Shows similar to RENT
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You wanna go out tonight? After what feels like 525,600 years, [*RENT*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/rent-tickets) is coming back to the West End. From September 2026 to February 2027, the Tony Award-winning show will be playing the [Duke of Yorks Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/duke-of-yorks-theatre-london), with **Gaten Matarazzo** playing Mark.
If this is your first opportunity to see the era-defying musical, you are in for a treat! **Jonathan Larson**’s landmark rock musical is one of the most iconic and important theatre shows of all time. Inspired by Puccini’s *La Boheme*, it depicts the lives of a group of young, struggling artists in New York as they try to make ends meet while facing the realities of the HIV/AIDS crisis. Beautiful, tragic, emotional, and funny, it’s an absolute must-see for theatre lovers.
If we’re preaching to the choir and you want to find shows similar to *RENT* because you just love it that much, then step this way. Here are some shows like *RENT* that will help you bridge the gap between now and September.
## **What musical is most like RENT?**
As it was the source of inspiration, [*La Boheme*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/opera/la-boheme-london-tickets) is the show most like *RENT*. Technically, it’s an opera and not a musical, but if you’re looking for shows like *RENT*, you can’t get closer than this.
Set in the streets of Paris in the 1830s, it’s a love story drenched in tragedy as a group of poor artists find comfort in their friendship despite poverty and illness.
[*La Boheme*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/opera/la-boheme-london-tickets) is playing at the [Royal Opera House](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/royal-opera-house-london) this July, so it’s the perfect time to prepare you for *RENT*!
## **What should I watch if I loved RENT?**
Whether you’re prepping, filling a gap or want to spread the love to other musicals similar to *RENT*, you’re spoiled for choice thanks to these West End shows.
Next to *La Boheme*, *[Moulin Rouge The Musical](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/moulin-rouge-tickets)* is probably the closest show to *RENT*. Featuring struggling, bohemian artists fighting for love and against poverty, all while illness threatens the life they know, it has incredibly similar themes. Add in a score packed with rock songs you know and love, it should definitely be on your watch list if you loved *RENT*.
For those looking for something edgier and darker, [*Trainspotting The Musical*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/trainspotting-the-musical-tickets) is coming to London for a limited run this summer. The brand-new stage adaptation of **Irvine Welsh**’s internationally renowned novel will see the group of outsiders and rebels go wild at the [Theatre Royal Haymarket](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/theatre-royal-haymarket-london) from July until September. It will feature new original songs, in addition to the tracks used in the film.
Keeping with heavy topics and the realities of being different in a society that likes conformity, *[Cabaret](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/cabaret-london-tickets)* is an excellent option if you’re seeking shows similar to *RENT*. Taking place in the [Kit Kat Club](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/kit-kat-club), an underground joint located in Berlin during the 1920s, [*Cabaret*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/cabaret-london-tickets) explores the dangers of life under a strict regime when you don’t follow the rules. With queer representation and topics such as abortion, it’s a startlingly relevant show.
If you like *RENT* for its themes but want it in an entirely different font, *[Avenue Q](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/avenue-q-tickets) *at the [Shaftesbury Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/shaftesbury-theatre-london) is a brilliant option. Set in New York, it follows the residents of a run-down apartment block. Most of them are young and trying to find their purpose while struggling to pay their bills. Where *RENT* is gritty and deals with serious adult themes, *Avenue Q* is lighthearted and has some serious adult language. Despite their differences, [*Avenue Q*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/avenue-q-tickets) is still one of the musicals like *RENT* you can see right now in the West End.
## **What is the best musical to see after RENT?**
All of the West End musicals mentioned above are incredible options, so it really depends on your preference. To see where it all started, [*La Boheme*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/opera/la-boheme-london-tickets) is the best show to see if you loved *RENT*. For energy and atmosphere, [*Moulin Rouge The Musical*](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/musical/moulin-rouge-tickets) at the [Piccadilly Theatre](https://www.londontheatredirect.com/venue/piccadilly-theatre-london) is an excellent choice. Honestly, you can’t go wrong with any of these critically acclaimed shows.
### **Is RENT suitable for children?**
*RENT* addresses many serious, adult topics and uses adult language. The show is recommended for children aged 14+.