'Pleasantly plump' teenager Tracy Turnblad achieves her dream of becoming a regular on the Corny Collins Dance Show. Now a teen hero, she starts using her fame to speak out for the causes she believes in, most of all integration. In doing so, she earns the wrath of the show's former star, Amber Von Tussle, as well as Amber's manipulative, pro-segregation parents. The rivalry comes to a head as Amber and Tracy vie for the title of Miss Auto Show 1963.
Directed by John Waters
bomb
baltimore, usa
civil rights
romcom
racial segregation
integration
interracial relationship
hair
racism
detention
girls' reformatory
dual role
woman played by man
intercultural relationship
interracial friendship
drag
modeling
dodgeball
special education
1960s
terrorist threat
dance show
Rank
#26 in 1988·#2473 overall
Trailer
IMDB
N/A
Letterboxd
3.7 / 5
Where to Watch
Cast
Ricki Lake
Tracy Turnblad
Divine
Edna Turnblad / Arvin Hodgepile
Debbie Harry
Velma Von Tussle
Vitamin C
Amber von Tussle
Sonny Bono
Franklin von Tussle
Leslie Ann Powers
Penny Pingleton
Ruth Brown
Motormouth Maybelle
Jerry Stiller
Wilbur Turnblad
Michael St. Gerard
Link Larkin
Clayton Prince
Seaweed
Mink Stole
Tammy
Shawn Thompson
Corny Collins
Crew
John Waters
Director
John Waters
Writer
Kenny Vance
Original Music Composer
Robert Shaye
Executive Producer
Rachel Talalay
Producer
John Waters
Co-Producer
Pat Moran
Casting Director
Greg P. Russell
Sound Re-Recording Mixer
Pat Moran
Associate Producer
Jim Whitaker
Assistant Craft Service
Rachel Sweet
Theme Song Performance
Popular Reviews
660 reviews
vi
9.0★ · 11/24/16
not many people know this, but john watersis actually my birth father
not many people know this, but john watersis actually my birth father
5
Vivi
6.0★ · 11/15/25
Tracy has the most atrocious hair I've ever seen
Tracy has the most atrocious hair I've ever seen
1
edgarr
10.0★ · 05/23/26
they hate you when you serve the first woke in the world
they hate you when you serve the first woke in the world
Claire
3.0★ · 05/23/26
Maybe I AM too woke...
Maybe I AM too woke...
Liam Kinghorn
9.0★ · 05/19/26
What an absolute delight. Mayyyyybe my favorite John Waters??
What an absolute delight. Mayyyyybe my favorite John Waters??
