Hairspray_
"The world was in a mess... but their hair was perfect!!"
'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.
Updated Feb 16, 2026
WHERE TO WATCH
Prime Video
13 countries
DROPTHE_ GOSSIP
Box office
Hairspray earned $6.7M worldwide on a $2.0M budget — a 234% return on investment.
John Waters →
Year context
Hairspray was released 38 years ago in 1988.
CAST (20)
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
Ric Ocasek
Beatnik Cat
Pia Zadora
Beatnik Chick
JA
Jo Ann Havrilla
Prudence Pingleton
Alan J. Wendl
Mr. Pinky
Josh Charles
Iggy
Jason Downs
Bobby
Holter Graham
I.Q. Jones
DG
Dan Griffith
Brad
CREW
Director
Writer
BOX OFFICE
$2.0M
Budget
$6.7M
Revenue
+234%
ROI
BLOCKBUSTER
Verdict
STUDIOS (1)
Stephen Woolley
DETAILS
Release
Status
Released
Runtime
92 min (1h 32m)
Language
English
Country
Rating
6.8/10 (440 votes)
Popularity
5
Budget
$2,000,000
Box Office
$6,671,108
Profit
+$4,671,108
IMDB
Trailer
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is Hairspray about?
'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.
How long is Hairspray?
Hairspray has a runtime of 92 minutes (1h 32m).
Who directed Hairspray?
Hairspray was directed by John Waters.
Who stars in Hairspray?
The cast of Hairspray includes Ricki Lake, Divine, Debbie Harry, Vitamin C, Sonny Bono.
How much did Hairspray make at the box office?
Hairspray earned $6,671,108 worldwide at the box office. The production budget was $2,000,000.
What is the rating of Hairspray?
Hairspray has a rating of 6.8 out of 10 based on 440 votes on TMDB.
GENRES (3)
Comedy
Music
Romance
KEYWORDS (22)
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
