Current West End Hits Climb List Of All-Time Longest-Running Shows

The latest West End top 20 lists reveal fresh movement among London’s longest-running shows, with currently running productions continuing to reshape theatre history. 

Current productions dominate both lists, with Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera, Mamma Mia!, Disney’s The Lion King, Wicked, Matilda The Musical and The Book of Mormon all extending their runs and strengthening their places in West End history. 

Les Misérables remains the West End’s longest-running musical with more than 16,189 performances, ahead of Phantom of the Opera, who recently celebrated their 40^th year, on more than 15,897. Mamma Mia! remains third, while Disney’s The Lion King has moved from fifth to fourth after overtaking the now-closed Blood Brothers. 

Further down the musicals list, Wicked has climbed from eighth to seventh, passing Starlight Express, while Matilda The Musical has risen from eleventh to tenth. The Book of Mormon has made one of the biggest moves, rising from sixteenth to twelfth after adding more than 650 performances since the 2025 list. 

In the overall longest-running West End productions list, The Mousetrap remains well ahead with over 30,642 performances. The Play That Goes Wrong enters the top 20 for the first time with more than 4,000 performances. 

Hamilton and Six are also closing in on the musicals top 20. Hamilton, currently running at the Victoria Palace Theatre, has reached more than 2,991 performances, while Six has reached more than 2,830. Both are close to overtaking Evita and are likely to enter the list next year if their current runs continue. 

The figures underline the strength of long-running West End productions, with landmark musicals, family favourites and hit plays continuing to attract audiences year after year. 

SOLT & UK Theatre Co-CEO Claire Walker said: 

“These updated lists are a powerful reminder of the enduring strength of the West End. From landmark musicals to newer hits climbing the rankings, London theatre continues to combine world-class creativity with remarkable staying power. These long-running productions reflect the talent, ambition and resilience of the sector, and the audiences from across the UK and the world to and who return year after year to experience the best of live performance.” 

2026 – The top 20 longest-running musicals in West End history 

1. Les Misérables (running since 1985) – Over 16,189 performances 

2. Phantom of the Opera (running since 1986) – Over 15,897 performances 

3. Mamma Mia! (running since 1999) – Over 10,865 performances 

4. Disney’s The Lion King (running since 1999) – Over 10,622 performances 

5. Blood Brothers (1988 production, now closed) – 10,013 performances 

6. Cats (1981 production, now closed) – 8,949 performances 

7. Wicked (running since 2006) – Over 7,720 performances 

8. Starlight Express (1984 production, now closed) – 7,406 performances 

9. Chicago (1997 revival, now closed) – 6,187 performances 

10. Matilda The Musical (running since 2011) – Over 5,555 performances 

11. Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (1989 production, now closed) – 5,140 performances 

12. The Book Of Mormon (running since 2013) – Over 4,890 performances 

13. We Will Rock You (2002 production, now closed) – 4,659 performances 

14. Thriller Live (2009 production, now closed) – 4,657 performances 

15. Billy Elliot The Musical (2005 production, now closed) – 4,566 performances 

16. Miss Saigon (1989 production, now closed) – 4,264 performances 

17. Jersey Boys (2008 production, now closed) – 3,787 performances 

18. Jesus Christ Superstar (1972 production, now closed) – 3,357 performances 

19. Me and My Girl (1985 revival, now closed) – 3,303 performances 

20. Evita (1978 production, now closed) – 2,900 performances 

All numbers accurate for end of July 2026 

Long-running current Musicals that are near to joining the top 20 

Hamilton (running since 2017) – Over 2,991 performances 

Six (running since 2019) – Over 2,830 performances 

All numbers accurate for end of July 2026 

July 2026: The top 20 longest-running productions in West End history 

1. The Mousetrap (running since 1952) – Over 30,642 performances 

2. Les Misérables (running since 1985) – Over 16,189 performances 

3. Phantom of the Opera (running since 1986) – Over 15,897 performances 

4. The Woman in Black (1989 production, now closed) – 13,232 performances 

5. Mamma Mia! (running since 1999) – Over 10,865 performances 

6. Disney’s The Lion King (running since 1999) – Over 10,622 performances 

7. Blood Brothers (1988 production, now closed) – 10,013 performances 

8. Cats (1981 production, now closed) – 8,949 performances 

9. Wicked (running since 2006) – Over 7,720 performances 

10. Starlight Express (1984 production, now closed) – 7,406 performances 

11. No Sex Please, We’re British (1971 production, now closed) – 6,761 performances 

12. Stomp (2002 production, now closed) – 6,512 performances 

13. Chicago (1997 revival, now closed) – 6,187 performances 

14. Matilda The Musical (running since 2011) – Over 5,555 performances 

15. Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (1989 production, now closed) – 5,140 performances 

16. The Book Of Mormon (running since 2013) – Over 4,890 performances 

17. We Will Rock You (2002 production, now closed) – 4,659 performances 

18. Thriller Live (running since 2009, now closed) – over 4,613 performances 

19. Billy Elliot The Musical (2005 production, now closed) – 4,566 performances 

20. The Play That Goes Wrong (running since 2014) – Over 4,489 performances 

All numbers accurate for end of July 2026