Top 20 Best Musical Finale Songs 

What's YOUR favorite musical finale song? Let us know below!

My personal favourite finale song is the final number in "Les Miserables," where even though many of the main characters are now deceased, their memories still live on, and their sacrifices weren't for nothing.

I had the honor to play Don Quixote in the first production of "Man Of La Mancha" in Germany (on the U.S. military base in Augsburg) in 1973. As the entire cast sang "The Impossible Dream" to close the show each night, the audience was on it's feet before the song was done. To me, "The Impossible Dream" finale is still one of the greatest musical finale songs ever.

“One” from “A Chorus Line” always gives me cold chills. It so perfectly brings together all of the earlier shared hopes and dreams that those hopeful young dancers had put on the line. Suddenly that previously bare stage becomes alive moving those dancers to the next step in their longed for professional career as a performer.

My favourite finale song has to be "Climb Ev'ry Mountain (Reprise)" from "The Sound of Music"! Seeing the Von Trapp family walk into their new lives on the hill gets me emotional every time!

Hamilton’s Finale never ceases to make me cry, while also making me deeply think....🥺🙏👏👏👏

NO we DO NOT associate Heathers with RIVERDALE

Welcome to the Rock (Finale) from Come From Away is a really underrated one. It really highlights how simultaneously everything in the post 9/11 world is different, but yet goodness of humanity is and will always be the same.

I can't think of a better finale than Les Miserables. The emotions are just *so* incredibly powerful- especially coming off Valjean's passing, that you get hit full tilt with sadness, joy, inspiration, and hope all in one number.

My favorite is Hairspray, you can’t stop the beat.

I agree with most of these - but I'm surprised that "Climb Every Mountain" from "The Sound of Music" didn't even get a mention.

My favorite finales are Les Miserables and Phantom of the Opera. They're both so beautiful in so many ways!!

I am very partial to "Children Will Listen." I had the opportunity to see the original run on B'way 8 times and was able to play The Baker in 1996 with community theatre. The line that always got me is "Tell him the story of how it all happened, be father and mother, you'll know what to do." Now that I'm a grandfather, the line that got me the first time I saw the film (when my twin granddaughters were 12 and sitting next to me), is from "Stay With Me," "Stay a child while you can be a child with me." Sondheim was/is a genius!

Rose's Turn is definitely one of _the_ best closing songs! Always get chills, no matter who's doing it - try seeing Gypsy live sometime, and the chills will be even chillier 🥰

Who lives, who dies, who tells your story and you can’t stop the beat are my favorites

I love the power in the Phantom of the Opera finale. It’s so full of emotion and power. The end note is just…*chills*

Honestly, the 'One' reprise from A Chorus Line is possibly the most genius of musical theatre endings if only for the fact that it actively manages to trick a large number of people who watch it into thinking it's a genuinely happy ending. Like, so many people take the finale of A Chorus Line completely at face-value as "whoo! These kids achieved their dreams of being on Broadway, yay!" without taking into account the reality of the situation: these dancers were put through an incredibly physically and emotionally gruelling audition process, at the end of which only half of them actually got a job and among the ones who lost out, at least one is almost certainly at the end of his dance career due to an injury and at least one other is on the verge of just giving up having spent years going through this process with no luck. And these people are all under 30 years old. And for the ones who *did* get the job, you're watching these people you've come to know surprisingly intimately completely suppress any hint of their individuality for the sake of bigging up and providing the background to the star - that's another thing people tend to ignore; the dancers in the finale *aren't* the "one singular sensation" being referenced in the song and we never even see the person who supposedly is. And yet somehow it all feels so triumphant when you're actually watching it. It's like the incredibly dark flipside of the finale of 42nd Street...

Hadestown’s finale may not be the biggest, but it is the most heartbreakingly beautiful song in the whole soundtrack. It’s sad to see it not even get at least an HM

I personally love “It’s Time To Dance” from The Prom and “The Color Purple (Reprise)” from The Color Purple. They are both beautiful and are great songs to listen to!

I can't believe that 76 Trombones (reprise) from The Music Man did not even get an honorable mention.

Les Miz leaves every other musical in the dust. What a plot, what incredible music and deep characters. Best of the best!

Also, (not shown in this clip) is the finale Megamix in "Joseph and the Technicolor Dreamcoat" ..... every song is reprised, and all the characters make another return to the stage. As someone once told me, this finale alone is worth the price of admission! Go, go, go Joseph!!!

Les Mis always wins for me. The entire show is full of amazing songs

My favorites are "The Color Purple (Reprise)" and "Rose's Turn," hands down. Although there's so many great ones! "Who Lives, Who Dies...", "Do You Hear the People Sing?" and "You Can't Stop the Beat" are also all excellent picks, for sure.

My favorite will always be “My Man” sung by Barbara Streisand in Funny Girl

nooo you had "Anatevka" (Fiddler On the Roof) in the intro, how was it not at least in the top 5?! it's the only musical finale that legit makes me cry, it's so heartwrenching and somber. So much of the rest of the musical is centered around their community, and then the finale is about how that community is being separated and will always be searching for signs of each other out in the world. "Soon I'll be a stranger in a strange new place / Searching for that old familiar face / From Anatevka," their whole lives were spent in this little town, and now it's being shattered. They may have had arguments and disagreements, but they still knew that they were part of the same whole. Now they're losing that, and they have the second whole-community harmony since "Tradition" at the opening. Damn, it just gets to me.

Rent was the soundtrack of my teenage years in the 90s, it was such a wonderful show

I knew les Mis would be number 1 and rightfully so. It’s so powerful, I love Hamilton but nothing could ever make me feel the way Les Mis finale did live

West side story finale deserved an honorable mention, at the least. The fact that they try to hold onto their on their dream of being together as tony dies is very powerful, emotionally.

I always liked “Let The Sun Shine In “ From Hair. What Makes The Song So Bitter Sweet Is That George Was Goofing Around with Claude’s Stuff And Was Mistakenly Drafted To Fight And Die In A War He Knew Was Wrong.

Into the Woods ending makes me tear up…It’s so powerful and beautiful

"One" from 'A Chorus Line' is clearly the most moving and effective finale in all musical theatre. Everyone is viewed as ONE and they truly are a singular sensation. At the end, everyone is highlighted and a star. In live performances, the applause is so exciting as each character returns to the stage in the gold outfit and top hats. There is no more moving and exciting finale...... period!

My favorite musical finale is Olkahoma. The song tells of the forming of a brand new state. The song is upbeat and a sure croud pleaser.

Oh, man . . . Hair. The ending of that movie always devastates me. That music is perfect. I'm deeply moved every time, and always cry. That's probably number one for me.

The first thing that came to mind when I saw this topic was "Hairspray." Probably the best non-tragic finale ever.

I totally think the ending to Six should be in here. I love how it reminds the audience that even though we just got to “know these real historical characters” that because they were just women in a patriarchal society, that all of what we just watched is a highly fictionalized version of them. It essentially the names of these women with little else. And of course ppl know it’s fiction but I like that reminder. That how the actors are portraying these women aren’t historically accurate to their personalities or thoughts because even though they were important enough to be remembered, it was only their names. It kinda reminds me of Hamilton’s song of Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story. On a side note, Les Mis totes desires the win!

Watching the finale of Les Mis for the first time might be the most overwhelming emotions I’ve ever felt at once

"One" is definitely my favorite. The kickline is honestly one of the biggest Broadway moments of all time IMO, it's just iconic.

To any theatre fan with a broad knowledge past movie musicals… this list is crazy…. Who in their right minds put Sister Act above Being Alive and Roses Turn?!

"one" from "a chorus line" never ceases to give me chills and make me cry

I am glad you got the #1 right. I started this video thinking, there is no way Les Miserables is not the best Finale ever. I would say it has the best end before intermission as well. But I think Phantom of the Opera should have been higher up on your list.

I saw Les Miserables on Broadway for my 18th birthday. The finale never fails to give me goosebumps and tear prickles.

I'M SO HAPPY SOMEONE MENTIONED MAN OF LA MANCHA IF ANY STORY IS ABOUT HOPE IT'S THAT ONE AND THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT THE ENDING IS ABOUT

No mention of Climb Every Mountain, one of the most beloved, rousing, hope-filled songs ever or Cabaret, one of the cheeriest sings ever so cynically and stingingly placed against the rise of the Nazis. The best of times are now from La Cage aux Folles. My Man. Oklahoma. Somewhere. And many more. A lot of these ones in this list won’t last the course, they’re just not good enough songs or the musicals are too small, whereas we know every single song in South Pacific is a smash hit 70 years later, the soundtrack album was No 1 in the USA for 14 months!

“I Sing The Body Electric” from FAME. Hands down best musical ending.

Les mis, Hamilton and Hadestown are my personal favorites. But les mis wins me over everytime, especially the movie version.

“Why We Tell the Story” - Once On This Island “Children of Eden: Finale” - COE “Home” - The Wiz “Endgame” - Chess “Come To My a Garden” - The Secret Garden

"To love another person is to see the face of God."

Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story made me cry what- What touched me the most on that song were the parts when Eliza sang what she was produest of (The Orphanage) and also, when she gasped in the end.

Les Miserables and Rent are my absolute favorites. So powerful, I can't hear them without tearing up. 😭

Dreamgirls (Reprise Finale) is a great song because we see a girlband recognizing a member who left, as we know we don't have much of these stories in girlbands and seeing them all together and singing demonstrates that after all that their sisterhood is what matters

Pippin finale is one of the best. It’s supposed to be an actual final act for the main character (spoiler) in which he is almost pressured to jump into fire. And how it comes full circle from the first couple of notes to the last. Iconic.

You'll Never Walk Alone and Being Alive. I still get chills hearing them.

“Being Alive” should be higher! Just my opinion. :) “Company” is my favorite Sondheim musical. I connect so personally to the themes, and cry whenever I listen to the soundtrack.

How in the heck did I get away with not knowing Idina Mendez and Kristen Chenoweth were in Wicked? Actually there are a lot of people in these that I had no idea were in them. Crazy

My personal favorite is either Les Mis’s or Hunchback’s. Both are so beautiful.

Ms. Mojo. We don't associate Heathers with FREAKING RIVERDALE WHY

You'll Never Walk Alone was one of the songs my mother had requested for her funeral.

I was in musical theater and I become emotional at every musical I am in and have watched. It is a beautiful thing.

It is a CRIME that you didn't include "Come From Away" with its Finale. It was a wonderful epilogue to the story and NEEDED to be on the list.

Cabaret’s finale will always be one of my favorites. Alan Cumming’s final outfit reveal coupled with the bow gives me chills every time.

One from A Chorus Line is so powerful it’s always on my list of grand finales. However, my first thought was the last song from Camelot-so very gripping and moving after the whole story unwinds.

Thank you so much for including The Flesh Failure (Let the Sunshine In). Hair is a musical that changed my life and the fact that it's still relevant is both wonderful and scary.

Before watching my top picks would be: 1) Rent 2) Children of Eden 3) Les Miserables 4) Hamilton 5) Funny Girl

I fully agree with the Les Miserables finale (as it's my favorite finale of all time), but I think Anatevka from Fiddler on the Roof deserves at least an honorable mention (although you did put a short teaser with it at the beginning). It may not be high energy, but it conveys a heartbreaking sadness and a sense of hope at the same time (while injecting a bit of Fiddler's trademark sense of humor in a few places).

The Phantom was one of the last shows me and my soon to be dead boyfriend/ lover of 33 1/2 years saw together. He died from a stroke. GOD that that is the first time I said it so bluntly. Thank you for allowing me to say it. He passed 3 1/2 years ago. Now I am going to sleep exhausted and drained but happy (?).

I see some of my faves here but 1 of my fave is the ending of Newsies. I still love how the focus of the ending is the entire cast of Newsies dancing

I really wish that “it’s time to dance” from The Prom was on this list. It seriously is the most uplifting and awesome song

Godspell. Most of these songs bring tears to my eyes though.

I'm sad that "Midnight Radio" from Hedwig and the Angry Inch didn't even warrant an honorable mention. When Hedwig strips away the artifice and turns their wig over to Yitzhak, accepting her persona, and also accepts that they don't need "another half" and are indeed whole (or getting there), it's perfection.

Finale of Les Miserables always make tears streaming down my face. Although the show itself is not even on my personal top 5 most fav, the finale is definitely one of the most memorable and touching for me.

All of these songs are incredible and definitely deserve their placement but I would have loved to see the Pippin finale. The show opens with a grand showstopping number in Magic to Do and then when it comes to the finale they strip all the glam and magic away and yet you still end up with an incredible peice that sends shivers down the spine everytime

How do you not put You're the One That I Want from Grease??? It's so good and iconic. You got #1 right though.

I'd probably take a trip back further in time. Way too many current musicals here and not enough classics are represented.

anything from the lion king will always touch me. I felt by sharing that wonderful moment with my mom that brought my life full circle. First I saw the original movie with my grandma when I was 5. Then when I was 16 I saw Broadway with my mom

Rose’s Turn is #14 Please tell me you were high when this list was put together…as usual Ms Mojo rarely realizes there was musical theater prior to the 2000’s…

You forgot to include the finale of MISS SAIGON! ❤️

Everyone always forgets Tell Me It’s Not True from Blood Brothers. It’s wonderful and it makes you rise to your feet with sad tears streaming down your face even though you always knew how it was going to end.

Anyone who doesn't belt out the Les Miserables finale has no soul! My favorite

Phantom’s finale leaves me in tears everytime, doesn’t matter how many times I’ve seen it. It’s just so beautifully heartbreaking.

I legit can't listen to the Six finale without crying happy tears

Who Lives, Who Dies, Who Tells Your Story from "Hamilton"...gets me every time. Although the finale song from "Les Miserables" is a very close second. Finale from "Phantom of the Opera" is also great

Rose’s Turn should be way higher. That is a banger to end on.

It is still "Phantom of the Opera" for me. The first time I saw it I had goosebumps that have made a home in my soul. 😍😍

The Greatest Show from “The Greatest Showman” should be on here b/c it’s a great high energy finale

If you never have seen A chorus line - you still know the song!

Sunday from Sunday in the Park with George should be on every best musical finale list.

Personally, Happiness from You’re a a good man Charlie Brown, I can relate to. It pretty much speaks to the normal person who sees life with silver linings and finding the good in between things. Best song is Hairspray indeed. Catchy song!

Great list. I think they nailed the top 2 with Who Lives Who Dies Who Tells Your Story and Do You Hear The People Sing? (Reprise). Those two have so much weight behind them and are simultaneously melancholy yet filled with so much hope. I can't help but feel uplifted and encouraged in spite of all the difficulties of life after hearing each of them.

there is a stark difference between the first time "do you hear the people sing" in the musical versus the reprise. the first one was angry and almost vicious. the reprise sounds hopeful. i always loved that song but reprise is whole different level. the reprise is probably the best way to end any musical.

Bernstein's "Make Our Garden Grow" from Candide is the cream of the crop!

My absolute favorite is Les Miserables. It’s so powerful and moving (like the rest of the play) All those characters who had suffered so much in their lives (mainly Jean, Fantine and Eponine) leaving their sad hard lives behind and going to Heaven…If I don’t cry during the musical at all (which is extremely rare) I will almost always cry with the finale

I saw les mis a few years ago and the whole show gave me chills. the finale was beyond amazing

Finale from In The Heights and Who Lives, Who Dies, Who tells your Story from Hamilton are some of the best finales of a show I've ever watched/heard.

All of these wonderful songs even in short clips make me respond in a very emotional way. I remember the feelings I had when first experiencing these moments in the medium of live theater. What a gift to mankind they all are.

Hello Dolly (Carol Channing), One (reprised), Man of La Mancha (Richard Kiley), Climb Every Mountain (Florence Henderson), and Home (Stephanie Mills) from the Wiz are my 5 most memorable finales - I left the theatre thoroughly satisfied

In the heights and who lives ,who dies who tells your story are my favorite

Circle of Life makes me want to cry. It’s so awesome and the fact that emit ends with a literal Circle of Life is so emotional.

"My Man" sung by Barbra Streisand from "Funny Girl". I still remember sitting in the theater with my girlfriend and we were trying not to cry. When the lights came up, there wasn't a dry eye in the house!

A little sad to not see a mention of Aida, that always felt very powerful to me. But I guess it wasn't as big of a musical and good luck finding any footage of the ending sequence. I do highly recommend finding the OBC soundtrack and give it a listen - Adam Pascal, Heather Headley, and Sherie Rene Scott SLAY in that show