Hairspray
Hairspray Image
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Metascore
81 out of 100

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

User Score
7.7 out of 10

Generally favorable reviews- based on 179 Ratings

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0 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 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. Los Angeles Times
    Reviewed by: Carina Chocano
    80
    What it offers isn't really a nostalgic look at a "more innocent time" so much as a saucy wink at a casually vicious time that is constantly being sold to us as innocent.
  3. Empire
    Reviewed by: Will Lawrence
    80
    Offering plenty of body and a lot of lift, Hairspray gels kitsch styling with show-stopping tunes to mould a memorable musical.
  4. 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: 68 out of 91
  2. Mixed: 7 out of 91
  3. Negative: 16 out of 91
  1. SarahP.
    10
    This movie was the best movie this year! ( besides Rataouille ) John Travolta was at his best as a woman. If I could, I would of gave this movie a hundred!… Expand
  2. DougN.
    8
    Great music, never a dull moment, well done!
  3. 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
  4. MichaelD
    4
    One thing for sure, this movie is definitely not my type. But in some way, it was entertaining at some parts which is why it only JUST gets a 4.

See all 91 User Reviews

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