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Broadway history

The longest-running Broadway shows

Longevity on Broadway is measured in performances, not years. The Phantom of the Opera holds the all-time record with 13,981 performances, and only five shows have ever passed 7,000. This list ranks the 40 longest runs, using counts for each show's Broadway production.

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Most of the list is musicals, but a few revues and plays break through: Oh! Calcutta! is the top revue at No. 8, and Life with Father is the top play at No. 20. Revivals count as their own runs here, so Chicago, Cabaret and Oh! Calcutta! appear under their 1996, 1998 and 1976 productions. Totals for open shows are current through November 1, 2026.

The 40 longest-running Broadway shows

Ranked by Broadway performances. 9 of them are still running, so their counts grow every week; these figures are as of November 2, 2026.

Longest-running Broadway shows by performances
#ShowPerformancesRun
1The Phantom of the OperaThe all-time record, set over 35 years at the Majestic Theatre.13,9811988-2023
2Chicago (1996 revival)Broadway's longest-running revival. Count is through Nov 1, 2026.11,8161996-now
3The Lion KingLongest-running original production still open. Count through Nov 1, 2026.11,4411997-now
4WickedPassed Cats in April 2023 for fourth place. Count through Nov 1, 2026.8,9792003-now
5CatsHeld the all-time record until Phantom passed it in January 2006.7,4851982-2000
6Les MisérablesOriginal Broadway run of the Boublil and Schönberg musical.6,6801987-2003
7A Chorus LineBroadway's record holder until Cats passed it in 1997.6,1371975-1990
8Oh! Calcutta! (1976 revival) (revue)Broadway's longest-running revue. The 1969 original, which began Off-Broadway, ran 1,314.5,9591976-1989
9The Book of MormonCount through Nov 1, 2026.5,8032011-now
10Mamma Mia!Built on the songs of ABBA.5,7582001-2015
11Beauty and the BeastDisney's first Broadway venture.5,4611994-2007
12RentJonathan Larson's rock musical ran just over 12 years.5,1231996-2008
13Jersey BoysThe story of the Four Seasons.4,6422005-2017
14AladdinCount through Nov 1, 2026.4,6052014-now
15Miss SaigonOriginal run. A revival followed in 2017.4,0921991-2001
16HamiltonCount through Nov 1, 2026.4,0452015-now
1742nd StreetOriginal run. A revival opened in 2001.3,4861980-1989
18GreaseHeld the long-run record before A Chorus Line.3,3881972-1980
19Fiddler on the RoofPassed Life with Father in 1972 to become Broadway's longest-running show.3,2421964-1972
20Life with Father (play)The longest-running Broadway play of all time.3,2241939-1947
21Tobacco Road (play)Based on Erskine Caldwell's novel. The first Broadway show to pass 3,000 performances.3,1821933-1941
22Hello, Dolly!Carol Channing originated the title role in this original run.2,8441964-1970
23Harry Potter and the Cursed Child (play)Longest-running play still open. Count through Nov 1, 2026.2,8122018-now
24My Fair LadyOriginal run of the Lerner and Loewe musical.2,7171956-1962
25HairsprayWinner of eight Tony Awards in 2003.2,6422002-2009
26Mary PoppinsA Disney and Cameron Mackintosh co-production.2,6192006-2013
27Avenue QLater moved Off-Broadway, where it kept running.2,5342003-2009
28HadestownCount through Nov 1, 2026.2,5162019-now
29Kinky BootsMusic and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper.2,5072013-2019
30The ProducersMel Brooks's stage version of his own film.2,5022001-2007
31Beautiful: The Carole King MusicalA jukebox musical built on Carole King's songs.2,4162014-2019
32AnnieTies with the 1998 Cabaret revival at 2,377 performances.2,3771977-1983
32Cabaret (1998 revival)Ties with Annie at 2,377. The 1966 original ran 1,165.2,3771998-2004
34Man of La ManchaOriginal run. Ties with Rock of Ages at 2,328.2,3281965-1971
34Rock of AgesA jukebox musical of 1980s rock. Ties with Man of La Mancha.2,3282009-2015
36Abie's Irish Rose (play)A 1920s comedy and the first Broadway show to reach 2,000 performances.2,3271922-1927
37Moulin Rouge!Closed Aug 30, 2026, at the Al Hirschfeld Theatre.2,2972019-2026
38Oklahoma!Original Rodgers and Hammerstein production.2,2121943-1948
39SixAnnounced to close Jan 3, 2027. Count through Nov 1, 2026.2,1052021-now
40Smokey Joe's Cafe (revue)Broadway's longest-running original revue, built on Leiber and Stoller songs.2,0361995-2000

Highlighted rows are still running on Broadway.

Long runs: common questions

What is the longest-running Broadway show?

The Phantom of the Opera is the longest-running show in Broadway history. It opened at the Majestic Theatre on January 26, 1988, and closed on April 16, 2023, after 13,981 performances. The next longest run still open is the 1996 revival of Chicago, with 11,816 performances through November 1, 2026.

What is the longest-running show still on Broadway?

The 1996 revival of Chicago is the longest-running show currently on Broadway, with 11,816 performances through November 1, 2026. The Lion King is close behind with 11,441 and is the longest-running original production still playing. Wicked, The Book of Mormon, Aladdin and Hamilton complete the open shows in the top 20.

How many performances did Phantom play?

The Phantom of the Opera played 13,981 performances on Broadway over more than 35 years. It passed Cats in January 2006 to become the longest-running show in Broadway history and held that spot through its final performance on April 16, 2023.

What is the longest-running play on Broadway?

Life with Father is the longest-running Broadway play, with 3,224 performances between November 8, 1939 and July 12, 1947. Tobacco Road is second with 3,182. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, with 2,812 performances through November 1, 2026, is the longest-running play still open.

Which shows have run longer than Cats on Broadway?

Four shows have passed the 7,485 performances of Cats: The Phantom of the Opera (13,981), the 1996 revival of Chicago (11,816), The Lion King (11,441) and Wicked (8,979, through November 1, 2026). Wicked passed Cats in April 2023. Cats itself ran from 1982 to 2000.

More Broadway history

See which of these won the top prize in our list of every Tony Award for Best Musical winner, or catch the long-running hits on the road with our Broadway tours map.

Try today's Broadway puzzle →
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