How to watch
Hairspray Movie Watch Order in the correct order
How to watch the Hairspray movies in order
Last updated: November 11 2026
Written by: ChronoBob
Hairspray started as a John Waters cult comedy, became a Broadway smash and returned to the screen as a hit movie musical and a live TV event. Here's how to watch every version.
Set in 1962 Baltimore, Hairspray follows Tracy Turnblad, a big-hearted teenager who lands a spot on a local TV dance show and uses her newfound fame to fight for racial integration. John Waters' original 1988 film starred Ricki Lake and Divine. In 2002, it was adapted into a Tony-winning Broadway musical, which in turn inspired a 2007 film and a 2016 live television production.
π Release Order
Here's every screen version of Hairspray in release order.
- Hairspray (1988)
- Hairspray (2007)
- Hairspray Live! (2016)
Each version tells the same story, but the 1988 film is a non-musical comedy with period pop songs, while the 2007 film and Hairspray Live! are adaptations of the Broadway musical.
π Story Chronology
Since all three versions retell the same 1962 story, there is no separate chronology. Instead, here's how they relate.
- Hairspray (1988) β original John Waters comedy with Ricki Lake and Divine
- Hairspray (2007) β movie musical with Nikki Blonsky, John Travolta and Zac Efron
- Hairspray Live! (2016) β NBC live musical with Maddie Baillio, Harvey Fierstein and Ariana Grande
Which Order Should You Choose?
If you're here for the songs, start with the 2007 film. Its cast β including Michelle Pfeiffer, Christopher Walken and Queen Latifah β and catchy numbers like You Can't Stop the Beat make it the most accessible version. Then go back to John Waters' 1988 original to see where it all began, with its delightfully campy edge. Hairspray Live! is a fun extra for musical theater fans, especially with Harvey Fierstein reprising his Broadway role as Edna.
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