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The third installment in theMagic Miketrilogy,Magic Mike’s Last Dancewas an unsurprising hit. It continues to follow the titular character, played byChanning Tatum, as he travels from Florida to London to assist a socialite (Salma Hayek Pinault) in staging a play.
Fans should see a couple more films in the same genre to prepare themselves before seeing their favorite male stripper return to the big screen so they won’t findLast Dancetoo challenging. Raging from the genre’s landmark movie to the most overlooked ones, films about stripping are truly a force to be reckoned with.
Updated on August 15, 2025, by Jessie Nguyen:
There are numerous reasons why viewers enjoy watching stripper movies, one of which is that provides a form of escapism, allowing viewers to experience something new and exciting. These movies can also be entertaining and visually appealing, with elaborate dance routines and flashy costumes, thus, they never get old.Magic Mikemay often come first to mind whenever it comes to this genre, however, there are many great and underrated ones that fans should know about.
12’Striptease' (1996)
Based on the novel of the same name byCarl Hiaasen,Stripteasecenters on a former FBI secretary, Erin Grant (Demi Moore) who turned into an exotic dancer and gets mixed up in a custody battle and crooked politics.
The movie has some things in common withHustlersbut is far less successful. What gives this less erotic and more chaotic film the stabilizing presence it requires is the heart Moore pours into Erin. The film is a little too long, but offbeat humor and a likable ensemble make up for it.
11’Dancing at the Blue Iguana' (2000)
Dancing at the Blue Iguanaexamines the challenges in the life of five exotic dancers who perform at the Blue Iguana, a strip club in the San Fernando Valley. The lead actor,Daryl Hannahparticipated in an improv workshop that served as the basis for the movie.
The film sheds more light on what it’s truly like to work at a strip club, especially at smaller, off-the-beaten-path establishments. Most importantly,Dancing at the Blue Iguanais an acting performance that lets its stars display their spectrum of emotions.
Watch on Tubi
10’Showgirls' (1995)
Showgirlsfollows a young vagabond named Nomi Malone (Elizabeth Berkley) who hitches to Las Vegas with the hopes of becoming a successful showgirl. The movie explores Malone’s ascent to the top of the Las Vegas showgirls.
Showgirlsis a landmark film in this genre and a must-see for fans of movies of its ilk, andso-bad-they’re-good films. It is also one of many that succeed in fusing sarcasm and exoticism into one and may delight fans of both. Moreover, despite being detested by both critics and fans, the film’s so-bad-so-good quality is what makes it so awesome.
Watch on Prime Video
9’The Players Club' (1998)
The Players Clubfollows Diana Armstrong (LisaRaye McCoy), a single mother, who resorts to sliding down a stripper pole to pay for college and provide a better life for her child. Diana also finds it more difficult to keep the club owner on her side, stay away from the club’s sketchy patrons, and assist her cousin who is just starting out in stripping.
The film contains several awkward moments, nonetheless, it’s full of vibrant conversation and personalities, and there’s a kernel of truth to its portrayal of exotic dancers. Additionally, one of its merits is that it conveys the difficulties of being a single mother to the audience with empathy and comedy.
8’Burlesque' (2010)
Burlesquefollows Ali (Christina Aguilera), a small-town girl with big dreams of becoming a singer and dancer. She then moves to Los Angeles and finds work at a struggling burlesque club run by Tess (Cher). Ali quickly becomes a star performer at the club but faces competition from a jealous dancer named Nikki (Kristen Bell).
In their respective parts, Aguilera and Cher both excel and the musical passages are expertly choreographed and visually spectacular. The movie also tackles essential concepts for viewers of all ages, such as female empowerment and pursuing your dreams.Burlesqueis a fantastic option for stripping genre and musical enthusiasts or anyone seekinga feel-good film with catchy tunesand spectacular dance sequences.
Watch on Sling
7’Chocolate City' (2015)
Chocolate Cityfollows a struggling college student named Michael (Robert Ri’chard) whose life is abruptly changed when he meets the proprietor of a male strip club and is persuaded to try out the amateur night. He must contend with the attention of the club’s female patrons while keeping his profession a secret from his mother and his girlfriend.
Obviously inspired byMagic Mike, the movie still holds up well on its own thanks to its excellent cinematography and satisfyingly exotic, kinetic dance. Moreover,Chocolate Citymay fall short of the original’s allegorical depths, but it still manages to keep the narrative compelling, sympathetic, and moving.
6’From Dusk Till Dawn' (1996)
From Dusk Till Dawnrevolves around two American criminal brothers (George ClooneyandQuentin Tarantino) who kidnap a family in an attempt to enter Mexico, but wind up stranded in a saloon frequented by vampires.
The audience wants a vampire stripper more than they want a human one, andFrom Dusk Till Dawnsucceeds in combining the two genres with such ease and entertainment. Moreover, with the screenplay written by Tarantino, fans will be served with lots of blood and gore, and combined withRobert Rodriguez’s signature filmmaking style, the film is a feast to be devoured.
Watch on Max
5’Magic Mike XXL' (2015)
Magic Mike XXLis thesequel to the 2012 movieand takes place 3 years after Mike quit his male stripping life. After being informed that his former boss is gone, Mike traveled to Myrtle Beach with the remaining Kings of Tampa to deliver one more big show.
XXLis a film worth viewing for its own virtues as well as being the precursor toLast Dance, albeit falling a little short of its 2012 predecessor. The movie dispels all seriousness for an instantly enjoyable experience thanks to its lightheartedness, frequent humor, sexiness, and ridiculousness in a delightful way.
Watch on Netflix
4’Closer' (2004)
Based onPatrick Marber’s award-winning 1997 play of the same name,Closerfocuses on the relationship of two London couples as they meet, fall in love, break up, switch partners, then switch back again, inflicting harm on one another in every way humanly possible withNatalie Portmanplaying Alice, at the center.
While the movie doesn’t focus on strippers or the difficult lives they lead like the other films on the list, there is an iconic scene in which Natalie Portman plays an exotic dancer that makes it worthwhile to include. Moreover,Closeris a gritty, engrossing movie with superb acting and an intriguing script!
3’Magic Mike' (2012)
Magic Mikecenters on Adam (Alex Pettyfer), a 19-year-old who is introduced to the world of male stripping under the mentorship of Mike Lane (Tatum), a veteran of the industry with six years of experience. The movie is partially based on Tatum’s experience when he was an 18-year-old male stripper in Tampa, Florida.
It’s always the first male stripper movie that comes to mind and it would be a mistake to start thethird movie in the trilogywithout first watching the prior two because it would provide the audience with greater context and background. Thus,Magic Mikeis the start. Beyond what the plot synopsis suggests, the film engages and fascinates on a level that goes beyond a purely bodily response with its authenticity and the cast’s charismatic performances.
