Best Broadway Plays to See (September 2026)
As August 2026 arrives, Broadway audiences continue to enjoy an exceptional collection of productions that opened in 2025, with the season's top-rated shows earning an impressive average critic score of 88 out of 100. The year has delivered a remarkable range of theatrical experiences, from intimate dramas tackling difficult historical subjects to beloved musical revivals that remind audiences why these shows became classics in the first place.
Mark Rosenblatt's "Giant" leads the critical rankings with its unflinching examination of Roald Dahl's antisemitism, earning widespread acclaim for its bold, provocative approach to a complicated legacy. The production demonstrates Broadway's continued commitment to challenging, thought-provoking new work that sparks important conversations. Meanwhile, the 20th-anniversary revival of "The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee" proves that joy and hilarity remain essential to the Broadway experience, with critics praising its letter-perfect execution and phenomenal performances.
Family audiences have embraced "Paddington The Musical" as theatrical magic, with reviewers highlighting the ingenious bear design and heartwarming storytelling that brings the beloved character to vivid stage life. Classic American drama receives powerful new interpretations through Ivo van Hove's stripped-back "All My Sons" and a stripped-down "Ragtime" that resonates powerfully with contemporary audiences.
The season also features notable operatic productions at the Met, including a long-awaited "Andrea Chénier" with a dream cast and revivals of "Porgy and Bess" and "La Fille du Régiment" that showcase the enduring power of these musical masterworks.
Whether you're drawn to provocative new drama, joyous musical revivals, or family-friendly spectacle, this season's highest-rated productions offer something for every theatrical taste.
16 shows | Last updated: September 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 hail Bess Wohl's "Liberation" as a powerful, timely exploration of 1970s feminism refracted through modern eyes. The superbly acted memory play earns praise for its sharp writing, emotional resonance, and skillful balance of humor and poignancy.
Toossi's Pulitzer-winning drama about Iranians learning English earns widespread praise for its smart, sensitive exploration of language and identity. Critics laud the gentle, moving storytelling and strong performances, though some find it slow-moving.
Critics celebrate Samuel D. Hunter's Broadway debut as a beautiful, heartfelt drama, with Laurie Metcalf delivering a pitch-perfect performance. The intimate production earns praise for its searing pathos, witty dialogue, and Joe Mantello's sensitive direction.
Jacobs-Jenkins delivers another searing family drama with sharp writing and stellar performances, though some critics find the ambitious second act overlong. Rashad's direction and the ensemble cast earn widespread praise.
Critics praise this smart, timely play that reexamines "The Crucible" through a #MeToo lens, lauding Belflower's sharp writing and the youthful energy. Some find it heavy-handed, but most celebrate its provocative feminist perspective and engaging performances.
Icke's sleek modern adaptation transforms Sophocles into a gripping political thriller powered by Strong and Manville's stellar performances, though some critics find the extended pacing dilutes the tragedy's compression.
Harrison's prescient AI drama feels more urgent a decade later, with 96-year-old Squibb delivering a masterclass performance. Critics praise its quiet devastation and timely themes, though some find it veers between poetry and cliché.
Critics hail Sarah Snook's virtuosic 26-character performance as a stunning feat, though some find the tech-heavy production's elaborate video screens and cameras more gimmick than substance, with opinions split on whether the spectacle enhances or overshadows Wilde's tale.
Graham's searing drama about a fatal punch and its aftermath earns strong praise for Will Harrison's knockout Broadway debut and its powerful message of forgiveness, though some find its redemptive arc overly earnest or predictable.
Critics find Clooney's Broadway debut timely and handsomely staged by David Cromer, but the faithful screen-to-stage adaptation feels overly reverent and dramatically inert, often preaching to the choir rather than generating theatrical urgency.
Critics are divided on this starry revival, with some finding it a sharp, witty exploration of friendship while others dismiss it as slight and dated. Corden's performance stands out, but the play's modest laughs and thin premise leave many underwhelmed.
A starry cast led by Culkin and Odenkirk delivers strong performances in Mamet's classic, but critics are divided on whether this fourth Broadway revival justifies its existence, with some finding it underwhelming and others praising its crackling energy.
Critics are divided on this technically spectacular but narratively uneven prequel, with most praising the jaw-dropping special effects and stagecraft while questioning whether the convoluted three-hour story works for non-superfans.
Reeves and Winter's Bill & Ted reunion brings star power to Lloyd's visually striking but uneven "Godot." Critics are mixed: some praise the tender chemistry and bold minimalism, others find the leads overmatched by Beckett's demands.
Jean Smart delivers a magnetic performance that elevates a formulaic, clichéd script about an abused Louisiana trailer park poet. Critics praise Smart's virtuosity but find Jamie Wax's solo play uneven and reminiscent of a Lifetime movie.
Despite star power from Washington and Gyllenhaal breaking box office records, critics find this "Othello" underpowered and lacking vision, with Leon's hands-off direction failing to elevate the performances beyond competent.