New York’s Broadway gathers many of the world’s signature musicals. Every season brings multiple new productions. Some become smash hits, while others close in less than a year.
Broadway shows typically play eight performances per week, which comes to about 30–35 per month (roughly 360–420 per year). Below, we spotlight the top 30 longest-running Broadway musicals, focusing on productions that have surpassed 1,000 performances.
No. 1 to No. 5
No. 1: The Phantom of the Opera
Running Total performances: 13,326 Guinness World RecordBroadway opening: January 26, 1988
Firmly at No. 1, The Phantom of the Opera remains the longest-running show in Broadway history, continuing to extend its Guinness World Record decades after its premiere.
*For reference, London’s West End longest-running musical record was held by Les Misérables with 8,949 performances over 21 years.
No. 2: Chicago
Running Total performances: 9,650Broadway opening: November 14, 1996
Chicago originally premiered on Broadway in 1975, but the total shown here refers to the 1996 revival run. Had the title run continuously from its original production, it would have far exceeded even Phantom. Even so, the revival places it ahead of The Lion King at No. 2. Japanese star Ryoko Yonekura has appeared three times on Broadway in this title, making it especially popular with Japanese audiences.
No. 3: The Lion King
Running Total performances: 9,259Broadway opening: November 13, 1997
The longest-running Disney Broadway musical, The Lion King has surpassed 9,000 performances and ranks No. 3 all time. It premiered at the New Amsterdam Theatre (where Aladdin now plays) and moved to the Minskoff Theatre in 2006, which was refitted for the show and helped cement its status as Disney’s No. 1 Broadway hit.
No. 4: Cats
Closed Total performances: 7,485Broadway opening: September 23, 1982
Broadway closing: September 10, 2000
Cats, which inspired the 2019 live-action film, premiered as a stage musical in 1982. The figure shown is for the original production, which ran about 18 years. The 2016 revival ran for roughly a year and a half with 596 performances.
No. 5: Wicked
Running Total performances: 6,793Broadway opening: October 30, 2003
Celebrating its 16th anniversary, Wicked overtook Les Misérables for No. 5 on October 28, 2019. Demand for this perennial favorite remains high, and ticket prices are among Broadway’s priciest for long-running titles. Expect the run to continue.
No. 6 to No. 10
No. 6: Les Misérables
Closed Total performances: 6,680Broadway opening: March 12, 1987
Broadway closing: March 18, 2003
Many will know the hit 2012 film starring Hugh Jackman, but the Broadway musical premiered in 1987 and ran about 16 years. The figure above reflects the original production only. Two revivals added 463 performances (2006) and 1,024 performances (2014). Combined, the three runs total 8,167 performances, surpassing Cats.
No. 7: A Chorus Line
Closed Total performances: 6,137Broadway opening: July 25, 1975
Broadway closing: April 28, 1990
For years, this 15-year run was Broadway’s longest until Cats surpassed it in 1997. With little more than a white line across the stage, the show portrays the lives, struggles, fears, and hopes of young performers, all told through powerful, elegant dance.
No. 8: Oh! Calcutta!
Closed Total performances: 5,959Broadway opening: September 24, 1976
Broadway closing: August 6, 1989
Known for its nude ensemble and provocative sketches, this revival shocked audiences in a less permissive era. The figures shown are for the Broadway revival; the 1969 Off-Broadway premiere ran 1,314 performances.
No. 9: Mamma Mia!
Closed Total performances: 5,758Broadway opening: October 5, 2001
Broadway closing: September 12, 2015
Before the blockbuster 2008 film starring Meryl Streep, the Broadway musical premiered in 2001 and ran for nearly 14 years without a revival.
No. 10: Beauty and the Beast
Closed Total performances: 5,461Broadway opening: March 9, 1994
Broadway closing: July 28, 2007
Disney’s first Broadway musical, Beauty and the Beast, was a major hit. With a then record-setting production budget for a musical, it ran about 13 years and fully earned its place among Broadway’s longest runs.
No. 11 to No. 20
| No. 11: RENT | Total performances: 5,123 Broadway opening: April 16, 1996 Broadway closing: September 7, 2008 |
| No. 12: Jersey Boys | Total performances: 4,642 Broadway opening: October 4, 2005 Broadway closing: January 15, 2017 |
| No. 13: Miss Saigon | Total performances: 4,092 Broadway opening: March 23, 1991 Broadway closing: January 28, 2001 |
| No. 14: The Book of Mormon | Total performances: 3,706 Broadway opening: February 24, 2011 |
| No. 15: 42nd Street | Total performances: 3,486 Broadway opening: August 18, 1980 Broadway closing: January 8, 1989 |
| No. 16: Grease | Total performances: 3,388 Broadway opening: February 14, 1972 Broadway closing: April 13, 1980 |
| No. 17: Fiddler on the Roof | Total performances: 3,242 Broadway opening: September 17, 1964 Broadway closing: July 2, 1972 |
| No. 18: Life with Father | Total performances: 3,224 Broadway opening: November 3, 1939 Broadway closing: July 12, 1947 |
| No. 19: Tobacco Road | Total performances: 3,182 Broadway opening: December 4, 1933 Broadway closing: May 31, 1941 |
| No. 20: Hello, Dolly! | Total performances: 2,844 Broadway opening: January 15, 1964 Broadway closing: December 27, 1970 |
No. 21 to No. 30
| No. 21: My Fair Lady | Total performances: 2,717 Broadway opening: March 15, 1956 Broadway closing: September 29, 1962 |
| No. 22: Hairspray | Total performances: 2,642 Broadway opening: July 18, 2002 Broadway closing: January 4, 2009 |
| No. 23: Mary Poppins | Total performances: 2,619 Broadway opening: October 14, 2006 Broadway closing: March 3, 2013 |
| No. 24: Avenue Q | Total performances: 2,534 Broadway opening: July 11, 2003 Broadway closing: September 13, 2009 |
| No. 25: Kinky Boots | Total performances: 2,507 Broadway opening: March 3, 2013 Broadway closing: April 7, 2019 |
| No. 26: The Producers | Total performances: 2,502 Broadway opening: March 21, 2001 Broadway closing: April 22, 2007 |
| No. 27: Aladdin | Total performances: 2,463 Broadway opening: February 26, 2014 |
| No. 28: Beautiful | Total performances: 2,416 Broadway opening: November 21, 2013 Broadway closing: October 27, 2019 |
| No. 29: Cabaret | Total performances: 2,377 Broadway opening: February 13, 1998 Broadway closing: January 4, 2004 |
| No. 30: Annie | Total performances: 2,377 Broadway opening: October 3, 2012 Broadway closing: January 5, 2014 |
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