The Definitive Tier of Musicals, According to Me
Before we begin, I would just like to say a couple of things.
A) yes, this is what I do in my free time, and
B) this is a very, very long list.
This is not for the weak. Sure, you can skim over the image that I graciously made as a visual representation of this long rant, but I would appreciate if people stayed for the explanation to at least hear me out, because yes, I did put Hadestown in the D tier. I’d like to give some background for that choice.
So without further ado, here is my list:
Keep in mind, I have not seen all of these shows. These include soundtracks I’ve listened to, because the soundtrack is arguably the most important part of a show (sure, plot is up there too, but whatever).
Also, I’m going to rank the music, plot, and overall show out of ten for each one. Don’t count up the rankings because it’s all relative to the tier it’s in. If you aren’t sure what that means, I’ve set this little key up:
F tier: bad/I don’t like it
D tier: decent/average/I’d like it if I saw it/I saw it and it’s fine
C tier: good show/I like it quite a bit
B tier: really good/love the show
A tier: one of my favorites/went through a phase of obsession with this show
S tier: the best musicals in existence, hands down
I’m going to work my way up. So we’ll begin with the F tier.
#1 — The Music Man
I don’t think I’ll get a lot of hate for this one. My school did it my Freshman year and I saw it at a small theater in Idaho a few years back, so I’ve seen it a total of three times. And honestly… it’s just boring. It’s outdated, confusing, and while some of the songs are a lot of fun, it just doesn’t have what it takes to entertain me.
Music: 4/10
Plot: 2/10
Show: 3/10
#2 — Oklahoma!
This one I haven’t seen. However, between the articles I’ve read about it, clips I’ve seen, and songs I’ve listened to, it just isn’t interesting to me. Kind of has the same vibe as Carousel — a musical that isn’t even on this list because I despise it.
Music: 3/10
Plot: 3/10
Show: 3/10
#3 — King Kong
I saw this show on Broadway, and while I’m grateful that I was able to see it and want to give props to the actors in it (and the amazing puppet because… holy shit, that was cool) it just didn’t stay with me for very long after I left the theater. I remember during the opening number I felt giddy seeing the dancing and hearing the song play, but now I don’t even remember the song at all. And beyond being plain forgettable, the main character was annoying and (spoiler alert) the gorilla dies at the end, which sucks, because the gorilla was the only redeeming quality of this show.
Music: 3/10
Plot: 3/10
Show: 2/10 (because who woke up and decided, “let’s turn King Kong into a musical!”)
#4 — Shrek the Musical
I love Shrek. I like the show, the music is fun, the plot is exciting, and I used to watch the filmed version with Sutton Foster and Brian d’Arcy James constantly. So you may be wondering, “Nell. Why is this in F tier if you like it so much?”. It’s because I had a horrible Shrek the Musical experience. I played Fiona in the show in 8th grade. That was the beginning and end of my theater career. It was absolutely scarring. I was bad, and everyone knew it. I hated rehearsals, I think the boy who played Shrek hated me, and most of all, I hated that I had to wear fucking Shrek ears and green facepaint. Holy shit, it was a trash fire. So now I can never see the show again (or at least until it comes to 5th Avenue Theater next season, because everything there is good and we have season tickets).
Music: 6/10
Plot: 6/10
Show: 7/10
Now onto the D tier!
#1 — Aladdin
This show is in the D tier because it’s fun, it’s exciting, but you know, it’s Aladdin. We know the songs, we know the plot, it’s all been done. Great show, but still relatively average in the Broadway world.
Music: 8/10 (because it’s classic)
Plot: 7/10
Show: 6/10
#2 — You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown
This one is cute. It’s not an amazing show, but I really, really like the song “My New Philosophy” so, yeah.
Music: 5/10
Plot: 4/10
Show: 5/10
#3 — Anastasia
Obviously I haven’t seen the show, which is terrible, and I’m upset that it closed on Broadway, but I had to put this in D tier because I haven’t seen it. However, in my knowledge about the music and the cast, I love this show, and I know I’d love it if I saw it. The only thing that drags this down is that I have a problem with the plot because I read a book once about the Romanov family and so I’m aware how historically inaccurate this is, so it kind of yanks my chain a bit.
Music: 6/10
Plot: 4/10
Show: 5/10
#4 — Next To Normal
I like this show because the music is catchy and it had Aaron Tveit. Also, shows about mental health are really interesting. I have only seen a really shitty bootleg of this, but I think it might rank higher if I saw it live.
Music: 5/10
Plot: 5/10
Show: 5/10
#5 — Beetlejuice
sigh*. Yes. I put your beloved Beetlejuice on D tier. I haven’t seen it, okay?! And I’ll love it when I do. But I don’t love the music and the plot (at least according to Wikipedia) is super weird. It’s one of those things that I think I have to see live.
Music: 4/10
Plot: 4/10
Show: 8/10 (because the hype is way too high for it to be truly bad)
#6 — Beauty and the Beast
I love this show. It’s cute, it’s fun, it’s Beauty and the Beast. Though there’s a few things I don’t like. Not going to lie, I don’t like the song Belle sings, “Home” or whatever it’s called. And I don’t think the Broadway version has the song “Evermore” from the live-action film, which is like, the best song in the whole movie.
Music: 8/10
Plot: 8/10
Show: 8/10
#7 — The Lion King
Guys, I can’t lie. I’m not a huge fan of The Lion King. I know, I know, it’s soooo good. But you know, it’s just kind of average in my mind. Some of the songs are overplayed. But I like the stage version more than the original movie, so that’s something.
Music: 8/10
Plot: 4/10
Show: 7/10
#8 — Hadestown
I am going to get so roasted for this. But guys, calm down! I haven’t seen it. I know I’ll love it when I do. And honestly, it was too late and I’d already downloaded my rankings, but if I could, I might move this up to C tier. Because the music is SO good, the plot is SO cool, and I’ve just heard rave reviews about this show. Also, for the record, I was interested in this show before it was on Broadway and before Eva Noblezada was added to the cast. Mark my words: I’m going to be obsessed with this show when I finally see it.
Music: 8/10
Plot: 9/10
Show: 8/10
#9 — Be More Chill
I don’t have much to say about BMC, because I obviously haven’t seen it. I’ve heard good and bad things. I don’t love the music and there are rumors that it’s problematic. So here it is, on tier D. I’d probably enjoy it if I saw it, though. So I’m leaving this at almost completely 50/50 down in my rankings, because it’s all up to what the show is like onstage (which I have no knowledge of)
Music: 5/10
Plot: 5/10
Show: 5/10
#10 — Kinky Boots
Kinky Boots is really fun, and an interesting show. Only seen bits and pieces though, and it doesn’t seem to have any kind of fanbase (like, I’ve never heard anyone say “oh my god, Kinky Boots is my favorite musical”) so I’m guessing it’s kind of an average show. And the music isn’t amazing, in my opinion.
Music: 4/10
Plot: 5/10
Show: 5/10
#11–13
13TM, as it’s called online, is a really funny show, and not just because that’s where Ariana Grande started. It’s weird, it’s quirky, and some of the songs are really catchy. I haven’t seen it in quite a while, but I have heard songs on TikTok from it, and it kind of gave me flashbacks. All things considered, it’s a fun show and I’d like to see it again sometime.
Music: 5/10
Plot: 4/10
Show: 6/10
#12 — Wicked
I love Wicked, and it will always have a special place in my heart. It was the first professional show I saw (at the Paramount on the National Tour) and it’s great. I only put it in D tier because I don’t feel the need to see it again. It’s been years since I’ve seen it and that’s fine with me. I don’t feel the need to rewatch it, at least for a while. But overall, an amazing show that I highly recommend to anyone. After all, it got my family into theater.
Music: 8/10
Plot: 8/10
Show: 9/10
#13 — Seussical
My school is doing Seussical this year, and yeah, I’m excited. It’s a fun show with cute songs and a quirky plot. Definitely recommend.
Music: 7/10
Plot: 5/10
Show: 6/10
#14 — Annie
This has a spot in my heart since I saw it six (yes, six) times this year, when my little sister was in it at 5th Ave. It’s got great music, a cute plot, but some songs are so overplayed (and not even the best ones). It’s easy to tell what’s coming, but you know, it’s Annie. It’s classic, it’s adorable, and I love it.
Music: 7/10
Plot: 5/10
Show: 6/10
#15 — Frozen The Musical
Haven’t seen it (obviously) but I like the movie, and I’ve heard the musical is neat. So here it sits on D tier.
Music: 7/10
Plot: 7/10
Show: 5/10
#16 — The Rocky Horror Picture Show
This one is cool. The music is great and so fun, but… guys. The plot is just… really wack.
Music: 8/10
Plot: 3/10
Show: 4/10
#17 — Spongebob The Musical
Spongebob finally got his own musical, and it’s really cute. I saw a bootleg and you know, I enjoyed it. It’s fine, not great, not bad. It’s just an average show and I’m not surprised it closed, but it’s a little bit sad when any show closes on Broadway. But yeah, this one is really cute.
Music: 5/10
Plot: 4/10
Show: 4/10
#18 — Mean Girls
I’m not going to lie, I have a bootleg of this downloaded on my computer. This one was in between D and C tier for me, because when I first saw the boot, I loved it. I thought the show was so fun. And it is! It’s a lot of fun, it’s really high-energy, and some of the songs absolutely slap. But it just tried really hard to be “modern” and took away some of the best things from the movie — or milked them too hard. But yeah, I love this show, and if you want a boot, let me know.
Music: 6/10
Plot: 6/10
Show: 6/10
(Bonus! The cast is a 10/10 for me. They’re all so great!)
#19 — Annie Get Your Gun
The final musical on D tier! This one is a great show with good songs and a cute plot, but you know, it just isn’t C tier material and that’s all there is to it.
Music: 7/10
Plot: 5/10
Show: 6/10
Finally onto C tier!
#1 — Something Rotten
I have a bootleg of this show and it’s just a really funny, cool show. I like it a lot, so I placed it on the C tier :)
Music: 6/10
Plot: 7/10
Show: 7/10
#2 — Legally Blonde
Obviously nothing can top the movie, but this musical is one of the only movie-to-broadway adaptations besides Disney films and Mean Girls that I’ve enjoyed, because the musical is just so good. It’s genuine, it’s fun, it’s got great music, and it just does everything right.
Music: 8/10
Plot: 8/10
Show: 8/10
#3 — Phantom of the Opera
Phantom is a classic show, and if you want to know my feelings about the music, just listen to the overture and you’ll get the same feeling. The music is incredible. The plot isn’t amazing and I was never obsessed with this show, but it’s definitely C tier material.
Music: 9/10
Plot: 5/10
Show: 7/10
#4 — Once on This Island
This show has incredible music, a great plot, and is just a genuinely great, unique show. End of story.
Music: 8/10
Plot: 7/10
Show: 7/10
#5 — Spring Awakening
This is a really good show, but very heavy obviously. Good music, good show. I haven’t seen it live but I really want to.
Music: 7/10
Plot: 6/10
Show: 6/10
#6 — Falsettos
I love Falsettos. It’s super fun, it’s super sad, and I really, really want to see it live. Also, bonus for the amazing cast.
Music: 7/10
Plot: 7/10
Show: 7/10
#7 — Fun Home
I don’t have much commentary on Fun Home besides that it’s a good show that has a lot of heart and is refreshingly funny at times.
Music: 6/10
Plot: 7/10
Show: 6/10
#8 — Heathers
Heathers is hilarious, catchy, vulger, and just a great angsty musical that requires crazy talent to pull it off. My favorite production? The one they did in Riverdale, obviously.
(I’m kidding.)
Music: 7/10
Plot: 7/10
Show: 7/10
#9 — The Little Mermaid
I love, love, love TLM because it’s just an amazing show with great songs (and the songs that weren’t in the movie and are in the musical are still great) and I just really like mermaids so this show has it all!
Music: 9/10 (because it’s The Little Mermaid)
Plot: 7/10
Show: 8/10
B tier!
#1 — Waitress
What can I say about Waitress besides that it’s a crazy good show with great music and a lot of heart?
Music: 8/10
Plot: 7/10
Show: 7/10
#2 — Rent
This is obviously a classic and can be nowhere else but B tier. I love the music, it’s really sad but really good, and I cry every time I see it.
Music: 9/10
Plot: 7/10
Show: 8/10
#3 — A Chorus Line
This show is amazing. It has great music, stunning choreography, and one of those interesting plots similar to Come From Away (which, look at that, is also on C tier) where you get to hear from all the characters. I like this kind of show because it really reminds people that they aren’t alone — there’s always others around them who see the world differently and have their own fears, tastes, and unique qualities, which I find very interesting. It’s also super funny.
Music: 8/10
Plot: 6/10
Show: 7/10
#4 — Hairspray
Hairspray is so fucking fun and such a great show and when you hear the songs you just have to sing along. So obviously it’s up there on my list, because it’s just plain amazing.
Music: 8/10
Plot: 8/10
Show: 8/10
#5 — The Book of Mormon
This show is a lot of things: funny, mildly offensive, and… I suppose that’s it. It’s just a great show and absolutely hilarious.
Music: 8/10
Plot: 6/10
Show: 7/10
#6 — Come From Away
I already pretty much covered this one in #3 — the kind of show that makes you think about others and their experiences as well as your own, a show with a lot of parts that make you laugh and equally as many parts that make you cry.
Music: 6/10
Plot: 8/10
Show: 7/10
#7 — Chicago
No, I’m not talking about the song that Trina sang in Victorious, but close! This musical is incredible, not only because of the crazy dancing and great music, but because it’s actually based on the true story of some murderers in the 20’s who were freed from prison because they were pretty and pretended to be pregnant. Interesting, huh?
Music: 8/10
Plot: 7/10
Show: 8/10
A tier, we made it!
#1 — Into the Woods
Into the Woods is one of my all-time favorite shows, because it has incredible music and a great plot. It’s just such a genuinely fun, heartfelt show that there’s no way you can’t enjoy it. It’s exciting, funny, sad, beautiful, and has a ton of messages about love, found family, and losing people that make me cry.
Music: 9/10
Plot: 9/10
Show: 9/10
#2 — Mamma Mia
All I can say is that Sophie is every single girl’s dream role and there’s a reason: the reason being that this show absolutely slaps. I just want to live in a gorgeous Greek paradise and sing ABBA on the beach. Is that too much to ask?
Music: 9/10
Plot: 7/10
Show: 8/10
#3 — Sweeney Todd
I love Sweeney Todd. Not everyone does, and I can understand that. But in my opinion, the music is amazing, the plot keeps you hooked, and I really want to play Johanna, okay?
Music: 8/10
Plot: 7/10
Show: 7/10
#4 — Dear Evan Hansen
This show is incredible and deserves every award given to it. Amazing music, great message, and crazy good cast. It’s one of those small-cast shows that you expect to be really odd, but turns out to be great. I have yet to see this show live (thank god for bootlegs) but I love it.
Music: 9/10
Plot: 8/10
Show: 8/10
#5 — Hamilton
Yes, Hamilton has turned into this really played-out show because every new theater kid is into it before they move onto other shows that are just as good, but in my opinion, the show still slaps. It’s so, so creative, has amazing music, great choreography, and a plot that keeps you hooked, not to mention it makes you laugh and cry.
Music: 10/10
Plot: 9/10
Show: 9.5/10
Before we move onto the S tier, I want to review some honorable mentions/shows that weren’t on the tier list that I found.
#1 — The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee
This show is fun, quirky, and cute, and shares some of the qualities that I liked so much in A Chorus Line and Come from Away.
Placement: C tier
#2 — The Addams Family
My school did this show last year and I’ve always liked it because it’s catchy and fun. It’s hard to dislike a show like this.
Placement: C tier
#3 — Newsies
I went through a phase of absolute obsession with this show, and for good reason. It has great music, a good plot, amazing dancing, and it’s just great, okay? So even though my mind says no, my heart says yes, so I’m going to go ahead and place it in…
Placement: A tier. Sorry not sorry.
#4 — Urinetown
I really enjoy Urinetown. It’s funny, fresh, and just a really unique musical that I recommend to everyone. It’s really fast-paced and high-energy. I love it.
Placement: C tier
#5 — Miss Saigon
I was in awe that this show wasn’t on the premade list, because it’s really famous and also incredible. The music is amazing and has one of the best soundtracks in Broadway history. I love this show, even though some of the plotlines are a bit sexist and outdated.
Placement: B tier
#6 — In the Heights
This show is incredible, obviously, because of Lin-Manuel Miranda. I love it so much and can’t wait for the movie.
Placement: B tier
#7 — 21 Chump Street
Another crazy good Lin-Manuel Miranda show. It’s kind of odd to place on this list because it’s like, twenty minutes long, but it’s still amazing.
Placement: B tier
#8 — The Drowsy Chaperone
I hate this show.
Placement: F tier
#9 — Kiss Me, Kate
Cool. Funny. Good show. But not incredibly memorable.
Placement: D tier
#10 — The Hunchback of Notre Dame
I love, love, love this show. I think I liked the version I saw more than I usually would because most songs were signed (because the lead actor was deaf), and I thought that was really cool.
Placement: B tier
#11 — Billy Elliot
One of my favorite shows of all time. Funny, amazing dancing, lots of heart, good characters. I love, love, love this show. My sister even named her rabbit after the musical.
Placement: A tier
#12 — My Fair Lady
I love the music a lot, but I think the plot is kind of dumb and outdated.
Placement: D tier
#13 — Thoroughly Modern Millie
Good music and dancing, but it’s racist.
Placement: F tier
#14 — Singin’ In the Rain
One of my absolute favorite shows of all time. I love the music, dancing, and plot. Everything about the show is so good.
Placement: A tier
#15 — The Secret Garden
This show isn’t well known and I’m definitely biased because my sister was in it (twice) but I love this show with my entire heart and I wish it was more famous because it’s way underrated.
Placement: A tier
Okay, now onto S tier. This list is short.
#1 — West Side Story
I have strong feelings about West Side Story.
Let me just say something: a lot of people get bored with this show because it’s the plot of Romeo and Juliet and therefore we all know what’s coming (i.e. Riff and Bernardo’s deaths, and ultimately Tony’s death) but what makes up for the predictability of the show is the fact that it has some of the best fucking music on the planet.
You may not agree with me, but this soundtrack and the choreography sells it for me. I can never tire of WSS because of the music. Also, it’s just such a genuinely interesting show to me. If I didn’t like Romeo and Juliet I would like WSS a lot less. But I do. I think it’s romantic (obviously because it’s just fiction) and there’s no suicide in this show, which is good.
I love this show. It is my second favorite show in the world. So here it is on the S tier.
#2 — Les Misérables
This show is, hands down, the best show in history. You can’t argue with me. There is no possible way to tire from the plot or the music. I could listen to this soundtrack for the rest of my life on repeat and die happy. It’s so epic, so exciting, and is interlaced with such feeling and emotion… I can’t even begin to describe my love for this musical.
Am I biased because I was crew for Les Mis over the summer? Perhaps… but perhaps not. Because this has always been my favorite musical since I saw it and decided I wanted to be Éponine.
From the moment the orchestra starts… it’s absolutely magic. This show can make any theater-hater cry. I’ve seen it happen.
Les Mis is the best musical in the world, and no one can prove me wrong because it’s just fact.
So there you have it, a bunch of musicals, rated. If you made it through the article, congrats. I can’t imagine anyone who will actually read this whole thing.
