Of the hundreds of shows reviewed by The Scotsman at this year’s Fringe, only a handful are worthy of a five-star review.
There are just over twenty shows which our critics have given such a high rating, despite 2026 marking the largest festival to date with more than 4,000 shows included in the programme.
Whether you’re a fan of comedy, or enjoy spending some time immersed at the theatre, there is a huge range of entertainment to explore at the Edinburgh Fringe - including the many excellent four-star productions running.
If you’re looking to pick the best of the best, however, here is every five-star show at the Edinburgh Fringe 2026.
9. Ed Night: We’ll Be Alright, Darling — Comedy
Ed Night has returned to the Edinburgh Fringe this year with his new show We’ll Be Alright, Darling despite his broken foot and sprained ankle. In her five-star review of the comedian, Ashley Davies writes: “What Ed Night has done this year is the definition of art. It expresses so much about what it means to be a particular kind of man during a particular period in history. I’ve said this before about his work, but, as is the case with some of the finest novels, you’ll feel you need to go back again to relive it, savour it and ensure you haven’t missed a drop.” Ed Night: We’ll Be Alright, Darling is at Monkey Barrel 1, Monkey Barrel Comedy (Venue 515) until August 30. | Tom Harrison / Contributed
10. Elf Lyons Is The Woman on the Edge — Comedy
Inspired by the breakdown of her engagement while she was alone on tour in Australia, comedian Elf Lyons has turned her pain into five-star comedy pleasure, taking audiences on a journey with references to Apollo 13, Pagliacci the clown and Hitchcock. In her review, Claire Smith writes: “Precise physical comedy and overblown absurd monologues combine to make this a very funny but strangely unsettling spectacle.” Elf Lyons Is The Woman on the Edge is at Beyond at Pleasance Courtyard (Venue 33) until August 31. | Contributed
11. Jack Docherty: Butterfly — Comedy
Scottish comedian Jack Docherty earned five-stars for his new stand-up hour Butterfly, in which he shares his origin story. In her review for The Scotsman, critic Kate Copstick writes: “It is a pleasure and something of a privilege - not to overstate the case - to be part of an audience wrapped in the funny that Jack Docherty creates here. It is warm, it is personal and it is absolutely (no pun intended, for those of us who are long-standing fans) everything you could want from an hour of largely autobiographical comedy.” Jack Docherty: Butterfly is at the Dining Room, Gilded Balloon Teviot (Venue 14) until August 29. | Steve Ullathorne
12. Kate Smurthwaite Writes and Performs a Brand-New Full-Length Stand-Up Show Every Single Day for the Entire Edinburgh Fringe Based on Audience Suggestions from the Previous Day (Not Tuesdays) — Comedy
A show which is quite literally composed based on audience suggestions, Kate Smurthwaite earned a five-star review from The Scotsman. While you won’t be seeing the same performance as our critic Kate Copstick, she wrote: “One of the most impressive things (and there are so many) is the fact that when Kate explains she is doing a new show every day and that this one was written overnight, the sound of minds being boggled fills the room. At least 50% of the audience had not had a clue. So I am very sorry for anyone who did not hear this show, you missed something wonderful.” Kate Smurthwaite’s Brand New Show is at Banshee Labyrinth (Venue 156) until August 30. | Hector Cuamba