The Most Popular Broadway Musicals Ever By Constance Bennet [4 more lists]

These are the 94 most long running Broadway shows in history, which also makes them the most popular Broadway musicals ever. From standards like Chorus Line to newer hits like The Lion King, these longest running Broadway shows are classics that nobody can compete with. And, being a theater nerd myself, I hope to see each and every one of these live on stage in my lifetime.

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Order Name Author / Creator(s)

1

The Phantom of the Opera

Andrew Lloyd Webber , Charles Hart , Andrew Lloyd Webber

“ Opened on January 26, 1988. Featured 9451 performances. „
2

Cats

Andrew Lloyd Webber , T. S. Eliot , Andrew Lloyd Webber

“ Opened on October 7, 1982. Closed on September 10, 2000. Featured 7485 performances. „
3

Les Misérables

Claude-Michel Schönberg , Alain Boublil , Claude-Michel Schönberg

“ Opened on March 12, 1987. Closed on May 18, 2003. Featured 6680 performances. „
4

A Chorus Line

Marvin Hamlisch , Edward Kleban , James Kirkwood

“ Opened on July 25, 1975. Closed on April 28, 1990. Featured 6137 performances. „
5

Oh! Calcutta!

Kenneth Tynan

“ Opened on September 24, 1976. Closed on August 6, 1989. Featured 5959 performances.Opened on June 17, 1969. Closed on August 12, 1972. Featured 1314 performances. „
6

Chicago

John Kander , Fred Ebb , Maurine Dallas Watkins

“ Opened on November 14, 1996. Featured 5780 performances. „
7

Beauty and the Beast

Alan Menken , Howard Ashman , Linda Woolverton

“ Opened on April 18, 1994. Closed on July 29, 2007. Featured 5461 performances. „
8

The Lion King

Elton John , Tim Rice , Irene Mecchi

“ Opened on November 13, 1997. Featured 5365 performances. „
9

Rent

Jonathan Larson , Jonathan Larson , Jonathan Larson

“ Opened on April 29, 1996. Closed on September 7, 2008. Featured 5123 performances. „
10

Miss Saigon

Claude-Michel Schönberg , Richard Maltby, Jr. , Claude-Michel Schönberg More

“ Opened on April 11, 1991. Closed on January 28, 2001. Featured 4097 performances. „
11

Mamma Mia!

Björn Ulvaeus , Catherine Johnson

“ Opened on October 18, 2001. Featured 3728 performances. „
12

42nd Street

Harry Warren , Al Dubin , Mark Bramble

“ Opened on August 25, 1980. Closed on January 8, 1989. Featured 3486 performances.Opened on May 2, 2001. Closed on January 2, 2005. Featured 1524 performances. „
13

Grease

Warren Casey

“ Opened on February 14, 1972. Closed on April 13, 1980. Featured 3388 performances.Opened on May 11, 1994. Closed on January 25, 1998. Featured 1505 performances. „
14

Fiddler on the Roof

Jerry Bock , Sheldon Harnick , H. P. Lovecraft

“ Opened on September 22, 1964. Closed on July 2, 1972. Featured 3242 performances. „
15

Life with Father

“ Opened on November 8, 1939. Closed on July 12, 1947. Featured 3224 performances. „
16

Tobacco Road

“ Opened on December 4, 1933. Closed on May 31, 1941. Featured 3182 performances. „
17

Wicked

Stephen Schwartz , Stephen Schwartz , Winnie Holzman

“ Opened on October 30, 2003. Featured 2886 performances. „
18

Hello, Dolly!

“ Opened on January 16, 1964. Closed on December 27, 1970. Featured 2844 performances. „
19

My Fair Lady

Frederic Loewe , Alan Jay Lerner , Alan Jay Lerner

“ Opened on March 15, 1956. Closed on September 29, 1962. Featured 2717 performances. „
20

Hairspray

Marc Shaiman , Marc Shaiman , Thomas Meehan

“ Opened on August 16, 2002. Closed on January 4, 2009. Featured 2642 performances. „
21

Avenue Q

Jeff Marx , Jeff Marx , Jeff Whitty

“ Opened on July 31, 2003. Closed on September 13, 2009. Featured 2534 performances. „
22

The Producers

Mel Brooks

“ Opened on April 19, 2001. Closed on April 22, 2007. Featured 2502 performances. „
23

Cabaret

John Kander , Fred Ebb , Joe Masteroff

“ Opened on March 19, 1998. Closed on January 4, 2004. Featured 2377 performances.Opened on November 20, 1966. Closed on September 6, 1969. Featured 1165 performances. „
24

Annie

Charles Strouse , Martin Charnin , Thomas Meehan

“ Opened on April 21, 1977. Closed on January 2, 1983. Featured 2377 performances. „
25

Man of La Mancha

“ Opened on November 22, 1965. Closed on June 26, 1971. Featured 2328 performances. „
26

Abie's Irish Rose

“ Opened on May 23, 1922. Closed on October 1, 1927. Featured 2327 performances. „
27

Oklahoma!

Richard Rodgers , Oscar Hammerstein II , Oscar Hammerstein II

“ Opened on March 31, 1943. Closed on May 29, 1948. Featured 2212 performances. „
28

Jersey Boys

Marshall Brickman

“ Opened on November 6, 2005. Featured 2041 performances. „
29

Smokey Joe's Cafe

“ Opened on March 2, 1995. Closed on January 16, 2000. Featured 2036 performances. „
30

Pippin

Stephen Schwartz , Stephen Schwartz

“ Opened on October 23, 1972. Closed on June 12, 1977. Featured 1944 performances. „
31

South Pacific

Richard Rodgers , Oscar Hammerstein II , Joshua Logan

“ Opened on April 7, 1949. Closed on January 16, 1954. Featured 1925 performances. „
32

The Magic Show

Stephen Schwartz , Stephen Schwartz , Bob Randall

“ Opened on May 28, 1974. Closed on December 31, 1978. Featured 1920 performances. „
33

Aida

Elton John , Tim Rice , David Henry Hwang

“ Opened on March 23, 2000. Closed on September 5, 2004. Featured 1852 performances. „
34

Gemini

“ Opened on May 21, 1977. Closed on September 6, 1981. Featured 1819 performances. „
35

Deathtrap

Ira Levin

“ Opened on February 26, 1978. Closed on June 13, 1982. Featured 1793 performances. „
36

Harvey

Mary Coyle Chase

“ Opened on November 1, 1944. Closed on January 15, 1949. Featured 1775 performances. „
37

Dancin'

“ Opened on March 27, 1978. Closed on June 27, 1982. Featured 1774 performances. „
38

La Cage aux Folles

Jerry Herman , Jerry Herman , Harvey Fierstein

“ Opened on August 21, 1983. Closed on November 15, 1987. Featured 1761 performances. „
39

Hair

Galt MacDermot , James Rado , James Rado

“ Opened on April 29, 1968. Closed on July 1, 1972. Featured 1750 performances. „
40

The Wiz

Charlie Smalls , Charlie Smalls , William F. Brown

“ Opened on January 5, 1975. Closed on January 28, 1979. Featured 1672 performances. „
41

Born Yesterday

Garson Kanin

“ Opened on February 4, 1946. Closed on December 31, 1949. Featured 1642 performances. „
42

Mary Poppins

Robert B. Sherman , Robert B. Sherman , Julian Fellowes

“ Opened on November 16, 2006. Featured 1637 performances. „
43

Crazy for You

George Gershwin , Ira Gershwin , Ken Ludwig

“ Opened on February 19, 1992. Closed on January 7, 1996. Featured 1622 performances. „
44

Ain't Misbehavin'

Fats Waller , Fats Waller , Richard Maltby, Jr.

“ Opened on May 9, 1978. Closed on February 21, 1982. Featured 1604 performances. „
45

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas

“ Opened on June 19, 1978. Closed on March 27, 1982. Featured 1584 performances. „
46

Spamalot

Eric Idle , Eric Idle , Eric Idle

“ Opened on March 17, 2005. Closed on January 11, 2009. Featured 1575 performances. „
47

Mary, Mary

“ Opened on March 8, 1961. Closed on December 12, 1964. Featured 1572 performances. „
48

Evita

Andrew Lloyd Webber , Tim Rice , Andrew Lloyd Webber

“ Opened on September 25, 1979. Closed on June 26, 1983. Featured 1567 performances. „
49

The Voice of the Turtle

“ Opened on December 8, 1943. Closed on January 3, 1948. Featured 1557 performances. „
50

Jekyll & Hyde

Frank Wildhorn , Leslie Bricusse , Leslie Bricusse

“ Opened on April 28, 1997. Closed on January 7, 2001. Featured 1543 performances. „
51

Barefoot in the Park

Neil Simon

“ Opened on October 23, 1963. Closed on June 25, 1967. Featured 1530 performances. „
52

Dreamgirls

Henry Krieger , Tom Eyen , Tom Eyen

“ Opened on December 20, 1981. Closed on August 11, 1985. Featured 1521 performances. „
53

Mame

Jerry Herman , Jerry Herman , Robert Edwin Lee

“ Opened on May 24, 1966. Closed on January 3, 1970. Featured 1508 performances. „
54

Same Time, Next Year

“ Opened on March 14, 1975. Closed on September 3, 1978. Featured 1453 performances. „
55

Arsenic and Old Lace

“ Opened on January 10, 1941. Closed on June 17, 1944. Featured 1444 performances. „
56

The Sound of Music

Richard Rodgers , Oscar Hammerstein II , Maria von Trapp

“ Opened on November 16, 1959. Closed on June 15, 1963. Featured 1443 performances. „
57

Me and My Girl

“ Opened on August 10, 1986. Closed on December 31, 1989. Featured 1420 performances. „
58

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying

Frank Loesser , Frank Loesser , Abe Burrows

“ Opened on October 14, 1961. Closed on March 6, 1965. Featured 1417 performances. „
59

Hellzapoppin'

“ Opened on September 22, 1938. Closed on December 17, 1941. Featured 1404 performances. „
60

The Music Man

Meredith Willson , Meredith Willson , Meredith Willson

“ Opened on December 19, 1957. Closed on April 15, 1961. Featured 1375 performances. „
61

Funny Girl

Jule Styne , Isobel Lennart

“ Opened on March 26, 1964. Closed on July 1, 1967. Featured 1348 performances. „
62

Mummenschanz

“ Opened on March 30, 1977. Closed on April 20, 1980. Featured 1326 performances. „
63

Movin' Out

“ Opened on October 24, 2002. Closed on December 11, 2005. Featured 1303 performances. „
64

Brighton Beach Memoirs

“ Opened on March 27, 1983. Closed on May 11, 1986. Featured 1299 performances. „
65

Angel Street

“ Opened on December 5, 1941. Closed on December 30, 1944. Featured 1295 performances. „
66

Lightnin'

“ Opened on August 26, 1918. Closed on August 27, 1921. Featured 1291 performances. „
67

Promises, Promises

“ Opened on December 1, 1968. Closed on January 1, 1972. Featured 1281 performances. „
68

The King and I

“ Opened on March 29, 1951. Closed on March 20, 1954. Featured 1246 performances. „
69

Cactus Flower

“ Opened on December 8, 1965. Closed on November 23, 1968. Featured 1234 performances. „
70

Sleuth

Anthony Shaffer

“ Opened on November 12, 1970. Closed on October 13, 1973. Featured 1222 performances. „
71

Torch Song Trilogy

Harvey Fierstein

“ Opened on June 10, 1982. Closed on May 19, 1985. Featured 1222 performances. „
72

1776

Sherman Edwards , Sherman Edwards , Peter Stone

“ Opened on March 16, 1969. Closed on February 13, 1972. Featured 1217 performances. „
73

Equus

Peter Shaffer

“ Opened on October 24, 1974. Closed on October 2, 1977. Featured 1209 performances. „
74

Sugar Babies

“ Opened on October 8, 1979. Closed on August 28, 1982. Featured 1208 performances. „
75

Guys and Dolls

Frank Loesser , Frank Loesser , Abe Burrows

“ Opened on November 24, 1950. Closed on November 28, 1953. Featured 1200 performances.Opened on April 14, 1992. Closed on January 8, 1995. Featured 1143 performances. „
76

Amadeus

Peter Shaffer

“ Opened on December 17, 1980. Closed on October 16, 1983. Featured 1181 performances. „
77

Mister Roberts

“ Opened on February 18, 1948. Closed on January 6, 1951. Featured 1157 performances. „
78

Annie Get Your Gun

Irving Berlin , Irving Berlin , Dorothy Fields

“ Opened on May 16, 1946. Closed on February 12, 1949. Featured 1147 performances.Opened on March 4, 1999. Closed on September 1, 2001. Featured 1045 performances. „
79

The Seven Year Itch

“ Opened on November 20, 1952. Closed on August 13, 1955. Featured 1141 performances. „
80

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

William Finn , William Finn , Rachel Sheinkin

“ Opened on May 2, 2005. Closed on January 20, 2008. Featured 1136 performances. „
81

Bring in 'da Noise, Bring in 'da Funk

“ Opened on April 25, 1996. Closed on January 10, 1999. Featured 1135 performances. „
82

Butterflies Are Free

“ Opened on October 21, 1969. Closed on July 2, 1972. Featured 1128 performances. „
83

Pins and Needles

Marc Blitzstein

“ Opened on November 27, 1937. Closed on June 22, 1940. Featured 1108 performances. „
84

Plaza Suite

Neil Simon

“ Opened on February 14, 1968. Closed on October 3, 1970. Featured 1097 performances. „
85

Fosse

Bob Fosse

“ Opened on January 14, 1999. Closed on August 25, 2001. Featured 1093 performances. „
86

In the Heights

Lin-Manuel Miranda , Lin-Manuel Miranda , Quiara Alegría Hudes

“ Opened on March 30, 2008. Featured 1088 performances. „
87

They're Playing Our Song

Marvin Hamlisch , Marvin Hamlisch

“ Opened on February 11, 1979. Closed on September 6, 1981. Featured 1082 performances. „
88

Kiss Me, Kate

“ Opened on December 30, 1948. Closed on July 28, 1951. Featured 1077 performances. „
89

Don't Bother Me, I Can't Cope

“ Opened on April 19, 1972. Closed on October 27, 1974. Featured 1065 performances. „
90

The Pajama Game

Richard Adler , Richard Adler , Richard Pike Bissell

“ Opened on May 13, 1954. Closed on November 24, 1956. Featured 1063 performances. „
91

Shenandoah

“ Opened on January 7, 1975. Closed on August 7, 1977. Featured 1050 performances. „
92

The Teahouse of the August Moon

“ Opened on October 15, 1953. Closed on March 24, 1956. Featured 1027 performances. „
93

Damn Yankees

Richard Adler , Jerry Ross , George Abbott

“ Opened on May 5, 1955. Closed on October 12, 1957. Featured 1019 performances. „
94

Grand Hotel

Luther Davis

“ Opened on November 12, 1989. Closed on April 25, 1992. Featured 1017 performances. „