Best Blurays IconBest Blurays
Films
/
Hairspray (1988)
Hairspray (1988) poster
Letterboxd

3.7

Hairspray (1988)

Comedy, Music, Romance • 1h 32m

Overview

'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.

Director: John Waters

Cast: Ricki Lake, Divine, Debbie Harry, Vitamin C, Sonny Bono, Leslie Ann Powers, Ruth Brown, Jerry Stiller, Michael St. Gerard, Clayton Prince, Mink Stole, Shawn Thompson, Ric Ocasek, Pia Zadora, Jo Ann Havrilla, Alan J. Wendl, Josh Charles, Jason Downs, Holter Graham, Dan Griffith, Regina Hammond, Bridget Kimsey, Frankie Maldon, Brooke Stacy Mills, John Orofino, Kim Webb, Debra Wirth, Dawn Hill, Cyrkle Milbourne, Doug Roberts, John Waters, Toussaint McCall, Lydia Troy, Verna Day, Kevin Joseph, Cory Tabachow, Marcy Brodsky, Donald Wheeler, Paul Zimmerman, Jennifer Johns, Brook Yeaton, Jeff Gardner, Jay Hillmer, Rhea Feikin, Coley Sohn, Susan Lowe, Rosemary Knower, Colleen Simon, Kathleen Wallace, Keith Pruitt, Al Granick, Robert Di Santo, Mollie Hall, Dorie Ellwood, Maggie Linton, Brenda Alford, Carolyn Walker, Mary Jefferson, Alfie Brown, Tipper Burton, Leo Rocca, Jim Parisi, Margo Tully, Matt Myers, Beverly Brigham, Wilbur Griffin, James Adam Tucker, David Samson, Robb Case, Joey Perillo, Mary Vivian Pearce, Mojo Gentry, Dale Guy Madison, Mark Murray-Mazwi, Christine Mason, Mmekutmfon Essien, Bill Lee Brown, Fredella Calloway, Joseph Eubanks, Angel Harper, Cornell Hills, Gorham Scott, Darrell Taylor, Peter Koper, Kevin Murray, George Stover, Buddy Deane, Michael Willis, Chuck Yeaton, Rick Anderson, Harold Anthony, Milton Clark Jr., Harold A. Cornish, Bernice Moore, June Thorne, Scheryll Anderson, Cheryl Andrews, Sonja Bonair, Sylvia Byrd-Leitner, Charlie Hawke, Rudy Jones, William Rose, Miriam Kiss, Patrick Mitchell, Jim Lyons, Frederick Strother, Christopher Golley, Mary Lou Barber, Jacole Fletcher, Brad Baker, John Carhart III, Scott Coblio, Jean Crispens, Vincent De Paul, Lisa M. DeHaven, Christopher Eaves, Lewis Erskine, Stephanie Mazzeo, Jeff Vespa, Stephen Wozniak, Elizabeth Coffey

Best English-Friendly Release

Best Video Release

Best Audio Release

Format

UHD Blu-ray

UHD Tiers

Excellent
Criterion

Featured Lists

National Film Registry

Year of Induction: 2022

Is this Perfect?

*highly probable

External Links

Criterion Forum

Review

Picture: 10, Audio: 8, Extras: 9

Length

92 mins

Type

Movie

Last Updated

12 days ago
Best English-Friendly Release
Best Video Release
Best Audio Release
Format
UHD Blu-ray
UHD Tiers
Excellent
Criterion
Featured Lists
National Film Registry

Year of Induction: 2022

Is this Perfect?

*highly probable

Criterion Forum
Review

Picture: 10, Audio: 8, Extras: 9

Length
92 mins
Type
Movie
Last Updated
12 days ago
Contributors

Part of Is this Perfect?

See more →
L'Atalante poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Curzon 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Curzon 4K Blu-ray with much better encoding than the Gaumont Blu-ray with the same 4K restoration see caps

Criterion Blu-ray uses an older restoration

L'Atalante poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Curzon 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Curzon 4K Blu-ray with much better encoding than the Gaumont Blu-ray with the same 4K restoration see caps

Criterion Blu-ray uses an older restoration

Krakatit poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Deaf Crocodile 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Deaf Crocodile 4K Blu-ray see nic review

Best Audio:

Restored: Deaf Crocodile 4K Blu-ray
Unrestored: Czech PAL DVD

Preferences will vary, the restored track sounds good, but not necessarily faithful to the original elements.

Krakatit poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Deaf Crocodile 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Deaf Crocodile 4K Blu-ray see nic review

Best Audio:

Restored: Deaf Crocodile 4K Blu-ray
Unrestored: Czech PAL DVD

Preferences will vary, the restored track sounds good, but not necessarily faithful to the original elements.

Saraband for Dead Lovers poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Indicator 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

(Indicator 4K Blu-ray, based on review)

Best English-Friendly:

Indicator 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

(Indicator 4K Blu-ray, based on review)

All the King's Men poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Sony 4K Blu-ray

Winchester '73 poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

The Gentle Gunman poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Indicator 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Indicator 4K Blu-ray. Excellent 4K master and encode, except for opticals grain is very fine, grading is beautifully silvery and luminous, nice HDR re-grade by Fidelity in Motion

Best English-Friendly:

Indicator 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Indicator 4K Blu-ray. Excellent 4K master and encode, except for opticals grain is very fine, grading is beautifully silvery and luminous, nice HDR re-grade by Fidelity in Motion

Casque d'Or poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray

Featured in National Film Registry

See more →
The Incredibles poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Disney 4K Blu-ray has the original DTS-ES 6.1 mix in DTS-HD MA 6.1. Inferior Dolby Atmos remix is set to default.

The Incredibles poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Disney 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Disney 4K Blu-ray has the original DTS-ES 6.1 mix in DTS-HD MA 6.1. Inferior Dolby Atmos remix is set to default.

WALL·E poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray > Disney 4K Blu-ray: HDR10 same as the Disney disc, but Criterion's new Dolby Vision layer improves presentation in some aspects, and has very good extras

Best Audio:

Original DTS-ES 6.1 mix: Both are equal. ES rear centre channel maintained on both releases, but is unflagged on the Criterion 4K Blu-ray.

Dolby Atmos remix: Criterion 4K Blu-ray > Disney 4K Blu-ray.

WALL·E poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray > Disney 4K Blu-ray: HDR10 same as the Disney disc, but Criterion's new Dolby Vision layer improves presentation in some aspects, and has very good extras

Best Audio:

Original DTS-ES 6.1 mix: Both are equal. ES rear centre channel maintained on both releases, but is unflagged on the Criterion 4K Blu-ray.

Dolby Atmos remix: Criterion 4K Blu-ray > Disney 4K Blu-ray.

Young Mr. Lincoln poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray, 4K restoration

Young Mr. Lincoln poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray, 4K restoration

The Silence of the Lambs poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray scheduled for October 2026 release

Best Audio:

1991 Orion LaserDisc vs 2024 Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

Criterion Blu-ray has exclusive extras

Best English-Friendly:

Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Upcoming Release:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray scheduled for October 2026 release

Best Audio:

1991 Orion LaserDisc vs 2024 Arrow 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

Criterion Blu-ray has exclusive extras

Terminator 2: Judgment Day poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray or 35mm scan for Theatrical Cut

For the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is the older pre 2017 transfer, but has DNR.

Best Video:

2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray (missing the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, which is on the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is DNRed)

2017 StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray (and subsequent 4Ks) is heavily denoised and smoothened. Alternatively, 35mm scans for the theatrical cut  is also available. For the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is the older pre 2017 transfer, but has DNR.

Best Audio:

Original Kodak/ORC CDS mix 5.1: likely on the Artisan DVD and other Pioneer Japan DVD.
Original Dolby Stereo SR: USA Widescreen LaserDisc and others.

Differences and review of the mix. There are earlier stereo mixes and many subsequent remixes on DVDs but it is unclear how many of them are really unique.

Additional Info:

2017 Blu-Ray (which has the DNRed transfer), the 2009 Skynet Edition Blu-Ray, and the 2000 Ultimate Edition DVD have exclusive extras. The 2003 Extreme Edition DVD has some exclusive easter eggs.

Best English-Friendly:

2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray or 35mm scan for Theatrical Cut

For the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is the older pre 2017 transfer, but has DNR.

Best Video:

2015 Lionsgate Blu-ray (missing the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, which is on the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is DNRed)

2017 StudioCanal 4K Blu-ray (and subsequent 4Ks) is heavily denoised and smoothened. Alternatively, 35mm scans for the theatrical cut  is also available. For the Ultimate Edition with the T-1000 searching John's room and the happy future ending, the 2009 Skynet Blu-ray, which is the older pre 2017 transfer, but has DNR.

Best Audio:

Original Kodak/ORC CDS mix 5.1: likely on the Artisan DVD and other Pioneer Japan DVD.
Original Dolby Stereo SR: USA Widescreen LaserDisc and others.

Differences and review of the mix. There are earlier stereo mixes and many subsequent remixes on DVDs but it is unclear how many of them are really unique.

Additional Info:

2017 Blu-Ray (which has the DNRed transfer), the 2009 Skynet Edition Blu-Ray, and the 2000 Ultimate Edition DVD have exclusive extras. The 2003 Extreme Edition DVD has some exclusive easter eggs.

Titanic poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Paramount/Fox Blu-ray
3D Blu-ray for the IMAX/Open Matte version

35mm scan for original theatrical cut

Best Video:

Paramount/Fox Blu-ray
3D Blu-ray for the IMAX/Open Matte version

35mm scan for original theatrical cut

4K Blu-ray is AI upscaled

Best Audio:

Cinema DTS

Additional Info:

The 4K Blu-ray bonus disc, the 2012 Blu-ray bonus disc, and the 2005 3 disc DVD have exclusive extras.

Titanic poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Paramount/Fox Blu-ray
3D Blu-ray for the IMAX/Open Matte version

35mm scan for original theatrical cut

Best Video:

Paramount/Fox Blu-ray
3D Blu-ray for the IMAX/Open Matte version

35mm scan for original theatrical cut

4K Blu-ray is AI upscaled

Best Audio:

Cinema DTS

Additional Info:

The 4K Blu-ray bonus disc, the 2012 Blu-ray bonus disc, and the 2005 3 disc DVD have exclusive extras.

The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

2022 Paramount Presents Blu-ray disc included in 4K Blu-ray set

Best Video:

2022 Paramount Presents Blu-ray disc included in 4K Blu-ray set, same master, but less bitrate starved.

Best Audio:

1980s Paramount VHS

Additional Info:

The encode on the BD is preferable to the UHD. Same master, but less bitrate starved: https://x.com/SadHillDevan/status/1530057783885721607?s=20 and see caps

Best English-Friendly:

2022 Paramount Presents Blu-ray disc included in 4K Blu-ray set

Best Video:

2022 Paramount Presents Blu-ray disc included in 4K Blu-ray set, same master, but less bitrate starved.

Best Audio:

1980s Paramount VHS

Additional Info:

The encode on the BD is preferable to the UHD. Same master, but less bitrate starved: https://x.com/SadHillDevan/status/1530057783885721607?s=20 and see caps

The Godfather Part II poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Paramount 2008 Blu-ray Coppola Restoration

Best Video:

Paramount 2008 Blu-ray Coppola Restoration

Best Audio:

Paramount 2008 Blu-ray Coppola Restoration

Additional Info:

The Paramount 4K "restoration" is a desecration. It has completely revisionist color timing, harsh HDR, treatment of stock footage, bad encoding, selective DNR and grain management so bad that the entire screen frequently freezes up with only characters moving around in grain soup. It is so bad that the film's restorer Robert Harris publicly washed his hands of it saying essentially the 2007 restoration (with Willis and Coppola supervising) is how the film was intended and made. This is Paramount's modern version done their way. The new 1080p SDR Blu-rays in print are the crap 4K desecration master with the same problems still there just harder to spot and with crap encodes. Part II overall fares better than the first film but it has all the same problems. Randomly some shots are the worst in the trilogy looks mushy and manipulated to death.
The mono option is an unnecessarily processed version of the lossy mono from the 2008 Blu-ray. The 2008 Blu-ray of the 2007 Coppola Restoration while an imperfect outdated disc is LIGHT YEARS better than this 4K desecration. The only truly major issue is that it is very slightly redder than the 2007 finished master as seen on DCPs. The lossy mono on the 2008 Blu-ray is the best version of the original mix known to exist as it is better than the late 80's mastering for VHS and LaserDisc.
DFIC review of the hideous crap 4K Blu-rays: https://youtu.be/0uw6-Kcy_UA?si=ob1nDg0wTCvemjH0

Best English-Friendly:

Paramount 2008 Blu-ray Coppola Restoration

Best Video:

Paramount 2008 Blu-ray Coppola Restoration

Best Audio:

Paramount 2008 Blu-ray Coppola Restoration

Additional Info:

The Paramount 4K "restoration" is a desecration. It has completely revisionist color timing, harsh HDR, treatment of stock footage, bad encoding, selective DNR and grain management so bad that the entire screen frequently freezes up with only characters moving around in grain soup. It is so bad that the film's restorer Robert Harris publicly washed his hands of it saying essentially the 2007 restoration (with Willis and Coppola supervising) is how the film was intended and made. This is Paramount's modern version done their way. The new 1080p SDR Blu-rays in print are the crap 4K desecration master with the same problems still there just harder to spot and with crap encodes. Part II overall fares better than the first film but it has all the same problems. Randomly some shots are the worst in the trilogy looks mushy and manipulated to death.
The mono option is an unnecessarily processed version of the lossy mono from the 2008 Blu-ray. The 2008 Blu-ray of the 2007 Coppola Restoration while an imperfect outdated disc is LIGHT YEARS better than this 4K desecration. The only truly major issue is that it is very slightly redder than the 2007 finished master as seen on DCPs. The lossy mono on the 2008 Blu-ray is the best version of the original mix known to exist as it is better than the late 80's mastering for VHS and LaserDisc.
DFIC review of the hideous crap 4K Blu-rays: https://youtu.be/0uw6-Kcy_UA?si=ob1nDg0wTCvemjH0

The Godfather poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Paramount 2008 Blu-ray Coppola Restoration

Best Video:

Paramount 2008 Blu-ray Coppola Restoration

Best Audio:

2008 Blu-ray lossy mono. (Britain release only has 5.1)

Additional Info:

The Paramount 4K "restoration" is a desecration. It has completely revisionist color timing, harsh HDR, treatment of stock footage, bad encoding, selective DNR and grain management so bad that the entire screen frequently freezes up with only characters moving around in grain soup. It is so bad that the film's restorer Robert Harris publicly washed his hands of it saying essentially the 2007 restoration (with Willis and Coppola supervising) is how the film was intended and made. This is Paramount's modern version done their way. The new 1080p SDR Blu-rays in print are the crap 4K desecration master with the same problems still there just harder to spot and with crap encodes.
The mono option is an unnecessarily processed version of the lossy mono from the 2008 Blu-ray. The 2008 Blu-ray of the 2007 Coppola Restoration while an imperfect outdated disc is LIGHT YEARS better than this 4K desecration. The only truly major issue is that it is very slightly redder than the 2007 finished master as seen on DCPs. The lossy mono on the 2008 Blu-ray is the best version of the original mix known to exist as it is better than the late 80's mastering for VHS and LaserDisc.
DFIC review of the hideous crap 4K Blu-rays: https://youtu.be/0uw6-Kcy_UA?si=ob1nDg0wTCvemjH0

Best English-Friendly:

Paramount 2008 Blu-ray Coppola Restoration

Best Video:

Paramount 2008 Blu-ray Coppola Restoration

Best Audio:

2008 Blu-ray lossy mono. (Britain release only has 5.1)

Additional Info:

The Paramount 4K "restoration" is a desecration. It has completely revisionist color timing, harsh HDR, treatment of stock footage, bad encoding, selective DNR and grain management so bad that the entire screen frequently freezes up with only characters moving around in grain soup. It is so bad that the film's restorer Robert Harris publicly washed his hands of it saying essentially the 2007 restoration (with Willis and Coppola supervising) is how the film was intended and made. This is Paramount's modern version done their way. The new 1080p SDR Blu-rays in print are the crap 4K desecration master with the same problems still there just harder to spot and with crap encodes.
The mono option is an unnecessarily processed version of the lossy mono from the 2008 Blu-ray. The 2008 Blu-ray of the 2007 Coppola Restoration while an imperfect outdated disc is LIGHT YEARS better than this 4K desecration. The only truly major issue is that it is very slightly redder than the 2007 finished master as seen on DCPs. The lossy mono on the 2008 Blu-ray is the best version of the original mix known to exist as it is better than the late 80's mastering for VHS and LaserDisc.
DFIC review of the hideous crap 4K Blu-rays: https://youtu.be/0uw6-Kcy_UA?si=ob1nDg0wTCvemjH0

American Graffiti poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Original 1973 cut: 35mm scans

1978 reissue cut: 2011 Universal Blu-ray

Best Video:

Original 1973 cut: 35mm scans

1978 reissue cut: 2011 Universal Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Original 1973 cut: 35mm scans

1978 reissue cut: 1992 Japan CIC Video LaserDisc

Best English-Friendly:

Original 1973 cut: 35mm scans

1978 reissue cut: 2011 Universal Blu-ray

Best Video:

Original 1973 cut: 35mm scans

1978 reissue cut: 2011 Universal Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Original 1973 cut: 35mm scans

1978 reissue cut: 1992 Japan CIC Video LaserDisc

More from John Waters

See more →
Desperate Living poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

Criterion 4K is in director's preferred aspect ratio of 1.66:1.

Best English-Friendly:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Criterion 4K Blu-ray

Additional Info:

Criterion 4K is in director's preferred aspect ratio of 1.66:1.

Cry-Baby poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray has poor encoding see caps but still a huge improvement over the 2014 Universal Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray Both the 2.0 and 5.1 tracks are improvements over the 2014 Universal Blu-ray

Additional Info:

Theatrical cut is on the 4K disc, but the restored Director's Cut is only on the Blu-Ray disc. Director's Cut utilizes the same 4K transfer as the theatrical cut for 86 minutes, but the 6 minutes of restored footage could only be salvaged from a standard definition source and are thus needed to be upscaled. 

Cry-Baby poster
UHD Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray

Best Video:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray has poor encoding see caps but still a huge improvement over the 2014 Universal Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Kino Lorber 4K Blu-ray Both the 2.0 and 5.1 tracks are improvements over the 2014 Universal Blu-ray

Additional Info:

Theatrical cut is on the 4K disc, but the restored Director's Cut is only on the Blu-Ray disc. Director's Cut utilizes the same 4K transfer as the theatrical cut for 86 minutes, but the 6 minutes of restored footage could only be salvaged from a standard definition source and are thus needed to be upscaled. 

Cecil B. Demented poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Umbrella Blu-ray

Best Video:

Umbrella Blu-ray

Best English-Friendly:

Umbrella Blu-ray

Best Video:

Umbrella Blu-ray

Serial Mom poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory Blu-ray

Serial Mom poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Shout! Factory Blu-ray

Polyester poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray

Polyester poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray

Multiple Maniacs poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray

Multiple Maniacs poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Audio:

Criterion Blu-ray

Female Trouble poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4k resto

Female Trouble poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4k resto

Pink Flamingos poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4k scan

Pink Flamingos poster
1080p Blu-ray
Best English-Friendly:

Criterion Blu-ray

Best Video:

Criterion 4k scan

Edit History

4 edits
Hairspray (1988) backdrop

Made with ❤️ 📀 by vanshady