Paris Is Burning

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Paris Is Burning

R

1990

1h 18m

Documentary

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

98%

Tomatometer

66 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

This documentary focuses on drag queens living in New York City and their "house" culture, which provides a sense of community and support for the flamboyant and often socially shunned performers. Groups from each house compete in elaborate balls that take cues from the world of fashion. Also touching on issues of racism and poverty, the film features interviews with a number of renowned drag queens, including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija and Dorian Corey.

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Critics Consensus

Paris Is Burning dives into '80s transgender subculture, with the understated camera allowing this world to flourish and the people to speak (and dance) for themselves.

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Geoff Brown

The Times (UK)

05/19/2020

Half sad, half exuberant.

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Gene Siskel

Chicago Tribune

05/19/2020

3/4

The earnestness of the competition is what holds this film together.

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Vincent Canby

New York Times

05/19/2020

There is a lot of common sense and natural wit behind the role-playing. Yet there is also a terrible sadness in the testimony.

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Ian Thomas Malone

ianthomasmalone.com

Jun 15

Paris is Burning is a timeless reminder to have a good time as civilization crumbles all around us. Trans people may never achieve true liberation. That’s no excuse not to have fun along the way.

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Chauncey K. Robinson

People's World

06/04/2025

A

The ballroom scene may seem niche to the uninitiated, but 'Paris is Burning' makes it clear that it’s ingrained in the fabric of this country’s culture—past and present.

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Josh Larsen

LarsenOnFilm

02/16/2025

3.5/4

... crackles because of its subjects.

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Joshua P.

@Lemon Jul 7

“Touch this skin, darling, touch this skin honey, touch all of this skin! Okay? You just can't take it! You're just an overgrown orangutan!” - Venus Xtravaganza

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Massoud H

@Massoud Jul 2

Especially moving, difficult, and fulfilling to watch this film in June 2025.

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Daniele W.

@Daniele 06/29/2025

It requires a lot of courage to want to make a movie or a documentary about a ball.

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Petros T

@PetrosTserpelis 11/02/2024

Quite an interesting depiction of the world of New York balls circa 1987, "Paris Is Burning" features an array of talking heads that bring up significant points. Nevertheless, this ensemble logic keeps it from having a protagonist, a main subject to focus on, follow and delve into. Arguably, the protagonist is actually the scene itself, and by extension, the community as a whole, but even then, its arc regarding its evolution over time is rather hastily done, and therefore lacks effectiveness.

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Melissa Juliette M

@JulietteDanger 04/12/2024

A film you simply must see.

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John H

@jhritz 10/20/2023

Enlightening and revolutionary.

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Jennie Livingston

Director

André Christian

Actor

Freddie Pendavis

Actor

Willi Ninja

Actor

Pepper LaBeija

Actor

Junior Labeija

Actor

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Synopsis

This documentary focuses on drag queens living in New York City and their "house" culture, which provides a sense of community and support for the flamboyant and often socially shunned performers. Groups from each house compete in elaborate balls that take cues from the world of fashion. Also touching on issues of racism and poverty, the film features interviews with a number of renowned drag queens, including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija and Dorian Corey.

Director: Jennie Livingston
Producer: Jennie Livingston, Barry Swimar
Production Co: Miramax Films, Prestige Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Documentary, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 13, 1990, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jun 14, 2019
Release Date (Streaming): May 5, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $122.8K
Runtime: 1h 18m