Musical Lists

13 Musicals Like Heathers You Just Might Love

Last Updated: May 6, 2025

Have you been obsessing over Heathers since you first listened to the cast album or saw the musical live? If you’ve found yourself stuck in a loop playing the songs on repeat, it might be time to explore some equally great musicals like Heathers to help fill the void!



Bat Boy

Music/Lyrics: Laurence O’Keefe  Book: Keythe Farley, Brian Flemming

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1997)

If you’re a fan of Heathers you’ll likely appreciate Bat Boy for its musical style. Both musicals share the creative talents of Laurence O’Keefe, who co-wrote the music and lyrics for Heathers and wrote the music for Bat Boy as well.


Carrie

Music: Michael Gore  Lyrics: Dean Pitchford  Book: Lawrence D. Cohen

Musical Type: Pre-Contemporary (1988)

Carrie is definitely a musical to check out if you’re a Heathers fan. It’s dark, vengeful, and set in high school. You should find lots of similarities in the cast recording, with its punching grungy pop rock vibe. Also, it opened in 1988, so it also has a touch of those 80s vibes.


Lestat

Music: Elton John  Lyrics: Bernie Taupin  Book: Linda Woolverton

Musical Type: Contemporary (2005)

Okay so this one is a kind of a tease because it’s hard to find access to the cast recording online! That said, it has a style that’s similarly dark, and the story is about vampires!


Mean Girls

Music: Jeff Richmond  Lyrics: Nell Benjamin  Book: Tina Fey

Musical Type: Contemporary (2017)

The similarities between Heathers and Mean Girls are hard to ignore. To name a few, they both highlight three popular girls, high school topics, and fun pop rock music. But if you’re looking for something a tad bit lighter than Heathers, this would be a great choice!


Spring Awakening

Music: Duncan Sheik  Lyrics/Book: Steven Sater

Musical Type: Contemporary (2006)

Spring Awakening and Heathers are similar in that they both deal with dark and complicated issues. They’re both based in high school. And they both feature characters that feel deeply lost in life. Plus, the cast album for Spring Awakening is just gorgeous.


We Are the Tigers

Music/Lyrics: Joe Iconis  Book: Joe Tracz

Musical Type: Contemporary (2015)

This musical at times feels almost identical to Heathers in its style, plot, and musical genre. It follows a group of teenage cheerleaders struggling to survive a sleepover—literally.


The Toxic Avenger

Music/Lyrics: David Bryan  Lyrics/Book: Joe DiPietro

Musical Type: Contemporary (2008)

This musical absolutely deserves a spot on the list, especially since it’s based on a 1984 film. Like Heathers, it features violence, profanity, and a few uncomfortable moments—but with a fun, pop/rock beat that makes it all hilariously entertaining.


American Psycho

Music/Lyrics: Duncan Sheik  Book: Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa

Musical Type: Contemporary (2013)

Speaking of edgy musicals, American Psycho might be a great pick for Heathers fans. It’s wildly dark, completely unhinged, and set to a rare electronic pop score!


Freaky Friday

Music: Tom Kitt  Lyrics: Brian Yorkey  Book: Bridget Carpenter

Musical Type: Contemporary (2016)

Let’s lighten things up a bit, shall we? Freaky Friday made the list for its high school themes and pop-rock soundtrack. While it’s not as dark as Heathers, its music shares plenty of similarities.


Dear Evan Hansen

Music/Lyrics: Benj Pasek, Justin Paul  Book: Steven Levenson

Musical Type: Contemporary (2015)

If you’re a Heathers fan, chances are high that Dear Evan Hansen is already on your heavy rotation. The show deals with some similarly dark high school themes while boasting a beautiful cast recording. So if you haven’t checked it out yet, you should do so.


Next to Normal

Music: Tom Kitt  Lyrics/Book: Brian Yorkey

Musical Type: Contemporary (2008)

Next to Normal isn’t similar to Heathers in terms of plot. However, it does feel like a musical that Heathers fans would probably like. The style of music has a lot of similarities, and the plot deals with some teenage themes, as well as some real and heavy issues.


Spider-Man: Turn Off The Dark

Music/Lyrics: Bono, The Edge  Book: Julie Taymor, Glen Berger, Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa

Musical Type: Contemporary (2010)

Again, this musical doesn’t have a similar plotBut it does have a fun rock vibe! Also, it’s interesting in that it combines elements of circus, rock, and musical theatre. It’s definitely a unique choice. It’s one that you might stylistically love if you like musicals like Heathers. 


Bare

Music/Book: Damon Intrabartolo  Lyrics/Book: Jon Hartmere

Musical Type: Contemporary (2000)

Bare has a lot of similarities to Heathers in terms of vibes and musicality. It also deals with difficult high school moments and darker themes. This feels like a natural next musical to listen to after wearing out the repeat button on your Heathers cast album.


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Which of these musicals like Heathers is your favorite?

We’d love to hear all about your own personal favorite musicals in the comments below!


Author: Stacy Karyn

Stacy Karyn is the founder of Theatre Trip, author of The Thespian’s Bucket List, and creator of The Cast Album ListShe holds a BA in theatre and a TESOL drama certificate, with experience working and interning in Broadway and Off-Broadway theaters.

Photo of Stacy Karyn

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