Best Broadway Musicals (October 2026)
Broadway's 2026 season proves to be a year of bold swings and nostalgic revivals, with October offering theatergoers an eclectic mix of new musicals and reimagined classics. The fall lineup demonstrates the industry's willingness to embrace both experimental storytelling and beloved cult favorites, resulting in a season that feels refreshingly diverse.
Leading the pack is Schmigadoon!, the stage adaptation of the Apple TV+ series that translates its affectionate Golden Age parody from screen to stage with considerable success. Critics praise the production's sharp wit and clever musical pastiche, finding it both a loving tribute to classic Broadway and a smart commentary on the genre's conventions. The show earns the highest marks among this year's new arrivals, proving that meta-theatrical humor can work when executed with genuine affection for the source material.
Close behind, The Lost Boys brings vampire mythology to the Great White Way with visual spectacle and high-octane energy that critics describe as groundbreaking for Broadway's treatment of the undead. The musical adaptation of the 1987 cult film delivers the kind of theatrical thrills that remind audiences why live performance remains unmatched for sheer excitement.
Meanwhile, Studio 54's revival of The Rocky Horror Show capitalizes on the venue's legendary status with an energetic production anchored by Luke Evans' magnetic performance as Frank-N-Furter. While some critics note the production doesn't reinvent the wheel, most agree it delivers the campy, audience-participatory experience fans expect.
With an average critic score of 75 out of 100, the top-rated shows from 2026 demonstrate solid craftsmanship even when they don't reach universal acclaim. For theatergoers planning their Broadway calendar, these productions offer the season's most critically endorsed options.
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.
This audacious reimagining through the lens of Harlem ballroom culture transforms Lloyd Webber's divisive musical into a joyous, galvanic spectacle. Critics hail the inventive vision, dazzling choreography, and exuberant performances in this must-see Broadway event.
Critics largely embrace this loving Golden Age musical parody as joyful and clever, praising its sharp wit and Christopher Gattelli's choreography, though some find the meta-humor overstays its welcome on stage.
Critics largely embrace this campy Céline Dion/Titanic parody as hilariously unhinged fun, though some worry its scrappy Off-Broadway charm gets diluted in a larger venue. The cast's energy and sheer ridiculousness win over most reviewers.
Critics mostly embrace this vampire musical as a visually spectacular, high-energy spectacle that breaks Broadway's vampire curse, though some find the book and score lacking bite beneath the dazzling aerial effects and rock aesthetics.
Critics find this Studio 54 revival energetic and well-performed, with Luke Evans' magnetic Frank-N-Furter a standout, but many note the show's transgressive shock has faded with time, leaving a fun yet somewhat quaint nostalgia trip that struggles to recapture the original's ana
Critics find this long-gestating musical adaptation mostly waterlogged and misguided, though Jessica Vosk's powerhouse performance earns praise. The show drowns in schmaltz with a forgettable score and thin material that fails to justify its Broadway berth.