Best Broadway Musicals (October 2026)
Five years after Broadway's historic reopening following the pandemic shutdown, the shows that launched the 2021 season continue to demonstrate remarkable staying power and critical acclaim. This collection of productions represents a watershed moment in theatrical history, capturing both the industry's resilience and its commitment to bold, innovative storytelling.
Leading the rankings is Rebecca Frecknall's transformative production of "Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club," which reimagines the August Wilson Theatre as an immersive Weimar-era nightclub. Critics consistently praise the production's stunning environmental design and visceral impact. Close behind, "Dana H." defies conventional Broadway expectations with its unconventional approach to true-crime storytelling, earning acclaim as one of the most mesmerizing and unique theatrical experiences in recent memory.
The top-rated shows from 2021 showcase extraordinary range, from intimate solo performances like "Lackawanna Blues" to sweeping epics such as "The Lehman Trilogy." The season also marked significant moments for representation and contemporary voices, with Antoinette Chinonye Nwandu's "Pass Over" making history as the first show to open after the shutdown. Documentary theater found its place alongside traditional musicals, while gender-swapped revivals like Marianne Elliott's "Company" offered fresh perspectives on classic material.
With an impressive average critic score of 84 out of 100, these productions collectively represent some of the highest-rated work of the decade. Whether you're drawn to immersive experiences, intimate storytelling, or spectacular staging, the legacy of Broadway's 2021 reopening season offers compelling options for theatergoers. Explore the rankings below to discover which of these critically acclaimed productions best matches your theatrical interests.
6 shows | Last updated: October 2026
How We Rank
Rankings are based on CriticScore, an aggregate of professional reviews from 400+ outlets including The New York Times, Vulture, and Variety. Top-tier outlets carry the most weight in the composite score. Each show needs a minimum number of reviews to qualify. Scores are recalculated weekly. Learn more about our methodology.
Critics find SIX energetic and fun, with strong vocals and catchy pop songs that give Henry VIII's wives a feminist spin. However, some cite a thin book, weak choreography, and gimmicky concept that wears thin over 80 minutes.
Critics largely praise Elliott's gender-swapped revival as a vital, dazzling tribute to Sondheim, though some find lead Katrina Lenk underwhelming and question whether the concept fully works.
Critics hail this timely revival as a belated triumph for Kushner and Tesori's ambitious 2003 musical, with near-universal praise for Sharon D Clarke's towering, powerhouse performance, though some find the show itself didactic or dramatically uneven.
Critics find this LSD-themed musical about Cary Grant, Aldous Huxley, and Clare Boothe Luce visually stunning but dramatically inert, with most comparing it to watching other people's boring trips. Yazbeck's tap dancing stands out in an otherwise dull experience.
Critics are mixed on this family-friendly musical adaptation, praising Rob McClure's energetic performance but faulting a forgettable score and questioning whether the dated 1993 film needed a Broadway treatment at all.
Critics savage Diana as superficial, tasteless, and tone-deaf, with simplistic lyrics and amateurish choreography reducing a tragic figure to campy schlock. A few find guilty-pleasure entertainment in its shameless camp.