RuPaul might have brought drag more into mainstream media, but drag has been around since at least the Elizabethan era when women were not allowed on the stage. To get around this, young men dressed in women’s clothing instead. For the longest time, this was relegated to the theater. It wasn’t until the eras of music halls and the vaudeville when performing in drag became an art form in itself, rather than part of a theatrical performance.
By the early 20th century, the art of drag was stuck to the LGBTQ community – although not all drag queens are gay or trans. Unfortunately, even though they are associated with the queer community, drag queens have not always been accepted. Which is why Adam Stewart founded International Drag Day back in 2009!7
So what is International Drag Day?
International Drag Day is a day to give drag artists the opportunity to be celebrated and promote the culture of drag in a positive way. It’s celebrated differently around the world, but is often marked with drag shows by local queens. Some also use the day to hold discussions and debates on issues that drag queens face, such as their role within the LGBTQ movement and feminism, challenges drag queens face, and more.
But this IS Queer Film Reviews – so let’s talk about films with drag queens in them!
When it comes to cinema, the history of films with drag queens is not as old. Just like queer characters in genera, early queer films used drag queens as comedic relief rather than treat them as actual characters. But thankfully times have changed in the last few decades. Even while the certain politicians are fighting to make the art of drag illegal, or worse, prosecutable. But we can push back by celebrating drag and drag artists!
Which is why I’ve compiled a list of 10 Drag Films to Watch for International Drag Day. These ten films highlight drag queens as part of the storyline, while celebrating the art form. Interestingly enough, some of these drag films are queer classics that bridged the gap into mainstream cinema over the last few decades.
So have a look at this list of 10 drag films and let me know what you think. Better yet, go and support your local drag artists at their drag shows! So long as you celebrate the art of drag, that’s what matters and will help keep drag alive.
10 Drag Films to Watch for International Drag Day
“Three New York drag queens on their way to Hollywood for a beauty pageant get stranded in a small Midwestern town for the entire weekend when their car breaks down. While waiting for parts for their Cadillac convertible, the flamboyant trio of Vida Boheme, Noxeema Jackson, and Chi Chi Rodriguez shows the local homophobic rednecks that appearing different doesn’t mean they don’t have humanity in common.” – IMDb
How do I jot down “quick thoughts” about “To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar” – it’s literally an iconic queer film! Starring an incredibly talented cast, this queer comedy is simple a delight to watch. It’s a film that at quick glance seems light & frivolous, campy even, as three typically macho stars don drag and bring their diva stories to life. Yet underneath the fabulous wigs & makeup are heartfelt & honest messages about tolerance & acceptance, both of others and of oneself. Is it perfect? Not quite, especially when viewed through modern eyes and in comparison to recent films. However, we also mustn’t forget that we wouldn’t have the depth of queer cinema today if it weren’t for the amazing queer classics such as this. If you haven’t seen “To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar” yet – what are you waiting for??? And for the rest of us who have seen it – go watch it again!
Watch To Wong Foo, Thanks For Everything! Julie Newmar on Amazon, Prime Video, Apple TV+, Peacock TV, Tubi, and YouTube.
“Two drag queens, Anthony/”Mitzi” and Adam/”Feliciaand”, and a transgender woman, Bernadette contract to perform a drag show at a resort in Alice Springs, a town in the remote Australian desert. As they head west from Sydney aboard their lavender bus, Priscilla, the three friends come to the forefront of a comedy of errors, encountering a number of strange characters, as well as incidents of homophobia, whilst widening comfort zones and finding new horizons.” – IMDb
What can I say about “Priscilla”? This low-budget, Australian film about three drag queens took the world by storm! It nearly created a riot at the Cannes Film Festival, and eventually won an Oscar for Best Costume Design – and that’s before it was turned into a successful stage musical! But what is it about this queer music film that created such a stir? Part of it is the time. Drag was still a very niche and almost underground art form. Homophobia was still quite rampant world-wide. But there is something special about how three very different drag entertainers band together to push through life’s problems while caravanning across the Australian outback! If you have not yet seen “The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen Of the Desert” – what are you waiting for?!
Watch The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert on Amazon, Prime Video, Apple TV+, Peacock TV, Tubi, and YouTube.
“Jamie New is 16 and doesn’t quite fit in—instead of pursuing a “real” career he dreams of becoming a drag queen. Uncertain about his future, Jamie knows one thing for sure: he is going to be a sensation. Supported by his loving mom and his amazing friends, Jamie overcomes prejudice, beats the bullies and steps out of the darkness, into the spotlight.” – IMDb
With a world full of Drag Race and drag queen celebrities, there naturally had to be a drag queen musical! However this “based on a real life story” musical is quite an emotional coming of age film that’s worth watching. Is the “teenage who’s bullied before blossoming” storyline getting a bit overdone… maybe? But with a positive outcome, drag queens, and a heartfelt homage to the pioneers of drag and LGBTQ rights, we needed this queer musical! While I cannot speak on how great of an adaptation this film is compared to the stage show, there are plenty of musical numbers that run the full range of emotions – and they’re stunningly performed by a talented cast! I might’ve been late to watch this newer queer musical film, but there’s a reason that “Everyone is Talking About Jamie”!
Watch Everybody’s Talking About Jamie on Prime Video.
“After accidentally witnessing a mafia hit in the Windy City, gal pals Connie and Carla skip town for L.A., where they go way undercover as singers working the city’s dinner theater circuit … as drag queens. Now, it’s not enough that they become big hits on the scene; things get extra-weird when Connie meets Jeff — a guy she’d like to be a woman with.” – IMDb
Drag queens, showtunes, and camp – what more can you ask for! Oh, and throw in a mob boss trying to kill our leads, who are hiding away in LA as the showtunes singing drag queens. However beneath the camp and comedy, there’s actually a heartfelt story about friendship that borders on sisterhood. Along with a story of acceptance and family. Written and starring Nia Vardalos, known for her other double header in “My Big Fat Greek Wedding”, this comedy film is worth watching.
Watch Connie & Carla on Amazon.
5
“After a booking mistake, four drag queens find themselves performing for a mostly unwelcoming crowd, but when vampires attack, the crowd looks to the queens to save the day.” – IMDb
“Slay” is in that genre of queer campy films that you will either love – or hate. And I LOVED it! Not only does it mix that style of camp that works so well with drag queen, but we also get some horror thrown in with vampires. You’d think that it couldn’t work – but it does. That is partly because of some witty dialogue, some decent vampire effects, and some amazing drag queens. But surprisingly, its’s the cinematographic elements that is final piece that pulls it all together! If you love queer campy horror films, “Slay” is a MUST-SEE.
Watch Slay on Tubi.
6
“Gabriel, an aspiring writer of Broadway musicals, meets Mark, a muscled stripper, who picks him up on the subway. They spend the night trying to find somewhere to be alone… forced to contend with Gabriel’s selfish roommate, his irritating best friend, and a vicious, jealous drag queen in a gay dance club. The sun rises on a promising new relationship.” – IMDb
“Trick” is an older film, but quite delightful one to watch! I recall friends having this on VHS… yes, THAT old! Yet this farcical Rom-Com keeps giving us one crazy twist after another in ways that make us laugh and even smile. It’s a delight to watch, though clearly a small independent film. It truly is a staple of queer cinema, and was far ahead of it’s time when it was released in 1999. If you’ve never taken time to watch this classic, find yourself a copy today of this queer music film. “Trick” is that enjoyable!
Watch Trick on Amazon, Prime Video, Apple TV+, Criterion Channel, Tubi, Revry, and YouTube.
“The manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub featuring drag entertainment, and his star attraction, are a gay couple. Madness ensues when his straight son brings home a fiancée and her ultra-conservative parents to meet them.” – IMDb
I have to confess, I watched “The Birdcage” many years before I finally sat down and watched the original french film, “La Cage Aux Folles”. (And that was even after knowing about the stage musical!) In a way, I think that was actually a good thing. The story is quite similar. In fact, I found it interesting how much of the script was kept in when it was transitioned into “The Birdcage”! However, there’s something missing in the original film. I can’t quite pinpoint whether it’s due to the differences of French cinema (and perhaps reservation of addressing a “queer” storyline at all in the late 70’s, or whether it’s merely a reflection of cinematic writing of the time. The jokes just don’t land the same way, and I felt like the story kept skipping ahead towards the end. I also noted that the English subtitles didn’t quite convey the French dialogue at times. All in all though, I thoroughly enjoyed “La Cage Aux Folles” and recommend you watch it – especially if you enjoy “The Birdcage”.
Watch La Cage Aux Folles on Amazon, Prime Video, and Apple TV+.
“When conservative, Texas church choir director Maybelline (Weaver) inherits her recently deceased son’s drag club, she surprises her closed-minded husband and everyone else she knows by moving alone to San Francisco to save the club from bankruptcy. In this raucous, vibrant environment, she begins to open up and find new meaning for her life, even becoming a mother figure to the club’s flamboyant performers – until a surprise visit threatens to upend her new life.” – IMDb
I discovered “Stage Mother” while perusing on Prime Video – and I absolutely LOVED it! While the storyline echos some other iconic films where a religious Southern mother has to accept her son’s sexuality circa his death (“Our Sons”). However, this time we get drag queens – some incredibly talented drag queens once our “stage mother” finally steps up and takes charge. It’s quite an endearing story overall. If you haven’t had the chance to watch “Stage Mother”, then you’re missing out!
Watch Stage Mother on Amazon, Prime Video, Apple TV+, and Tubi.
“New York substitute science teacher/stand-up comic Richard Martinez – who isn’t even remotely effective at either – finally lands a full-time position in Texas through the Teaching Ambassador Program, but his stint falls short when it’s discovered he’s gay. With only one friendly local behind him, Richard returns to the school as sassy Bianca Del Rio, an outspoken teacher who’ll put the unruly students and hypocritical school staff in their proper places, instantly becoming the best teacher he’s ever been and the school has ever seen.” – IMDb
Let’s get the hard bits out of the way: “Hurricane Bianca” is a low-budget film with a script that’s full of Bianca’s classic one-liners woven amid a story that’s so far-fetched that you have to suspend reality to enjoy. But if you give into the full ordeal, then it’s quite a fun queer film to watch! Roy Haylock comes to life both as himself and as the iconic Bianca – and that itself is worth giving this film a watch. Just be able to look past this film’s flaws and don’t expect perfection. All that aside, I still throw this on whenever I need a good laught so “Hurricane Bianca” is still worth checking out!
Watch Hurricane Bianca on Amazon, Prime Video, Hulu, Plex, WolfeOnDemand, Vimeo, and YouTube.
10
“Cherry Pop! is a crazy night in the life of a small local bar’s drag show. It’s about a newcomer struggling with being the outcast on his first night. And a legend coming to terms with life after her last night in drag. And it’s about a bunch of other back-stabbing queens with their own problems who just plain can’t stand each other. Even the stories of some of the patrons play a part in the chaos. Cherry Pop is a real-time roller coaster ride where you better be strapped up, tucked in, and ready to go!” – IMDb
“Cherry Pop” is an interesting premise of a queer film that unfortunately falls a bit flat. Even after a second watch, I’m torn with whether I enjoy it or not. Don’t get me wrong, there are some funny and good moments! But I’m familiar with a few of the queens who star in this, and something’s off. Many of the lines are delivered with the oomph I expected. However the biggest reason I’m not a massive fan of this queer film is actually some of the drag numbers. There’s a fine line between comedy and distasteful, and more are in the latter category than the former! Overall, “Cherry Pop” is not a horrible film – but even though it’s an expansion of an earlier queer short film, I think it needed a bit more work in order to truly shine!
Watch Cherry Pop on Amazon, Prime Video, Apple TV+, WolfeOnDemand, and YouTube.
Final Thoughts
So what did you think about these 10 Drag Films to Watch for International Drag Day that I’ve chosen? Hopefully they are ones you haven’t seen before – and that you want to watch now. Let me know your thoughts in the comments below!
(Remember that you can Pin your favorite drag film to your Pinterest boards for later!)
But remember that are MANY more drag films out there. I haven’t been able to add them all to my Queer Film, Short, & Series Database – let alone review many of them.
And if I still haven’t include your favorite drag film anywhere on the site, let me know HERE. I will certainly add it to my Database – and perhaps give it a full review.
