10 Movies That RuPaul’s Drag Race References Most

The judges and contestants of RuPaul’s Drag Race have developed an encyclopedia of references over 13 main seasons and six seasons of All-Stars, but the show is also known to reference other media. Specifically, movie references are common on the show, with topics ranging from LGBTQ+ classics to recent blockbusters.

Some of the most notable and frequent references on the show come from movies that host RuPaul Charles and judge Michelle Visage love to discuss, quote, and riff on. While some of these frequent references are fairly simple, others are more complicated, meaning that fans may need to watch these films to get all the jokes.

10 Death Becomes Her – Available On Peacock

Goldie Hawn, Meryl Streep, and Bruce Willis all star in this 1992 dark comedy about rich women who turn to mystical means to avoid aging. The film’s campy and cartoonish aesthetic has helped make it a cult classic and a hit with LGBTQ+ audiences, making for the perfect Drag Race reference point.

While sometimes the movie is referenced or namedropped on the show, the most notable reference is one of the best Drag Race runways, a category named for the movie. Since this movie is not as well-known as others referenced on the show, though, fans may miss quotes like Jinkx’s “Do you remember where we parked the car?”

9 She Done Him Wrong – Available On Flix Fling

One of many Old Hollywood classics referenced on Drag Race, She Done Him Wrong is a 1933 comedy film starring Mae West and Cary Grant. The plot centers on a romance between West as a nightclub singer and Grant as an undercover investigator looking into the club’s illegal activities.

Like many others, the cast of Drag Race frequently reference West’s character with the double entendre line “Why don’t you come up and see me sometime?” as Alaska did in Snatch Game. However, the line is actually “Why don’t you come up sometime and see me?” but the tribute to this classic is still funny decades later.

8 Gone With The Wind – Available On HBO Max

Starting with the “Gone With The Window” sewing challenge in its second season, RuPaul’s Drag Race has returned to this 1939 epic for fashion references and puns alike. Once the highest-grossing movie ever, Gone With The Wind follows the journey of a spoiled Southern woman during the Civil War.

The elegant dresses that Scarlett O’Hara (Vivien Leigh) wears in the film inspire runway critiques and references, and the title is included in plenty of puns. Many jokes on Drag Race also come about from Rhett Butler’s (Clark Gable) iconic line, “Frankly, my dear, I don’t give a damn.”

7 Ghost – Available On FuboTV

Although the 1990 film Ghost about a woman’s interactions with her deceased lover is perhaps most known for the pottery scene, Drag Race fans may be more familiar with another moment. Psychic Oda Mae Brown’s (Whoopi Goldberg) declaration “Molly, you in danger, girl,” has become a major reference point on the show.

Usually used by a judge or fellow contestant when a queen makes a questionable or risky choice, the line has evolved into a Drag Race staple. Sometimes, there is a pun element to the reference (“Yuhua in danger, girl”), but it’s primarily a reference to a resonant moment in this ’90s hit.

6 Showgirls – Available On Cinemax

Drag Race superfans will probably know that this erotic, satirical drama is one of judge Michelle Visage’s favorite movies of all time, so references are sure to spring up. A controversial film with a storied production, Showgirls follows the journey of Nomi Malone (Elizabeth Berkley) as she tries to make it as a dancer in Las Vegas.

In addition to inspiring a skit on All Stars‘ second season, this film has inspired references to its choreography, Nomi Malone herself, and an incident in which a performer uses beads to trip another dancer. The over-the-top and campy nature of the film makes it perfect for Drag Race.

5 Moonstruck – Available On Hoopla & Pluto TV

This 1987 romantic comedy starring Cher and Nicolas Cage features plenty of over-the-top melodrama, funny jokes, and memorable performances, but one line in particular stands out on Drag Race. Cher’s reading of “Snap out of it!” is a frequent reference on the show.

Since Drag Race as a show and RuPaul as a host are both so fond of referencing Cher as a pop icon, the line comes up quite a bit, either in its original form or as a pun. Although this reference leans more towards the film’s star than its content, it still marks Moonstruck as important to the show.

4 Elvira, Mistress Of The Dark – Available On Hulu & Amazon Prime

Being a lesser-known film, Elvira, Mistress Of The Dark is one of the more unexpected reference points on Drag Race, although star Elvira has a large LGBTQ+ fanbase. In particular, the double entendre joke “How’s your head?” and its bawdy response are the show’s repeated references to the movie.

Not only does the joke feature in casual conversations and witty runway critiques on the show, but also in season seven’s plotline about Miss Fame figuring out the joke. Considering this is one of the more obscure references in RuPaul’s oeuvre, it certainly has a major impact on the show and its fans.

3 Mommie Dearest – Available On FuboTV

Faye Dunaway’s performance as Joan Crawford in the biographical drama Mommie Dearest has a major impact on how people see the actress. Most mentions of Joan Crawford on Drag Race come with a quip or two from the film, and both Snatch Game portrayals of Crawford play into Dunaway’s characterization.

The sheer number of Mommie Dearest references on the show set it apart from other films that often inspire a single repeated line. Everything from “No wire hangers ever!” to “Tina, bring me the axe!” gets quoted and remixed by judges and queens alike, making the film’s impact on the show undeniable.

2 The Wizard Of Oz – Available On HBO Max

One of RuPaul’s favorite movies, 1939’s The Wizard Of Oz is a major film in many parts of American LGBTQ+ culture and history. Therefore, it makes sense that it is one of the most-referenced films across Drag Race‘s entire run, inspiring everything from one-off lines to entire challenges.

Everything from the film’s technicolor aesthetic to its memorable lines are used, reused, and remixed in Drag Race, including a makeover challenge that takes inspiration directly from the film. Nods to the phrase “friends of Dorothy” also mean that the show uses the reference to educate new generations about LGBTQ+ history.

1 Paris Is Burning – Available On The Criterion Channel

One of the most influential LGBTQ+ documentaries of all time is the 1990 film Paris Is Burning, in which filmmaker Jennie Livingston chronicles New York’s ball culture in the 1980s. While Drag Race quotes and references the film plenty, the documentary is most notable for inspiring the format of the show itself.

The unique runway sequences where the judges call out comments come directly from ball culture as depicted in the film, and the seasonal “Reading Is Fundamental” challenge also comes from that tradition. References to Paris Is Burning reflect not only the show’s roots but also its desire to inform and educate.

About The Author

Jason Mecchi
(96 Articles Published)

Jason Mecchi is a list writer at Screen Rant. His passions in writing are film and popular culture. He has also written for Midstory. He loves animals, watching movies, reading, and playing video games.

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