Paris Is Burning

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Paris Is Burning

R

1990

1h 18m

Documentary

LGBTQ+

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Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

99%

Tomatometer

122 Reviews

88%

Popcornmeter

2,500+ Ratings

This documentary focuses on drag queens living in New York City and their "house" culture, which provides a sense of community and support for the flamboyant and often socially shunned performers. Groups from each house compete in elaborate balls that take cues from the world of fashion. Also touching on issues of racism and poverty, the film features interviews with a number of renowned drag queens, including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija and Dorian Corey.

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Critics Consensus

Paris Is Burning dives into '80s transgender subculture, with the understated camera allowing this world to flourish and the people to speak (and dance) for themselves.

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Catherine Dunphy

Toronto Star

Jul 31, 2026

It is that we understand we are voyeurs, ultimately of ourselves, as reflected by the mirror the voguers are holding up to us.

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Lynden Barber

Sydney Morning Herald

Jul 31, 2026

For pure entertainment value, the film is hard to beat; for the time when most of the footage was shot, this was a genuine underground scene, bursting with creative energy.

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Joe Pollack

St. Louis Post-Dispatch

Jul 31, 2026

The applause is something, and the trophy is something, and for a little while they are what they want to be and not what the outside world considers them to be.

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Kat Halstead

Common Sense Media

Aug 15, 2026

5/5

This iconic documentary is a warm, vibrant celebration of a subculture that has more recently hit the mainstream with the likes of Pose and RuPaul's Drag Race.

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Codie Allen

InSession Film

Aug 11, 2026

A+

Thirty-five years after its release, Jennie Livingston’s Paris Is Burning remains one of the most extraordinary achievements in documentary filmmaking

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Michael Walsh

The Province (Vancouver)

Jul 31, 2026

A keenly observant and sympathetic filmmaker chooses to present her findings with straightforward honesty and a minimum of social analysis.

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Jasmine W

@jasniquejewels Aug 31, 2026

what an absolutely beautiful documentary film about the ball scene in harlem. documentary’s like this are so important to educate and to share with the world. it’s so lovely seeing everyone not afraid to be themselves and express the culture. venus extravaganza you’ll always be famous <3

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Joshua P.

@Lemon Jul 7, 2025

“Touch this skin, darling, touch this skin honey, touch all of this skin! Okay? You just can't take it! You're just an overgrown orangutan!” - Venus Xtravaganza

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Massoud H

@Massoud Jul 2, 2025

Especially moving, difficult, and fulfilling to watch this film in June 2025.

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Daniele W.

@Daniele Jun 29, 2025

It requires a lot of courage to want to make a movie or a documentary about a ball.

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Petros T

@PetrosTserpelis Nov 2, 2024

Quite an interesting depiction of the world of New York balls circa 1987, "Paris Is Burning" features an array of talking heads that bring up significant points. Nevertheless, this ensemble logic keeps it from having a protagonist, a main subject to focus on, follow and delve into. Arguably, the protagonist is actually the scene itself, and by extension, the community as a whole, but even then, its arc regarding its evolution over time is rather hastily done, and therefore lacks effectiveness.

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Melissa Juliette M

@JulietteDanger Apr 12, 2024

A film you simply must see.

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Jennie Livingston

Director

André Christian

Actor

Freddie Pendavis

Actor

Willi Ninja

Actor

Pepper LaBeija

Actor

Junior Labeija

Actor

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Synopsis

This documentary focuses on drag queens living in New York City and their "house" culture, which provides a sense of community and support for the flamboyant and often socially shunned performers. Groups from each house compete in elaborate balls that take cues from the world of fashion. Also touching on issues of racism and poverty, the film features interviews with a number of renowned drag queens, including Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija and Dorian Corey.

Director: Jennie Livingston
Producer: Jennie Livingston, Barry Swimar
Production Co: Miramax Films, Prestige Productions
Rating: R
Genre: Documentary, LGBTQ+
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 13, 1990, Original
Rerelease Date (Theaters): Jun 14, 2019
Release Date (Streaming): May 5, 2017
Box Office (Gross USA): $122.8K
Runtime: 1h 18m

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