John Waters films that I've watched so far: Best to Worst

Hairspray (1988)

'Hairspray' is a sumptuous exercise in feel-good film. Waters' last film before the death of his recurring actor 'Divine.'

The light satire in the film pokes fun of society's rejection of people based on race, class and weight by placing confident yet overweight teenager Tracy Turnblad (played by pre-talk show Ricki Lake) into her favourite dance show on television in the early 60's. She begins to notice the prejudice and segregation of black people on this aforementioned show and becomes an advocate for integration.

Even though Serial Mom is the more technically impressive movie with a higher budget, Hairspray is more heartwarming and fun to watch.

Serial Mom (1994)

While 'Serial Mom' differs in tone from Hairspray it is almost equally as good.

Kathleen Turner stars as Beverly Suthphin. A middle-class housewife who begins murdering people who don't conform to her specific mode of political correctness. 

The dark humour and outrageous, hyperbolic dialogue in this film worked so well. The way Waters exaggerates the most surreal elements of American culture is always hilarious to watch.

Cry Baby (1990)

'Cry Baby' is another feel-good film, quite similar to 'Hairspray' that depicts the clash of classes between the working-class drapes and the middle-class squares in the 1950's.

It is unique in that it is Waters only musical in his entire career.

Pink Flamingos (1971)

Some people call this one of his best films, I have to disagree. I understand that the point of this particular movie is to provoke visceral reactions in people and make them disgusted but it just went too far in so many ways.

Pecker (1998)

'Pecker' is my least favourite Waters film so far. 

The story was boring and didn't engage me in any way. Edward Furlong's acting was also underwhelming.