Best Broadway Shows in 2026 – Top Picks, Current Hits & New Must-See

Broadway is one of the highlights of a New York trip.
If you’re seeing just one show in 2026, Hamilton remains the safest all-around choice — while several newer productions are quickly becoming audience favorites. Choosing the best Broadway shows in 2026 isn’t always simple. Some shows live up to the hype. Others don’t, even when the theater is full.

Ticket prices change fast, popular dates sell out early, and long online lists rarely help with real decisions. What matters more is knowing which shows people actually enjoy once they’re sitting in the seats.

This guide focuses on Broadway performances that consistently leave audiences happy in 2026 — based on current demand, real reactions, and what tends to deliver a great night in New York.

The one Broadway show to see in 2026

If you’re picking one night for Broadway in 2026, we’d make it Hamilton—not because it’s the obvious answer, but because it still delivers the rare combo of event energy + sharp storytelling + “this is New York” feeling. It’s also consistently listed among the best shows in NYC right now.

Who it’s perfect for: first-time visitors, couples, friend trips where nobody wants to risk a “meh” pick.
When to book: if you’re traveling on weekends or during holiday weeks, treat it like a flight—lock it early.

If Hamilton isn’t your thing, the clean “one-and-done” alternatives that show up repeatedly in current best-of lists and popularity charts are Oh, Mary! (if you want a comedy night) and Maybe Happy Ending (if you want something newer that people are genuinely into).

👉 Check available dates and current ticket prices

What New Yorkers recommend to visitors

When friends ask us what to see, we don’t start with “What’s the biggest title?” We start with, “What kind of night do you want?”

For a laugh that feels like a real NYC night out:

• Oh, Mary! — the kind of show people walk out quoting. It’s been singled out as one of the funniest comedies on Broadway right now.

For a classic Broadway-first-timer win:

• Wicked — still the safest pick if the group wants spectacle and nobody wants surprises. It remains one of the most consistently best-selling shows.
• The Lion King — the ultimate “everyone agrees” show, especially if you’re with family or mixed ages. Also a perennial best-seller.

For a night that feels like you found something special:

• Buena Vista Social Club — described as a warm, transportive escape in recent roundups of the best shows to see right now.

👉 See upcoming performances and seat options

The shows selling out this season

If you’re planning a trip and you don’t want the “only resale left” moment, focus on shows that are selling strongly right now and tend to tighten availability on weekends.

These are repeatedly appearing in best-selling lists:

• Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (often at or near the top of best-selling rankings)
• Hamilton
• Wicked
• The Lion King
• Stranger Things: The First Shadow (also getting extra attention because it’s being filmed for a future Netflix release, which can spike interest)

Travel tip we’d actually follow: If you care about specific dates, buy earlier. If you care about price, aim for weekday performances and stay flexible.

👉 View today’s available Broadway shows and remaining seats

New Broadway shows people are excited about

Broadway in 2026 isn’t just “what’s always been there.” There’s a steady flow of limited runs and fresh productions—exactly the kind of thing that can feel like you caught the city at the right moment.

Time Out’s list of new and upcoming Broadway shows headed to NYC in 2026 includes titles like:

• Every Brilliant Thing
• Death of a Salesman
• Dog Day Afternoon
• Giant
• Becky Shaw
• Cats: The Jellicle Ball
• Death Becomes Her

How we’d use this section (the non-touristy way):

• If you’ve already done Broadway classics before, this is where you get that “we saw something current” feeling.
• Limited runs are where you can accidentally book the best night of your trip—or miss out completely if you wait.

👉 Check available dates and current ticket prices

Classics that still feel magical

“Classic” can mean two things on Broadway: legendary… or tired. These are the classics that still land because the production itself does the heavy lifting.

• Wicked — still one of the most reliable “big Broadway” experiences, and it stays high on best-selling charts.
• The Lion King — visuals and staging that hit even if you’ve seen the movie a hundred times.
• Chicago — a long-running staple that remains on best-selling lists (and can be a fun “late-night Manhattan” vibe if you like something sleeker).
• The Book of Mormon — still regularly recommended in “best shows right now” roundups when people want comedy with shock value.

👉 Check classic Broadway show tickets

Perfect Broadway nights for couples

For couples, the best Broadway pick is the one that matches the night you’re trying to have. Two great directions:

Romantic + “we’ll talk about this after”

• Hadestown — not always the lightest date-night mood, but it’s one of the most recommended modern classics and shows up in popularity lists.

Fun + high-energy + easy win

• Moulin Rouge! The Musical — big, flashy, crowd-pleasing, and consistently popular.
• &Juliet — a modern love story powered by pop hits, nonstop energy, and feel-good moments. It’s one of the most popular choices for date nights when you want something upbeat and fun.

If you want a comedy date-night:

• Oh, Mary! — the kind of show that turns into the story you tell at dinner the next night.

👉 Check available dates and seat options

Family-friendly shows worth seeing

If you’re visiting with kids (or teens who pretend they’re too cool for everything), the right show makes the whole trip feel smoother.

The safe, high-confidence picks:

• The Lion King — the most “everyone wins” option for families.
• Aladdin — another durable family favorite that continues to appear in best-selling lists.
• Wicked — especially good if your kids are old enough to follow a bigger story and you want something that feels “grown-up Broadway” without being inappropriate.

Family travel reality check: Matinees are your friend. They also tend to be easier on the budget than peak Saturday-night performances.

What Broadway tickets really cost in 2026

We may earn a commission if you book through our links. We only recommend tours that match the routes, pricing, and experience explained above.

Broadway tickets have a wide range, and the internet loves to pretend there’s one “normal price.” There isn’t.

A straightforward baseline from the Broadway League’s ticket-buying guidance: regular-price tickets generally range from $20 to $145, with higher prices for the best seats and high-demand performances.

Then reality kicks in:

• Hot shows + prime nights can jump above that baseline (premium pricing exists and can be steep).
• Discounts are real, but they vary by show and demand.

If you’re hunting for discounts, Playbill notes that discounts can range 25–50% depending on popularity (and gives examples of how discounted orchestra and mezzanine prices can look).

When better seats are worth it

If you only splurge once on your NYC trip, splurge on sightlines, not hype.

Worth it:

• Shows with big staging, visuals, or choreography where distance changes the experience (think big spectacle).
• If you’re going to spend the whole night thinking “I wish we were closer,” just move up a section.

Not worth it:

• Paying premium because it’s a weekend night when you could go Tuesday and sit better for less.

If you’re choosing between “cheap but blocked view” and “slightly more, clean view,” we almost always take the clean view.

Smart ways to buy Broadway tickets

The calm way to do this:

1. Start with official/legit ticketing routes (or the show’s box office).
2. Only then compare trusted platforms.
3. Be suspicious of “too good to be true” prices and surprise fees.

For saving money without playing games, the single most useful resource is Playbill’s updated roundup of rush, lottery, SRO, and student ticket policies (updated February 2026).

If you want the quick version:

• Rush = day-of tickets (line up early for popular shows).
• Lottery = digital or in-person drawings (great when you’re flexible).
• Standing Room Only = cheap, but you stand (worth it for shorter shows or if you don’t mind being on your feet).

Trusted places to buy Broadway tickets

GetYourGuide
Best for travelers who want quick booking, clear total prices, and real-time availability in one place. It’s especially helpful when shows are selling fast or plans change.

👉 Check today’s Broadway shows and prices on GetYourGuide

Broadway.com
One of the most well-known Broadway ticket sellers, often showing what’s most popular and selling quickly. Good for browsing big-name productions.

TodayTix
Great for last-minute deals, rush-style offers, and flexible travelers who don’t mind checking availability daily.

TKTS
Best for same-day discounted tickets in Times Square and Lincoln Center — ideal if you’re already in NYC and flexible with show choices.

When each option makes the most sense

• Want easy planning before your trip → GetYourGuide or Broadway.com
• Want deals and don’t mind flexibility → TodayTix or TKTS
• Want specific seats and dates locked in → official sellers or GetYourGuide

Final trust tip

If a price looks wildly cheaper than everywhere else — it usually comes with hidden fees, bad seat locations, or resale issues. Stick to known platforms and transparent totals.

👉 See today’s available shows and prices

The best time of year to see a Broadway show

If your priority is availability + less stress, avoid the most crowded weeks unless Broadway is the whole point of the trip:

• late December holiday stretch
• spring break windows
• peak summer weekends

If your priority is better prices and easier seat selection, aim for:

• weekdays
• shoulder seasons (early fall, winter weeks outside holidays)

(And if you’re in town on a Tuesday or Wednesday, Broadway suddenly gets easier.)

❓Frequently Asked Questions

Best Broadway show in 2026?
Most visitors still leave happiest with Hamilton. For something newer and fun, &Juliet and Death Becomes Her are getting great reactions this year.

Book early or wait?
For weekends and popular shows, book early. For weekdays, waiting sometimes works.

Are same-day tickets cheaper?
Sometimes, if you’re flexible. Popular shows still sell out.

Where should I buy tickets?
Stick to official sellers and well-known platforms with clear prices.

Are expensive seats worth it?
For big spectacle shows, yes. For smaller productions, not always.

Biggest Broadway mistake?
Buying cheap seats without checking if the view is blocked.

Good shows if English isn’t perfect?
Big musicals with strong visuals are easier to follow than dialogue-heavy plays.

Best time of day to go?
Evening shows feel special, but matinees are usually cheaper and less crowded.

Final Thoughts ?

Broadway in 2026 has plenty of options. Some are great. Some are just well known.

If you want the safest bet, go with something that consistently makes people happy — Hamilton is still that show for most visitors. If you’d rather have something lighter and more playful, &Juliet or Death Becomes Her are strong picks this year.

Book early if your dates are fixed. Don’t overpay for seats you don’t need. And don’t assume the most famous title is automatically the best one for you.

Pick the show that fits your trip, not the one with the loudest marketing.

That’s usually when Broadway feels worth it.