5 Best Theatres in Chicago (2026)

Independently ranked by our review of ratings, reviews and reputation · How we chose

By Vespera Quill, Expert in Local Experiences and Cultural Analysis · ✓ Data verified July 2026 · 8 min read

A Broadway tour, a Loop movie night, or a night at one of the country's oldest resident theatres all fall under the same search in Chicago, and the five venues below show it. Review counts range from 2,715 up to 10,753, a wider gap than the ratings themselves, which stay close between 4.3 and 4.8, so the venue matters here more than any single score.

Short answer: The Chicago Theatre on State Street holds the most reviews of any Chicago theatre here, 10,753 at 4.7 stars, thanks to its packed calendar of concerts, comedy and touring shows. Goodman Theatre rates highest at 4.8 stars, known for original and classic productions including its annual A Christmas Carol. Ticket prices swing widely by show, from around $40 for a smaller production to well over $150 for a major Broadway tour.

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1. The Chicago Theatre
2. CIBC Theatre
3. Goodman Theatre
4. Auditorium Theatre
5. AMC River East 21
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Chicago's Theatres, Side by Side

#	Business	Rating	Reviews	Best for
1	The Chicago Theatre	4.7 ★	10,753	Concerts, comedy & touring shows	View ›
2	CIBC Theatre	4.6 ★	5,397	Broadway touring productions	View ›
3	Goodman Theatre	4.8 ★	2,715	Original & classic productions	View ›
4	Auditorium Theatre	4.7 ★	3,146	Dance, music & historic architecture	View ›
5	AMC River East 21	4.3 ★	6,561	Movies & international films	View ›

Our top picks, reviewed

#1 Overall

The Chicago Theatre

4.710,753 Google reviews

The Chicago Theatre is a landmark venue on State Street that opened in 1921 with a French Baroque design, once billed as the "Wonder Theatre of the World." Today it hosts a wide mix of concerts, comedy, family shows and touring theatrical performances rather than a single resident company. Its vertical marquee sign is one of the most recognized symbols of the city, and the venue also offers a historical and architectural backstage tour.

What people praise

Consistently praised architecture, from the grand lobby to the vertical marquee
Staff singled out repeatedly for accessibility support and general helpfulness
Wide variety of programming, from concerts to comedy to touring productions
Backstage tour option for visitors interested in the building's history

Worth knowing

Seats run on the smaller side according to several reviewers
Getting in and out of the venue after a show can mean navigating a crowd

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.7 / 5

Review volume10,753 · 97th

Confidencevery high

Recency3 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone

Rating breakdown78% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The most-reviewed theatre in Chicago by a wide margin, and the default choice if you're after a concert, comedy show or touring act in a genuinely historic room.

Website +1312-462-6300 Directions

175 N State St, Chicago, IL 60601

CIBC Theatre

4.65,397 Google reviews

CIBC Theatre is a Broadway In Chicago venue in the Loop, originally opened in 1906 as the Majestic Theatre. It has hosted major touring productions over the decades, from classic musicals to more recent shows like Hamilton, and operates as part of the Broadway In Chicago group alongside other downtown houses. The building retains much of its early-1900s design through several ownership changes and restorations.

What people praise

Regularly hosts major touring Broadway productions
Praised for acoustics and clear sightlines, including from the balcony
Helpful, polite staff mentioned across many reviews
Rich production history dating back over a century

Worth knowing

A few reviewers note visible wear in parts of the interior
Balcony aisles and seating are described by some as steep or tight, so book carefully

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.6 / 5

Review volume5,397 · 85th

Confidencevery high

Recency8 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone

Rating breakdown72% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The strongest pick for anyone chasing a Broadway touring show specifically, with a long production history behind the venue itself.

Website +1312-977-1700 Directions

18 W Monroe St, Chicago, IL 60603

Goodman Theatre

4.82,715 Google reviews

Goodman Theatre is a resident, Tony Award-winning company on Dearborn Street that has staged work in Chicago since 1925. It produces a mix of original plays and well-known classics, with its annual staging of A Christmas Carol a long-running seasonal fixture. The Goodman also runs community programming, including citywide and neighborhood-focused theatrical events.

What people praise

Highest rating on this list, driven by consistently strong production quality
Annual A Christmas Carol staging draws repeat, enthusiastic visitors
Reviewers say there is rarely a bad seat in the house
Community and citywide programming beyond the main stage

Worth knowing

Concession pricing has drawn mild pushback from some visitors

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.8 / 5

Review volume2,715 · 62th

Confidencevery high

Recency8 weeks ago

Info completenesssite · phone

Rating breakdown84% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The highest-rated theatre on this list and the top pick for original productions and classic staged drama rather than touring spectacle.

Website +1312-443-3800 Directions

170 N Dearborn St, Chicago, IL 60601

Auditorium Theatre

4.73,146 Google reviews

Auditorium Theatre is a National Historic Landmark in the Loop, in continuous operation as a performing arts venue since 1889. It hosts a wide program of dance, concerts and touring performances, alongside backstage tours highlighting its early architectural and engineering achievements, including being one of the first buildings wired for electricity. The venue also runs student matinees and community education programs.

What people praise

Deep architectural and historical significance, including landmark engineering firsts
Elevators available for upper-balcony seating, praised by reviewers with mobility needs
Reasonably priced parking noted as a rare convenience downtown
Backstage tours for visitors interested in the building's history

Worth knowing

Interior can run warm during busier shows, according to some visitors
Balcony staff enforcement of seated etiquette has drawn mixed reactions at livelier concerts

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.7 / 5

Review volume3,146 · 74th

Confidencevery high

Recency2 months ago

Info completenesssite · phone

Rating breakdown78% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: A strong choice for dance and touring music performances specifically, backed by one of the most historically significant buildings on this list.

Website +1312-341-2300 Directions

50 East Ida B. Wells Drive, Chicago, IL 60605

#5↩ Responds to reviews

AMC River East 21

4.36,561 Google reviews

AMC River East 21 is a large movie theater complex near the river, showing current Hollywood releases alongside a notably wide selection of international films from countries including Korea, Japan, India and France. It is part of the AMC chain and sits within a larger entertainment complex that includes a bowling alley, arcade and nearby restaurants. The venue is not a live-performance theatre, but a multiplex cinema.

What people praise

Wide international film selection, more than other AMC locations in the state
Comfortable, reclining and heated seating options
Located within a larger entertainment complex with dining and activities nearby
Convenient for downtown hotel guests, with generally short wait times

Worth knowing

Restroom cleanliness has come up as a recurring complaint
Pre-movie ad time can push the actual start later than the listed showtime

Reputation scorecardrank in Chicago

Rating4.3 / 5

Review volume6,561 · 91th

Confidencevery high

Recency10 days ago

Info completenesssite · phone

Rating breakdown59% 5-star

✓ VerifiedSource: Google

Our take: The pick here if "theatre" means movies rather than live performance, standing out mainly for its international film slate and the entertainment complex around it.

Website +1312-596-0333 Directions

322 E Illinois St, Chicago, IL 60611

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How we score

Every number on this page comes from public Google data on the date shown, not from opinion. Rating is the venue’s live Google star average. Review volume is how many visitors have rated it, ranked against other Chicago theatres. Confidence weighs the rating by that volume, so a 4.7 from over ten thousand reviews carries more weight than a 4.8 from a few thousand. Recency reflects how recently people are still leaving reviews. No business can pay to change these numbers.

How much do theatre tickets cost in Chicago? (2026)

Pricing depends heavily on the show and venue, with touring Broadway productions at the top end and smaller local or repertory shows considerably cheaper.

Job	Typical price
Movie ticket (standard)	$14-20
Resident theatre production	$40-90
Concert or comedy show	$40-120
Touring Broadway production	$60-200+

General ranges compiled July 2026 from published ticketing on Broadway In Chicago, Goodman Theatre and AMC pricing pages. Prices vary widely by show, seating section and demand, so check the venue directly for a specific date.

Serving all of Chicago

These theatres cluster around the Loop and River North, from State Street and Monroe to Dearborn and the river, with easy access from downtown, the South Loop and River North hotels. Searching for a theatre near me? Every listing above shows a live phone number and address so you can plan the closest option for tonight’s show.

What to check before you book Chicago theatre tickets

Is the seat in a section with an unobstructed view of the stage?
What is the venue’s policy on late arrival for a seated performance?
Are elevators available for upper-level or balcony seating?
Is nearby parking included, discounted, or should I book separately?
Is the show a touring production or a resident company’s own staging?

Frequently asked questions

How did you choose these theatres?

We started from theatres in Chicago with a public Google presence, then ranked by rating, review volume, consistency and recency. See How we score above.

Are these rankings paid?

No. Rankings come from the public Google data in the scorecard. A business can pay to be a Featured Partner, which adds a badge and top placement, but that never changes another business’s score or position on the underlying data.

How often is this updated?

The data carries a verified date (July 2026 on this page). We refresh listings periodically so ratings and review counts stay current.

Which Chicago theatre is best for a Broadway show?

CIBC Theatre is the main Broadway In Chicago venue on this list for major touring productions, while the Chicago Theatre also hosts touring shows alongside concerts and comedy.

How much do theatre tickets cost in Chicago?

Expect a resident theatre production to run roughly $40 to $90, with touring Broadway shows from around $60 up past $200 depending on seating and demand. See the cost table above and check the venue for a specific show’s pricing.

The bottom line

The Chicago Theatre is the safe default for most nights out given its variety and review volume, while Goodman Theatre is the top pick if original or classic staged productions matter more than a touring marquee name. Book seating sections carefully, since sightlines vary more than the ratings suggest.

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