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Hairspray
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Metascore
81 out of 100

Universal acclaim - based on 37 Critics What's this?

User Score
7.6 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 164 Ratings

Your Score
10 out of 10
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  • Starring: John Travolta, Nikki Blonsky, Queen Latifah
  • Summary: Based on the 1988 John Waters’ cult classic, Hairspray is the story of Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, who has only one passion—dancing. When her dream of becoming a regular personality on “The Corny Collins Show” comes true, she wins many fans and becomes an advocate for integration. (New Line Cinema)… Expand

Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 36 out of 37
  2. Mixed: 1 out of 37
  3. Negative: 0 out of 37
  1. New York Daily News
    Reviewed by: Jack Mathews
    100
    A great big sloppy kiss of entertainment for audiences weary of explosions, CGI effects and sequels, sequels, sequels.
  2. New York Post
    Reviewed by: Lou Lumenick
    100
    The best and most entertaining movie adaptation of a stage musical so far this century - and yes, I'm including the Oscar-winning "Chicago."
  3. Village Voice
    Reviewed by: Scott Foundas
    50
    The movie is visually flat: not pasty and garish in the Waters signature style, but merely serviceable and competent in the worst tradition of Hollywood "professionalism."

See all 37 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 65 out of 87
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 87
  3. Negative: 15 out of 87
  1. xahkdlys119
    10
    Bravo! This is the best movie I have seen in years. The songs, dancing and music make this movie an enjoyable musical. Even if you don't like musicals, you are sure to walk out of the cinema or switch off your TV smiling.… Expand
    • 0 of 0 users said yes
  2. MartinD
    5
    I was very disappointed in this movie. All the dance numbers came across as flat and cried to be seen on stage. All the 'kids' were great but of the adults only Latifah and Janney really shined. Travolta never became Edna until the last number and "Timeless" came across as wasted time. Walken was flat and I waited 3-4 years to see Pfiffer back on screen only to feel she was miscast (and the makeup job horrible!) IF I will buy the DVD--wish would really surprise me--it would be only for 3 or 4 of the musical numbers.… Expand
    • 1 of 1 users said yes
  3. GrantW.
    3
    Terrible acting, terrible music, Queen Latifah was terrible Michelle Pfeiffer was worse, and Christopher Walken needs to learn to decline roles.
    • 1 of 1 users said yes

See all 87 User Reviews

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