List of highest-grossing musical theatre productions

Last updated

The following is a list of highest-grossing musical theatre productions on Broadway, the highest-grossing musical theatre franchises globally, and the highest theatre admissions at the box office globally.

Contents

Highest-grossing Broadway musical theatre productions

The following is a list of the top 25 highest-grossing Broadway musicals since 1982, based on data collected by the Broadway League. These grosses do not take into account the effects of inflation and as such the list is heavily skewed in favor of more recent Broadway shows. Moreover, the Broadway League did not begin collecting gross data until June 1984. [1] Hence, accurate pre-1984 gross data is not available and this list should not be considered accurate for musicals that premiered on Broadway before that year.

The Lion King sits at the top, with a Broadway gross of $2 billion.

Dates refer to original Broadway productions, with notes added for future productions that outran the Broadway run.

  † Background shading indicates shows running in the week commencing 31 January 2025 in Broadway theatres.
Broadway revenue (since 1982)
RankMusicalOriginal productionRevivalsNumber of performancesGross revenue (US$)Ref.
Debut yearClosing yearNo. of performances
1 The Lion King †1997Present10,715—TBD$2,038,933,155 [2] [3]
2 Wicked †2003Present8,241—TBD$1,701,564,634 [4]
3 The Phantom of the Opera 1988202313,981—13,981$1,364,632,622 [5]
4 Hamilton †2015Present3,317—TBD$1,006,356,674 [6]
5 The Book of Mormon †2011Present5,103—TBD$825,249,705 [7]
6 Chicago †1975197711,0891996–PresentTBD$800,188,139 [8]
7 Aladdin †2014Present3,876—TBD$689,329,909 [9]
8 Mamma Mia! 200120155,758—5,758$624,391,693 [10]
9 Jersey Boys 200520174,642—4,462$558,416,092 [11]
10 Les Misérables 198720036,6802006; 2014–20168,167$514,794,489 [a]
11 Cats 198220007,4852016–20178,078$453,624,091 [b] [c]
12 Beauty and the Beast 199420075,461—5,461$429,158,458 [16]
13 Miss Saigon 199120014,09220174,475$322,103,948 [17]
14 Kinky Boots 201320192,505—2,505$318,990,092 [18]
15 Mary Poppins 200620132,619—2,619$294,558,648 [19]
16 Moulin Rouge! The Musical †2019Present1,641—TBD$294,528,525 [20]
17 The Producers 200120072,502—2,502$288,361,724 [8]
18 Rent 199620085,123—5,123$274,248,128
19 Beautiful: The Carole King Musical 201420192,418—2,418$270,623,922 [21]
20 Dear Evan Hansen 201620221,669—1,669$270,272,357
21 Hairspray 200220092,642—2,642$252,181,270
22 MJ the Musical †2022Present1,254—TBD$246,764,865 [22]
23 Spider-Man: Turn Off the Dark 201120141,066—1,066$212,406,040 [8]
24 Hadestown †2019Present1,772—TBD$211,904,928
25 The Music Man 195719611,3752000-2001; 2021-20232,447$206,161,177 [23]

Highest-grossing musical theatre franchises

The following is a list of the top 10 highest-grossing musical theatre franchises worldwide based on limited available data. The following figures include revenue grossed from ticket sales in theatres across the world. [24] [25]

Note that the following gross figures are nominal, not adjusted for inflation, and do not take into account rising ticket prices. As such, the list gives far more weight to more recent musicals.

The Lion King sits at the top, with a gross of $8.2 billion worldwide.

Worldwide revenue
RankMusicalDebut yearGross revenue (US$)Ref.
1 The Lion King 1997$8,251,556,700 [d] [e]
2 The Phantom of the Opera 1986$6,060,000,000 [d] [f]
3 Wicked 2003$5,000,000,000+ [g]
4 Mamma Mia! 1999$4,000,000,000 [26]
5 Cats 1981$3,565,624,091 [h] [i]
6 Les Misérables 1980$2,708,535,588 [j] [k]
7 Miss Saigon 1989$1,636,259,976 [j] [l]
8 Jersey Boys 2004$1,644,848,098 [j] [m]
9 Beauty and the Beast 1993$1,600,000,000 [j] [24]
10 Starlight Express 1984$1,200,000,000 [j]

Box office admissions (ticket sales)

The following is a list of the musical theatre franchises with the highest theatre admissions. The list includes worldwide ticket sales as well as Broadway ticket sales since 1984. Shows must have sold more than 1 million tickets.

The Broadway League did not begin collecting admissions data until June 1984. [1] Hence, pre-1984 Broadway admissions data is not available and the Broadway figures should not be considered accurate for musicals that premiered on Broadway before that year.

  † Background shading indicates shows running in the week commencing 31 January 2025 in Broadway theatres.
MusicalDebut yearWorldwide ticket salesBroadway ticket sales [29] [n]
The Phantom of the Opera 1988130,000,000 [30] 18,000,000
The Lion King †1997100,000,000 [31] 15,000,000
Cats 198273,000,000 [32] 9,333,667 [n]
Les Misérables 198770,000,000 [33] 10,600,947
Mamma Mia! 200165,000,000 [34] 7,566,124
Wicked †200355,000,000 [35] 11,000,000
Beauty and the Beast 199435,000,000 [36] 7,609,397
Miss Saigon 199135,000,000 [37] 6,584,913
Chicago †197531,000,000 [38] 9,000,000 [n]
Jersey Boys 200525,000,000 [39] 5,150,298
Starlight Express 198425,000,000 [40] 1,153,702

See also

Notes

  1. ↑ Les Misérables Broadway revenue:
    • 1987 to 2003 – $406,258,901 [12]
    • 2006, 2014 to 2016 – $108,535,588 [13]
  2. ↑ Accurate pre-1984 grosses not available
  3. ↑ Cats Broadway revenue:
    • 1982 to 2000 – estimated at around $388,000,000 [14]
    • 2016 to 2017 – $65,624,091 [15]
  4. 1 2 Post-December 2017 non-Broadway grosses not included
  5. ↑ The Lion King musical theatre revenue:
    • Up until December 2017 – $8.1 billion [25]
    • January 2018 to June 23, 2019 – $151,556,700 [3]
  6. ↑ The Phantom of the Opera musical theatre revenue:
    • Up until December 18, 2017 – $6 billion [25]
    • December 25, 2017, to January 20, 2019 – $61,015,427 [5]
  7. ↑ Wicked revenue: By expanding its reach beyond Broadway, “Wicked” has been seen by nearly 65 million people worldwide and has amassed over $5 billion in global sales. https://variety.com/2023/legit/news/wicked-fourth-longest-running-show-broadway-history-1235575464/
  8. ↑ Post-2012 non-Broadway grosses not included
  9. ↑ Cats worldwide revenue:
  10. 1 2 3 4 5 Post-May-2013 non-Broadway grosses not included
  11. ↑ Les Misérables musical theatre revenue:
    • Up until 2013 – $2.6 billion [24]
    • 2014–2016 – $108,535,588 [13]
  12. ↑ Miss Saigon revenue:
    • Up until 2013 – $1.6 billion [24]
    • 2017–2018 – $36,259,976 [28]
  13. ↑ Jersey Boys revenue:
    • Up until May 3, 2013 – $1.5 billion [24]
    • May 6, 2013, to January 2017 – $144,848,098 [11]
  14. 1 2 3 Pre-1984 admissions not available

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cameron Mackintosh</span> British theatre and musical producer (born 1946)

Sir Cameron Anthony Mackintosh is a British theatrical producer and theatre owner notable for his association with many commercially successful musicals. At the height of his success in 1990, he was described as being "the most successful, influential and powerful theatrical producer in the world" by the New York Times. He is the producer of shows including Les Misérables, The Phantom of the Opera, Cats, Miss Saigon, Mary Poppins, Oliver!, and Hamilton.

Alain Boublil is a French national musical theatre lyricist and librettist, best known for his collaborations with the composer Claude-Michel Schönberg for musicals on Broadway and London's West End. These include La Révolution Française (1973), Les Misérables (1980), Miss Saigon (1989), Martin Guerre (1996), The Pirate Queen (2006), and Marguerite (2008).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Claude-Michel Schönberg</span> French musical theatre composer (born 1944)

Claude-Michel Schönberg is a French record producer, actor, singer, songwriter, and musical theatre composer, best known for his collaborations with lyricist Alain Boublil. Major works include La Révolution Française (1973), Les Misérables (1980), Miss Saigon (1989), Martin Guerre (1996), The Pirate Queen (2006), and Marguerite (2008).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Princess of Wales Theatre</span> Toronto, Ontario Theatre

The Princess of Wales Theatre is a 2,000-seat live theatre in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. It is located on King Street West, in Toronto's downtown Entertainment District. The theatre's name has a triple meaning: it honours Diana, Princess of Wales, with whose consent the theatre was named; it links the building to its sister theatre, the Royal Alexandra, one block to the east, also named – with Royal assent – for a former Princess of Wales; and it recalls the Princess Theatre, Toronto's first "first-class legitimate" playhouse, that stood three blocks to the east until 1931.

<i>Wicked</i> (musical) 2003 musical by Stephen Schwartz

Wicked is a musical with music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz and a book by Winnie Holzman. It is a loose adaptation of the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel Wicked: The Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, which in turn is based on L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and its 1939 film adaptation. The musical is told from the perspective of two witches, Elphaba and Glinda, before and after Dorothy's arrival in Oz. The story explores the complex friendship between Elphaba and Galinda. Their relationship is tested by their contrasting personalities, conflicting viewpoints, shared love interest, reactions to the corrupt rule of the Wizard of Oz, and ultimately, Elphaba's tragic fate at the accidental hands of Dorothy Gale.

<i>The Lion King</i> (musical) Musical

The Lion King is a stage musical with music by Elton John, lyrics by Tim Rice, and a book by Roger Allers and Irene Mecchi, with additional music and lyrics by Lebo M, Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor, and Hans Zimmer. It is based on the 1994 Walt Disney Animation Studios' film of the same name. Directed by Taymor, the musical features actors in animal costumes as well as giant, hollow puppets. The show is produced by Disney Theatrical Productions.

Shiki Theatre Company is one of Japan's best-known and largest theatre companies. Shiki Theatre Company employs around 1,400 actors and staff, and stages more than 3,000 performances to around 3 million audience members a year. It operates seven theaters for their exclusive use. Every year, five or six of the company's productions go on tour. It is one of the largest theatrical companies in the world.

Joanna Ampil is a musical theatre and film actress from the Philippines and United Kingdom.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Norm Lewis</span> American actor, singer (born 1963)

Norm Lewis is an American actor and baritone singer. He has appeared on Broadway and in London's West End, film, television, recordings and regional theatre. He is also noted for his wide vocal range. Lewis was the second African-American actor after Robert Guillaume to perform in the title role in Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera and the first one to do so in the Broadway production. In 2023, he reprised the role in the show's sequel, Love Never Dies, in the West End.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dianne Pilkington</span> English theatre actress and singer

Dianne Lesley Pilkington is an English theatre actress and singer.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Samantha Barks</span> Manx actress and singer

Samantha Jane Barks is a Manx actress and singer who rose to fame after placing third in the BBC talent show-themed television series I'd Do Anything in 2008. She has released three studio albums: Looking in Your Eyes (2007), Samantha Barks (2016), and Into the Unknown (2021).

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Katie Rose Clarke</span> American musical theater actress

Katherine "Katie" Rose Clarke is an American musical theater actress.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mirvish Productions</span> Canadian theatrical production company

Mirvish Productions, commonly known as Mirvish, is a Canadian theatrical production company, based in Toronto. Founded in 1986 by David Mirvish with his father, Ed Mirvish, it is the largest commercial theatre company in Canada. Mirvish Productions own and operate four theatres in the downtown Toronto area: the Royal Alexandra Theatre, Princess of Wales Theatre, Ed Mirvish Theatre, and the CAA Theatre.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Robin de Levita</span> Dutch theatre- and television producer (born 1959)

Robin de Levita is a Dutch theatre- and television producer, who produced shows on Broadway and West End and won several Tony Awards.

Anthony Lyn is a Welsh theatrical director and actor, originally from Swansea in South Wales. During his early life, he performed in numerous shows at the Grand Theatre in Swansea. As an actor he appeared in London's West End and toured nationally.

<i>MJ the Musical</i> Jukebox musical

MJ the Musical is a jukebox musical based on the life of the American entertainer Michael Jackson, focusing on his creative process prior to the Dangerous World Tour. It features Jackson's music, with a book by Lynn Nottage, and direction & choreography by Christopher Wheeldon.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Inside Broadway</span> Non-profit organization for childrens theatre

Inside Broadway is a non-profit performing arts education organization and children's theatre company based in Midtown Manhattan, New York.

References

  1. 1 2 "Research & Statistics: GROSSES – BROADWAY IN NYC". The Broadway League . Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  2. ↑ "THE LION KING Broadway Grosses". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  3. 1 2 "THE LION KING Broadway Grosses". Broadway World . Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  4. ↑ "WICKED Broadway Grosses". Broadway World. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  5. 1 2 "THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA Broadway Grosses". Broadway World . Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  6. ↑ "HAMILTON Broadway Grosses". Broadway World. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  7. ↑ "THE BOOK OF MORMON Broadway Grosses". Broadway World. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  8. 1 2 3 "CHICAGO Broadway Grosses". Broadway World . Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  9. ↑ "ALADDIN Broadway Grosses". Broadway World. Retrieved February 1, 2023.
  10. ↑ "MAMMA MIA Broadway Grosses". Broadway World. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  11. 1 2 "JERSEY BOYS Broadway Grosses". Broadway World. Retrieved January 22, 2019.
  12. ↑ "LES MISÉRABLES (ORIGINAL) Broadway Grosses". Broadway World. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  13. 1 2 "LES MISÉRABLES Broadway Grosses". Broadway World. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  14. ↑ Culwell-Block, Logan (April 6, 2018). "The Top 10 Highest-Grossing Broadway Shows of All Time". Playbill . Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  15. 1 2 "CATS Broadway Grosses". Broadway World. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  16. ↑ "BEAUTY AND THE BEAST Broadway Grosses". Broadway World. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  17. ↑ "MISS SAIGON Broadway Grosses". Broadway World. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  18. ↑ "KINKY BOOTS Broadway Grosses". Broadway World. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  19. ↑ "MARY POPPINS Broadway Grosses". Broadway World. Retrieved June 19, 2019.
  20. ↑ "'Moulin Rouge! The Musical (Broadway)'". Playbill.com. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  21. ↑ "'Beautiful: The Carole King Musical'". playbill.com. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  22. ↑ "MJ THE MUSICAL Broadway Grosses". www.broadwayworld.com. Retrieved May 8, 2024.
  23. ↑ "'The Music Man Broadway Gross'". broadwayworld.com. Retrieved July 5, 2023.
  24. 1 2 3 4 5 "Money, money, money" . The Economist . May 3, 2013. Archived (PDF) from the original on May 4, 2013. Retrieved February 3, 2021.
  25. 1 2 3 Seymour, Lee (December 18, 2017). "Over The Last 20 Years, Broadway's 'Lion King' Has Made More Money For Disney Than 'Star Wars'". Forbes .
  26. ↑ "Press Centre: Facts & Figures". Judy Craymer. Retrieved October 17, 2019.
  27. ↑ Riedel, Michael (November 21, 2012). "How 'Cats' was purrfected". New York Post . Retrieved July 22, 2019.
  28. ↑ "MISS SAIGON Broadway Grosses". Broadway World. Retrieved January 12, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Cumulative Broadway Grosses by Show (Seats Sold)". Broadway World . Retrieved June 22, 2019.
  30. ↑ "Phantom of the Opera Screening Earns Over £500,000 in the UK", BroadwayWorld.com, October 5, 2011
  31. ↑ "Disney's THE LION KING Announces Casting For UK And Ireland Tour". Broadway World . June 3, 2019. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  32. ↑ "About The Show". Cats the Musical • Official Website. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  33. ↑ "About The Show". Les Misérables Official Website. Cameron Mackintosh Limited . Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  34. ↑ "MAJOR NEW CAST CHANGES IN MAMMA MIA! FROM MONDAY 10 JUNE 2019 AT LONDON'S NOVELLO THEATRE". Delfont Mackintosh Theatres . May 1, 2019. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  35. ↑ "Wicked celebrates turning 12!". Official London Theatre. September 28, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  36. ↑ "Disney's Beauty & the Beast". Fox Theatre . Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  37. ↑ "MISS SAIGON: UK Tour". RawPR. Feast Creative. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  38. ↑ "CHICAGO THE MUSICAL set to razzle dazzle even longer in the West End". West End Wilma. March 20, 2018. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  39. ↑ Waters, Roz (March 25, 2019). "Award-winning Jersey Boys at Mayflower Theatre". The New Milton Advertiser and Lymington Times. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
  40. ↑ "Starlight Express". Lunchbox Theatrical Productions . June 5, 2013. Retrieved June 23, 2019.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.