Hairspray

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Hairspray

PG

1988

1h 30m

Comedy

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

48 Reviews

80%

Popcornmeter

50,000+ Ratings

When Tracy Turnblad (Ricki Lake), an overweight teen, auditions for a spot on a popular teen dance show, she beats out the spiteful Amber von Tussle (Colleen Fitzpatrick), winning over Amber's boyfriend (Michael St. Gerard) in the process. After meeting some black students at her school, Tracy begins to push for more racial integration on the dance show. This gets her into trouble on many sides, especially with Amber's pushy parents (Sonny Bono, Deborah Harry).

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Critics Consensus

Hairspray is perhaps John Waters' most accessible film, and as such, it's a gently subversive slice of retro hilarity.

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Anne Billson

Sight & Sound

May 13, 2026

John Waters, however, has gleefully pounced on the formulas’ hackneyed conventions for his own purposes: this is both a send-up of and homage to the teen-pic and film.

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Kevin Maher

The Times (UK)

Jun 9, 2023

5/5

Ricki Lake’s unselfconscious performance as the all-dancing, all-bouffant Tracy Turnblad is a joy, Debbie Harry makes a fabulous bigot, while Waters seems to delight in the many toe-tapping dance routines as well as his own deliciously arch dialogue.

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Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

Jun 7, 2023

4/5

Hairspray shows that Baltimore is the natural home of twisted legends and gothic subversives: Edgar Allan Poe, Dr Hannibal Lecter … and John Waters.

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Sean Axmaker

Stream on Demand

Apr 29, 2025

[John] Waters punctures the prejudice through parody and exaggeration, upending stereotypes and transforming race hysteria into hysterical humor.

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Fedor Tot

WeLoveCinema

Sep 20, 2023

4/5

John Waters’ musical finds just the right balance of kitsch and sincerity.

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Hanna Flint

House Notes

Jun 26, 2023

Waters has a true knack for both celebrating and mocking a particular cultural milieu with equal flair and fancy.

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Film Friends

May 16, 2026

For some reason we thought this would be 1988 version, but was 2007.

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charles w

Mar 23, 2022

Very fun movie with good dancing and acting!!

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Izzy A

@Izzya Sep 8, 2026

I love this movie! To me it’s a fun and entertaining movie, but it also has a deeper message about racism, acceptance, and standing up for what you believe in. I love the characters and Tracy’s confidence and determination. I also appreciated the humor it made the movie very enjoyable without taking away from the serious topics it brings up. Overall, from my perspective it’s both fun to watch and meaningful at the same time.

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Robert P

@Superbad Sep 2, 2026

This was the *first* movie, that had Devine as the star and Ricki Lake as the Dancer. it's a must see! and a classic!

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Nic S

@NicSarge Sep 19, 2025

Hairspray is CAMP yet discusses real issues. The 60s aesthetic is alive and popping - it really does feel like a product from that time, from the set dressing, costuming and cinematography. It’s based on the factual racial integration amidst a Baltimore dance show. It also speaks to confident body positivity and speaks to a whole host of characters, and feature Divine <3 I enjoyed it.

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Stephen C

@bob25009 Jun 20, 2025

Funny in 1.5 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $6,700,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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John Waters

Director

Ricki Lake

Tracy Turnblad

Divine

Edna Turnblad

Jerry Stiller

Wilbur Turnblad

Sonny Bono

Franklin von Tussle

Vitamin C

Amber von Tussle

Maid to Order

42%

55%

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Synopsis

When Tracy Turnblad (Ricki Lake), an overweight teen, auditions for a spot on a popular teen dance show, she beats out the spiteful Amber von Tussle (Colleen Fitzpatrick), winning over Amber's boyfriend (Michael St. Gerard) in the process. After meeting some black students at her school, Tracy begins to push for more racial integration on the dance show. This gets her into trouble on many sides, especially with Amber's pushy parents (Sonny Bono, Deborah Harry).

Director: John Waters
Producer: Rachel Talalay
Screenwriter: John Waters
Distributor: Image Entertainment Inc.
Production Co: New Line Cinema, Robert Shaye Production
Rating: PG
Genre: Comedy
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 26, 1988, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Dec 1, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA): $6.7M
Runtime: 1h 30m
Sound Mix: Surround

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