We’re living in full Life of a Showgirl prep mode, and honestly? It’s everything. Taylor Swift is dropping her 12th studio album, The Life of a Showgirl, on October 3, 2025, and fans are already dripping in orange glitter, mint green accents, feather boas, and dramatic headpieces.
This era promises the glitz and grit of being on stage (and off), the heartbreaks and triumphs hidden behind sequins, and a visual aesthetic so bold that the Empire State Building went orange the night of the announcement.
So while we’re sewing rhinestones, testing out teal eyeshadow, and daydreaming of headlining our own showgirl life, here’s a list of 10 perfect films to set the mood, get you inspired, and stoke that sparkly ambition.
These are the movies you want playing while you polish your boots or audition for your own spotlight. (Because yes, in our hearts, we are all showgirls now.)
The Best Movies About Showgirls for Your Taylor Showgirl Mood
So you’re in front of the mirror with an avalanche of orange glitter on the table, red lipstick, mint green eyeshadow scattered everywhere, a feather boa draped over your chair and a sparkly headpiece slightly askew because you’ve been practicing your big show-stopping wink. This is the mood we’re bringing into Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl era – messy, fabulous, and a little dramatic.
To get fully in character, and while we wait for The Life of a Showgirl launch party in cinemas this weekend, we’ve rounded up the ultimate list of films about showgirls, the ones that shaped the look, the vibe, and the drama of the stage.
Grab your popcorn, pour a glass of something sparkly, and let these stories of ambition, heartbreak, and backstage chaos set the soundtrack to your own pre-album ritual.
Showgirls (1995)
Nothing says “touring in sequins” quite like Showgirls. This iconic 90s campfest gives you ambition, betrayal, wild performances, and more feathers than you can shake a boa at. Perfect for those “I want to make it big” feels.
Moulin Rouge! (2001)
Tragedy + glam = Moulin Rouge!. Baz Luhrmann’s dazzling visual style and romantic heart will match your mint-green dreams and dramatic flair. Let the windmills spin.
The movie’s success owed so much to Nicole Kidman’s magnetic performance as Satine, which helped make the film a box-office sensation and cemented her status as one of the great musical-film leading ladies.
Burlesque (2010)
This one’s basically tailored for our era. Glittering stages, powerhouse vocals, costume reveals – the works. Christina Aguilera, Cher, and a cast of dancers remind you that owning the stage is everything.
Fun fact: At one point, producers reportedly considered Pamela Anderson for a showgirl-style film project in the early 2000s, inspired by the success of Showgirls and Burlesque proving just how powerful the showgirl image was in that era.
Gypsy (1962 / 1993)
The story of Gypsy Rose Lee (and her pushy stage-mom roots) gives a peek backstage into grit, glamour, and daring reinvention. Whether you go for the classic or the remake, it’s an emotional lesson in stepping into your own shine.
Cabaret (1972)
Sally Bowles might not be a Vegas showgirl, but her smoky cabaret presence, defiance, and song-and-dance life in Berlin weave into our showgirl blueprint. Watch it for beaded fringe, big high kicks, and a dose of bittersweet edge.
Ziegfeld Girl (1941)
Step back to the golden age. This is the kind of vintage showbiz fantasy we can’t resist — elegant gowns, classic Follies pageantry, and stories of women chasing stardom in big city lights.
Hustlers (2019)
Strippers? Yes. But Hustlers delivers that backstage sparkle, the show, the dance, the showmanship. When Jennifer Lopez walks on scene, your bow should be ready.
This is actually one of my favorites from this list.
Chicago (2002)
Velma and Roxie are showgirls of a different kind. The jazz, the sass, the feathers and fishnets. Chicago is a musical storm that reminds us how performance is everything.
Magic Mike XXL (2015)
Because even showgirl eras need showboys. Magic Mike XXL is fun, theatrical, and proves big production numbers aren’t just for the ladies. Watch, take notes, queue up the soundtrack.
The Great Ziegfeld (1936)
For those who love epic musicals dripping in history, this one’s an ode to the legend Florenz Ziegfeld and his spectacular shows. It’s old Hollywood spectacle, which means it’s perfect inspiration for your own era’s aesthetic.
The Greatest Showman (2017)
Not strictly about showgirls, but this one’s impossible to leave out. Hugh Jackman’s turn as Barnum and the dazzling ensemble numbers capture the heart of live performance — glitter, feathers, and all. Zendaya’s high-flying trapeze romance adds just enough show-stopping magic to earn it a place in your showgirl-era binge.
As Taylor Swift’s The Life of a Showgirl era unfolds, we can’t help imagining her channeling a bit of Nomi’s drive, Satine’s poise, and maybe a dash of Velma Kelly’s cunning. These movies aren’t just throwbacks — they’re part of the DNA of every stage-ready persona we love to watch.
By the time The Life of a Showgirl drops on Friday your outfits will be ready, your stage name will be picked, and your glitter stash will be overflowing. Taylor has described this new era as vibrant, electric, and dramatic.
These ten films are great entertainment and they’re mood boards in motion. They teach you to dance hard, to dream big, to love loudly, and to weather heartbreak with rhinestones in your heart.
So let them play while you rehearse your moves, craft your costumes, and get ready to claim center stage in your own Life of a Showgirl.
(And yes — we absolutely deserve a standing ovation already.)
More Movie Lists
We hope you enjoyed this showgirls movie list, if you need more inspiration on what to watch check our other themed movies and tv shows lists
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