20 Top Musicals From The 2010s

1. Wicked

Starting off our stage productions is the retelling of The Wizard of Oz, we have another triple-adaptation! Wicked is a stage adaptation of the 1995 Gregory Maguire novel of the same name, which is an adaptation of the 1900 L Frank Baum novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.

Originally released in 2003, this stage production was popular enough to have several tours. In 2013 and 2017, Wicked toured the United Kingdom and Ireland. These tours were sandwiched by a 2009 United States tour and multiple international productions.

Considered one of Broadway’s most popular shows, Wicked is one of the most well-known productions. Whether you’re watching out of a love for Oz or rooting for the witch, this production is a great story of sisterhood.

2. Chicago

Chicago is a timeless classic that first hit the stage in 1975. Set in jazz-age Chicago, the production is based on a fictional 1926 play of the same name. The original production ran for more than 900 shows over two years and was adapted several times.

One of the most popular revivals of the show was the 2018 West End revival. This play-within-a-play follows a murder mystery, a crime story, and several more story threads that all come together.

If you’re looking for a legendary story, Chicago is a boundary-pushing play that you can’t skip.

3. Hamilton

Hamilton is one of the plays that everyone knows. Released in 2015, this historical play brought new attention to the Founding Fathers through a lens that nobody had ever thought of.

Written and directed by Lin-Manuel Miranda, the musical brings singing, rapping, and more. Based on two acts of Alexander Hamilton’s life, Miranda refers to the story as “America then, as told by America now.”

Winning a record-breaking 16 nominations, 11 awards, and a Pulitzer Prize, Hamilton is a force of nature. The 2010s saw so much success for the musical that it was translated into German for a 2022 show. If you’re enjoying musical theater, you can’t miss out on Hamilton.

Hamilton has gone on several world tours. Since 2015, they’ve played Broadway, North America, West End, Hamburg, and Manila. 2018 and 2019 saw two more North American tours. If you prefer to watch on television, Disney+ also presents a recorded version of the play.

4. Misery

Not all musical adaptations are fun romps through lovely, heartwarming songs. One adaptation brings horror to the theater stage. Another triple-adaptation, this 2012 musical adapts the 1990 film Misery, based on Stephen King’s 1987 novel of the same name.

Misery follows the story of a novelist that has an automobile accident in a secluded area. Saved by a local woman, Annie Wilkes, novelist Paul Sheldon finds himself captive by his savior and fan.

There are several twists to this gruesome story, and the adaptation does them phenomenal justice. We won’t spoil the story for you, but you should do your best to get in the seats for this show’s production!

5. Dear Evan Hansen

Dear Evan Hansen recently had a 2021 film adaptation that didn’t receive the best reviews. But the 2015 theatrical production that made the story famous is still popular and well-loved.

Dear Evan Hansen follows the story of a bullied teenager whose bully takes their life. In the aftermath, Evan lies to take advantage of the tragedy and garner the sympathy of others. Throughout the story, his lies continue to pile up to a breaking point after becoming close to his late bully’s family.

With a moral gray area that’s difficult to grasp and iconic songs, this stage production has become iconic. While some write the stage production off after only seeing the film, we wholeheartedly endorse the fantastic stage production.

6. School of Rock

School of Rock is a musical production based on the famous mid-2000s movie of the same name. Bringing the renowned Andrew Lloyd Webber, this musical follows out-of-work singer Dewey Finn.

Impersonating a substitute teacher for a local school, Dewey realizes that his students all have musical talent. Noting this, he forms them into a band to win an upcoming Battle of the Bands contest.

Having earned a quick audience from fans of the original movie, School of Rock opened to solid reviews. Premiering on Broadway before moving to a West End production and a North American tour, School of Rock was as popular in the 2010s as it was in the 2000s.

7. Hadestown

Hadestown originally premiered in 2006 in Vermont with a reception that led the musical’s creator, Anais Mitchell, to pivot to a concept album. Releasing this album in 2010, Mitchell would later meet director Rachel Chavkin who helped them rework the stage production.

This new version of the musical premiered Off-Broadway in 2016 to incredible acclaim. Moving from New York to Edmonton, London, and Broadway properly, Hadestown amassed an enormous following.

Telling the story of Orpheus and Eurydice, Hadestown’s Broadway production received numerous awards. By the end of the 73rd Tony Awards, Hadestown had received 14 nominations and won eight.

8. Heathers

Based on the 1989 film of the same name, Heathers tells the story of Westerberg High School’s vicious social hierarchy. Following several characters named Heather, the story tackles bullying, suicide, violence, and sexual assault through the lens of black comedy.

With a 2009 Workshop premier, Heathers had a lengthy run in American theaters. From a 2010 New York concert to Los Angeles in 2013, 2014 Off-Broadway, and 2018 Off-West End and West End, the 2010s ended with a trip to Brazil in 2019.

Heathers continues to see enormous success. Still one of the 2020s most popular productions, Heathers is an icon of the 2010s that you can’t go without seeing.

9. Frozen Live

The 2013 animated Disney film Frozen is one of the most well-known movies of the last decade. Frozen received such phenomenal attention that Disney chose to develop a Broadway stage show.

Following the movie’s plot, Frozen looks at the princesses Elsa and Anna. Elsa’s magical powers lead her to freeze everything around her uncontrollably. Eventually leading to almost killing Anna, Elsa tries to live in seclusion before coming to terms with the need to face her powers.

Frozen opened on Broadway in 2018 after a 2017 tryout show in Denver. 2019 showed a successful US Tour, but COVID-19 forced the show to postpone in March 2020. As of 2021, the show continued for a 2021 West End production.

10. Moulin Rouge!

The 2001 film Moulin Rouge, is usually stylized as Moulin Rouge! opened to widespread acclaim. By the time the film was taking over movie theaters, 2002 was filled with rumors of a stage musical. The scene remained quiet until the musical was announced in 2016.

Moulin Rouge! is set in 20th-century Paris, telling the story of a young composer. Falling in love with a cabaret actress, the musical takes a jukebox form. The musical would have productions in Boston and Broadway to see out the 2010s. More shows continued in the 2020s, with the production having netted 10 awards at the 74th Tony Awards.

Best Musicals From The 2010s, Final Thoughts

Whether you prefer the big screen or the stages of Broadway, these musicals are a great place to get started. If you aren’t a fan of musicals, we suggest any of the productions from our two lists here! You can get a great look at history with these 2010 productions.

For more lists about music you can’t miss out on, be sure to browse the rest of our site.