Matinee’s Top 40 Greatest Shows of 2025 29-20

December 31, 2025

29. Back to the Future

Still playing at the Adelphi Theatre in London while wrapping up its Broadway run, the show continued to impress with its technical wizardry and high-energy cast performances.

28. Kiss of the Spider Woman

This critically acclaimed big screen revival starring J-Lo has been praised for lush visuals, emotional intensity and vocal strength. We’re still waiting for it to be released in the UK though!

27. Merrily We Roll Along

Following its Tony winning Broadway revival, the show reached new audiences through cinema screenings, further cementing Jonathan Groff, Daniel Radcliffe and Lindsay Mendez’s celebrated performances.

26. Burlesque

Starring Todrick Hall and featuring songs by Christina Aguilera and Sia, this West End premiere leaned hard into star power, glamour and high-impact choreography.

25. I Wish My Life Were Like a Musical

After five-star reviews, this original British musical toured successfully before setting its sights on another Edinburgh Festival Fringe residency in 2025.

= 24. Chess

The best thing about this 2025 Broadway Revival with Aaron Tveit, Nicholas Christopher and Lea Michele is how the cast have breathed new life into the soaring anthems

= 24. Choir of Man

It may be leaving the West End in early 2026 bit hopefully not for long and we also have a UK tour to look forward to!

23. Moulin Rouge!

Still dazzling audiences at the Piccadilly Theatre, with Broadway continuing its run, and an acclaimed UK tour, the show’s rotating casts ensured star quality on both sides of the Atlantic.

22. Here and Now – The Steps Musical

Playing to packed houses on tour, the show’s appeal lay in its nostalgic casting and the sheer joy audiences took in hearing Steps’ biggest hits live on stage.

21. MJ the Musical

After storming Broadway, MJ became a West End smash, with its lead actor delivering a physically demanding performance that drew nightly standing ovations.