20 new musical numbers that should be in the Glee reboot

This article was originally published in 2020 by Daniella Harrison and Susannah Martin, and has been updated in 2026.

The internet is awash with theories and ideas for the upcoming new series of Glee! Ryan Murphy’s infamous series about a high school glee club has been greenlit for a reboot, with several of the original stars set to return. Over ten years since the last episode aired, there have been plenty of new musicals that we’re sure New Directions would love to take a crack at.

“Burn” from Hamilton

Lin-Manuel Miranda‘s musical is arguably the biggest of the last decade and surely deserves a whole episode to itself. This slow ballad would make for a great solo, while we cannot help but hope that Matthew Morrison will reprise his role as Mr Schuester and rap “Guns and Ships” for us. We wouldn’t say no to a cameo from Mr Miranda himself, too.

“Candy Store” from Heathers

Westerberg is also in Ohio, so William McKinley students could have “Big Fun” with the tracks from Heathers. Get those lunch trays and croquet mallets ready for the choreo!

“Ex-Wives” from Six

In this episode, all of New Directions would audition for the coveted roles of Henry VIII’s wives, with one Rachel Berry (Lea Michele) insisting she could do it all.

The whole of The Last Five Years

We need an entire episode dedicated to Jason Robert Brown’s musical. In our original article, we suggested that Jesse St. James (Jonathan Groff) showed up again, and he and Rachel duetted the entire piece. Please.

“My House” from Matilda

Amidst all the chaos, we will need a slow, sweet, emotive number, and this is it.

“The Other Side” from The Greatest Showman

One of the biggest movie musicals of all time, and with renewed interest from the stage musical, The Greatest Showman is a treasure trove for a glee club! While we are getting back original stars, let’s have Neil Patrick Harris return as Mr Schuester’s high school nemesis, Bryan Ryan, and the two duet this one.

“She Used to Be Mine” from Waitress

This one feels inevitable, and we can’t wait.

“Waving Through a Window” from Dear Evan Hansen

Could Ben Platt get away with playing a student one last time? No. Which is exactly why we need him to guest-star in this new series of Glee. Imagine a new kid performing this number, a huge school assembly with “You Will Be Found,” or a trio performing “Sincerely, Me.” Excellent.

“All the Ladies” from Operation Mincemeat

The little British musical that could, should surely make its way into Glee! Maybe in a British-dedicated episode. If anybody can mash up Mincemeat and marmalade sandwiches from Paddington, it’s this show.

“Bad Cinderella” from Bad Cinderella

Can you believe it has been three years since the iconic Broadway moment when Linedy Genao declared: “I’m not your Cinderella. I’m your bad Cinderella.”

“Confident” from & Juliet

There is a lot of fun to be had with the Max Martin musical, and some pretty amazing choreography to recreate.

“Dead Mom” from Beetlejuice

A Halloween episode could totally be a thing following the famous The Rocky Horror Glee Show.

“For The Gaze” from Death Becomes Her

Possibly the most camp, most fun Broadway musical of recent years, the possibilities with this one are endless. They’ll do an outfit change, they’ll do a twirl! PS. Please, can we get Jennifer Simard and Megan Hilty cameos?

“Independently Owned” from Shucked

It’s the corniest musical, so perfect for the show, and if we could get Alex Newell giving us a taste of their Tony Award-winning performance, then even better.

“Michael in the Bathroom” from Be More Chill

This is so Glee-coded; in fact, a new character will likely be called Michael just to make this even better. I mean, they did it for Jesse.

“New York” from Two Strangers (Carry a Cake Across New York)

Broadway is the dream for all Gleeks, and this is everyone’s reactions when they make it to the Big Apple.

“The Rainy Day We Met” from Maybe Happy Ending

Hopefully we’ll get Darren Criss back to reprise his Tony Award-winning performance!

“Tonight Belongs to You” from The Prom

It might be a little on the nose, but this would be pretty showstopping, right?

“Wait for Me” from Hadestown

What’s more dramatic than a high school glee club? A Greek tragedy.

“World Burn” from Mean Girls

This reboot is a massive deal.