Our customer service team is often asked, "What are the most popular shows playing?" Our answer is "it depends"; popularity can change over time as new shows emerge and audience tastes evolve. Some people enjoy musicals, some prefer plays, and some are looking for the best kid-friendly shows.
However, Broadway does have a long-standing tradition of reporting just how much each show sells every week. Below is a list of the "literal" best-selling shows by category.
Pro tip: Shows play in small, medium, and large Broadway theaters that physically hold different amounts of patrons. Consider that when comparing a large musical playing in an 1,800-seat theater to a small play housed in an 850-seat theater.
Overall Best Selling Shows on Broadway
Broadway's best-selling productions have attracted large global audiences due to their high-quality performances and production values. When we refer to "best-selling" Broadway shows, we mean those productions that have sold the highest number of tickets, indicating their immense popularity and appeal. Below are the results based on gross sales for the performance week ending October 4, 2026.
Best Selling Musicals on Broadway
"Best-selling" Broadway musicals refer to those shows that have achieved the highest ticket sales, showcasing their widespread popularity and the enduring appeal of their music and storytelling. Below are the results based on gross sales for the performance week ending October 4, 2026.
Best Selling Plays on Broadway
"Best-selling" Broadway plays, refers to those shows whose dramatic productions that have drawn the largest audiences, as evidenced by their highest ticket sales, reflecting their widespread acclaim and popularity. Below are results based on gross sales for the performance week ending October 4, 2026.
| SHOW | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Other Desert Cities |
| 2 | Harry Potter and the Cursed Child |
| 3 | Oh, Mary! |
| 4 | Paranormal Activity |
| 5 | 860 |
| 6 | Stranger Things: The First Shadow |
| 7 | The Imaginary Invalid |
| 8 | School Girls; Or, The African Mean Girls Play |
Best Selling Kid-Friendly Shows on Broadway
"Best-selling" kid-friendly Broadway shows are those productions that have sold the most tickets in this category, indicating their success in capturing the imaginations of children and their families, and reinforcing Broadway's broad appeal to audiences of all ages. Below are the results based on gross sales for the performance week ending October 4, 2026.
| SHOW | |
|---|---|
| 1 | Harry Potter and the Cursed Child |
| 2 | MJ The Musical |
| 3 | The Lion King |
| 4 | Wicked |
| 5 | Aladdin |
| 6 | Operation Mincemeat |
| 7 | Maybe Happy Ending |
| 8 | Six |
