The 5 Best London Musicals You Must See in 2025

London’s "Theatreland," centered around the West End and expanding into areas like the Southbank and Victoria, is arguably the musical theatre capital of the world, rivalling only Broadway. A show is the centrepiece of any visit to the UK capital, though if you are looking for ideas on how to spend the rest of your time in the city, be sure to check out this City Guide London.

The tradition here is deep. You can see shows in gilt-edged Victorian playhouses that have stood for 150 years, or in state-of-the-art modern venues. What makes the London scene currently so vibrant is the blend of the historic and the new. You can still catch the mega-musicals of the 1980s that defined the genre, but alongside them are scrappy, brilliant new British musicals that started in tiny fringe venues and conquered the mainstream.

Whether you want high-kicking spectacles, sung-through historical epics, or sidesplitting comedy, London has a stage waiting for you right now.

Les Misérables in London hits the heart every single time.

Here are the 5 best musical shows currently playing in London (as of autumn 2024).

1. Hamilton

Since it arrived from Broadway, Hamilton has remained the hottest ticket in town. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s masterpiece completely rewrote the rules of musical theatre.

It tells the story of founding father Alexander Hamilton, an immigrant from the Caribbean who became George Washington's right-hand man. The brilliance lies in how the story is told: through a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and classic Broadway, performed by a cast that reflects the world we live in today. It is energetic, lyrically dense, intellectually stimulating, and profoundly moving. It is not just a show; it is a cultural event that lives up to every bit of the hype.

• Venue: Victoria Palace Theatre

• Approximate Price: Tickets range from £25 (restricted view/standing) up to £250+ for premium seats. A good standard seat usually falls in the £80–£130 range. Note: They run a daily lottery for £10 tickets on their app.

• Official Website: hamiltonmusical.com/london

2. Operation Mincemeat

If you want to see the best new British musical of the decade, this is it. Operation Mincemeat is the Cinderella story of the West End. It started in tiny fringe theatres, gained a cult following, received 65 five-star reviews, and finally transferred to the West End where it won the 2024 Olivier Award for Best New Musical.

It tells the unbelievably true story of a secret WWII mission where British intelligence tried to trick Hitler by dressing up a corpse as a pilot carrying fake invasion plans. Despite the macabre premise, it is hysterical, fast-paced, witty, and surprisingly poignant. It is performed by a tiny, incredibly talented cast playing multiple roles. It is a masterclass in musical comedy.

• Venue: Fortune Theatre

• Approximate Price: Tickets generally range from £39.50 to £99, depending on the day of the week and seat location.

• Official Website: operationmincemeat.com

3. Les Misérables

You cannot talk about London musicals without talking about "Les Mis." It is the world’s longest-running musical, having played in London since 1985.

Based on Victor Hugo's classic novel, this is an epic saga of passion, redemption, and revolution in 19th-century France. It is a "sung-through" pop opera featuring some of the most iconic songs in theatre history, including "I Dreamed a Dream," "Bring Him Home," and "Do You Hear the People Sing?" The current production at the Sondheim Theatre is a modernized version of the original, featuring spectacular staging and a massive, rotating barricade. It remains a powerful, emotional gut-punch of a show.

• Venue: Sondheim Theatre

• Approximate Price: Tickets start around £30 for upper circle seats, with prime stalls seats averaging around £85–£130.

• Official Website: lesmis.com/london

4. Guys & Dolls (The Immersive Production)

There are many classic revivals in London, but none are quite like this. Nicholas Hytner’s production at the Bridge Theatre has completely transformed how audiences experience this Golden Age classic.

The Bridge Theatre has been reconfigured so that the seating wraps around the stage. However, the best way to experience it is with a "standing ticket." The stage consists of platforms that rise and fall, moving around the standing audience, placing you right in the middle of the bustling streets of New York and the hot Havana nights. It is an adrenaline rush of energy, featuring incredible choreography and timeless songs like "Luck Be a Lady." It is the most fun you can currently have in a London theatre.

• Venue: Bridge Theatre

• Approximate Price: Immersive standing tickets are usually £25–£39.50. Seated tickets range from £35 to £125.

• Official Website: bridgetheatre.co.uk/whats-on/guys-and-dolls

5. Disney's The Lion King

For pure spectacle and family entertainment, The Lion King remains unbeaten. Having celebrated over 20 years in London, it is far more than just a copy of the animated film.

Director Julie Taymor's visionary use of masks, life-sized puppetry, and African rhythms transforms the Lyceum Theatre into the Serengeti plains. The opening sequence, "Circle of Life," as giraffes stride down the aisles and birds soar overhead, is one of the most breathtaking moments in theatrical history. Combined with Elton John and Tim Rice’s beloved score, it is a visual feast that captivates children and adults alike.

• Venue: Lyceum Theatre

• Approximate Price: Prices can start as low as £35, but expect to pay closer to £80–£150 for good seats on weekends or during school holidays.

• Official Website: thelionking.co.uk

  
  

Please note: Ticket prices in London are dynamic and fluctuate significantly based on demand, time of year, day of the week and where you buy them. Always try to book through official theatre websites or members of STAR (Society of Ticket Agents and Retailers) to avoid inflated prices.