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.
17. Phil Ellis: Bath Mat — Comedy
Fans of Taskmaster will already be familiar with Phil Ellis, whose show Bath Mat received a five-star review from The Scotsman this year. Critic Claire Smith wrote: “This show is Phil Ellis, playing all the right notes in exactly the right order. There’s a lot of material you may have heard before if you’ve ever had the absolute joy of seeing one of Ellis’ Edinburgh shows. These are his best bits, but polished to perfection, like pebbles shining in a river in the cold northern English sun. This Edinburgh run is the jump off point for his first, full national tour.” Phil Ellis: Bath Mat will be on at various venues until August 30. | Contributed
18. Pink Rabbit — Theatre
Pink Rabbit follows Farah Ashraf as good muslim daughter Amna, who is modest and obedient at home, but bold and flirtatious as PersianBaby online. In her five-star review, Mika Morava writes: “Ashraf moves between characters with remarkable precision. A prolonged argument with her mother towards the end is transfixing as she flicks between the two women with tiny changes in posture, voice and expression, making their emotional history palpable even though she is physically alone onstage. Pink Rabbit is funny, filthy, vulnerable and brought to glorious life by Ashraf, a magnetic performer – one whose next move will be worth watching.” Pink Rabbit will be on at Daisy at Underbelly, Bristo Square (Venue 302) until August 30. | Stewart Bywater
19. Reuben Kaye: Hard to Swallow — Comedy
In her five-star review of Australian singer, writer, drag artist and comedian Reuben Kaye’s show Hard to Swallow, Claire Smith writes: “His comedy, his performance and his passion are genuinely jaw dropping. He will absolutely shock you, but he will also make you think. The standing ovation as he drops the microphone is spontaneous and utterly deserved. Sometimes you walk out of a Fringe show and you are not the same person you were before. This is one of those shows. You are privileged to be a part of this audience. It’s cathartic. It’s transformative. It might even change the world.” Reuben Kaye: Hard to Swallow is at Palais du Variété at Assembly George Square Gardens (Venue 3) until August 29. | Andrew Levvy
20. Superbowl Salsa — Dance, Physical Theatre, & Circus
Starring world champion Swing Latino dancers, Superbowl Salsa earned five-stars from Kelly Apter, who wrote in her review: “If you enjoy watching the salsa routines on Strictly Come Dancing, and marvel as dancers flip cautiously over heads, then hang onto your hats – there’s nothing remotely cautious about this fearless outfit. They also change costumes, each one as glamorous as the last, almost as fast as they dance.” Superbowl Salsa is at Assembly Hall (Venue 35) until August 30. | Jacinta Oaten