The Edinburgh Festival Fringe is now well under way, with some shows already having come and gone from the city.
With more than 3,000 shows included in this year’s programme of events, it can be hard to decide which to see. From theatre and comedy to dance, musicals and more, there is a huge range of entertainment on offer.
But which shows have really stood out from the rest during the 2025 Fringe?
The Scotsman’s critics have reviewed more than 350 shows so far this year and while there are a good number of 4-star reviews only a handful of performances have earned themselves 5-stars.
Here are all of the 5-star shows on at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe.
5. Theatre – JEEZUS!
Our next 5-star show at the 2025 Edinburgh Fringe is JEEZUS!, which our reviewer thoroughly enjoyed but wouldn’t recommend for “any Catholics of a nervous disposition”. It follows South American altar boy Jesús as he prepares for his first communion, even as he begins to feel something unholy for his namesake. JEEZUS! Is on at Underbelly, Cowgate until August 24. | Charlie Flint
6. Theatre — Karine Polwart: Windblown
Scottish singer-songwriter Karine Polwart is behind another of this year’s 5-star Edinburgh Fringe shows. Told from the perspective of the Sabal palm of Edinburgh’s Royal Botanic Garden this production finished its run at the Queen’s Hall on August 13, but our reviewer praised the show’s “wistful yet powerful” songs. | Colin Hattersley
7. Theatre – The Horse of Jenin
The Horse of Jenin stands out at the 2025 Fringe as a show about war, conflict and violence which “hits exactly the right balance of life-enhancing comedy and utter tragedy”. Produced by Troupe Courage for the Pleasance and the Palestine Comedy Club, this 70-minute play is on at the Pleasance Dome until August 25. | Kamerich & Budwilowitz
8. Theatre – Deiseil: Dancing in Time
About Scotland’s lost tradition of percussive dance, Deiseil: Dancing in Time is a theatre production which tells the story of how across centuries it fell into disrepute and was born again. The Scotsman’s 5-star review described it as “the most joyful show I’ve seen so far this Fringe”, with it running at theSpace until August 16. | Archie MacFarlane