I collected over 15 lists of the best stage musicals of all time and combined them into one meta-list. Here are the results: every stage musical on three or more of the original source lists, organized by rank (that is, with the musicals on the most lists at the top). Musicals on the same number of original source lists are organized chronologically. I have included relevant information, including the source material and any film versions. The dates I have given are for the original premiere. I have not included the dates of any revivals. For a list organized chronologically, go HERE.
For a list of the best movie musicals of all time, go HERE.
On 15 lists
West Side Story (1957)
Concept: Jerome Robbins
Music: Leonard Bernstein
Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Book: Arthur Laurents
Based on: Romeo & Juliet (play, c. 1591-1595), by William Shakespeare
Film versions: West Side Story (1961), directed by Robert Wise & Jerome Robbins; West Side Story (2021), directed by Steven Spielberg
On 12 lists
Les Misérables (French version, 1980; English version 1985)
Music: Claude-Michel Schönberg
English Lyrics: Herbert Kretzmer
Original Text: Alain Boublil & Jean-Marc Natel
Book: Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schönberg
Based on: Les Misérables (novel, 1862), by Victor Hugo
Film version: Les Misérables (2012), directed by Tom Hooper
The Phantom of the Opera (1986)
Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics: Charles Hart & Richard Stilgoe
Book: Richard Stilgoe & Andrew Lloyd Webber
Based on: The Phantom of the Opera (novel, 1910), by Gaston Leroux
Film version: Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera (2004), directed by Joel Schumacher
On 11 lists
Wicked: The Untold Story of the Witches of Oz (2003)
Music: Stephen Schwartz
Lyrics: Stephen Schwartz
Book: Winnie Holzman
Based on: Wicked (novel, 1995) by Gregory Maguire
Film versions: Wicked: Part I (2024) directed by John M. Chu; Wicked: For Good (2025), directed by Jon M. Chu
Hamilton (2015)
Music: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Lyrics: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Book: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Based on: Alexander Hamilton (biography, 2004) by Ron Chernow
Film versions: Hamilton (2020), directed by Thomas Kail
On 10 lists
The Sound of Music (1959)
Music: Richard Rodgers
Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II
Book: Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse
Based on: The Story of the Trapp Family Singers (memoir, 1949), by Maria von Trapp
Film version: The Sound of Music (1965), directed by Robert Wise
Fiddler on the Roof (1964)
Music: Jerry Bock
Lyrics: Sheldon Harnick
Book: Joseph Stein
Based on: Tevye the Dairyman (story, 1894), by Sholem Aleichem
Film version: Fiddler on the Roof (1971), directed by Norman Jewison
Cabaret (1966)
Music: John Kander
Lyrics: Fred Ebb
Book: Joe Masteroff
Based on: I Am a Camera (novel, 1951), by John Van Druten and Goodbye to Berlin (novel, 1939), by Christopher Isherwood
Film version: Cabaret (1972), directed by Bob Fosse
A Chorus Line (1975)
Music: Marvin Hamlisch
Lyrics: Edward Kleban
Book: James Kirkwood Jr. & Nicholas Dante
Film version: A Chorus Line (1985), directed by Richard Attenborough
Rent (1996)
Music: Jonathan Larson
Lyrics: Jonathan Larson
Book: Jonathan Larson
Based on: La bohème (opera, 1896), by Giacomo Puccini, Luigi Illica & Giuseppe Giacosa
Film version: Rent (2005), directed by Chris Columbus
On 9 lists
Oklahoma! (1943)
Music: Richard Rodgers
Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II
Book: Oscar Hammerstein II
Based on: Green Grow the Lilacs (play, 1931), by Lynn Riggs
Film version: Oklahoma! (1955), directed by Fred Zinnemann
Chicago (1975)
Music: John Kander
Lyrics: Fred Ebb
Book: Fred Ebb & Bob Fosse
Based on: Chicago (play, 1926), by Maurine Dallas Watkins
Film version: Chicago (2002), directed by Rob Marshall
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1979)
Music: Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Book: Hugh Wheeler
Based on: Sweeney Todd (story, 1970), by Christopher Bond
Film version: Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street (2007), directed by Tim Burton
Into The Woods (1986)
Music: Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Book: James Lapine
Based on: Grimms’ Fairy Tales (1812-1858), by Jacob and Wilhelm Grimm
Film version: Into the Woods (2014), directed by Rob Marshall
On 8 lists
Guys and Dolls (1950)
Music: Frank Loesser
Lyrics: Frank Loesser
Book: Jo Swerling & Abe Burrows
Based on: The Idyll of Miss Sarah Brown and Blood Pressure (stories, c. 1932-1933), by Damon Runyon
Film version: Guys and Dolls (1955), directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz
My Fair Lady (1956)
Music: Frederick Loewe
Lyrics: Alan Jay Lerner
Book: Alan Jay Lerner
Based on: Pygmalion (play, 1913), by George Bernard Shaw and Pygmalion (film, 1938), directed by Anthony Asquith & Leslie Howard
Film version: My Fair Lady (1964), directed by George Cukor
Cats (1981)
Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics: T.S. Eliot, Trevor Nunn & Richard Stilgoe
Based on: Old Possum’s Book of Practical Cats (poems, 1939), by T.S. Eliot
Film versions: Cats (1998), directed by David Mallet; Cats (2019), directed by Tom Hooper
On 7 lists
The Music Man (1957)
Music: Meredith Willson
Lyrics: Meredith Willson
Book: Meredith Willson & Franklin Lacey
Film versions: The Music Man (1962), directed by Morton DaCosta; The Music Man (TV, 2003), directed by Jeff Bleckner
Gypsy (1959)
Music: Jule Styne
Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Book: Arthur Laurents
Based on: Gypsy: A Memoir (book, 1957), by Gypsy Rose Lee
Film version: Gypsy (1962), directed by Mervyn LeRoy
Jesus Christ Superstar (1971)
Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics: Tim Rice
Film version: Jesus Christ Superstar (1973), directed by Norman Jewison
The Lion King (1997)
Music: Elton John
Lyrics: Tim Rice
Book: Roger Allers & Irene Mecchi
Based on: The Lion King (film, 1994), directed by Roger Allers & Rob Minkoff
On 6 lists
Hair: The American Tribal Love-Rock Musical (1967)
Music: Galt MacDermot
Lyrics: Gerome Ragni & James Rado
Book: Gerome Ragni & James Rado
Film version: Hair (1979), directed by Miloš Forman
Company (1970)
Music: Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Book: George Furth
Grease (1971)
Music: Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey
Lyrics: Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey
Book: Jim Jacobs & Warren Casey
Film version: Grease (1978), directed by Randal Kleiser
Annie (1977)
Music: Charles Strouse
Lyrics: Martin Charnin
Book: Thomas Meehan
Based on: Little Orphan Annie (comic strip, 1924-2010)
Film versions: Annie (1982), directed by John Huston; Annie (TV, 1999), directed by Rob Marshall; Annie (2014), directed by Will Gluck
Evita (1978)
Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics: Tim Rice
Book: Tim Rice
Based on: The life of Eva Perón
Film version: Evita (1996), directed by Alan Parker
Dreamgirls (1981)
Music: Henry Krieger
Lyrics: Tom Eyen
Book: Tom Eyen
Film version: Dreamgirls (2006), directed by Bill Condon
La Cage aux Folles (1983)
Music: Jerry Herman
Lyrics: Jerry Herman
Book: Harvey Fierstein
Based on: La Cage aux Folles (play, 1973) (Jean Poiret); La Cage aux Folles (film, 1978), directed by Édouard Molinaro.
The Producers (2001)
Music: Mel Brooks
Lyrics: Mel Brooks
Book: Mel Brooks & Thomas Meehan
Based on: The Producers (film, 1967), directed by Mel Brooks
Mary Poppins (2004)
Music: Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman & George Stiles
Lyrics: Richard M. Sherman, Robert B. Sherman & Anthony Drewe
Book: Julian Fellowes
Based on: Mary Poppins (film, 1964), directed by Robert Stevenson.
In The Heights (2005)
Music: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Lyrics: Lin-Manuel Miranda
Book: Quiara Alegría Hudes
Film version: In the Heights (2021), directed by Jon M. Chu
The Book of Mormon (2011)
Music: Trey Parker, Robert Lopez & Matt Stone
Lyrics: Trey Parker, Robert Lopez & Matt Stone
Book: Trey Parker, Robert Lopez & Matt Stone
Newsies (2011)
Music: Alan Menken
Lyrics: Jack Feldman
Book: Harvey Fierstein
Based on: Newsies (film, 1992), directed by Kenny Ortega
Come From Away (2017)
Music: Irene Sankoff & David Hein
Lyrics: Irene Sankoff & David Hein
Book: Irene Sankoff & David Hein
Film version: Come from Away (live stage recording, 2021), directed by Christopher Ashley
On 5 lists
Show Boat (1927)
Music: Jerome Kern
Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II
Book: Oscar Hammerstein II
Based on: Show Boat (novel, 1926), by Edna Ferber
Film versions: Show Boat (1936), directed by James Whale; Show Boat (1951), directed by George Sidney
Oliver! (1960)
Music: Lionel Bart
Lyrics: Lionel Bart
Book: Lionel Bart
Based on: Oliver Twist (novel, 1838), by Charles Dickens
Film version: Oliver! (1968), directed by Carol Reed
Hello, Dolly! (1963)
Music: Jerry Herman
Lyrics: Jerry Herman
Book: Michael Stewart
Based on: The Matchmaker (play, 1954), by Thornton Wilder
Film version: Hello, Dolly! (1969), directed by Gene Kelly
Singin’ in the Rain (1983)
Music: Nacio Herb Brown
Lyrics: Arthur Freed
Book: Adolph Green & Betty Comden
Based on: Singin’ in the Rain (film, 1952), directed by Gene Kelly & Stanley Donen
Miss Saigon (1989)
Music: Claude-Michel Schönberg
Lyrics: Alain Boublil & Richard Maltby Jr.
Book: Alain Boublil & Claude-Michel Schönberg
Based on: Madama Butterfly (opera, 1904), by Giacomo Puccini, Luigi Illica & Giuseppe Giacosa
Ragtime (1996)
Music: Stephen Flaherty
Lyrics: Lynn Ahrens
Book: Terrence McNally
Based on: Ragtime (novel, 1975), by E.L. Doctorow
Mamma Mia! (1999)
Music: Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus
Lyrics: Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus
Book: Catherine Johnson
Based on: The songs of ABBA
Film version: Mamma Mia! (2008), directed by Phyllida Lloyd
Hairspray (2002)
Music: Marc Shaiman
Lyrics: Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman
Book: Mark O’Donnell & Thomas Meehan
Based on: Hairspray (film, 1988), directed by John Waters
Film version: Hairspray (2007), directed by Adam Shankman
Billy Elliot: The Musical (2005)
Music: Elton John
Lyrics: Lee Hall
Book: Lee Hall
Based on: Billy Elliot (film, 2000), directed by Stephen Daldry
Spring Awakening (2006)
Music: Duncan Sheik
Lyrics: Steven Sater
Book: Steven Sater
Based on: Spring Awakening (play, 1891), by Frank Wedekind
Next to Normal (2008)
Music: Tom Kitt
Lyrics: Brian Yorkey
Book: Brian Yorkey
On 4 lists
Anything Goes (1934)
Music: Cole Porter
Lyrics: Cole Porter
Book: Guy Bolton, P.G. Wodehouse, Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse
Porgy and Bess (opera, 1935)
Music: George Gershwin
Libretto: DuBose Heyward & Ira Gershwin
Based on: Porgy (novel, 1925) and Porgy (play, 1927), by DuBose Heyward
Film version: Porgy and Bess (1959), directed by Otto Preminger (non-musical)
Carousel (1945)
Music: Richard Rodgers
Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II
Book: Oscar Hammerstein II
Based on: Liliom (play, 1909), by Ferenc Molnár
Film version: Carousel (1956), directed by Henry King
Kiss Me, Kate (1948)
Music: Cole Porter
Lyrics: Cole Porter
Book: Bella Spewack & Samuel Spewack
Based on: The Taming of the Shrew (play, c. 1590-1592), by William Shakespeare
Film versions: Kiss Me Kate (1953) directed by George Sidney; Kiss Me Kate (TV, 1968), directed by Paul Bogart; Kiss Me, Kate (2024), directed by Bartlett Sher.
South Pacific (1949)
Music: Richard Rodgers
Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II
Book: Oscar Hammerstein II & Joshua Logan
Based on: Tales of the South Pacific (stories, 1947), by James A. Michener
Film versions: South Pacific (1958), directed by Joshua Logan; South Pacific (TV, 2001), directed by Richard Pearce
The King and I (1951)
Music: Richard Rodgers
Lyrics: Oscar Hammerstein II
Book: Oscar Hammerstein II
Based on: Anna and the King of Siam (novel, 1944), by Margaret Landon
Film versions: The King and I (1956), directed by Walter Lang; The King and I (1999), directed by Richard Rich
The Rocky Horror Show (1973)
Music: Richard O’Brien
Lyrics: Richard O’Brien
Book: Richard O’Brien
Film version: The Rocky Horror Picture Show (1975), directed by Jim Sharman
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1974)
Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics: Tim Rice
Book: Tim Rice
Based on: The Book of Genesis (story of Joseph)
Film version: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1999), directed by David Mallet & Steven Pimlott
42nd Street (1980)
Music: Harry Warren
Lyrics: Al Dubin & Johnny Mercer
Book: Michael Stewart & Mark Bramble
Based on: 42nd Street (film, 1933), directed by Lloyd Bacon
Merrily We Roll Along (1981)
Music: Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Book: George Furth
Based on: Merrily We Roll Along (play, 1934), by George S. Kaufman & Moss Hart
Little Shop of Horrors (1982)
Music: Alan Menken
Lyrics: Howard Ashman
Book: Howard Ashman
Based on: The Little Shop of Horrors (film, 1960), directed by Roger Corman
Film version: Little Shop of Horrors (1986), directed by Frank Oz
Sunday in the Park with George (1983)
Music: Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Book: James Lapine
Based on: A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte (painting, 1886), by Georges Seurat
Sunset Boulevard (1991)
Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics: Don Black, Christopher Hampton & Amy Powers
Book: Don Black & Christopher Hampton
Based on: Sunset Boulevard (film, 1950), directed by Billy Wilder
Avenue Q (2003)
Music: Robert Lopez & Jeff Marx
Lyrics: Robert Lopez & Jeff Marx
Book: Jeff Whitty
Kinky Boots (2012)
Music: Cyndi Lauper
Lyrics: Cyndi Lauper
Book: Harvey Fierstein
Based on: Kinky Boots (film, 2005), directed by Julian Jarrold
Dear Evan Hansen (2015)
Music: Benj Pasek & Justin Paul
Lyrics: Benj Pasek & Justin Paul
Book: Steven Levenson
Film version: Dear Evan Hansen (2021), directed by Stephen Chbosky
Waitress (2015)
Music: Sara Bareilles
Lyrics: Sara Bareilles
Book: Jessie Nelson
Based on: Waitress (film, 2007), directed by Adrienne Shelly
On 3 lists
Funny Girl (1964)
Music: Jule Styne
Lyrics: Bob Merrill
Book: Isobel Lennart
Based on: The life of Fanny Brice
Film version: Funny Girl (1968), directed by William Wyler
Follies (1971)
Music: Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Book: James Goldman
A Little Night Music (1973)
Music: Stephen Sondheim
Lyrics: Stephen Sondheim
Book: Hugh Wheeler
Based on: Smiles of a Summer Night (film, 1955), directed by Ingmar Bergman
Film version: A Little Night Music (1977), directed by Harold Prince
Blood Brothers (1983)
Music: Willy Russell
Lyrics: Willy Russell
Book: Willie Russell
Starlight Express (1984)
Music: Andrew Lloyd Webber
Lyrics: Richard Stilgoe
Chess (1986)
Music: Benny Andersson & Björn Ulvaeus
Lyrics: Tim Rice & Björn Ulvaeus
Book: Tim Rice (original), Richard Nelson (1988 version), Danny Strong (2025 revival)
Falsettos (1992)
Music: William Finn
Lyrics: William Finn
Book: William Finn & James Lapine
Hedwig and the Angry Inch (1998)
Music: Stephen Trask
Lyrics: Stephen Trask
Book: John Cameron Mitchell
Film version: Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2001), directed by John Cameron Mitchell
Parade (1998)
Music: Jason Robert Brown
Lyrics: Jason Robert Brown
Book: Alfred Uhry
Based on: The trial and lynching of Leo Frank in 1913-1915.
Spamalot (2004)
Music: John Du Prez & Eric Idle
Lyrics: Eric Idle
Book: Eric Idle
Based on: Monty Python and the Holy Grail (film, 1975), directed by Terry Jones & Terry Gilliam
Jersey Boys (2004)
Music: Various artists
Lyrics: Various artists
Book: Marshall Brickman & Rick Elice
Based on: The songs of The Four Seasons
Film version: Jersey Boys (2014), directed by Clint Eastwood
The Color Purple (2005)
Music: Brenda Russell, Allee Willis & Stephen Bray
Lyrics: Brenda Russell, Allee Willis & Stephen Bray
Book: Marshal Norman
Based on: The Color Purple (novel, 1982), by Alice Walker; The Color Purple (film, 1985), directed by Steven Spielberg
Priscilla Queen of the Desert (2006)
Music: Various artists
Lyrics: Various artists
Book: Stephan Elliott & Allan Scott
Based on: The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert (film, 1994), directed by Stephan Elliott
Legally Blonde (2007)
Music: Neil Benjamin & Laurence O’Keefe
Lyrics: Neil Benjamin & Laurence O’Keefe
Book: Heather Hach
Based on: Legally Blonde (film, 2001), directed by Robert Luketic; Legally Blonde (novel, 2001), by Amanda Brown
Heathers The Musical (2009)
Music: Laurence O’Keefe & Kevin Murphy
Lyrics: Laurence O’Keefe & Kevin Murphy
Book: Laurence O’Keefe & Kevin Murphy
Based on: Heathers (film, 1988), directed by Michael Lehmann
Matilda the Musical (Roald Dahl’s Matilda) (2010)
Music: Tim Minchin
Lyrics: Tim Minchin
Book: Dennis Kelly
Based on: Matilda (novel, 1988), by Roald Dahl
Film version: Roald Dahl’s Matilda the Musical (2022) directed by Matthew Warchus
Once (2011)
Music: Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová
Lyrics: Glen Hansard & Markéta Irglová
Book: Enda Walsh
Based on: Once (film, 2007), directed by John Carney
Fun Home (2013)
Music: Jeanine Tesori
Lyrics: Lisa Kron
Book: Lisa Kron
Based on: Fun Home (graphic memoir, 2006), by Alison Bechdel
Hadestown (2016)
Music: Anaïs Mitchell
Lyrics: Anaïs Mitchell
Book: Anaïs Mitchell
Based on: Greek mythology (Orpheus and Eurydice; Rape of Persephone)
SIX (2017)
Music: Toby Marlow & Lucy Moss
Lyrics: Toby Marlow & Lucy Moss
Book: Toby Marlow & Lucy Moss
Loosely based on: The wives of English King Henry VIII
Moulin Rouge! The Musical (2018)
Music: Various artists
Lyrics: Various artists
Book: John l.ogan
Based on: Moulin Rouge! (film, 2001), directed by Baz Luhrmann