Top 100 Greatest Musicals of All Time

One of the most successful Disney Channel made-for-TV films, this bop-to-the-top musical became an enduring franchise. Directed by Kenny Ortega, the film follows basketball team captain Troy Bolton and new transfer Gabriella Montez as they audition for the school musical, to the disapproval of their high school cliques. The charm of this “Romeo and Juliet” meets “Grease” “musical is undoubtedly due to its bestselling soundtrack. Its many earworms include “Get’cha Head in the Game,” “We’re All in This Together” and the top 10 hit “Breaking Free.” Today, “High School Musical’s” soundtrack is certified quintuple platinum for sales — and the musical is certified gold in the hearts of its still-passionate fandom.

Let us tell you a story about history…or her-story. This West End musical reimagines the famous six wives of the infamous Henry VIII as pop star divas vying for who had it worst with the mad king. All queens get a chance to shine, from first wife Catherine of Aragon’s defiant “No Way” to Anne Boleyn’s bubbly “Don’t Lose Ur Head.” There is also the attractive Katherine Howard’s heartbreaking “All You Wanna Do.” Every queen has lost in life, as they are quick to realize. But they certainly win in pop song aplomb, and the end of the musical sees them bond together in true sisterhood solidarity. “Six” was nominated for several Olivier Awards, including Best New Musical. Keep on slaying, queens.

This Jeanine Tesori-Tony Kushner musical about a Black maid working for a white family in the ‘60s is highly acclaimed and extremely powerful. The score mixes African American spirituals and the blues with traditional Jewish folk music for this tale of devastating culture clash in segregation-era America. “Caroline, or Change” won the Laurence Olivier Award for Best New Musical, but faced stiff competition at the 2004 Tony Awards, only winning one. A 2021 revival on Broadway was even better received than the original, and audiences have grown to appreciate this challenging yet beautiful musical drama.

It’s hard to not be the Bard. Playwright brothers Nick and Nigel Bottom struggle to compete with the arrogant but popular William Shakespeare in 1590s London. Luckily, Nostradamus is here to tell the Bottom brothers the hit of the future—a musical about a young Prince and…something about omelettes? This hilarious comedy of errors features several earworms, including Nick’s amusing rant, “God, I Hate Shakespeare,” and Shakespeare’s own lament about the price of fame in “Hard to Be the Bard.” And then there is the cleverly constructed ode-to-all-musicals showstopper, “A Musical.” Created by Karey and Wayne Kirkpatrick, along with John O’Farrell, “Something Rotten” went on to be nominated for several Tonys and Drama Desk Awards. Nothing rotten about this musical.

This romantic Irish indie film is a tuneful success. When street musician Guy meets Girl, what follows is a sweet but forbidden romance, as Girl has a Czech husband coming for her. One stand-out song, “Falling Slowly,” won the Academy Award for Best Original Song for the year. The film as a whole won Best Foreign Film at the 23rd Independent Spirit Awards. “Once”’s romantic charm and successful soundtrack even led to a minimalist stage adaptation by the same name. This adaptation was also critically acclaimed, and won the Tony for Best Musical for 2012. No one fell slowly for this musical.

This classic queer musical comedy is one for the books. Directed by Blake Edwards, it follows Julie Andrews as impoverished soprano Victoria living in ‘30s Paris. Gay performer Toddy convinces Victoria to pass herself as a female impersonator, although not everyone is convinced she is truly a he. This madcap film’s songs are solidly diegetic, performed as nightclub numbers, including the iconic routine, “Le Jazz Hot!” Other highlights include Victoria’s solo, “Crazy World” and “Chicago, Illinois.” Andrews’ voice and crystal-cut diction are as golden as ever. The music, composed by the legendary Henry Mancini with lyricist Leslie Bricusse, even won its creators an Academy Award for Best Original Song Score or Adaptation.

Speaking of queer musicals, this cult classic is an unforgettable musical romp. In East Germany, Hedwig Robinson has an American soldier propose marriage, only for her husband to later leave her for another man. Regardless, Hedwig embraces her female identity and forms a rock band, the Angry Inch. While the original 1998 off-Broadway musical by Stephen Trask and John Cameron Mitchell was well-received, the film adaptation became a cult favorite, as well as winning an Audience Award at the Sundance Film Festival. The musical finally premiered on Broadway in 2014 to much acclaim, and there have been many international productions.

The musical and the operatic world meet once again in harmonious tandem. Fresh off their success with the blockbuster “Les Misérables,” Claude-Michel Schönberg and Alain Boublil adapted Giacomo Puccini’s classic opera “Madame Butterfly” into “Miss Saigon,” set during the Vietnam War. This forbidden love story between a U.S. Marine and a Vietnamese bar girl includes passionate duets such as “Sun and Moon” and “Last Night of the World.” But it’s Kim’s searing ode to her son, “I’d Give My Life For You,” that is a true standout. Another iconic piece includes the famous helicopter rescue. While “Miss Saigon” never achieved the heights of its predecessor, it was a smashing commercial success and as of 2024 is Broadway’s fourteenth longest-running show.

We believe in this musical. This Frank Loesser show follows window washer J. Pierrepont Finch’s rise to the top of the corporate world with the help of the titular book. For its comic charm and trenchant satire of the business world, the musical won seven Tony Awards and even snagged the 1962 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It was eventually adapted into a 1967 film by the same title. Standout numbers include Finch’s ecstatic “Rosemary,” the sweetly tongue-in-cheek “I Believe in You,” and the showstopper “Brotherhood of Man.” Loesser’s score is as charming as ever, and the depiction of the corporate world’s many absurdities are still relevant today.

The classic film comedy “Monty Python and the Holy Grail” was finally adapted into a musical by John Du Prez and Eric Idle. A light-hearted parody of Arthurian legend, “Spamalot” is a side-splitter of a comedy. Its score includes the cheerfully idiotic positivity of the “Always Look on the Bright Side of Life” from the film, and several meta songs, such as “The Song That Goes Like This” and the uproarious “Diva’s Lament.” The musical was commercially and critically successful, going on to be nominated for 14 Tony Awards and winning Best Musical. Looking at the bright side of life definitely paid off in this respect.

We’d walk into this trio’s candy store. High school teen Veronica Sawyer gets entangled with the Heathers, a clique of mean girls all called Heather, and becomes attracted to the new kid, J.D. An adaptation of the darkly satirical teen ‘80s comedy by the same name, “Heathers: The Musical” was a surprise Off-Broadway hit, transferring to the West End and gaining a passionate cult following in the process. Popular numbers that have even gone viral include the rock banger “Candy Store,” J.D.’s desperate “Meant to Be Yours,” and the wistful duet between J.D. and Veronica, “Seventeen.” You know your musical has made it when “Riverdale” devotes a whole episode to it.

This award-winning musical is a heartbreaking exploration of the dark side of America. Written by Jason Robert Brown, this musical is based on the real-life criminal trial of Jewish American Leo Frank in 1913. Its book writer, Alfred Uhry, was even connected to the case through his great-uncle, who owned the factory Frank had worked at. When Frank is accused of the murder of a young employee, he falls victim to the bloody legacy of the Confederacy. “Parade”’s score is a subtle patchwork of contemporary pop, traditional Southern music, and gospel. Both the original production and its revival went on to be nominated for several Tony awards, proving that tales of racial segregation and anti-Semitism are still sadly relevant today.

Fred Astaire was matched with many excellent dance partners, including Eleanor Powell and Cyd Charisse. But it’s his legendary partnership with Ginger Rogers that led to a string of wonderful dance movie musicals. One of them, “Top Hat,” featured the music of Irving Berlin, including timeless standards such as “Cheek to Cheek” and “Top Hat, White Tie and Tails.” Astaire and Rogers combine elegance with technical precision for a truly formidable duo. Astaire himself shows off his tap dancing prowess in an iconic performance of “Top Hat.” One year later, Astaire and Rogers would triumph once again with the hit “Swing Time,” this time using composer Jerome Kern’s work with lyricist Dorothy Fields. Still, the iconography of “Top Hat” can’t be bested.

One of the most controversial musicals of its era, “Hair” captures the political activism and gleeful irreverence of ‘60s youth counterculture. With a racially integrated cast, nudity, and a trenchant anti-war critique, “Hair” follows a group of hippies as they struggle against their conservative culture. Not only that, but it was the first concept musical on Broadway with a contemporary rock score. Some highlights include the titular number, the sweetly lilting “Good Morning, Starshine” and the catchy acid trip “Hare Krishna.” Though plotless, “Hair” nevertheless packs a dramatic punch, especially with its 1979 film adaptation’s gut-punch of a twist ending. Many songs were so influential they were even used at Vietnam War protests. Bold and uncompromising, the musical’s pacifist message is more daring than ever.

This tale of a washed-up actor mentoring a young female star on the rise has become one of Hollywood’s most beloved and much-remade stories. But it’s this 1954 musical film adaptation of the original 1937 film that best realizes this vision. In fact, it’s considered one of the greatest movie musicals by the American Film Institute. Here Judy Garland interprets beloved standards by George Gershwin, Harold Arlen, and Richard Rodgers with bold, heartbreaking pathos. One bravura performance in particular, “The Man That Got Away,” composed by Arlen with lyrics by Ira Gershwin, was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Song. It is now one of the most iconic musical sequences in cinema. Garland’s star never fades with us.

Historical musicals were never so heartbreaking. Based on E.L. Doctorow’s 1975 novel, the musical follows three distinct groups. Eastern European immigrants represented by Tateh, upper class families represented by Mother, and African Americans represented by Harlem musician Coalhouse Walker Jr. all struggle to realize the American Dream. Historical figures such as Booker T. Washington, J. P. Morgan, and Harry Houdini also appear. Composed by Stephen Flaherty with lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, “Ragtime”’s portrayal of culture and class clash leads to both a tragic and hopeful finale. Nominated for numerous Tony and Drama Desk Awards, this musical’s message about the importance and difficulties of achieving true equality still resonate today.

You will never walk alone with this legendary musical. Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II’s second musical together is an undisputed classic. Indeed, “Carousel”’s score features many beautiful showcases, from the lyrical “Mister Snow,” to the light-hearted “June is Bustin’ Out All Over.” For an operatic tour de force, look no further than Billy’s “Soliloquy,” featuring some of Hammerstein’s best character writing. The inspirational “You’ll Never Walk Alone” became not just a pop standard but a football tradition, particularly for Liverpool. And of course, there is the heartbreaking “If I Loved You,” one of Broadway’s best love songs, performed by countless artists. This musical was a personal favorite of Rodgers himself, and a favorite with all the world.

This Tim Minchin musical is far from revolting. The original West End production of “Matilda” won seven Olivier Awards in 2012, including Best New Musical, and its Broadway production was nominated for 13 Tony awards, winning five. Critics praised the musical’s clever and witty adaptation of Roald Dahl’s book, even improving it in some cases. The musical’s film adaptation in 2022 was also well-received, though it had a limited theatrical release in the U.S. before it went into streaming on Netflix. Standout numbers include “Naughty,” “When I Grow Up,” and that stunning feat of choreography, “Revolting Children.” For a kids’ musical that packs a grown-up punch, you won’t go wrong with this one.

Was there ever a musical theater fandom as passionate as the one for this Broadway musical? With a score by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, “Dear Evan Hansen” follows the titular socially anxious teen as he accidentally becomes a celebrity following the death of a classmate. The musical was nominated for nine Tony awards and won six, including Best Musical. The film adaptation, however, with Ben Platt reprising his stage role, was a box office and critical disappointment. Still, many songs from the show became popular in their own right, including “Waving Through A Window” and “You Will Be Found. We’re glad the world found this musical.

This Greek myth makes for a powerful musical. Written and conceived by Anaïs Mitchell, “Hadestown” is a retelling of the myth of Orpheus and Eurydice, set in a post-Apocalyptic setting inspired by America’s Great Depression. First staging the work as a sung-through musical in Vermont, Mitchell eventually released a concept album in 2010. The show eventually made it to Broadway, receiving 14 Tony Award nominations and winning eight, including Best Musical. Fusing ‘20s swing and ragtime with contemporary indie folk rock, “Hadestown”’s score takes risks, both musically and thematically. Highlights include the longing “Wait for Me” strain and its climactic reprise, as well as the politically-charged “Why We Build the Wall.” This powerful show about poverty and inequality shows the way.

That this show won the Tony for Best Musical over the legendary “West Side Story” is considered one of the most controversial Tony picks. Fortunately, Meredith Willson’s musical adaptation of his memoir proved to be a classic in its own right. This beloved score features many clever patter songs, such as the opening and con man Harold Hill’s satiric “(Ya Got) Trouble.” There is also the beautiful love song “Till There Was You,” interpreted by many artists, from Peggy Lee to the Beatles to Ray Charles. Also, it features one of the best marches ever written, “76 Trombones,” in one of Broadway’s most impressive finales. From the Beatles to “Simpsons” parodies, the musical’s influence lives on.

Barbra Streisand’s performance in this Jule Styne and Bob Merrill musical, as well as her reprise in the celebrated film adaptation, is the stuff of legend. Following Broadway star Fanny Brice, the musical features many spectacular numbers, such as the lyrical “People” and, in the film, “My Man.” And Fanny’s show stopping Act 1 finale “Don’t Rain on My Parade” has really sunk into the cultural consciousness. Since Streisand, it has been performed by many great singers, most notably by Lea Michele. The film adaptation is considered one of the best movie musicals by the American Film Institute, and the stage musical itself has enjoyed a long life on stage through various productions. Nobody is going to rain on this show’s parade.

It’s so nice to have this musical back where it belongs—on this list. Jerry Herman’s exuberant take on Thornton Wilder’s farce was a critical and commercial hit. Winner of 10 Tony Awards, “Hello, Dolly!”’s winsome score includes the titular big band number, made into a hit by Louis Armstrong. But there’s also the romantic love duet “It Only Takes a Moment” and the ensemble piece “Put on Your Sunday Clothes.” “Hello, Dolly!” was eventually adapted into a film directed by Gene Kelly. Though the film was a box office disappointment, it was nominated for a handful of Oscars and had its own influence, recently referenced in the Pixar movie “Wall-E.” It’s clear Dolly will never go away again.

The high school musical before “High School Musical,” Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey created this show based on Jacobs’ own high school experience in the ‘50s. Rough and raunchy, with themes of teen rebellion and sexual exploration, “Grease”’s edges were sanded off in later productions, particularly in its blockbuster film adaptation. The film became the highest-grossing musical film of its time, even culminating in a forgotten sequel. An original song for the film, “Hopelessly Devoted To You,” was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Other highlights include the fun “Summer Nights” and Rizzo’s pointed “There Are Worse Things I Could Do.” “Grease” is still very popular, with a 2016 live TV production and count;less community productions. What a legacy.

A very loose dramatization of the life of Bill “Bojangles” Robinson, this film proved seminal in many key ways. For one thing, it features an all-African American cast starring Robinson, Lena Horne, Cab Calloway, and Katherine Dunham. For another, there is the astounding performance of the Nicholas Brothers in “Jumpin’ Jive,” a jaw-droppingly athletic dance number that still impresses today. Fred Astaire himself claimed that it was “the greatest movie musical number he had ever seen.” And, true to the title, we witness Lena Horne’s sweet rendition of Harold Arlen’s smoky torch song, “Stormy Weather.” It’s no wonder the Library of Congress selected this film for preservation in the National Film Registry. This movie musical opened a lot of doors.

Dance musicals are notoriously very tricky to pull off. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s choice to adapt T.S. Eliot’s poems about anthropomorphic cats into a musical made many investors skittish about its prospects. The musical, however, was a smashing success, becoming the fifth-longest-running show on Broadway and the eighth-longest-running on the West End. Its many excellent showcases include the high energy “Jellicle Ball” and the slinky jazz number “Macavity.” But the emotional linchpin of the musical belongs to Grizabella’s powerful solo, “Memory,” a darkly beautiful melody that never fails to bring down the house. The film adaptation of this iconic show may have greatly disappointed, but the impact of the stage musical lives on—now and forever.

There is no list complete without the inclusion of this behemoth. This 1939 film seems to transcend all classifications, so deeply ingrained it is in American culture. But Harold Arlen and Edgar “Yip” Harburg’s songs for the film have become standards in their own right. Who doesn’t know the catchy refrain and dexterous lyrics of “Follow the Yellow Brick Road” or “Ding-Dong! The Witch Is Dead?” But the true standout is the very first number, “Over the Rainbow,” sung by Judy Garland as Dorothy in a legendary performance. This poignant, longing ballad won the Academy Award for Best Original Song and has been interpreted by countless artists ever since. It’s very hard to surpass this artistic legacy.

But of course, even Arlen and Harburg can’t compete with the musical dream team of Rodgers and Hammerstein. Their first musical together was a smash hit, both critically and commercially. It quite literally changed Broadway musicals for good with its integrated book and score, even winning a special Pulitzer. Ironically, “Oklahoma!”’s innovations blended the world of 19th century European operetta, complete with a ballet sequence, with that of wholesome Americana. Rodgers’ classical lyricism is evident in the supple strains of “Surrey With the Fringe on Top” and Curly and Laurie’s enemies-to-lovers love duet, “People Will Say We’re in Love.” There is also the rousing title song with full chorus and Hammerstein’s elegant lyrics. It’s a musical triumph that still holds up today.

The protégé of Oscar Hammerstein II, Stephen Sondheim has also made his own mark in musical theater history. One of his most beloved musicals, written with James Lapine, has to be this 1986 musical. Nominated for 10 Tony Awards, “Into the Woods” interweaves the stories of several fairy tale characters like Cinderella and Little Red Riding Hood into one narrative. This dark comedy satirizes and questions the reputed morality of fairy tales and the nuances lost in black-and-white portrayals of good and evil. The satire and social commentary were sadly lost in translation in the Disney film adaptation, but the musical still enjoys a sterling critical reputation today.

This legendary musical is one of the most beloved in the canon. Composed by Jerry Bock, with lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, “Fiddler” follows the family of the piously Jewish Tevye and the drama that arises when his three daughters marry for love. The gems of this unforgettable score are countless. These include the iconic opening “Tradition” and Tevye’s comic solo, “If I Were A Rich Man.” There is also the beautifully lyrical “Sunrise, Sunset” and the sensational “Bottle Dance,” a spectacular bit of choreography by Jerome Robbins himself. Beautifully tragic, “Fiddler” won nine Tony Awards, including Best Musical, and its revivals have been similarly lauded.

Our hearts come alive with the sound of this music. Rodgers and Hammerstein strike again with this fictionalization of the life of the von Trapp family. Winning Best Musical at the 1960 Tony Awards, it was subsequently adapted into a beloved film starring Julie Andrews and Christopher Plummer. Rodgers’ score is as winning as ever, filled with gems such as the titular opening and the minor-key waltz “My Favorite Things.” There is also the tender Viennese-inspired “Edelweiss” and the grandly operatic “Climb Ev’ry Mountain.” “Sound of Music” was the last Rodgers and Hammerstein collaboration, as the latter sadly died of stomach cancer months after its premiere. A fitting legendary musical for a legendary career.

The apotheosis of movie musicals is undoubtedly this classic, co-directed by Gene Kelly and Stanley Donen . Number one in AFI’s Greatest Movie Musicals list, “Singin’ in the Rain” is considered one of the greatest American films of all time. And it’s a jukebox musical, at that. That’s right, Arthur Freed reintroduced his back catalog with Nacio Herb Brown in this film, writing one new song, “Make ‘Em Laugh.” Betty Comden and Adolph Green also contributed the winsome “Moses Supposes.” But it’s Freed and Herb Brown’s “Singin’ in the Rain,” performed winningly by Kelly, that has enjoyed a long cultural life, with both song and dance omnipresent in pop culture. Who doesn’t know this glorious feeling?

Life is a cabaret, old chum. Perhaps John Kander and Fred Ebb’s most enduring musical, “Cabaret” is as winning as it is unflinchingly dark. Set partially among the flourishing queer culture of early ‘30s Berlin, it is also a cautionary tale of the rise of fascism and the complacency that led to its rise. Highlights include the sinister Emcee’s vaudevillian “Willkommen” and Sally Bowles’ cabaret songs at the Kit Kat Klub. These include the titular “Cabaret” as well as two songs added to the movie, “Mein Herr,” the earnest “Maybe This Time.” The stage version won the Tony Award for Best Musical, along with seven others. Its iconic film adaptation was also a smash success, with a great performance by Liza Minnelli, winning a boatload of Oscars. We’ll always return to this cabaret.

Everything came up roses for this musical. The life of Gypsy Rose Lee and her complicated stage mother Mama Rose is given a formidable life by Jule Styne and Stephen Sondheim in this musical adaptation. The best numbers include “Let Me Entertain You,” whose clever lyrics double as both wholesome showbiz Americana and striptease innuendo. June’s boyfriend Tulsa also gets a sleekly jazzy solo, “All I Need Is the Girl.” Then there are Mama Rose’s brassy showcases. These include the canny “Small World,” the brassy Act 1 finale, “Everything’s Coming Up Roses,” and her Act 2 mental breakdown, “Rose’s Turn.” Lauded by many critics as one of the greatest musicals ever, the dark side of show business has never sounded this golden.

What happens when you intentionally try to create the worst musical? You get a great one, of course. This delightful musical comedy by Mel Brooks alone has set the record for winning 12 Tony Awards out of 15 nominations, the most in Broadway history. Where did Brooks go right? In the show, producer Max Bialystock cooks up a scheme to get rich off a Broadway musical designed to bomb, roping in hapless accountant Leo Bloom. The musical in question? A breezy comedy about the glories of Hitler’s Nazi Germany. Needless to say, the sweet and campy strains of “Springtime for Hitler” are taken as satire by audiences, making the intended bomb a smash success. It’s a great romp, pulled off with spectacular panache.

Hair is serious business in musicals, and so is hairspray. Based on the 1988 film, this Marc Shaiman show follows the life of cheerful plus-size Tracy Turnblad living in ‘60s Baltimore. Making friends with her African American classmates, Tracy becomes an ally, racially integrating the Miss Teenage Hairspray competition. “Hairspray” features catchy songs like “Good Morning Baltimore,” the gushing “I Can Hear the Bells,” and the rousing finale “You Can’t Stop the Beat.” The original Broadway production won the Tony for Best Musical, as well as seven others. The film adaptation was also well received, with its soundtrack selling over a million copies. No one can stop the beat of this musical.

The king of the Broadway stage is this stage adaptation of a Disney classic. “The Lion King” is the third longest-running show in Broadway history, grossing over $8 billion worldwide. The production, directed by Julie Taymor, distinguishes itself from the film in its beautiful sets and dazzling puppetry. It also added new songs to the score, including Zazu’s “Morning Report, “The Madness of King Scar,” and “Shadowland.” Combining Shakespearean gravitas and African splendor, “The Lion King” is a triumph of collaboration, featuring the talents of Elton John, Tim Rice, Lebo M, Taymor herself, and Hans Zimmer. This is one circle of life we’ll be returning to.

Composer Jonathan Larson’s early project, “Tick, Tick…Boom!”, is a semi-autobiographical gem, adapted into an acclaimed film by Lin-Manuel Miranda. But it was Larson’s passionate modern retelling of Puccini’s “La bohème” that truly soared. For one thing, it featured a majority queer cast and themes, portraying the devastating impacts of the AIDS crisis. Other highlights include “La Vie Bohème” and “Take Me or Leave Me.” But the Act 2 opener, “Seasons of Love,” became a pop hit in its own right, reaching 33 in the U.S. “Billboard” Hot 100 Charts. “Rent” not only won the Tony for Best Musical, but also the Pulitzer Prize for Drama for its portrayal of bohemian life.

“The Wizard of Oz” strikes again, this time in this reimagining of its iconic villain, the Wicked Witch of the West. Based on Gregory Maguire’s bestselling novel of the same name, the musical follows green-skinned outcast Elphaba Thropp and her complicated friendship with roommate Galinda Upland. Elphaba’s refusal to turn a blind eye to the injustices of Oz makes her the target of the despotic Wizard of Oz. Stephen Schwartz’s score includes the showstopping “Defying Gravity” and Glinda’s scene-stealing solo “Popular.” The show’s long-awaited film adaptation, the first of a two-part film, was also wildly successful. “Wicked”’s themes of social justice, fascism, and state propaganda still resonate strongly today, as does its touching portrayal of female friendship.

It’s time to rouge our knees and roll our stockings down for this stellar show. A lighter, if just as cynical, sister to “Cabaret,” Kander and Ebb’s 1975 musical is based on a real-life Jazz Age murder trial. Its 1996 revival is Broadway’s second longest-running show, with its West End revival becoming the longest-running American musical. The Academy Award-winning film adaptation was also a triumph, introducing general audiences to exquisitely directed performances of Ebb’s vaudevillian songs. “All That Jazz,” “We Both Reached for the Gun,” and the showstopping “Cell Block Tango” are among the highlights of this memorable score. These merry murderesses are our jam.

No list would be complete without the smash West End musical, the jewel in Andrew Lloyd Webber’s crown. Based on Gaston Leroux’s novel of the same name, this luxurious Gothic romance mixed with Lloyd Webber’s impressive Puccini pastiche is a combination few have been able to resist. Winner of Best Musical at the Tony Awards and the longest-running show ever on Broadway, “Phantom”’s influence is still strong, with a worldwide gross over $6 billion. With its iconic “Overture,” the seductive “Music of the Night,” and the sweeping romance of “All I Ask of You,” the show’s musical greatness is undeniable. With a film adaptation and a stage sequel, it’s clear this music of the night is far from over.

The world turned upside down when Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical biography of this famous American revolutionary premiered on Broadway and was met with almost instant critical and audience acclaim. Demand was so great that it became the first Broadway show to gross more than $3,000,000 in a regular 8-performance week. Notable for being a non-stop rap opera steeped in Broadway idioms and tradition, it won 11 Tonys, including Best Musical, and the 2016 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The musical’s proshot was released to Disney+ in 2020, becoming the second-most streamed film on the platform. And the cast album with beloved songs such as “Alexander Hamilton,” “My Shot,” and “The Room Where It Happens,” was certified Diamond. This show did not throw away its shot.

This one surprised many when it premiered in Paris in 1980 at the Palais des Sports. Composed by Claude-Michel Schönberg with original lyrics by Alain Boublil and Jean-Marc Natel, the show was produced in London and on Broadway a few years later by Cameron Mackintosh. With a superb translation by Herbert Kretzmer, this production won eight Tony Awards and spawned countless international productions. Highlights from this show include Fantine’s “I Dreamed a Dream,” Éponine’s plaintive solo “On My Own,” and the revolutionary anthem, “Do You Hear the People Sing?” The film adaptation, with Anne Hathaway’s award-winning performance of “I Dreamed a Dream” was also successful. It’s arguably the world’s favorite musical.

For the best music, lyrics, and book, however, this musical adaptation of Shakespeare’s classic “Romeo and Juliet” is about as perfect as you can get. “West Side Story” is the product of four geniuses. Jerome Robbins’s iconic choreography combines the energy of modern jazz with the grace of classical ballet. Composer Leonard Bernstein’s heart grabbing score is a rich blend of American jazz, Latin and Spanish rhythms, and classical gravitas. Young Sondheim shifts seamlessly between youthful satire and romantic yearning in his sharp lyrics. And Arthur Laurents’ book about cultural clash, the immigrant experience, and American racism still resonates profoundly with audiences today. With countless revivals and not one but two critically-acclaimed film adaptations, “West Side Story” is a classic that time cannot weather away.


Which other legendary musicals do you feel we missed or should be ranked higher…or lower? Let us know in the comments down below!