1. The Phantom of the Opera (1986): Andrew Lloyd Webber's classic musical, based on the 1910 novel by Gaston Leroux, tells the story of a masked composer who lives in the underground lair of the Paris Opera House and falls in love with a young soprano.
2. Les Misérables (1980): Based on the 1862 novel by Victor Hugo, this epic musical tells the story of the struggles and triumphs of various characters during the French Revolution.
3. Hamilton (2015): Lin-Manuel Miranda's groundbreaking musical tells the story of American founding father Alexander Hamilton, using a mix of hip-hop, R&B, and traditional Broadway show tunes.
4. Wicked (2003): Based on Gregory Maguire's 1995 novel of the same name, Wicked tells the story of the witches of Oz before Dorothy's arrival, focusing on the friendship and rivalry between Elphaba and Glinda.
5. The Lion King (1997): Based on the 1994 Disney animated film, The Lion King tells the story of Simba, a young lion who is exiled from his home and must return to reclaim his rightful place as king.
6. Chicago (1975): Set in the 1920s, Chicago is a satirical musical about two rival vaudeville performers who become involved in a double-murder case and use the media to manipulate the public's perception of them.
7. Cabaret (1966): Set in Berlin in the 1930s as the Nazis rise to power, Cabaret tells the story of a young American writer who falls in love with a performer at the Kit Kat Klub, a nightclub that serves as a microcosm of the decadence and corruption of the era.
8. The Sound of Music (1959): Based on the 1949 memoir of Maria von Trapp, The Sound of Music tells the story of a young woman who becomes a governess to the seven children of a widowed naval captain in Austria.
9. West Side Story (1957): A modern retelling of Romeo and Juliet, West Side Story tells the story of two rival gangs, the Jets and the Sharks, and the tragic romance between Tony and Maria, members of the two gangs.
10. Sweeney Todd: Demon Barber of Fleet Street (1979): Stephen Sondheim's macabre musical tells the story of a barber who murders his customers and has their bodies baked into meat pies by his accomplice, Mrs. Lovett.
These are just a few examples of musicals that have been widely acclaimed and enjoyed by audiences around the world.