Skip to content
What's After the Movie?
Documentary

Paris Is Burning (1991): Cast, Ratings & Box Office

Paris Is Burning (1991) movie poster

Paris Is Burning is a 1991 documentary directed by Jennie Livingston, starring Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija and Dorian Corey. It runs 1 hour 11 minutes and earned $3.9 million worldwide on a $500,000 budget. Critics gave it 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic.

Rotten Tomatoes
98%
worldwide gross
$3.9M
Metascore
82
budget
$500K
Loading streaming availability…
Paris Is Burning (1991) movie poster
Released
Runtime
1h 11m (71 min)
Genre
Documentary
Original language
English
Budget
$500K
After the credits
No No extra scene
The story

What Is Paris Is Burning About?

The premise of Paris Is Burning without spoilers.

This documentary explores the dynamic ball culture scene in 1980s New York City. It offers a glimpse into the lives of performers who create chosen families, or "houses," finding acceptance and community. Through elaborate fashion shows and spirited competitions, the film examines themes of race, class, and the power of self-expression, featuring interviews with influential figures like Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija, and Dorian Corey.

Paris Is Burning Themes & Keywords

· 50 tags
  • lgbt
  • 1980s
  • fashion
  • drag ball
  • homosexuality
  • new york city
  • drag queen
  • national film registry
  • modelling
  • fashion show
  • african american
  • subculture
+38 more
  • shoplifting
  • prostitution
  • dancing
  • gay
  • independent film
  • new queer cinema
  • new york city piers
  • transgender
  • greenwich village manhattan new york city
  • consumerism
  • gender roles
  • american culture
  • celebrity culture
  • gender transition
  • plastic surgery
  • pursuit of fame
  • gender reassignment surgery
  • death of major character
  • social documentary
  • ambition
  • female nudity
  • fur coat
  • forbes magazine
  • yuppie
  • riding habit
  • cat
  • makeup
  • sewing
  • city name in title
  • homophobia
  • claim in title
  • vogueing
  • title directed by female
  • manhattan new york city
  • harlem manhattan new york city
  • vogue magazine
  • ghetto
  • gay parade
Loading streaming availability…
Cast & crew

Paris Is Burning Cast

Willi Ninja leads the cast, with Pepper LaBeija and Dorian Corey. Directed by Jennie Livingston; 10 actors are credited in all.

Ratings

Paris Is Burning Reviews & Ratings

Critics gave Paris Is Burning 98% on Rotten Tomatoes and 82 on Metacritic.

Box office

Paris Is Burning Box Office & Budget

Paris Is Burning grossed $3.9 million worldwide on a $500,000 budget, 7.8 times what it cost.

1991 box office

Worldwide gross

$3.9M

7.8× its budget

US & Canada
$3.9M
Budget
$500K
Videos

Paris Is Burning Trailers & Videos

11 videos: 1 trailer and 10 clips.

All 11 videos
Trailer
  • Clip ‘Come On, Vogue’
  • Clip ‘The Ball'
  • Clip ‘House’
  • Clip ‘Categories’
Details

Paris Is Burning Also Known As

9 alternative titles, including “파리 이즈 버닝” and “파리는 불타고 있다”.

Also known as
  • 파리 이즈 버닝
  • 파리는 불타고 있다
  • The Children Are
  • To Be Real
  • פריז בוערת
  • Париж в огне
  • Париж горить
  • 巴黎在燃烧, პარიზი იწვის
  • パリ、夜は眠らない。

Seen Paris Is Burning?

FAQ

Paris Is Burning FAQ: Cast, Box Office & Runtime

Runtime, release date, director, cast, box office, ratings and post-credit scenes of Paris Is Burning, each answered in a sentence.

How long is Paris Is Burning?

Paris Is Burning runs 1 hour 11 minutes (71 minutes).

When was Paris Is Burning released?

Paris Is Burning was released on August 1, 1991.

Who directed Paris Is Burning?

Paris Is Burning was directed by Jennie Livingston.

More films by Jennie Livingston

Who is in the cast of Paris Is Burning?

Paris Is Burning stars Willi Ninja, Pepper LaBeija and Dorian Corey, among 10 credited actors.

How much did Paris Is Burning make at the box office?

Paris Is Burning grossed $3.9 million worldwide on a budget of $500,000.

How is Paris Is Burning rated?

Paris Is Burning has 98% on Rotten Tomatoes, 82 on Metacritic and 80% on TMDB.

Does Paris Is Burning have a post-credit scene?

No. Paris Is Burning has no extra scene during or after the credits.

Coming soon to your phone

The Plot Explained Movie Summary App

From blockbusters to hidden gems: plot summaries, endings explained and timelines on your phone. Save your favorites and never miss a twist again.

Be the first to know when it launches. Your email stays private, always. Learn more about the app