Best New Broadway Shows (2025-2026 Season)
August 2026 marks a remarkable moment for Broadway, as the season delivers an unusually strong lineup that balances bold reinventions of classic material with fresh theatrical voices. With an average critic score of 79 out of 100, the current crop of productions demonstrates both artistic ambition and crowd-pleasing appeal.
Leading the pack is Joe Mantello's stark revival of Death of a Salesman, featuring what critics are calling a career-defining performance from Nathan Lane. The production strips away excess to deliver an emotionally devastating take on Arthur Miller's American tragedy that feels both timeless and urgently contemporary. Close behind, two musicals prove that reimagining beloved properties can yield thrilling results: the stripped-down Ragtime revival resonates powerfully with modern audiences through Joshua Henry's acclaimed performance, while CATS: The Jellicle Ball transforms Andrew Lloyd Webber's divisive musical into what critics describe as a "joyous glitter bomb" through its inventive ballroom-culture lens.
The season also showcases theatrical versatility, from Schmigadoon!'s affectionate Golden Age parody to Daniel Radcliffe's warmth in the intimate Every Brilliant Thing. Meanwhile, shows like Titanique and The Rocky Horror Show prove that campy, participatory theater continues to find enthusiastic audiences, even as critics debate their lasting impact.
What emerges is a Broadway landscape unafraid to take risks—whether through radical reinterpretations of canonical works or unapologetically niche entertainment. For theatergoers planning their next visit, the current season offers something for virtually every taste, from devastating drama to glittery spectacle. Explore the top-rated shows to find the productions that best match your theatrical appetite.
9 shows | Last updated: August 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 this ballroom-inspired reimagining as a "joyous glitter bomb" that brilliantly revitalizes the divisive musical through queer culture and voguing, with most praising its inventive choreography and spectacle, though a few find it excessively opulent.
Nathan Lane delivers a shattering, career-defining performance in Joe Mantello's stark, emotionally devastating revival. Critics largely praise the bold staging and stellar cast, though some find the production's conceptual choices overwrought.
Critics hail this stripped-down revival as powerfully resonant for our moment, with Joshua Henry's performance and the glorious score earning widespread praise, though some find the staging too sparse and the material occasionally heavy-handed.
Radcliffe charms in this interactive solo show tackling depression and suicide with warmth and humor. Critics praise his engaging audience work and the play's life-affirming approach, though some find the material slight or gimmicky.
Critics embrace this affectionate Golden Age musical parody as a giddy, well-crafted crowd-pleaser, though some find the TV-to-stage adaptation loses novelty and struggles to justify its Broadway transfer beyond nostalgic charm.
Critics find this modest British rom-com musical charming and sincere, with winning performances from its two-person cast, though some dismiss it as slight, twee, and Hallmark-level fare that prioritizes cuteness over substance.
Critics find this campy Céline Dion-Titanic parody hilariously deranged and entertaining, though some worry it loses scrappy Off-Broadway charm in a larger venue. The unhinged premise and committed performances delight most, but a few remain unmoved by the chaos.
Critics are divided on this vampire musical spectacle: many praise its stunning visuals and energetic performances that finally break Broadway's vampire curse, while others find it tonally messy with a weak score despite the flashy production.
Critics find this Studio 54 revival energetic and well-performed but question whether Rocky Horror's shock value translates to modern audiences. While some praise its queer celebration and Sam Pinkleton's direction, others find it tame or forgettable.