The West End is home to the greatest concentration of musical theatre on the planet, and the line-up is always changing. Long-running giants sit alongside dazzling new arrivals, so picking just ten is no easy task. Below is our guide to the musicals we think are absolutely worth your time in London right now, whether you are a first-time visitor or a seasoned theatregoer looking for your next night out.
1. Hamilton
Lin-Manuel Miranda’s revolutionary retelling of the life of American founding father Alexander Hamilton is still one of the hottest tickets in town. Fusing hip-hop, R&B, jazz and traditional show tunes, it is sharp, fast and unlike anything that came before it. Settled in at the Victoria Palace Theatre, it remains one of the highest-rated shows on our entire site.
2. The Lion King
Disney’s The Lion King has been roaring at the Lyceum Theatre since 1999, and Julie Taymor’s staging has lost none of its power. The opening “Circle of Life”, with its parade of life-size animal puppets through the auditorium, is one of the most breathtaking moments in all of theatre. A genuine spectacle and the perfect introduction to the West End for all ages.
3. Les Miserables
The world’s longest-running musical shows no sign of slowing down. Boublil and Schonberg’s sweeping epic of revolution, redemption and “One Day More” continues to move audiences at the Sondheim Theatre night after night. If you only see one classic musical in London, this is the one.
4. The Phantom of the Opera
Andrew Lloyd Webber’s gothic romance has haunted His Majesty’s Theatre for decades and remains a benchmark for grand, romantic spectacle. The falling chandelier, the candlelit lake and that unmistakable score make it an essential West End experience.
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5. Wicked
The untold story of the witches of Oz has become a blockbuster all of its own, and the recent films have only sent demand soaring. With showstoppers like “Defying Gravity” and a clever, heartfelt story of friendship, Wicked continues to fill the Apollo Victoria Theatre. Pure feel-good spectacle.
6. Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club
This multi-award-winning revival does something no other show in London does: it transforms the entire theatre into the seedy, thrilling Kit Kat Club before the show even begins. Immersive, daring and brilliantly designed, it is one of the most talked-about productions in town and a regular on critics’ best-of lists.
7. Six the Musical
Henry VIII’s six wives grab the microphone and rewrite history as a glittering pop concert. Punchy, funny and only around 80 minutes long, Six is the perfect modern night out, and its homegrown success story has taken it from an Edinburgh Fringe show to a global phenomenon. Catch it at the Vaudeville Theatre.
8. The Book of Mormon
From the creators of South Park, this gleefully outrageous comedy about two mismatched missionaries remains one of the funniest nights in the West End. Sharp, silly and surprisingly big-hearted, it has been packing out the Prince of Wales Theatre for years. Not one for the easily offended.
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9. Mamma Mia!
More than two decades in, the ultimate ABBA jukebox musical is still the West End’s go-to feel-good party. Sunny, silly and impossible to resist, it sends audiences out of the Novello Theatre dancing every single night. Bring your friends and your dancing shoes.
10. Moulin Rouge! The Musical
Winner of the Olivier Award for Best New Musical, this jaw-dropping production turns the Piccadilly Theatre into the decadent world of bohemian Paris from the moment you walk in. A riot of colour, spectacle and mash-up pop anthems, it is one of the most lavish shows the West End has to offer.
Also worth seeing
Ten is never enough. A handful of other musicals are more than worthy of your attention, including the Tony-winning Hadestown, the RSC’s beloved Matilda the Musical, Cameron Mackintosh’s acclaimed revival of Oliver!, and two of the newest arrivals in town, The Devil Wears Prada and Disney’s Hercules.
Whatever you choose, you can browse the full line-up and book on our musicals page. This guide is updated regularly as shows open and close, so check back for the latest on what is lighting up the West End.
