Les Miserables
• Summer Nights — Grease
• You're the One That I Want — Grease
• Greased Lightnin' — Grease
• Mamma Mia — Mamma Mia
• Dancing Queen — Mamma Mia
• Memory — Cats
• The Phantom of the Opera — The Phantom of the Opera
• Defying Gravity — Wicked
• This Is Me — The Greatest Showman

How to make this music bingo yourself

What music bingo asks of you

Traditional bingo runs on numbers; this game runs on songs, and that twist is what makes it fun. There is no number to hunt for: people listen to the opening seconds, recognise the hit and players mark it off. You do not need a professional host or a trivia round to get a room going, because the music does that for you. Most people know far more songs than they think.

Decide first what the evening should be. A short game of three rounds is perfect before dinner; a complete night of 90 minutes suits a party, a company event or a musical theme night. Whether your crowd grew up on the 90s or on last summer's charts, use their own music instead of a generic list: the best selection is the one where every player recognises something — a classic, a guilty pleasure, a recent hit. That is what gets people out of their seats.

The format is easy. Create the list, choose the card size and the win pattern, and give everyone a card with the song titles printed on it. Each song is played once, in a random order. The first person to fill a whole line shouts bingo, and the host verifies that call with the code along the side. Guests who would rather skip paper join online at bingobanger.party with your game code. Small prizes per round keep the energy up, and they do not have to be expensive.

Questions, or want a hand hosting your first game? Email robin@kreatrix.nl and we will come back to you within a working day. The app is free, six cards included.

Frequently asked questions

What is a musical bingo?

A music bingo where every song comes from musicals, from stage classics to film musicals.

Which musicals work best?

The Lion King, Grease, Mamma Mia and Les Miserables are the safest base: almost everyone knows them. Add your group's favourites.

Is this suitable for children?

Yes, especially with songs from Disney musicals. Choose a smaller card and a short playing time, about 55 songs for half an hour.

How do my guests join?

With printed cards, two per A4 with cut lines, or free on their own phone through bingobanger.party with the host's game code.

More music bingo

Browse the other topics, or read on the main page how to make your own music bingo in ten minutes.

Popular themes: