Discover the New York shows that are most popular with New York Theatre Guide's readers, including thrilling plays, star-studded musicals, and more.
Broadway has something to offer everyone. Are you looking for a feel-good jukebox musical? How about a heart-wrenching play? Or perhaps you’re after a top-reviewed show to please even the pickiest person. All these types of Broadway shows grace NYC stages, which is why many New York City visitors ask one common question: What’s the best Broadway show to see?
Since everyone has different tastes and preferences, no show is better than the rest. But to help you get started, we've compiled a list of the best-selling Broadway shows among New York Theatre Guide customers. Whether you’re after kid-friendly musicals or something perfect for date night, you won’t be disappointed. Clearly, audiences continue flocking to these popular Broadway shows for a reason — the only thing left to do is to discover why.
F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel takes on new life in this vibrant Broadway production that tells the tragic tale of Jay Gatsby and Daisy Buchanan. Set to a big, bold, jazzy score, audiences have raved about the greater-than-life sets, glamorous costumes, and impressive vocal performances.
Get The Great Gatsby tickets now.
Based on George Clooney’s 2005 film of the same name, this political drama focuses on the paranoia-induced 1950s Red Scare. Clooney makes his Broadway debut as broadcast journalist Edward R. Murrow during his historical on-air showdown with Joseph McCarthy to challenge the senator’s censoring and blacklisting campaign that rocked the nation. This poignant play is a limited-time run, so see it before it’s gone on June 8.
Get Good Night, and Good Luck tickets now.
Undoubtedly one of the most beloved shows on Broadway (well before the blockbuster movie came out), Wicked tells the story of the Wicked Witch of the West — before Dorothy arrived in Oz. A Broadway hit for more than 20 years, Wicked is a visual delight, delivering incredible sets, costumes, and stunts, and it’s a must-see for any theatre lover thanks to an unrivaled book and score that have stood the test of time.
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As the third-longest-running Broadway show of all time, The Lion King is a cherished favorite perfect for all ages. It follows the Disney story of Simba, who must avenge the death of his father Mufasa by defeating the evil Scar and reclaiming his throne as King of the Pride Lands. Audiences are amazed by the lifelike puppetry and gorgeous masks that represent the animals, plus songs from the famous Grammy-winning soundtrack.
Get The Lion King tickets now.
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Regularly named one of the city’s best bagel shops, the unassuming Liberty Bagels is the perfect spot to get a classic NYC breakfast sandwich.
One of the world’s largest stores, Macy’s is a sight to behold, especially when it’s decked out for the holidays.
Framed as an introspective look into Michael Jackson’s life and career, MJ The Musical has met critical acclaim since its 2021 Broadway debut. With over 25 of Jackson’s hits featured throughout the show, fans will enjoy hearing their favorite songs reimagined to tell the story of this music legend.
Get MJ The Musical tickets now.
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s musical sensation Hamilton has delighted audiences since 2015, telling the story of founding father Alexander Hamilton and the birth of America through hip-hop music. This 11-time Tony Award-winning show is fast-paced, clever, and gripping, and it will likely teach you more about the American Revolution and this often overlooked figure than you learned in history class.
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For a guaranteed laugh-out-loud comedy, look no further than The Book of Mormon, brought to you by the creators behind South Park and Avenue Q. This satirical musical follows two Mormon missionaries sent to a small village in Uganda to convert its residents, set to a catchy score filled with silly yet clever lyrics —especially when it’s poking fun at the audience.
Get The Book of Mormon tickets now.
Fans of Baz Luhrmann’s cult-favorite movie Moulin Rouge! will want to flock to the stage version. Christian, a songwriter, falls in love with the beautiful and mysterious courtesan Satine, despite the nefarious Duke’s claim to her and the Moulin Rouge itself. This production offers all of the flashy spectacle of the film and then some, plus the story at the crux of it all: the pursuit of truth, beauty, freedom, and love.
Get Moulin Rouge! The Musical tickets now.
If you didn’t believe in magic before, you will after seeing the jaw-dropping spells and effects in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. This dazzling play follows the children of Harry, Ron, Hermione, and other characters from the magical series in a time-bending journey that takes them to Hogwarts and the Wizarding World of the past, present, and future.
If you thought Romeo & Juliet and Britney Spears had nothing in common, then you’d be wrong: & Juliet is here to set the record straight. With the quill in the hands of Shakespeare’s wife, Juliet’s future is rewritten, starting with her choice to live after Romeo’s death. Set to pop hits of the '90s, aughts, and today, this jukebox musical is nothing short of a good time as it rewrites a classic with a modern, feminist twist.
Get & Juliet tickets now.
If the last time you thought of The Outsiders was during high school English class, this Tony Award-winning adaptation will remind you why it's such a classic, while giving new life to the teenage denizens of Tulsa, Oklahoma, in the ‘60s. Told from teenage Ponyboy’s perspective, the story follows rival gangs, the Socs and Greasers, and the devastation poverty and neglect have on the kids left to navigate these adversities on their own.
Get The Outsiders tickets now.
