80 Best Musicals for High School – 2025

Move over, Our Town, and good night, A Midsummer Night. The past decade has seen an explosion of popularity of contemporary musicals– musicals written in the 1990s-2010s. That’s why for this year’s list of best musicals for high schools (check out our last blog post here), we’ve decided to focus on exclusively contemporary musicals, featuring modern classics, teen/ junior editions of contemporary musicals, ensemble contemporary musicals and, perhaps most excitingly, emerging and edgy titles written in the 21st century. Here’s to your high school showcasing your talents with some of the freshest productions!

Best Musicals for High School

We’ve organized our list of best high school musicals into the following tiers:

• Modern Classics
• Teen/Jr. Editions of Contemporary Hits
• Ensemble & Comedic Contemporary Picks
• Emerging and Edgy 21st Century Titles

1: Best Musicals for High School—Modern Classics 

1. Rent – Young New York artists face love, loss, and HIV in this gritty rock musical. • ~135 min • Large • MTI
2. Spring Awakening – Teens rebel against their repressive environment in a rock-driven adaptation. • ~120 min • Medium–Large • MTI
3. In the Heights – A vibrant Latino neighborhood fights to preserve its spirit amid change. • ~145 min • Medium–Large • Concord
4. Dear Evan Hansen – A high school lie spirals into a movement of belonging and empathy. • ~140 min • Medium–Large • Concord
5. Legally Blonde – Elle Woods redefines expectations as she conquers Harvard Law with charm. • ~110 min • Medium • Concord
6. Mean Girls (High School Version) – A teen navigates the toxic popularity of high school cliques. • ~120 min • Medium–Large • Concord
7. The Prom – Broadway stars unite to support a same‑sex prom in a conservative town. • ~120 min • Medium–Large • Concord
8. Heathers (Teen Edition) – Dark comedy exposes the deadly side of high school popularity wars. • ~120 min • Medium • MTI
9. Clue – A murder mystery full of witty suspects, set in a mansion gone wrong. • ~100 min • Medium • MTI
10. 13 – Preteens tackle the social pressures of middle school during a birthday crisis. • ~90 min • Medium • Concord
11. Zombie Prom – A resurrected boyfriend crashes prom in this comedic rock musical. • ~100 min • Medium • Concord
12. Next to Normal (School Edition) – A family confronts mental illness, loss, and the search for normalcy. • ~120 min • Medium • MTI
13. Newsies – Newsboys spark a strike to fight for fair treatment. • ~120 min • Large • MTI
14. Footloose – Teens stand up to a dancing ban in this energetic feel-good musical. • ~120 min • Medium–Large • Concord
15. Les Misérables: School Edition – Revolution and redemption course through this epic tale. • ~150 min • Medium–Large • MTI
16. Sweeney Todd: School Edition – A barber’s mission for vengeance turns sinister in Victorian London. • ~120 min • Medium • MTI
17. Clue Live! – An interactive comedic spin on the classic whodunit. • ~100 min • Medium • MTI
18. Urinetown – A dystopian satire where a privatized loo sparks rebellion. • ~120 min • Medium–Large • MTI
19. American Idiot – A group of friends question everything in post-9/11 America set to Green Day’s music. • ~90 min • Medium • MTI
20. 9 to 5 – Three office workers plot revenge on a sexist boss with comic flair. • ~120 min • Medium • Concord

2: Best Musicals for High School—Teen/Jr. Editions of Contemporary Hits

1. Dear Evan Hansen: High School Edition – A teen’s social lie becomes a heartfelt movement. • ~90 min • Medium–Large • MTI HS
2. Heathers: Teen Edition – Popular girls’ clique turns deadly in this dark high school satire. • ~90 min • Medium • MTI
3. The SpongeBob Musical JR – SpongeBob and his pals save Bikini Bottom with aquatic fun. • ~60 min • Medium–Large • MTI JR
4. Beetlejuice – A mischievous ghost wreaks havoc with comedic afterlife antics. • ~130 min • Medium–Large • MTI
5. Shrek the Musical – An ogre’s rescue mission becomes a journey of friendship and individuality. • ~120 min • Medium–Large • MTI
6. Finding Nemo JR – A timid clownfish travels across the ocean to rescue his son. • ~60 min • Medium • MTI JR
7. Aladdin JR – A street thief’s magical wish leads to discovery and love. • ~60 min • Small–Medium • MTI JR
8. Moana JR – A determined voyager sails to save her island and find her path. • ~60 min • Medium–Large • MTI JR
9. Matilda JR – A clever girl uses her powers to challenge unfair adults. • ~60 min • Medium • MTI JR
10. Frozen JR – Sisterhood and self-love save a kingdom from eternal winter. • ~60 min • Medium • MTI JR
11. The Little Mermaid JR – A mermaid risks everything to pursue love on land. • ~60 min • Medium • MTI JR
12. Into the Woods JR – Fairytale heroes learn that every wish has consequences. • ~60 min • Medium • MTI JR
13. Newsies JR – Young newspaper sellers spark a strike for justice. • ~60 min • Medium • MTI JR
14. Mary Poppins JR – A magical nanny brings wonder and harmony to a London household. • ~60 min • Medium • MTI JR
15. Willy Wonka JR – A factory tour full of flawed kids and chocolate-coated surprises. • ~60 min • Medium • MTI JR
16. Peter Pan JR – Children soar to Neverland to battle pirates and find adventure. • ~60 min • Medium • MTI JR
17. Cinderella JR – A magical coach leads a young heroine to her destiny. • ~60 min • Medium • MTI JR
18. Freaky Friday (One-Act) – A mother and daughter swap lives in a comedic twist. • ~60 min • Medium • MTI
19. Freaky Friday JR – Adapted for younger casts with the same body-swap fun. • ~60 min • Medium • MTI JR
20. Catch Me If You Can Jr – A teen con artist stays one step ahead in this family-friendly version. • ~60 min • Medium • MTI JR

3: Best Musicals for High School—Ensemble & Comedic Contemporary Picks

1. Once – A street musician and stranger bond over a shared song. • ~100 min • Small–Medium • Concord
2. School of Rock – A wannabe rock star turns students into a powerhouse band. • ~145 min • Medium–Large • Concord
3. Avenue Q – Puppets and humans explore the struggles of adulting. • ~90 min • Small–Medium • MTI
4. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee – Kids compete in a hilariously chaotic spelling bee. • ~90 min • Small–Medium • Concord
5. Rock of Ages – Dreamers chase ’80s rock glory on the Sunset Strip. • ~120 min • Medium–Large • Concord
6. Something Rotten! – Shakespeare’s rivals invent the first musical in this parody. • ~130 min • MTI
7. Kinky Boots – A struggling factory owner finds redemption by making fabulous shoes. • ~140 min • Medium–Large • Concord
8. Pretty Woman: The Musical – A modern Cinderella story set in L.A.’s glittering world. • ~140 min • Medium–Large • Concord
9. Bring It On: The Musical – Cheerleaders battle for trophies and identity in high-stakes competition. • ~120 min • Medium–Large • Concord
10. American Idiot – Friends confront disillusionment in a post-9/11 world to Green Day tunes. • ~90 min • Medium • MTI
11. Next to Normal – A family’s emotional journey amid mental illness challenges. • ~120 min • Medium • MTI
12. Carrie – A bullied teen unleashes telekinetic terror at prom. • ~120 min • Medium–Large • Concord
13. Zombie Prom – A dead boyfriend crashes prom in this ’50s-style rock musical. • ~100 min • Medium • Concord
14. Pretty Woman – Live adaptation of the iconic film with music and charm. • ~140 min • Medium–Large • Concord
15. Once on This Island – A young girl bridges societal divides with resilience and song. • ~90 min • Medium • MTI
16. Bandstand – WWII veterans form a big band to heal and find purpose. • ~135 min • Medium • Concord
17. Jagged Little Pill – A suburban family confronts truths through Alanis Morissette’s songs. • ~100 min • Large • Concord
18. The Notebook – A poignant tale of love across time and memory. • ~110 min • Medium–Large • Concord
19. Six – The wives of Henry VIII deliver their stories in a pop-concert format. • ~80 min • Small–Medium • Concord
20. Escape to Margaritaville – A beachy escape full of laid-back tunes and tropical fun. • ~95 min • Small–Medium • Concord

4: Best Musicals for High School—Emerging & Edgy 21st Century Titles 

1. The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical – A young demigod embarks on a quest to prevent a war of the gods. • ~90 min • Medium • MTI
2. Sixteen: The Musical – A teen rebuilds her reputation with a reality-show twist. • ~90 min • Medium • Concord
3. The Cher Show – A nostalgic trip through Cher’s music and milestones. • ~120 min • Medium–Large • Concord
4. Wrinkle in Time – A teenage journey across dimensions to rescue her scientist father. • ~90 min • MTI
5. Mamma Mia! Here We Go Again – A prequel exploring Donna’s early ABBA days. • ~120 mins (film adaptation) • Large • MTI
6. Clandestina: The Pirate Queen – A fierce Caribbean pirate leads with courage and song. • ~90 min • Medium • MTI
7. A Bronx Tale, The Musical (High School Edition)– A young man in 1960s Bronx is caught between the father he loves and the mob boss he’d love to be. • ~150 min • Medium • Broadway
8. Diana (High School Edition)– Princess Diana faces a distant husband, an unmovable monarchy, and overwhelming media scrutiny. • ~117 min • Medium • Broadway
9. Head Over Heels – A royal family tries to save their beloved kingdom from extinction. Featuring hit songs by The Go-Gos, the 1980s all-female rock band. • 135 min • Medium • Broadway
10. Alice By Heart – “Alice in Wonderland” set in the London underground during WWII, following Alice as she escapes into her imagination to cope with the harsh realities around her. • 90 min • Small • MTI
11. High Fidelity (High School Edition)– Based on the novel by Nick Hornby. A Brooklyn record store owner changes his life to win back his sweetheart. • 75 min • Medium • Broadway
12. Urinetown– A dystopia where water is scarce and private toilets are banned. Comedy with a serious message about resource management and corporate greed. • 150 min • Medium • MTI
13. Punk Rock Girl! – Features songs by Blondie, Pat Benatar, Avril Lavigne, Joan Jett, P!nk, Gwen Stefani, and more. A young person finds community. • 120 min • Large • Concord
14. Amelie – Adaptation of the rom-com film. An extraordinary young woman encounters a chance at love. • 130 min • Medium • Concord (Musical Revue, Drama / 9w) 
15. 21 Chump Street – Based on a true story as reported in This American Life. A high school honors student falls for a transfer girl only to find out that she is an undercover cop. • 14 min • Small • Concord
16. Fun Home – Based on the graphic memoir. A graphic novelist grapples with her relationship with her father, a brilliant but closeted gay man • 100 min • Small • Concord
17. Well Behaved Women – Women such as Billie Jean King, Frida Kahlo, Harriet Tubman, Cleopatra, and Malala Yousafzai bring their stories to life through powerful, emotional, and often hilarious songs. • 75 min • Medium • Concord
18. War Paint – Helena Rubinstein and Elizabeth Arden sacrifice everything to become the country’s first major female entrepreneurs. • 175 min • Small • Concord
19. Bridge to Terabithia – Adaptation of the Newbery Award-winning novel. Two children in rural Virginia create a fantasy kingdom that gives strength when tragedy strikes.  • 120 min • Medium • Concord
20. Man of La Mancha – Adaptation of Cervantes’s Don Quixote. Celebrates one man’s refusal to give up his impossible dream.  • 150 min • Small  • Concord

Additional Resources

• 25 Best Colleges for Drama/Acting
• 20 Best Colleges for Musical Theater
• 100 Best Clubs to Start in High School
• AP Lit Reading List – 50 Best Books to Read
• Best Summer Programs for Performing and Visual Arts