Stripper movies pull back the curtain on the exotic dancing industry, and show the artistry and humanity behind the business. Whether stripping is merely a gimmick to sell tickets, or the film makes legitimate commentary on the art form, stripper movies have grown and changed as moral standards shift. At their heart, films about stripping use the medium as a backdrop to tell compelling stories, and they often say a lot about larger issues in society.
Many movies about stripping put exotic dance at the forefront of their stories, and those films have offered a mixed bag of quality, from award-winners to notoriously panned flops. Additionally, stripper movies often also cross over into other forms of dance, with some of the best dance movies involving stripping as their main subject. As with any other art form, stripper movies are ultimately about expression, and though there are common plot threads across the subgenre, each offers a compellingly original take on the profession.
You are watching: The 20 Best Stripper Movies You Have To Watch Right Now
20 The Stripper (1963)
Starring Joanne Woodward
The idea of stripper movies is not new, as there was a movie about the subject as far back as 1963. The Stripper stars Academy Award-winning actress Joanne Woodward as Lila Green, a woman who wants a career in movies. However, after finding very little success in Hollywood, she joins some traveling entertainers in Kansas with her boyfriend, Ricky Powers (Robert Webber). While visiting a friend (Claire Trevor), she catches the eye of the young Kenny (Richard Beymer), who becomes infatuated with her.
The movie plays into the idea of Lila working as a stripper when she needs money and finding that she has ruined the ideal that young Kenny had built of her in his mind when he sees her dancing. The Stripper is a product of its time, with the idea of women embracing their sexuality looked down upon by society, but it also is a sad tale, because Lila did what she had to do to make ends meet, even if this was something that idealistic outsiders could never wrap their minds around.
19 Titane (2021)
Starring Agathe Rousselle
Your Rating
10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
10/10 Titane R Sci-FiThrillerDrama
Titane is a French horror drama directed by Julia Ducournau. Agathe Rousselle stars as Alexia, a woman with a titanium plate in her head who leads a violent and unconventional life.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Director Julia Ducournau Release Date October 1, 2021 Cast Garance Marillier , Agathe Rousselle , Vincent Lindon , Laïs Salameh Runtime 108 minutes
Titane might be unlike any movie a person will ever see, and it is also one that uses the role of a stripper in a very different take. Agathe Rousselle stars as Alexia, a woman who was injured in a car accident when she was a child. As a result, she had a titanium plate inserted into her head, and she was never the same. As an adult, she began working as a stripper at a motor show, but this was mostly used for her side gig as a serial killer who targets both men and women.
Related Titane Ending Explained
Titane is controversial and highly violent, but its final minutes offer a sensitive look at the life of two troubled characters who love each other.
The less known about the movie before seeing it, the better, but be warned, this is a body horror movie with some gruesome and very controversial horrific moments. It also involves a woman who, somehow, literally has sex with cars. The film was praised by critics and fans of body horror movies, and it even won the Palme d’Or, the top prize at the Cannes Film Festival. Titane has a 90% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes and remains an underrated modern-day horror classic.
18 Dogma (1999)
Starring Salma Hayek
Your Rating
10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
26 9.3/10 Dogma RDramaFantasyAdventureComedy
Dogma is a 1999 comedy that revolves around two fallen angels, Bartleby and Loki, who try to get back to Heaven after getting thrown out by God. It is part director Kevin Smith’s the View Askewniverse, and it counts with an ensemble cast that includes Ben Affleck, Matt Damon, Alan Rickman, Salma Hayek, Chris Rock, Linda Fiorentino, Jason Lee, and Jason Mewes.
Director Kevin Smith Release Date November 12, 1999 Distributor(s) Lionsgate Cast Ben Affleck , Chris Rock , Matt Damon , Alan Rickman , Linda Fiorentino Runtime 130 minutes See at Walmart
While stripping plays a very small role in this movie, the idea of who the stripper is makes this an interesting addition to the genre. In Dogma, Kevin Smith tells one of the most ambitious tales of his career. Two angels (Matt Damon and Ben Affleck) have been banished to Earth for years and wander aimlessly until they come across a demon (Jason Lee) who offers them a way back. The only downfall is they would destroy humanity to do so. It is up to Jay, Silent Bob, and a descendant of Jesus Christ to stop them.
On their mission to stop the angels, Jay, Bob, and the last scion, Bethany, meet a variety of people, including the angel Metatron, Rufus (the Thirteenth Apostle), and Serendipity. It is this last character, Serendipity (played by Salma Hayek), who is the stripper in the movie. She is a Muse, which is an actual angelic being who provides inspiration for people of the world, and she does so as a stripper. She says her talents on the stage helped inspire nine of the 10 highest-grossing movies of all time.
17 Exotica (1994)
Starring Mia Kirshner
Your Rating
10 stars9 stars8 stars7 stars6 star5 stars4 stars3 stars2 stars1 star Rate Now 0/10 Leave a Review
Your comment has not been saved
Exotica RDrama
Exotica, directed by Atom Egoyan, is a drama exploring the interconnected lives of patrons and employees at a Toronto strip club. The film examines themes of loss, longing, and the complexity of human relationships, featuring performances by Bruce Greenwood, Mia Kirshner, and Elias Koteas. Exotica gained critical acclaim for its intricate narrative structure and delicate handling of its subjects.
Director Atom Egoyan Release Date March 24, 1995 Cast Bruce Greenwood , Elias Koteas , Don McKellar , David Hemblen , Calvin Green , Peter Krantz , Mia Kirshner , Arsinée Khanjian
The 1994 erotic thriller Exotica remains one of the most underappreciated stripper movies ever made. The Canadian film stars Bruce Greenwood as Francis Brown, a tax auditor who frequents a strip club called Exotica. He spends most of his money on dances from a stripper named Christina (Mia Kirshner), who performs in a schoolgirl uniform. This angers the club’s DJ, who used to date her. However, the plot sees Francis as a man grieving the death of his wife and daughter.
Exotica is a tale of trauma, with the main locale being the strip club. While the club provided the atmosphere for the film’s setting, the story is about the power of loss, both from Francis and Christina, although their true connection is not revealed until the film’s end. Critics praised the story and acting, and it sits high on Rotten Tomatoes with a 95% positive rating, with critics saying the sex and obsession in the movie is a nice cover for the strong character study.
16 Gypsy (1993)
Starring Bette Midler
There was a version of Gypsy made in 1963, but it was a movie that the author of the stage musical, Gypsy: A Musical Fable, disowned. He almost wouldn’t allow this second version to be made until the son of the real Gypsy Rose Lee pushed for its production. This version was a movie made for TV, which aired on CBS in 1993.
In the story, Bette Midler plays “Mama” Rose Hovick, a mother who relentlessly wants to push her daughter into becoming a vaudeville headliner. However, when her daughter June rebels and leaves, Mama Rose decides she will take her other daughter, Louise (Gypsy Rose), and force her into the role whether she likes it or not. Midler won the Golden Globe Award for Best Actress in a Miniseries or Motion Picture Made for Television, while Cynthia Gibb was nominated for her role as Gypsy Rose.
15 Striptease (1996)
Starring Demi Moore
Striptease R
Striptease is a 1996 comedy-drama film that follows an FBI secretary who turns to exotic dancing to earn money to reclaim her daughter. Her new profession, unfortunately, gains the attention of a dangerous politician who will stop at nothing to win her affection.
Director Andrew Bergman Release Date June 23, 1996 Cast Demi Moore , Armand Assante , Ving Rhames , Robert Patrick , Burt Reynolds Runtime 117 Minutes
The 1990s saw an increased fascination with exotic dance as an art form, and many stripper movies during that era began to take the business seriously. In the case of Striptease, ex-FBI assistant Erin (Demi Moore) begins stripping to earn money to regain custody of her daughter, but she soon runs afoul of David Dilbeck (Burt Reynolds), a local politician who desires her.
Related The 60 Best Movies Of All Time
Screen Rant breaks down the best movies of all time, from old classics to modern masterpieces across multiple genres of cinema.
9
Now a beloved piece of ’90s cheese, Striptease was lambasted by critics for its overt melodrama and ham-fisted approach to the art of stripping. The negative reception to it sadly impacted Moore’s career, effectively ending her time as one of Hollywood’s A-listers. Nevertheless, the film never failed to entertain and Moore shined alongside a surprisingly villainous turn for Reynolds. The movie also became a box office success despite the critical reception, earning $113 million worldwide (via Box Office Mojo).
14 Dancing At The Blue Iguana (2000)
Starring Daryl Hannah
Dancing at the Blue Iguana R
Dancing at the Blue Iguana is a drama film that follows a group of five dancers at the titular California strip club as they each contend with their tumultuous lives, from personal relationships to professional experiences – both on and off the stage.
Director Michael Radford Release Date September 14, 2000 Cast Charlotte Ayanna , Daryl Hannah , Sheila Kelley , Elias Koteas , Vladimir Mashkov , Sandra Oh , Jennifer Tilly , Robert Wisdom Runtime 123 Minutes
Though a bit verbose, Dancing at the Blue Iguana attempted to show the harsh realities of the world of exotic dance, while largely ignoring the art form itself. The indie hit centers on dancers at the Blue Iguana Club, with a strong cast featuring Sandra Oh, Daryl Hannah, Jennifer Tilly, Charlotte Ayanna, and Sheila Kelley, who each yearn for a better life.
Despite being unfair to the profession, the film offered enough compelling storylines to stay interesting, and the acting was top-notch. While many stripper movies try to peel back the veneer and show the “real dancing business,” Dancing at the Blue Iguana was hit or miss.
One of the most interesting elements is the accompanying documentary made by Hannah called Strip Notes, which details her research into this world to prepare for her role. It makes for a fascinating double-feature look at this world.
13 Magic Mike’s Last Dance (2023)
Starring Channing Tatum
Magic Mike’s Last Dance
Magic Mike’s Last Dance is the third and final entry in the Magic Mike franchise and sees Mike Lane forced to return to his former life to pull himself out of dire straights. When a pandemic causes Mike to lose his business, forcing him to return to bartending, When the head of a fundraising event seeks him out, he’s working at; he’s given a chance to build a new generation of strippers in London and get back on his feet.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Director Steven Soderbergh Release Date February 10, 2023 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Reid Carolin Cast Channing Tatum , Caitlin Gerard , Salma Hayek Pinault Expand
Closing out the trilogy of Magic Mike films, Magic Mike’s Last Dance was a mostly satisfying conclusion to the beloved series of stripper movies. Mike (Channing Tatum) has taken to bartending after his business went bust but he is lured to London by socialite Maxandra (Salma Hayek) to perform once again.
Magic Mike’s Last Dance
offered closure for the series that spanned a decade…
Like the previous installments, Last Dance had plenty of scintillating dancing and didn’t abandon the human element behind the performers. Despite the fact that the movie saw original director Steven Soderbergh returning to the franchise, the third movie fell somewhat short of the previous films in terms of box office and critical reception. The story was considered somewhat flat comparatively and was a more understated conclusion than the trilogy perhaps demanded.
Regardless, Magic Mike’s Last Dance offered closure for the series that spanned a decade. It is also interesting to look at characters who have aged out of the erotic dance profession with Mike still having a passion for it and finding a way to continue to embrace his talents.
12 The Players Club (1998)
Starring LisaRaye McCoy
The Players Club R
The Players Club is a comedy-drama film by writer-director Ice Cube that follows a young single mother named Diana who takes to exotic dancing to pay for her education and to care for her child. Struggling to make ends meet is only one of her concerns – as her job as a dancer comes with several hazards, from her boss to club patrons and even co-workers all looking for a piece of the same cut.
Director Ice Cube Release Date April 10, 1998 Cast LisaRaye , Bernie Mac , Monica Calhoun , A. J. Johnson , Ice Cube , Alex Thomas , Jamie Foxx , John Amos Runtime 104 Minutes
Though The Players Club featured a stock-standard story seen in many stripper movies, the details were what made it a legitimately engaging film. Diana (LisaRaye McCoy) strips to support her family while also keeping on the straight and narrow by helping younger strippers make it in the business.
Deftly blending its comedy and its drama, The Players Club featured a stellar cast of Black stars from the late 1990s. Never dipping into melodramatics, Diana’s story is both interesting and uplifting, and the story is realistic and fair to those in the profession.
The movie was directed by rap star Ice Cube, who also stars, and features some amazing talent, including Jamie Foxx, Bernie Mac, and Terrence Howard. The Players Club has been praised for its insight into the lives of these characters as well as McCoy’s performance, which elevates the project. The movie marks Ice Cube’s only directorial feature, but he was praised by critics like Roger Ebert for his balancing of the film’s many different styles (via RogerEbert.com)
11 From Dusk Till Dawn (1996)
Starring Salma Hayek
From Dusk Till Dawn
From Dusk Till Dawn is a horror movie directed by Robert Rodriguez and written by Quentin Tarantino. It follows criminal brothers Seth and Richie Gecko (George Clooney and Tarantino), who take a family hostage in a bar that turns out to be a haven for vampires. The film also stars Harvey Keitel, Juliette Lewis, and Salma Hayek, and has since become a cult classic.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Director Robert Rodriguez Release Date January 19, 1996 Studio(s) Dimension Films Distributor(s) MiraMax Writers Quentin Tarantino Cast Quentin Tarantino , Juliette Lewis , George Clooney , Ernest Liu , Harvey Keitel Expand
Stripping is only one small part of From Dusk Till Dawn, written by Quentin Tarantino and directed by Robert Rodriguez, but it serves as the turning point for the film. On the run from the law, the Gecko brothers flee to Mexico and find themselves at a bar that is a haven for vampires.
From Dusk Till Dawn hilariously changes genres halfway through, going from a crime thriller to a monster movie. Salma Hayek’s lengthy strip sequence was largely meant to titillate the audience, but it also served as the transition in the story where the horror began. Hayek helps to make the moment truly iconic with her hypnotic performance feeling seductive yet also foreboding as the audience gets the sense danger is building even if they can’t predict how weird things are going to get.
The movie itself is an impressive mix of the two collaborators. The first half of the film shines as a brutal yet entertaining crime saga mirroring Tarantino’s previous movies. The second part is where Rodriguez’s style comes out to play with the outlandish and cartoonish horror elements. It makes for a truly unique genre mash-up.
10 Chocolate City (2015)
Starring Robert Ri’chard
Chocolate City
Chocolate City is a drama film directed by Jean-Claude La Marre. It stars Robert Ri’chard as Michael, a young man who joins an exotic dance club to help support his family. Featuring Vivica A. Fox and Michael Jai White, the film explores Michael’s struggle to balance his new nightlife with his personal responsibilities and relationships.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Director Jean-Claude La Marre Release Date May 22, 2015 Cast Robert Ri’chard , Vivica A. Fox , DeRay Davis , Michael Jai White , Tyson Beckford , Darrin Dewitt Henson
One of the biggest complaints about the wildly successful Magic Mike franchise was that it lacked a diverse range of characters, and had an almost exclusively white cast. Chocolate City arrives to rectify that problem and follows Michael (Robert Ri’chard) who has a lucrative career as a stripper but struggles with the stigma of his profession.
While delivering plenty of memorable strip scenes, Chocolate City also touched on the backward way in which large swaths of society look down on strippers. Unlike other stripper movies which show a desperate side to the art form, Chocolate City is a celebration that takes time to make salient points about acceptance.
Indeed, the movie does feel like it addresses an aspect of this world that Magic Mike was overlooking. Though a much smaller film, Chocolate City gained enough of the following that the sequel, Chocolate City: Vegas Strip, followed in 2017.
9 Zola (2021)
Starring Taylour Paige & Riley Keough
Zola
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Director Janicza Bravo Release Date June 30, 2021 Writers Janicza Bravo , Jeremy O. Harris Cast Colman Domingo , Taylour Paige , Nicholas Braun , Riley Keough Expand
Zola is an interesting movie as it is based on a viral Twitter thread from 2015. That original thread was from by Aziah “Zola” King and the story is about Zola, a waitress/stripper who is convinced to take a road trip to Tampa, which quickly descends into chaos. The real facts remain somewhat unbelievable, but the movie only takes the basis of the tweets to form the skeleton of the plot. Despite the fact that a movie based on tweets might sound gimmicky and rather thin, Zola surprised a lot of people.
Taylour Paige, who plays Zola, won the Best Female Lead at the awards ceremony.
The movie premiered at the Sundance Film Festival, where it was up for the Grand Jury Prize, and hit theaters in 2021. It was a huge success, earning seven Independent Spirit Awards nominations, including Best Film, Best Director, and Best Screenplay. Taylour Paige, who plays Zola, won the Best Female Lead at the awards ceremony. The movie also earned praise for how honestly it addresses the dangers that women in this industry can face.
8 Sin City (2005)
Starring Jessica Alba
Sin City
Based on the original graphic novel by Frank Miller, Sin City is a dark and gritty crime-noir action movie that tells several different stories, all set at the same time in the same city. The lines of good and evil are blurred, with vigilantism being the new norm, as a city rife with corruption slowly swallows its citizens whole. Each protagonist is loosely connected to one another’s stories as the movie paints a bigger picture through each new point of view.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Director Robert Rodriguez , Quentin Tarantino , Frank Miller Release Date April 1, 2005 Studio(s) MiraMax Distributor(s) MiraMax Writers Frank Miller Cast Rosario Dawson , Bruce Willis , Jessica Alba , Elijah Wood , Benicio Del Toro , Clive Owen Expand
Frank Miller’s neo-noir comic hit Sin City stumbled a bit on its way to the big screen, but the adaptation ultimately captured the gritty spirit of the famed writer’s original vision. Narrated by a mysterious salesman (Josh Hartnett), the film weaves a trilogy of tales involving the city’s grimy underbelly.
Jessica Alba’s Nancy returned for the sequel,
Sin City: A Dame to Kill For
Nancy (Jessica Alba) is shown in a scene to have taken up stripping to make ends meet, and the film has a less-than-flattering view of the profession. Nevertheless, the non-superhero comic book movie reflected the classic noir films that spawned it, and the unique comic book visuals submerged the viewer in a one-of-a-kind cinematic world.
Related Will Sin City 3 Ever Happen?
Robert Rodriguez and Frank Miller’s 2005 neo-noir anthology film Sin City spawned a sequel in 2014; here is the likelihood of Sin City 3 explained.
The movie is not meant to be a realistic look at the exotic dancer profession. In fact, its entire tone is an elevated crime saga with gruesome characters and over-the-top violence. It only makes sense that Kadie’s Saloon is a hub in a city like this where a lot of these characters intersect.
7 Closer (2004)
Starring Natalie Portman
Closer
See more : Who is Eric Mccormack’s Wife? Know Everything About Eric Mccormack
Closer is a drama film directed by Mike Nichols, featuring Jude Law, Natalie Portman, Julia Roberts, and Clive Owen. The film explores the intricate and tumultuous relationships between two couples in London, focusing on themes of love, betrayal, and the complexities of human connection. The intersecting romantic entanglements among the four main characters serve as a deep dive into the nature of intimacy and honesty.
Director Mike Nichols Release Date December 3, 2004 Writers Patrick Marber Cast Julia Roberts , Jude Law , Natalie Portman , Clive Owen , Colin Stinton
Director Mike Nichols weaved a complicated tale of romance and intrigue in Closer and delivered one of the most unique stripper movies as well. An American stripper named Alice (Natalie Portman) moves to London and begins a relationship with Dan (Jude Law), who eventually drifts away from her in pursuit of another woman (Julia Roberts). Clive Owen stars as Roberts’ partner who is also betrayed by the affair and seeks out Alice as a way of getting payback.
Natalie Portman earned an Oscar nomination for her turn.
The impressive Natalie Portman earned an Oscar nomination for her turn in the film, and the story cleverly uses Alice’s stage performances as a symbol of her honesty. Though somewhat muddled, Closer utilized the art of stripping as a way to explore the inner workings of the human mind. Alice is a complex character and her profession is just one aspect of her story but it comes to say a lot about her and how people view her. Based on the play of the same name, Closer is an intimate look at relationships anchored by four towering performances.
6 The Wrestler (2008)
Starring Marisa Tomei
The Wrestler
Darren Aronofsky’s The Wrestler is a 2008 drama that centers around Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke), a pro wrestler who tries to get his life together while reliving his glory days on the ring. Marisa Tomei co-stars as stripper Cassidy with Evan Rachel Wood as Randy’s estranged daughter Stephanie.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Director Darren Aronofsky Release Date December 17, 2008 Studio(s) Searchlight Pictures Distributor(s) Searchlight Pictures Writers Robert Siegel Cast Evan Rachel Wood , Mark Margolis , Marisa Tomei , Todd Barry , Mickey Rourke Expand
In The Wrestler, Randy “The Ram” Robinson (Mickey Rourke) is an aging wrestler who can’t leave his lifestyle behind and tries to get his life back together with the help of a stripper named Cassidy (Marisa Tomei). Director Darren Aronofsky juxtaposed the life of the wrestler with that of a stripper, also aging and struggling to keep up with the younger stars coming in. The two form a bond and see a kinship in each other, but Rourke’s protagonist is ultimately too broken to find happiness.
Marisa Tomei was nominated for an Oscar for
The Wrestler.
Ranked highly among Darren Aronofsky’s films, The Wrestler scored a slew of Oscar nominations, including for Rourke and Tomei, and the film had a lot to say about the nature of work, with pro wrestling and stripping as a symbol for labor in general. In the same way, the movie depicts the wrestling profession in a grounded and authentic way, Aronofsky shows the world of strippers to be complex and devastating at times.
5 Magic Mike (2012)
Starring Channing Tatum
Magic Mike
Loosely based on the real experiences of Channing Tatum, Magic Mike is a comedy/drama film by director Steven Soderbergh and written by Reid Carolin. Channing Tatum stars as Michael “Magic Mike” Lane, an entrepreneur, hustler, and professional exotic dancer living in Tampa, FL. When Mike takes on a new protege to show him the hustling life, Mike’s world seems to be on track the way he wants- until a fateful encounter with another dancer’s sister has him re-evaluating his life.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Director Steven Soderbergh Release Date June 29, 2012 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Reid Carolin Cast Channing Tatum , Alex Pettyfer , Cody Horn , Olivia Munn , Matt Bomer , Joe Manganiello , Matthew McConaughey Expand
Stripper movies were somewhat old-hat by the time Magic Mike hit theaters, and it reinvigorated the genre by featuring male strippers at the heart of the story, which hadn’t really been done much in the mainstream.
Mike (Channing Tatum) works as a stripper at night to make money but finds his newfound relationship threatened by the stigma of his chosen profession. What appeared on the surface to be an excuse to show Channing with his shirt off ended up being a compelling story of friendship and acceptance. This is due to director Steven Soderbergh’s keen cinematic vision.
While Magic Mike still had loads of exotic dancing, it also had a lot of legitimate love for the professionals in the industry. The movie packs in a lot of laughs, but it is a more serious story than the premise might suggest. It shows the destructive nature of Mike when he gets caught up in a lifestyle that is basically one endless party and how his view of that world can change when he finds romance.
4 Showgirls (1995)
Starring Elizabeth Berkley
Showgirls NC-17
Showgirls follows the journey of a vagabond named Nomi Malone, who arrives in Las Vegas to pursue her dream of becoming a Vegas showgirl. Initially hopeful about her prospects, she soon realizes the world of showbusiness is ruthless – and she’ll have to play their rules if she wants to make it to the top.
Director Paul Verhoeven Release Date September 22, 1995 Cast Elizabeth Berkley , Kyle MacLachlan , Gina Gershon , Glenn Plummer , Robert Davi , Alan Rachins , Gina Ravera Runtime 131 Minutes
Director Paul Verhoeven’s Showgirls is a notorious piece of ’90s pop culture but grew to become a true cult classic upon modern reevaluation. Nomi (Elizabeth Berkley) moves to Las Vegas with the dream of becoming a showgirl and stops at nothing to achieve her goal. Showgirls earned a lot of publicity for its overt sexuality and its strict NC-17 rating which made it a hard sell for many theaters.
Many missed Verhoeven’s subtle social satire disguised as erotic thriller melodrama.
It received universally negative reviews and many missed Verhoeven’s subtle social satire disguised as erotic thriller melodrama. As with many of Verhoeven’s movies, audiences thought they were laughing at the earnestness of the film when that was likely the point all along.
Showgirls
remains something of a pop culture mainstay, often getting referenced on the Emmy-winning
Rupaul’s Drag Race.
Despite being a punchline when it was first released, Showgirls became a cult classic on home video, and it has taken a sainted place among stripper movies. Similar to Rocky Horror Picture Show, it has become an event of audience participation, giving the movie a new life.
3 Magic Mike XXL (2015)
Starring Channing Tatum
Magic Mike XXL
Magic Mike XXL is a comedy-drama film directed by Gregory Jacobs, with Channing Tatum returning as the titular Mike Lane. Following Mike’s retirement, his fellow dancers are now prepared to do the same three years after the first film’s events. However, they want to perform one last incredible performance in Myrtle Beach with the assistance of Mike himself. This time, the film contains all the dancing expected, with some other moments of fun and character development between the new and returning cast members.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Director Gregory Jacobs Release Date July 1, 2015 Studio(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Distributor(s) Warner Bros. Pictures Writers Reid Carolin , Channing Tatum Cast Jada Pinkett Smith , Donald Glover , Joe Manganiello , Amber Heard , Elizabeth Banks , Matt Bomer , Channing Tatum , Gabriel Iglesias , Kevin Nash Expand
A sequel to 2012’s Magic Mike was inevitable because of its tremendous success, and Magic Mike XXL lived up to its name. Mike (Channing Tatum) plans to leave the stripping business, but not before one more big blowout. XXL expanded the cast and added even more scintillating exotic dancing, but it also left plenty of room for the heart, which made the first film so enjoyable.
Camaraderie is the theme that pervades the film, and Magic Mike XXL further chipped away at the stigma surrounding stripping. Unlike many of the other movies of this subgenre, Magic Mike XXL is a celebration of the talents of these dancers that goes beyond simply tantalizing spectators.
The movie examines the genuine joy and positive effect Mike and his friends can have on the people they dance for. It embraces the fun of this world more so than the grittier original or the romantic third installment, making it the most popular entry in the franchise.
2 The Full Monty (1997)
Starring Robert Carlyle
The Full Monty (1997) R
Released in 1997, The Full Monty is a Comedy film that follows six men laid off from their jobs at a local steel mill, leaving them in dire straits and looking for a way out of debt and depression. An unlikely opportunity presents itself when the men stumble onto a Chippendales striptease event, leading them to create their own, even more risque act.
Director Peter Cattaneo Release Date August 13, 1997 Cast Robert Carlyle , Tom Wilkinson , Mark Addy , Wim Snape , Steve Huison , Paul Barber , Hugo Speer , Lesley Sharp Runtime 91 Minutes
Long before Magic Mike made male stripping a piece of cinematic history, The Full Monty tackled similar themes in a much more down-to-earth way. A group of unemployed factory workers in England decide to stage a strip show to raise money. Dealing with the way the community views their efforts as well as their own self-confidence issues, these men find they have a lot to overcome and a lot to prove when taking the stage.
The Full Monty
‘s aspiring strip heroes are a gaggle of regular Joes.
Instead of Hollywood sex symbols, The Full Monty‘s aspiring strip heroes are a gaggle of regular Joes which helps make the story not only humorous but relatable as well. Touching on issues like body image and depression among men, The Full Monty has taken its place among other classic British comedy movies and even scored a handful of Oscar nominations, including Best Picture. It went on the become a huge box office success, earning over $250 million worldwide (via Box Office Mojo), and received a sequel series in 2023.
1 Hustlers (2019)
Starring Jennifer Lopez
Hustlers
Based on New York magazine’s 2015 article “The Hustlers at Scores,” Hustlers is a comedy-drama film that sees strip club owner Ramona teach a woman named Destiny the tricks of the trade, including how to wrangle the most money out of wealthy clients. Set during the 2008 economic collapse, Ramona and Destiny will partner up with other girls at the club to find a new solution to keep their profits on the rise.
Where to Watch
- stream
- rent
- buy
Not available
Not available
Not available
*Availability in US Director Lorene Scafaria Release Date September 13, 2019 Writers Lorene Scafaria Cast Keke Palmer , Mercedes Ruehl , Jovanni Ortiz , Constance Wu , Madeline Brewer , Paul A Nielsen , Julia Stiles , Lizzo , Steven Boyer , Frank Whaley , usher , Max Minghella , Jennifer Lopez , Cardi B , Brandon Keener , Lili Reinhart , Trace Lysette , Jon Glaser , Mette Towley , Stormi Maya Expand
After decades of stripper movies chipped away at the stigma of the profession, Hustlers arrived to take the subgenre in a new direction entirely. Destiny (Constance Wu) strips to make ends meet, and befriends veteran Ramona (Jennifer Lopez), who has devised a plan to fleece their wealthiest clients. Empowering, playful, and gloriously over-the-top, Hustlers‘ inclusive approach to stripping was matched by its clever heist plot and brilliant script.
Stripping is the backdrop for the characters to assert and express themselves, and Hustlers makes commentary about gender and class as the entire film is set against the financial crisis of 2008. Based on a true story, it is a riveting crime drama, but it is also a funny madcap ride and a surprisingly touching story of female friendship.
The movie earned strong reviews, including Golden Globe and SAG Award nominations for Lopez. Many even called for Lopez to get her first Oscar nomination, though that didn’t happen. Hustlers also managed to become a surprise box office hit with a $157 worldwide gross (via Box Office Mojo).
Source: https://truongnguyenbinhkhiem.edu.vn
Category: Entertainment