Pink Flamingos (1972)
John Waters' gleefully depraved cult landmark pits Divine against a scheming couple in a war for the title of filthiest person alive.
Pink Flamingos - Movie Information
- Original Title: Pink Flamingos
- Release Year: 1972
- Directed by: John Waters
- Type: Movie
- Genres: Comedy, Crime
- Runtime: 1h 33m
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- Release Date (Theatrical): March 17, 1972 (United States), January 12, 1990 (United Kingdom - 18), March 31, 1976 (France - 16), February 26, 1998 (Australia), March 31, 1976 (Brazil - 18), October 29, 1997 (Spain)
- Alternative Titles: Różowe flamingi (PL), पिंक फ्लमिंगोस (IN), Ружичасти фламингоси (RS), 粉红色的火烈鸟 (CN), John Waters' Pink Flamingos (US), Розовые фламинго (RU), Pembe Flamingolar (TR), Rózsaszín flamingók (HU)
- Production Companies: Dreamland
- Production Countries: United States of America
Pink Flamingos - Plot
Notorious Baltimore criminal and underground figure Divine goes up against Connie & Raymond Marble, a sleazy married couple who make a passionate attempt to humiliate her and seize her tabloid-given title as "The Filthiest Person Alive".
Pink Flamingos - Trailer
See the outrageous world of Pink Flamingos for yourself:
An exercise in poor taste
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Pink Flamingos - Cast & Crew
Director(s)
- John Waters
Main Cast
- Divine
- David Lochary
- Mary Vivian Pearce
- Mink Stole
- Danny Mills
- Edith Massey
- Channing Wilroy
- Cookie Mueller
- Paul Swift
- Susan Walsh
Writers
- John Waters
Producers
- John Waters
Pink Flamingos - FAQs
What is Pink Flamingos actually about?
Pink Flamingos follows Divine, a notorious Baltimore criminal living in a trailer under the alias Babs Johnson, who holds the tabloid title of "The Filthiest Person Alive." When the scheming Marble couple tries to steal that crown, an outrageous war of depravity erupts. It's John Waters at his most gleefully transgressive.
Is the infamous final scene in Pink Flamingos real?
Yes, it's real. In the film's notorious closing scene, Divine actually eats dog feces on camera. Waters has confirmed this repeatedly over the years. It remains one of the most talked-about moments in cult cinema history and cemented the film's reputation as the ultimate exercise in bad taste.
Where can you stream Pink Flamingos online?
Streaming availability for Pink Flamingos varies by region and platform. Check JustWatch for the most up-to-date options in your area, including rental and purchase links across major digital platforms.
Was Pink Flamingos banned or censored anywhere?
Pink Flamingos faced significant censorship battles around the world. It was outright banned in several countries and heavily restricted in others — the UK didn't release it until 1990 with an 18 certificate. In the US, it circulated for years on the midnight movie circuit, building its cult following largely outside mainstream distribution.
Who directed Pink Flamingos and what is their style?
John Waters wrote, directed, produced, and even shot Pink Flamingos himself on a shoestring budget of just $12,000. Waters is celebrated as the "Pope of Trash" — a filmmaker whose work deliberately embraces bad taste, camp, and transgression as a form of social satire and artistic rebellion.
How much did Pink Flamingos cost to make?
Pink Flamingos was made for just $12,000 — an almost impossibly small budget. Despite that, it went on to gross around $6 million through midnight screenings and cult circuit distribution, making it one of the most profitable underground films ever produced. A genuine rags-to-riches story of transgressive cinema.
Is Pink Flamingos worth watching today?
If you have a strong stomach and an appetite for cult cinema, absolutely. Pink Flamingos is a landmark of underground film — raw, anarchic, and genuinely shocking even decades later. Critics recognize it as a foundational work of American transgressive art, though it's emphatically not for everyone.
What movies are similar to Pink Flamingos?
Fans of Pink Flamingos often enjoy other John Waters films like Polyester and Desperate Living. Beyond Waters, The Doom Generation and Requiem for a Dream share its taste for extreme, boundary-pushing content. A Clockwork Orange and The Silence of the Lambs offer similarly dark, transgressive storytelling with wider mainstream recognition.
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