Dickens & Rumi
Cover of Hairspray

film

Hairspray

2007

Pleasantly plump teenager Tracy Turnblad auditions to be on Baltimore's most popular dance show - The Corny Collins Show - and lands a prime spot. Through her newfound fame, she becomes determined to help her friends and end the racial segregation that has been a staple of the show.

Ages 10+Source checked

Why this age? Most children can handle the mild romance and comic tone, but racial segregation, discrimination, fat shaming, bullying, and brief suggestive/adultery-related humor merit parental discussion. This is guidance, not a safety guarantee; reading level and family context may differ.

Quick view

At a glance

Recommended age10+

Strongest cautions

  • LGBTQIA characters2/5
  • Romance2/5
  • Sexual content & nudity2/5

Strongest positives

  • Courage & resilience4/5
  • Creativity & curiosity4/5
  • Diverse representation4/5

What’s in it?

Products & advertising1/5
Why this rating?

The story involves television fame, fashion, and grooming, but it is not a sustained commercial push for real products.

Strong language1/5
Why this rating?

Contains occasional mild language and name-calling.

LGBTQIA characters2/5
Why this rating?

Features characters in drag, a hallmark of the source material's history.

Romance2/5
Why this rating?

Teen crushes, dating, kissing, and relationship complications are present but secondary to the musical and equality storyline.

Frightening scenes1/5
Why this rating?

Not a scary film.

Sexual content & nudity2/5
Why this rating?

Some mild innuendo and suggestive dancing, but nothing graphic.

Alcohol or drugs1/5
Why this rating?

Some incidental smoking and drinking depicted in a 1960s social context.

Violence1/5
Why this rating?

Includes some brief scuffles and energetic physical choreography.

What’s good in it?

Courage & resilience4/5
Why this rating?

Tracy and others take meaningful social risks to oppose segregation and stand up for excluded people.

Creativity & curiosity4/5
Why this rating?

Music, dance, performance, fashion, and inventive self-expression drive the story and encourage confident creativity.

Diverse representation4/5
Why this rating?

Explicitly addresses racial integration and promotes inclusivity.

Educational value3/5
Why this rating?

Offers accessible context about segregation, integration, racism, media influence, and 1960s social change, though entertainment is the primary intent.

Kindness & empathy4/5
Why this rating?

Friendship, mutual support, empathy, and inclusion are major forces in overcoming prejudice and exclusion.

Positive messages4/5
Why this rating?

Strong themes of equality, self-acceptance, and social justice.

Good role models4/5
Why this rating?

Tracy and her allies show persistence, loyalty, empathy, and principled resistance, though some characters make immature or biased choices.

Family discussion

Talk about it

Conversation starters based on this title’s published content notes.

  1. What did courage look like in this story? Was being brave always the same as being fearless?
  2. How are identity and relationships presented, and how do they shape the characters’ experiences?
  3. Which choice in Hairspray would you have made differently, and why?
  4. Who changed the most in Hairspray, and what caused that change?
Discuss this title with other parents

Community reactions

What families noticed

Add your perspective

Sign in from the homepage to rate this title.

Where to watch or buy

Buy or rent on AmazonFind on JustWatch

As an Amazon Associate, Dickens & Rumi may earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

These content notes are a starting point, not a guarantee. Review the evidence and use your own judgment before choosing a title.

Report an incorrect rating