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Hairspray

Play trailer Poster for Hairspray PG 1988 1h 30m Comedy Play Trailer Watchlist
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98% Tomatometer 47 Reviews 79% 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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Hairspray

Hairspray

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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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Critics Reviews

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Kevin Maher The Times (UK) 06/09/2023
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. Go to Full Review
Peter Bradshaw Guardian 06/07/2023
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. Go to Full Review
David Robinson The Times (UK) 12/31/2017
It is absurd and jolly, parodying not only the worst conventions of the teen film but also the Sixties social-conscience movie, with an anti-racist sub-plot. Go to Full Review
Sean Axmaker Stream on Demand Apr 29
[John] Waters punctures the prejudice through parody and exaggeration, upending stereotypes and transforming race hysteria into hysterical humor. Go to Full Review
Fedor Tot WeLoveCinema 09/20/2023
4/5
John Waters’ musical finds just the right balance of kitsch and sincerity. Go to Full Review
Hanna Flint House Notes 06/26/2023
Waters has a true knack for both celebrating and mocking a particular cultural milieu with equal flair and fancy. Go to Full Review
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Audience Reviews

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charles w 03/23/2022 Very fun movie with good dancing and acting!! See more Nic S Sep 19 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. See more Stephen C @bob25009 Jun 20 Funny in 1.5 hours!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The USA grossed over $6,700,000.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! See more Anahit C May 19 Hairspray has been an absolute classic for teen girls. Even though the movie was made many years before I was even born, I felt like it helped me through the times that the characters went through as well. What I enjoyed about Hairspray is that the movie isn't just romantic or a good feel story, it talks about issues we still face today. Tracy is bold and doesn't let anyone tell her she's too big for her dreams, she is the type of person everyone needs around them. Even if the dialogue happened to be bad (which isn't) the music's catchiness would make up for it. I really enjoy musicals because of Hairspray, it showed me the potential of musicals which I never would have discovered on my own. Hairspray is a celebration of inclusivity, self-love, and shaking up the system with a smile on your face. I wish more movies were like this. See more Naydelin H May 19 The movie was alright. I have watched this one and I have watched the new remake of Hairspray that came out in 2007. I really enjoyed the new remake of the movie instead of the old one. Both movies have the same idea and thing going on. But when you watch this film and you watch the other one you can see a get more of a good vibe to the new one because of how much color was but in the other film. Also, in there is not really any suspense to the movie which made it boring because it. In the other film they had a lot of singing which I really enjoyed and when I would rewatch it that was the suspense, being able to singing along with the people singing. I wouldn't suggest my friends or other watching this film but the other remake of it.  See more random u May 17 Hairspray was not a bad movie but it’s not something I would choose to watch. I don’t usually go for these types of movies but it definitely brought the energy with its humor and quirky vibe. There’s a lot of catchy songs throughout the movie and lots of different humor so it keeps its energy throughout the whole movie. The movie also had a solid message behind it. The main character is a quirky teen who fights against prejudice to make a difference. This movie had too much music and dancing for my liking. It’s not something I would go for but I can see why it’s a cult classic. If you like watching quirky and high energy movies this is a movie worth watching. See more Read all reviews
Hairspray

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Movie Info

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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