Best Broadway Shows to See in 2025: Unmissable Musicals & Plays
Jul, 6 2025
It’s wild how seeing a Broadway show sticks with you—almost like you’re still humming the songs days (or weeks) later. People talk about sports, superheroes, blockbuster movies, but when it comes to sheer electricity? Nothing hits like a sold-out Broadway performance. New York’s theatre scene is competitive, a little chaotic, and totally magical. Honestly, if you’re heading to Broadway for the first time or you’re looking to catch something new, picking Broadway must-see shows isn’t simple. Not every musical is a winner, but the best ones absolutely blow the roof off. Ready to figure out which shows are worth the ticket price in 2025?
The Shows That Define Broadway: What Makes a Must-See?
Let’s get real—some Broadway shows are classics for a reason. There’s something universal about the buzz you feel when the lights go down. But what actually makes a must-see Broadway show? It’s not just killer music or epic choreography. It’s the way you lose yourself in the story, the way crowds laugh, gasp, or cry in sync. A must-see show is one where entrance lines wrap around the block, and tickets vanish minutes after going on sale. Ticketing platform TodayTix reported a 40% jump in demand for the top five Broadway shows just last season. People will practically fight their own nans to catch a hit on opening week.
There’s a kind of social pressure too. Remember how everyone who visited New York in 2016 bragged about seeing Hamilton before it was cool? Or how The Lion King’s stampede scene had people believing in talking lions? It’s not just hype; some shows change the whole theatre game. They roll out technical feats—like backflipping chandeliers or flawlessly timed stage transformations—that become legends in their own right. And let’s not forget storylines. From wicked witches to revolutionary Founding Fathers, these characters stick with you. They inspire Halloween costumes, TikTok trends, karaoke nights. Miss out, and you’re missing a reference point in pop culture.
So, which shows always get called a 'must-see'? The long-running ones, like "The Phantom of the Opera" (before it closed in 2023 after a whopping 35-year run), "Chicago," and "The Lion King," are iconic. "Hamilton" rewrote the rules, plunging hip-hop into the historic drama of America’s birth. Others, like "Wicked," developed cult fanbases and sent chills through stadium-sized crowds. There’s a reason every Broadway tripper Googles these names before ticket hunting.
It doesn’t stop at musicals, either. Straight plays—like "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child"—hold their own. Drama Desk Award voters say dramatic plays accounted for a rise in first-time theatre-goers, thanks in part to high-profile actors trading big screens for Broadway stages. You’ll find TV and movie stars regularly making cameos in these productions. If you love SNL, seeing Cecily Strong live in "The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe" was a 2022 standout. That's one way Broadway stays fresh: it knows how to remix talent.
Let’s not kid ourselves—tickets can be pricey. But a little insider tip from my own wallet? Go for weekday matinees or use rush/lottery systems. Broadway is expensive, but not untouchable. In 2024, seat-filler apps and discounted ticket huts like TKTS are as much a part of the ritual as the curtain call. Flexible with your schedule? You’ll be shocked by how affordable front-row seats get when you know where to look.
The Current Unmissables: The Best Broadway Shows Playing Right Now
Alright—if you’re eyeing a trip to NYC in 2025, here’s the truth: the lineup on Broadway is especially packed with heavy-hitters and buzzy new arrivals this year. There’s never been a better time for variety. Let’s start with some heavyweights that absolutely refuse to seem dated:
- Hamilton – Lin-Manuel Miranda’s blend of rap, history, and killer wordplay still sells out nightly, and it keeps raking in new Tony voters year after year. Expect not just American history, but an atmosphere that feels almost cult-like. Don’t be surprised if you walk away downloading the soundtrack immediately.
- The Lion King – Don’t roll your eyes at this being Disney; the opening “Circle of Life” makes grown adults sob. Julie Taymor’s costumes and puppetry need to be seen to be believed. And the visuals? Still unmatched.
- Wicked – The prequel to The Wizard of Oz is the battle of misunderstood friendship and flying green witches. The song "Defying Gravity" alone is a whopping reason to snag a seat.
- Sweeney Todd – The Sondheim classic returned big this season starring high-profile talents. The gloomy set, chilling revenge tale, and a live orchestra slicing through dark tunes? It’s like a haunted house with world-class singing.
- Cabaret – This latest revival is smoking hot, pushing boundaries with immersive staging that pulls you right out of your seat and into pre-war Berlin. People chat about the cast’s commitment to staying in character even after the curtain falls.
Not all shows push for nostalgia, though. This year’s newcomers are rewriting the playbook. "Hell’s Kitchen," inspired by Alicia Keys’ life, just clinched four Tony Awards in 2025, mixing R&B with classic storytelling. Parents, take note: "Back to the Future: The Musical" has been packing houses with families and classic car nerds alike, with actual DeLoreans on stage (yep, they really got one driving on set). "Kimberly Akimbo" returned to much fanfare too—heartwarming, clever, and completely surprising.
Perhaps most interesting? Broadway in 2025 is proudly experimental. More shows are “site specific” or immersive, meaning you’re part of the action. As I found out when Lorelei dragged me to "Sleep No More" in downtown Manhattan, you don’t just watch—you walk through scenes, talk to actors, and sometimes break out in spontaneous ballroom dancing.
Tourists and locals are always treated to unexpected moments—like Jeremy Strong’s headline-grabbing run in "An Enemy of the People" or the star-studded "Moulin Rouge! The Musical" dropping confetti over the audience. Numbers show that Broadway attendance for the 2023-2024 season actually surpassed pre-pandemic highs, hitting 15.2 million tickets sold, a new city record. It’s a sign that must-see doesn’t just mean 'famous'; it means 'can’t-miss energy.'
| Show Name | Type | Running Since | Notable Awards |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hamilton | Musical | 2015 | 11 Tony Awards, Pulitzer Prize for Drama |
| The Lion King | Musical | 1997 | 6 Tony Awards |
| Wicked | Musical | 2003 | 3 Tony Awards |
| Sweeney Todd | Musical | 1979 / Revived 2024 | 8 Tony Awards |
| Back to the Future | Musical | 2023 | Olivier Award, Tony Nominations |
| Hell’s Kitchen | Musical | 2024 | 4 Tony Awards |
| Cabaret | Musical | 1966 / Revived 2025 | 8 Tony Awards |
Tips for Getting Tickets and Making the Most of Your Broadway Experience
Buying Broadway tickets can honestly feel like you’re gaming the system—or getting played by it. Here’s the survival guide. First, if you’re hoping to catch a must-see on the cheap, go for weekday matinees; prices dip and the crowd’s way less hectic. Seat selection can surprise you too. Don’t trust those 'best seat in the house' maps posted online. Sometimes, front balcony (the so-called “cheap seats”) beats down-in-the-orchestra, especially for big musicals with crazy visuals.
If you’re chasing Hamilton or the hottest new opening, try the official lotteries. They’re totally digital now. Lorelei and I scored last-minute "Sweeney Todd" tickets via the TodayTix app, which offers daily discounted deals and lotteries. Rush tickets—sold same day, in person—are another lifeline if you arrive early. Some shows still hold $40 tickets for students.
Don’t ignore resale platforms, but be careful—some sites sell tickets at triple the face value, especially for Tony-winning blockbusters or limited-runs with big stars. Playbill and Broadway Box regularly highlight legitimate discounts; apps like TodayTix, SeatGeek, and official show websites are your safest bets. Double-check box office prices before you hand over your credit card elsewhere.
Wondering about seating? Each theatre’s unique—at the Gershwin Theatre (where Wicked plays), even the far back feels close thanks to killer acoustics. The Richard Rodgers Theatre (Hamilton’s home) is long and narrow—best sightlines are center orchestra, about 10 rows from the front. Accessibility is solid now, but you should book accessible seats well ahead—most venues sell out those spots faster than regular seats.
Dress codes are relaxed—jeans and nice sneakers are perfectly fine. Half the audience shows up in streetwear; the other half look like they’ve come from a fancy dinner. It’s New York, anything goes. But a pro move? Bring a light jacket. Theatres blast the air conditioning, even in July, so you’ll want it when the overture starts. Concessions aren’t cheap—water can cost more than a drink at the pub down the road. Some people (definitely not me… wink) stuff a snack into their bag.
If you catch the bug after seeing one show, grab a Playbill and start hunting for recommendations in the theatre. Guests love talking about what moved them. Some of my best picks came from random strangers while filing out the lobby. Actors often make last-minute meet-and-greets happen outside stage doors. Autograph hustling is alive and well.
The Shows Shaping Broadway’s Future
Something amazing is happening now: Broadway’s not content to repeat itself. Producers are hunting for fresh stories—ones that actually look like the city outside, with casts as diverse as its audiences. In the past two years, shows by women, BIPOC, and LGBTQ+ creators have not only landed mainstage slots but won major awards. Media outlets like Variety called 2024 “the most inclusive Tonys in history.”
This means future must-sees may look a little different. "Hell’s Kitchen" offers an R&B spin on the classic coming-of-age story. "Shucked" delivers country music and down-home comedy with surprisingly big heart. "The Outsiders," based on the S.E. Hinton novel, brings 1960s youth culture and tension to the stage. The audience for Broadway is getting younger too—a 2024 Nielsen survey found under-35s now make up 36% of ticket buyers, the highest ever recorded.
The rise of international stories is another big trend. Recent hits like "& Juliet" (a pop-fueled reimagining of Shakespeare) and "Six" (Tudor queens as pop stars) started in London’s West End, then crossed the Atlantic and blew up. Broadway is loving unapologetically modern music—think beat drops, EDM, and rap woven into classic musical setups. This isn’t grandma’s theatre anymore.
Technology’s playing a massive part as well. Holographic projections, live-streamed scenes, even interactive phone apps running alongside shows are starting to appear. "Harry Potter and the Cursed Child" introduced live magic tricks using hidden wires and quick-change tech; "Back to the Future"’s DeLorean-breaking through time and space is already a social media magnet. Augmented reality is coming next. When it lands, you’ll sit in the theatre but end up somewhere else, maybe in Oz, maybe on Mars—who knows?
Beneath all that, one thing stays the same: the best shows demand you feel something wild and unexpected. It’s not about flawless performances or velvet seats. It’s about the goosebumps, the gasps, and the stories that walk out with you into the neon night. If you haven’t seen a Broadway hit, you’re missing one of life’s best highs. And when you do see it, don’t blame me if you start planning your next trip before the final bow. Can’t wait for the day Broadway brings its magic to Sydney so I can stop trying to convince Lorelei it’s worth the 20-hour flight every time.