Check out of listings of the top longest-running London shows in West End history, including the Top 10 longest-runners NOW PLAYING in the West End, and the Top 20 longest-running London shows of all time.

The list includes The Mousetrap at the St Martin’s Theatre – the world’s longest running show ever, and naturally the longest-running play; and Les Miserables, the longest-running musical of all time.

Following close behind in third place is Andrew Lloyd Webber’s mega-hit musical The Phantom of the Opera.

10 Longest-running London shows now playing in the West End

  1. The Mousetrap, St. Martin’s Theatre
  2. Les Misérables, Sondheim Theatre
  3. The Phantom of the Opera, Her Majesty’s Theatre
  4. Mamma Mia!, Novello Theatre
  5. Disney’s The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre
  6. Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre
  7. Matilda The Musical, Cambridge Theatre
  8. The Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales Theatre
  9. The Play That Goes Wrong, Duchess Theatre (J)
  10. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, Palace Theatre

The 10 Longest-running London MUSICALS now playing in the West End (unverified by SOLT) are: (1) Les Misérables, (2) The Phantom of the Opera, (3) Mamma Mia!, (4) Disney’s The Lion King, (5) Wicked, (6) Matilda The Musical, (7) The Book of Mormon, (8) Hamilton, (9) Six The Musical (10) Back to the Future

ALL SHOWS: 20 Longest-running London shows in West End theatre history

  1. The Mousetrap, St. Martin’s Theatre (since 25 November 1952) – over 30,000 performances (K)
  2. Les Misérables, Sondheim Theatre (since 8 October 1985) – over 16,000 performances (B, A)
  3. The Phantom of the Opera, Her Majesty’s Theatre (since 9 October 1986) – over 15,236 performances (H, A)
  4. The Woman In Black, Fortune Theatre (since 1989, closed) – 13,232 performances (M)
  5. Mamma Mia! at the Novello Theatre (since 6 April 1999) – 10,194 performances (G, A)
  6. Disney’s The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre (since 19 October 1999) – over 10,014 performances (F)
  7. Blood Brothers (1988 production, closed) – 10,013 performances (A)
  8. Cats (1981 production, closed) – 8949 performances (A)
  9. Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre (since 27 September 2006) – over 7500 performances (C)
  10. Starlight Express (1984 production, closed) – 7406 performances (A)
  11. No Sex Please, We’re British (1971 production, closed) – 6761 performances (A)
  12. Stomp (2002 production, closed) – 6512 performances (A)
  13. Chicago (1997 revival, closed) – 6187 performances (A)
  14. Matilda The Musical, Cambridge Theatre (since 24 November 2011) – over 5141 performances (L)
  15. Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (1989 production, closed) – 5140 performances (A)
  16. The Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales Theatre (since 21 March 2013) – over 4660 performances (E)
  17. We Will Rock You (2002 production, closed) – 4659 performances (A)
  18. Thriller Live (since 2009) – over 4613 performances (A)
  19. Billy Elliot The Musical (2005 production, closed) – 4566 performances (A)
  20. The Black and White Minstrel Show (1962 production, closed) – 4344 performances (A)

MUSICALS: Top 20 Longest-running London Musicals in West End history

  1. Les Misérables, Queen’s Theatre (since 1985) – over 16,000 performances (B, A)
  2. The Phantom of the Opera, Her Majesty’s Theatre (since 1986) – over 15,236 performances (H, A)
  3. Mamma Mia!, Novello Theatre (since 1999) – 10,194 performances (G, A)
  4. Disney’s The Lion King, Lyceum Theatre (since 1999) – over 10,014 performances (F)
  5. Blood Brothers (1988 production, closed) – 10,013 performances (A)
  6. Cats (1981 production, closed) – 8949 performances (A)
  7. Wicked, Apollo Victoria Theatre (since 2006) – over 7500 performances (C)
  8. Starlight Express (1984 production, closed) – 7406 performances (A)
  9. Chicago (1997 revival, closed) – 6187 performances (A)
  10. Matilda The Musical, Cambridge Theatre (since 2011) – over 5141 performances (L)
  11. Buddy – The Buddy Holly Story (1989 production, closed) – 5140 performances (A)
  12. The Book of Mormon, Prince of Wales Theatre (since 21 March 2013) – over 4660 performances (E)
  13. We Will Rock You (2002 production, closed) – 4659 performances (A)
  14. Thriller Live (since 2009) – over 4613 performances (A)
  15. Billy Elliot The Musical (2005 production, closed) – 4566 performances (A)
  16. Miss Saigon (1989 production, closed) – 4264 performances (A)
  17. Jersey Boys, Piccadilly Theatre (2008 production, closed) – 3787 performances (A)
  18. Jesus Christ Superstar (1972 production, closed) – 3357 performances (A)
  19. Me and My Girl (1985 revival, closed) – 3303 performances (A)
  20. Evita (1978 production, closed) – 2900 performances (A)

And numbers 21 to 24 are!…

  1. Oliver! (original 1960 production / closed, 2,618 performances) (D)
  2. Grease! (1993 revival / closed, 2,529 performances) (D)
  3. The Sound Of Music (original 1951 production / closed, 2,385 performances) (D)
  4. My Fair Lady (original 1958 production / closed, 2,281 performances) (D)

Information on performance numbers:

(A) Information provided by the Society of London Theatre (SOLT) as at January 2025

(B) Les Miserables: 16,000 as at 17 February 2026

(C) Wicked – 7,500 performances as at 21 January 2026; 7,407 performances as at 1 November 2025 (link); 7,199 as at 6 May 2025; 7,054 as at January 2025; 6,762 performances as at 23 April 2024 (link)

(D) Information provided by The Society of London Theatre as at 7 February 2020

(E) The Book of Mormon – 4660 performances as at evening 3 January 2026 (link); 4657 performances as at matinee 2 January 2026; 4345 performances as at 4 April 2025; 4,413 performances as at 2 June 2025; 4,239 as at January 2025; 4,000 performances as at 6 June 2024 (link)

(F) Disney’s The Lion King – 10,014 performances as at 8 March 2025 (link); 10,000 performances as at 25 February 2025 (link); 9,638 performances as at 25 April 2024 (link); previously SOLT reported “over 8897 performances” in September 2023

(G) Mamma Mia! – 10,194 as at January 2025; 10,014 performances as at 29 July 2024 (link); 10,000 performances as at 17 July 2024 (link)

(H) The Phantom of the Opera – 15,236 performances as at January 2025

(J) The Play That Goes Wrong – 4,001 performances as 3 June 2025 (link); Over 3,500 performances as at 12 September 2024 (link)

(K) The Mousetrap – 30,000 as at 19 March 2025 (link); 29,500 performances as at 23 February 2024

(L) Matilda The Musical – 5141 performances as at 16 August 2025 (link) (awaiting formal confirmation from the production); 5000 performances as at 15 April 2025; 4874 performances as at 19 December 2024

(M) The Woman in Black – 13,232 performances from February 1989 to March 2023 (Strand and Fortune Theatres)

Top Longest-running West End Shows to book now in London

The Mousetrap
Poster for Agatha Christie's The Mousetrap - UK Tour 2026 & 2027
Book Now
The Mousetrap
St Martin's Theatre
Experience Agatha Christies timeless whodunit The Mousetrap - the world's longest running show - in London's West End.
Les Misérables
Les Miserables - London
Book Now
Les Misérables
Sondheim Theatre
Les Misérables is booking at London’s Sondheim Theatre to 13 March 2027. Book tickets now for the world’s longest-running musical in the West End.
The Phantom of the Opera
The Phantom of the Opera 2026 - His Majesty's Theatre
Book Now
The Phantom of the Opera
His Majesty's Theatre
Book The Phantom of the Opera tickets to see Andrew Lloyd Webber’s legendary West End musical at His Majesty’s Theatre in London.
Mamma Mia!
Mamma Mia! musical poster with joyful bride, Novello Theatre, London
Book Now
Mamma Mia!
Novello Theatre
Featuring the songs of ABBA, Mamma Mia! is the ultimate feel-good show now playing at the Novello Theatre.
The Lion King
The Lion King musical logo with stylised lion head – official artwork for the West End show at Lyceum Theatre, London
Book Now
The Lion King
Lyceum Theatre
Book The Lion King tickets to see Disney’s award-winning West End musical at the Lyceum Theatre in London.
Wicked
WICKED - 20th Anniversary - London - Tickets
Book Now
Wicked
Apollo Victoria Theatre
Book Wicked tickets to see the spellbinding West End musical at London’s Apollo Victoria Theatre
Matilda The Musical
Matilda The Musical, girl stood with hands on hips backlit on blue background
Book Now
Matilda The Musical
Cambridge Theatre
The RSC's ingenious production of Roald Dahl's Matilda now playing at the Cambridge Theatre. Book your tickets today.
The Book of Mormon
The Book of Mormon - 2024
Book Now
The Book of Mormon
Prince of Wales Theatre
The Book of Mormon - the funniest musical of all time, from the creators of South Park - continues its irreverent and hilarious mission in the West End.
The Play That Goes Wrong
The Play That Goes Wrong promotional poster: a collage of eight costume photos in a grid, with bold red text 'LAUGH YOUR HEAD OFF' at the top and the play title at the bottom.
Book Now
The Play That Goes Wrong
Duchess Theatre
Book The Play That Goes Wrong tickets for the Olivier Award-winning West End comedy at the Duchess Theatre, where everything that can go wrong does.


Sign-up for news and booking alerts about these shows and more:
Main photo: Longest Running West End Shows

Related What's On guides

See all

Latest News

See all