Overview
A plucky teen takes on the world of dance and segregation, proving that everyone deserves a chance to shine.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Brisk
- Intensity
- Moderate
- Complexity
- Easy to follow
- Violence
- None
- campy
- irreverent
- joyful
- feel good movie night
- musical movie night
What critics said
Critics broadly praised Hairspray as an accessible, sharply funny, and gently subversive retro musical comedy.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
John Waters combines flamboyant musical staging, drag performance, broad caricature, and satire of segregationist respectability.
Tracy's size and unconventional appearance initially exclude her from the dance show's idealized image, which she transforms through confidence and visibility.
Tracy uses her celebrity on the Corny Collins Dance Show to advocate integration against the Von Tussles' pro-segregation agenda.
The film foregrounds colorful 1960s fashion, elaborate hair styling, dance-show spectacle, and heightened production design.
Films like Hairspray, and why
Grease
retro musical comedy, teenage rebellion, exuberant dance numbers, and anti-segregation themes
The Rocky Horror Picture Show
subversive musical comedy, outsider self-acceptance, camp sensibility, and social transgression
Hairspray
dance-centered teen musical, body positivity, romantic comedy, and upbeat social transformation
The Wedding Singer
1960s-set musical comedy, interracial romance, civil rights themes, and vibrant ensemble performance
Movie Details
- Director
- John Waters
- Release Date
- 1988-02-26
- Runtime
- 92 min
- Rating
- 6.8 / 10 (466)
Cast
- Ricki Lake
- Divine
- Debbie Harry
- Vitamin C
- Sonny Bono
- Leslie Ann Powers
- Ruth Brown
- Jerry Stiller
- Michael St. Gerard
- Clayton Prince
Where to watch in United States
- Streaming
- Howdy Amazon Channel
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Hairspray about?
- A buoyant Baltimore teen turns a televised dance contest into a colorful rebellion against beauty standards and segregation.
- What is Hairspray like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Hairspray as brisk, its intensity as moderate and its storytelling as easy to follow.
- Is Hairspray violent?
- No — Ember's analysis finds no violence in Hairspray.
- What did critics think of Hairspray?
- Critics broadly praised Hairspray as an accessible, sharply funny, and gently subversive retro musical comedy.
- Which films are like Hairspray?
- Films with a similar feel include Grease, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Hairspray, and The Wedding Singer.
- How long is Hairspray?
- Hairspray runs 92 minutes.
- Where can I watch Hairspray?
- In United States, Hairspray streams on Howdy Amazon Channel.
